Are HID spotlights illegal in NSW?

[mjr350]

Hi Guys
I've just had a rego check done on the patrol and was told that my light bar and HID spotties are illegal. Now I know the light bar is because its not in pairs and sits on top of the bar and I'm happy to cop it sweet if I do get pulled over for it because I knew that when I fitted it but since when have HID spotlights been illegal? I know that retrofitted globes into existing reflector style headlights are a no no but I've never heard of the spotlights being illegal.
I've searched for the last hour looking for the relevant ADR's etc but can only find info relating to retrofitting HID globes into existing headlights.
I'd be happy for someone to show me the ADR's if they know where to get them.
Oh and the Patrol passed, he just said he didn't see them.

[Rock Trol]

Maybe email your state transport authority to get an answer. Here in SA it was illegal to run a single driving light such as a light bar until recently. Now the authorities have realised that new technology is entering the marketplace and a single light bar is legal. Maybe things have changed but your mechanic is not up to date?
Also, off-road driving lights are not supposed to be used on road so a lot of the lights we all mount could be picked up if used on the road if the cops decide they are off-road lights. It's how things are interpreted.

[SpecialDave]

http://www.rego.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/621133/70,055-Headlights-and-Lamps-Info-Sheet.pdf

Hardcore and we're all screwed and here's the nsw specific refs.

In Vic you can have the bar but the low front mount thing wasn't a rule a few months ago when Looked for down here in Vic - better check again...

For nsw

Bullbar protrusions http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/vehicle-standards/protrusions.html

And adrs http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/standards/vsi-07-australian-design-rules-nov2007.pdf

Apparently in the adr no lights above lower edge of windscreen and no separate switch so that you nsw - Vic and QLD have their own regs..


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[mjr350]

Ive been through all that over and over. There's nothing specifically about the use of HID spotlights.

I've emailed to RMS so we'll see what comes back

[rusty_nail]

Ive been through all that over and over. There's nothing specifically about the use of HID spotlights.

I've emailed to RMS so we'll see what comes back

from what i understand, you can have what ever lights you like so long as they are wired up with their own switch, which can only be activated when the high beams are already in use. i have HID's on my car and have for years, the mechanic wont even check them so long as they are wired correctly. ive had police check my car over also and they havent made any mention of them as they were satisfied that they were wired correctly.

[mjr350]

Well I emailed the RMS with the same question and here's the reply after a few back and forward emails trying to explain what the lights are and how they are used.

----------------
There are no new requirements, I can’t send you something that doesn’t exist.

If lights are ADR approved and fitted, that’s all we at this dept can comment on, if the Police decide to book you for causing a distraction or glare, that’s up to them.

Mark McIntyre
Team Leader Technical Enquiries
Accreditation | Safety & Compliance
T 02 8849 2530*M 0412 250 550
www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Every journey matters
Roads and Maritime Services
--------------

So maybe because they're not ADR approved but that doesn't explain the supposed recent change in regulations that specifically mentioned HID spotlights and LED lightbars that I was told about.

[rusty_nail]

Well I emailed the RMS with the same question and here's the reply after a few back and forward emails trying to explain what the lights are and how they are used.

----------------
There are no new requirements, I can’t send you something that doesn’t exist.

If lights are ADR approved and fitted, that’s all we at this dept can comment on, if the Police decide to book you for causing a distraction or glare, that’s up to them.

Mark McIntyre
Team Leader Technical Enquiries
Accreditation | Safety & Compliance
T 02 8849 2530*M 0412 250 550
www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Every journey matters
Roads and Maritime Services
--------------

So maybe because they're not ADR approved but that doesn't explain the supposed recent change in regulations that specifically mentioned HID spotlights and LED lightbars that I was told about.

what changes are you talking about mate? i also saw some, but they were from western australia.

[threedogs]

I would think ang HID driving light that was ADR approved should be fine,
Never heard of anyone here being booked for having HID driving lights.
The lightbar is a different matter. Did you spit on the police officer, maybe he was having a bad day
Quotas and all to fill,
Ill send out a few emails and see what info I can get for you

[mjr350]

It wasn't a cop. It was during my rego check / pink slip. He said I would have been Ok a few months ago but not anymore since the changes.
I cant find anything about these changes and even the rms don't know.

[rusty_nail]

It wasn't a cop. It was during my rego check / pink slip. He said I would have been Ok a few months ago but not anymore since the changes.
I cant find anything about these changes and even the rms don't know.

you should ask him to show you where the legislation is that says that then lol. sounds like hes taking the piss to me

[threedogs]

If lights are ARD approved they are just that ADR approved, cant say for the lightbar
so nearly every 4x4 in NSW un roadworthy lol
I think the tester got his faxs crossed up.
Go back and get it in writting why HID driving lights are illegal

[mjr350]

He was dead serious. The whole shop was.
I actually didn't think there was suck thing as an ADR approved HID spotlight / driving light

[threedogs]

Lightforce would have one
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LIGHTFORCE-170-VENOM-DRIVING-LIGHTS-LAMPS-50-WATT-50W-HID-GENUINE-WIRING-KIT-/301217690166?hash=item4621f93236
Ive sent a question, Im dying to find an answer
Ive never heard of it I think he meant the headlights not the Driving lights.
just looking at a few driving lights and not one said ard , HID or nor

[Robo]

[QUOTE=rusty_nail;622983]you should ask him to show you where the legislation is that says that then lol. sounds like hes taking the piss to me.

ask to see a "vehicle inspection certificate".
like anything these days you need to be legally qualified to do anything "legally".
including the boys & gals in blue

[threedogs]

Replies to all my emails were the same "never heard of it ,ever"

I think they mean't your headlights, I had aircraft landing lights on one 4x4 years ago.
I would go elsewhere and get the correct info.

[Rock Trol]

I think the ADR approved lights they mentioned where the headlights. Govt depts can get cryptic when asked certain questions and it's safer for them to just read off the rule book without being helpful. If nothing is written in the legislation concerning driving lights then they won't say it's legal, they will just read out what's on the legislation. That way nothing can come back and bite them.

most cops wouldn't know what each light is either (hid or halogen). If your lights are not too bright so that you are blinding on coming traffic you should be ok. I would be careful of using very bright lights on the road when there is a lot of traffic around. I tend to use just the std high beams. Or if car is coming up ahead I switch off driving lights first while they are a long way away and then dip headlights when they are closer. That's why they mandate that lights can be switched off from inside and not just linked to the high beams.

[SpecialDave]

It's an interesting scenario - there is by all my reckoning after reading everything I could possibly get no specific law or design in Nsw for driving lights additional to the factory high lows. And I think the standards which are in place initially for manufacturers are specifically referring to the factory headlights and I know that for example a mates amg slk 55 black has xenon with factory self levellers.

So there is no specification to say this is the law for having them and therefore conversely there is no law stating you cannot and you cannot be penalised for breaking a law that does not exists.

Further - if there is a "law" that is vague and ambiguous I'd take it to court as common law states that this should not be the case and I sincerely doubt our system would legislate an ambiguous law.

NRMA?
I've read everything AAA and the dept of infrastructure and registration have to no avail..

Your insurance company would have to know?

[mjr350]

Thanks guys. I knew something wasn't right. Im driving past tomorrow so I'll drop in for an "out of interest" visit.

[Robo]

Around residential "built up areas" you are only permitted to use your std headlights hi/low beam.
other wise your lighting house interiors as ya pass, not very courteous hay.
besides in these situations usually speed is normally restricted below 80k and std headlight will be enough.

once you get into rural areas "not built up" your permitted to use your additional spot lights (in pairs) as the laws currently stand.

the argument of "how" light is made would be irrelevant one would think.
solong as your not blinding the oncoming traffic and the light is white.
fog lights yellow is another story.

[Coxy34]

In SA the requirements are that there be no lights above the bonnet hight of the bull bar and as long as they are set out symmetrically, that is one in the middle or two either side or three with one either side and one in the middle and so on they are fine. There is no law about using them in urban areas as such. You can use them where ever you like as long as you are not dazzling any other vehicles around you. Either ahead of you behind you or to your sides. But as with everything it's up to the cops discretion.

[threedogs]

In SA the requirements are that there be no lights above the bonnet hight of the bull bar and as long as they are set out symmetrically, that is one in the middle or two either side or three with one either side and one in the middle and so on they are fine. There is no law about using them in urban areas as such. You can use them where ever you like as long as you are not dazzling any other vehicles around you. Either ahead of you behind you or to your sides. But as with everything it's up to the cops discretion.

The OP suggested that HID driving lights were illegal as stated by his vehicle tester.
We all know when you can use them etc its more about HID lights in a driving light format

[Coxy34]

The OP suggested that HID driving lights were illegal as stated by his vehicle tester.
We all know when you can use them etc its more about HID lights in a driving light format

Well, I better shut up then!

[threedogs]

Nah not having a dig just pointing it out Ill end all with LOL in future lol