Rear Work Lights / Reverse Lights mounted to Roof Rack - Legal in WA?

[Killswitch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Killswitch]

Hi guys,

I have been searching PP and the internet for the last hour looking to see if work lights are legal on the rear of the car, specifically in WA. I am about to put some on for camping and also to allow better visibility when reversing when its very dark.

They will be switched on a 3 way, so can be "Auto" so turn on when in reverse, OFF, or Manual On (For when camping).

My mate has been running around with his every day for the last year with no problems, but last think I want is hassle from the boys in blue.

These are the lights I have.
http://bapoffroad.com.au/collections...ant=1239242439

Found this on RAC but cant see a source to legal document:
http://rac.com.au/motoring/motoring-...odifying-a-car
"Reverse lights:

No more than two extra lights may be fitted in addition to the normal rear lights on a car.
They can only be lit when the vehicle is reversing.
The lights must be white or amber in colour and the maximum height of the lights must not exceed 1.1 metres.
When two lights are fitted they must be of the same colour and symmetrically fitted."

Found this about Light Bars, but that the front of the car:
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/media...VS_IB_132A.pdf

Cheers,

KS

[Guest Close Guest]

You've answered your question already.
Yes you can fit up to two at a height of not more than 1.1 Mtr.
So legally roofrack is out.. But would you get caught is the question?


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[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

I've had a rear work light above the spare wheel on our 2007 Prado since almost new, never heard of them being illegal.
Just fitted another 2 on the roofrack, one at the rear and one on the side.
Don't worry about it, look at all the tow trucks, fire units, ambulances, tradies, semi's, you name it with high mounted work lights!

[Killswitch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Killswitch]

True.

Just don't want or need the hassle of a defect notice.

I'll wack them up on the back and see how we go.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

You've answered your question already.
Yes you can fit up to two at a height of not more than 1.1 Mtr.
So legally roofrack is out.. But would you get caught is the question?


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probably only an issue if you were driving along with the high mounted rear facing lights turned on, causing a hazard to those behind you...and then you would deserve to be caught....otherwise, if you do the right thing and only use the lights appropriately, it shouldn't be a real issue I would think.

[Paul Scott Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Paul Scott]

Hey all
if anyone has put work lights on the rear of roof rack on a 120 series Prado where did you run the wiring
Any pics and advise would be appreciated
Thanks

[starbuck76 Member Find all posts View Profile Close starbuck76]

Some things have changed since the last time I checked.

https://www.narva.com.au/blogs/blogs...ght-fitment-wa

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/medi..._VS_IB_132.pdf

Note that additional lights can only be fitted front facing, therefore not legal?

[sparksy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sparksy]

Some things have changed since the last time I checked.

https://www.narva.com.au/blogs/blogs...ght-fitment-wa

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/medi..._VS_IB_132.pdf

Note that additional lights can only be fitted front facing, therefore not legal?

From that transport WA notice , section 5 relates to work lights and states that they can be mounted on a roofrack and facing rearwards for the purpose of operating vehicle offroad or handling loads. ( Page 3 shows mounting locations ) .
Also states that they must not be able to be turned on by the driver so as to dazzle others.
My understanding is they can be operated by a switch not accessible to driver when operating vehicle. so if you mount switches in rear and wire them through a relay so only powered if engine not running or maybe only if car is in park might suit rules.

[sparksy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sparksy]

Hey all
if anyone has put work lights on the rear of roof rack on a 120 series Prado where did you run the wiring
Any pics and advise would be appreciated
Thanks

I drilled a hole in the underside of the tail light assembly. ran cables for light and solar from inside left side near the jack mount, through rear of taillight and then out of the bottom through drilled hole. then ran cables in corrugated conduit up the left side of rear door opening to the roof rack held in place with sticky backs and ties.
some photos here
https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...-the-roof-rack

[Killswitch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Killswitch]

What I ended up doing was the following:
- Rear lights wired to a fuse box in the rear, powered by my AUX battery.
- Relay in the back
- Manual switch in the back which tiggers relay.
- Trigger wire for reverse 'On' tapped into the pass side wiring under the kick panel which runs to a switch in the console (so I can turn it off when I dont want them on), then to the relay in the back.
- Diodes in both triggers to prevent loop back.

So in short, I can manually turn them on from in the back, or I can tigger them when put into reverse (plus switch the reverse trigger off if needed).

Works really well.