LED light bar rules

[Clubbie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Clubbie]

What is the strictest regs country wide about driving lights light's profile protruding beyond bull bar profile?

The following is from the Australian Design Rule 13/00 - Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices

7.3 DRIVING LAMPS

7.3.1 Presence: Optional on motor vehicles. Prohibited on trailers.

7.3.2 Number:
7.3.2.1 Up to a maximum of four.
7.3.2.2 To be used in conjunction with headlamps.

7.3.3 Arrangement:
7.3.2.1 No special requirement.

7.3.4 Position:
7.3.4.1 In width: no individual specifications;
7.3.4.1.1 Be fitted symmetrically in relation to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle.
7.3.4.2 In height: no individual specifications.
7.3.4.3 In length: at the front of the vehicle and fitted in such a way that the light emitted does not cause discomfort to the driver either directly or indirectly through the
rear-view mirrors and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle.

7.3.5 Geometric visibility:
No individual specifications.

7.3.6 Orientation:
Towards the front.

7.3.7 Electrical connections:
The driving lamps must be able to be lighted only when the main-beam headlamps
switch is in the “lamps on” position.

7.3.8 Tell tale: No requirement.

7.3.9 Others: The aggregate maximum intensity of the main-beam headlamps as specified in paragraph 6.1.9.1 of Appendix A can be exceeded with the fitment and
illumination of driving lamps. Driving lamps do not have to comply with ADR 46/….


I believe 7.3.4 (Position) would most certainly answer your question. While it doesn't specifically mention anything about any kind of lights protruding from the bullbar, I don't believe you can.

Though it doesn't stop others from sticking anything beyond the front of their bullbar as the authorities don't seem to worry about this at all considering the amount of vehicles I've seen with many kinds of lights protruding beyond the front of the bullbar.

There may be cause for concern in the event of an insurance claim with your insurer. Your insurance may refuse to cover you, as a result of your vehicle not meeting these National Vehicle Standards, simply because you had an LED light bar protruding beyond your bullbar.

I aint no legal expert or lawyer, so it always pays to do your own research at the end of the day. Hope this helps.

[brundah01 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brundah01]

Thanks Clubbie,
Yes I had read the ADR Rule & Qld Tport regs which also includes further requirement regarding protrusions that could seriously injure pedestrians etc. I posed the ? to Qld Tport that many production vehicle designs could do far greater harm than a light bar with all rounded corners.

As usual PS never stick their neck out although he admitted I had a good point. Sort of follows your point about big driving lights.

I am still interested re anyone who has been ticketed for protruding driving lights in other states?

Spot on my next call is to insurance.

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

I believe 7.3.4 (Position) would most certainly answer your question. While it doesn't specifically mention anything about any kind of lights protruding from the bullbar, I don't believe you can.

The ADR restricting protrusions is 42/xx (below). Most state based regs then go into more detail.

11. EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL PROTRUSIONS
11.1. No vehicle must be equipped with:
11.1.1. any object or fitting, not technically essential to such vehicle, which protrudes from any part of the vehicle so that it is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to any person;
11.1.2. any object or fitting technically essential to such vehicle unless its design, construction and conditions and the manner in which it is affixed to the vehicle are such as to reduce to a minimum the risk of bodily injury to any person;
11.1.3. any object or fitting which, because it is pointed or has a sharp edge, is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to any person; or
11.1.4. any bumper bar the end of which is not turned towards the body of the vehicle to a sufficient extent to avoid any risk of hooking or grazing.

Like any ADR compliance issue if you are stopped you are more likely to get a defect notice only instead of a fine (I've posted previously about a mate who got stung for a roof mounted LED bar). I'd be more concerned though of the insurance issues in the unfortunate event that someone was injured as a result of an incorrectly installed accessory.

[Clubbie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Clubbie]

Thanks for that info JGD.

Your mate who got stung for the LED bar mounted on his roof, what state was that in?

I'm very curious now to find out if any insurance company has ever refused a claim as a result of any LED light bars or spot lights incorrectly installed on a 4WD or for any other non compliance issue as per the ADR.

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

Was in NSW Clubbie. There is a thread on here about it.

[9magenta Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 9magenta]

The people making these rules need to be retired early!!!!!

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

Hi 9magenta - get the impression you pissed off with the DOT rules that came out in August last year

Have you spoken with the guy's from Ultimate 4wd where you won the $10k prize and who installed the light bar to the rino rack?? Surely they should know the rules where accessories should be installed to ensure your vehicle still legal and comply with current DOT rules?

I'd be asking them why they still doing these type of install if it illegal to do so and fit a new light bar on the bull bar, get pissed off with the installers not the rules

(Mind you I see HEAPS of vehicles on WA roads with the same install - don't think they actually policing it)

Kim

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

The people making these rules need to be retired early!!!!!

These 'rules' have not just been brought in 9magenta - the ADR's re these issues have remained with little change since 1989, ie 27 years!

KIMBOPRADO rightly pointed out the issue is with your professional installer not knowing the requirements.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

And the fact that most LED lightbars come in a box or with a warning advising for off road use only.

[9magenta Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 9magenta]

The installer knows the problem but also says that they have not had a problem yet. Really the DOT need to get a life and catch up with modern times. I like the light it produces and used correctly is not a problem. Its like anything education is the best prevention!

[Clubbie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Clubbie]

I agree with 9magenta. The ADR rules surrounding the use of LED light bars is in need of a review as I believe they don't make any sense.

When was the last time any accident was caused as a direct result of using an LED light bar, no matter where on the 4WD it was installed. Probably never as far as I know.

When was the last time any pedestrian was seriously injured or died as a result of being hit by an LED light bar that was installed on top of a bull bar on a 4WD? Probably never as far as I know.

When was the last time any driver lost control of their 4WD and had an accident as a result of light reflecting from their bonnet when using their LED light bar installed on the roof? Probably never...

Its easy for people in charge of implementing rules and regulations to make such assumptions of what may happen when using LED light bars, even though those assumptions are most likely not foreseeable. It's easy for people to measure the dangers of using LED light bars, yet what can't be measured is how those same LED light bars have prevented an accident with another vehicle, prevented a collision with any animal on the road or prevented a serious accident for a 4WD while off road in the dark.

I personally don't see any problem with having one LED light bar installed on the roof and one installed on a bull bar, so as long they're used correctly and responsibly. I believe they're also important for many people in rural and regional areas of this country in order to safely drive in the dark.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Wow

If you can't see far enough up the road with lights legally mounted on your vehicle you either need to get better lights, get glasses, slow down or hand you licence in!

You have to remember these laws are introduced to protect idiots from themselves and each other. If you have ever been dazzled by an LED light bar operated by some muppet who doesn't know when to turn it off you would want them banned all together.

Reduce the size, mount them legally and have plenty of light, or mount them how you want but don't come complaining when you get knocked off for it. As for companies that illegally mount lights, if they didn't make the customer aware it wasn't legally fitted they should be held accountable and be forced to rectify the situation.

[Clubbie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Clubbie]

AussieAndy...What may be far enough for you may not be far enough for others. I don't see an issue with having a roof mounted LED light bar installed on the roof for anyone who may want them. Yeah sure it may throw heaps of light ahead and provide some coverage on the sides, probably enough for anyone driving at legal speeds of up to 100km/h on roads at night where animal strikes may occur.

You honestly believe laws are designed to protect idiots from themselves or anyone else? wow! You do realise that you can "legally" mount up to 4 optional lights (such as LED light bars) on the front of your vehicle as per the ADR. Do you consider that to be too much lights at the front of any vehicle?

You do realise that you can still be dazzled by any "legally" mounted lights (spotties or LED light bars) by any muppet or puppet who doesn't turn them off. So what difference does it make if an LED light bar is mounted on a roof?

Like I mentioned before, I don't believe the ADR rules regarding LED light bars make any sense, thats my opinion. We can agree to disagree if you wish, but no need to be ignorant about having to wear glasses or sound like Clover Moore and tell the world to slow down because you think laws protect everyone.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

You honestly believe laws are designed to protect idiots from themselves or anyone else? wow! You do realise that you can "legally" mount up to 4 optional lights (such as LED light bars) on the front of your vehicle as per the ADR. Do you consider that to be too much lights at the front of any vehicle?

You do realise that you can still be dazzled by any "legally" mounted lights (spotties or LED light bars) by any muppet or puppet who doesn't turn them off. So what difference does it make if an LED light bar is mounted on a roof?

Yes, I honestly do beleive laws are there to protect people from idiots, and more so idiots from other idiots. That is not me saying everyone with a roof mounted light is an idiot, that is just a general observation about the way our laws, rules and regulations are written. They have to take into account all types.

What you have said just really proves my point, you can legally mount plenty of light. More sources of light that you really need if your lighting was well thought out. I guess what I was trying to say was you can mount plenty of light legally, so why do you "need" anything on your roof?

The difference of a roof mounted source of light and a bar mounted source of light is plenty to the person coming towards you over a soft crest. The light source is above your vision, and would then enter oncoming traffics eyesight before you would see them. If you do plenty of night driving you would see trucks have roof lights, forward facing low wattage lights showing their position. You see these first, quite often some time before the driver can see you. Now imagine these are LED light bars.

Poor vision at night is also a real thing, I know that I unknowingly suffered from it for years. More people should get regular eye tests, I know if I did I would of had glasses years before I finally did (and having never met you I have no idea if you do or don't, and am in no way passing personal judgement).

I'm sorry if my comments offended you, it was not their intention. I'm also sorry if they came across as ignorant, but reading your comments could also be taken the same way.

Either way, mount your lights as you wish, just don't complain if/when you get booked for it.

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

The laws are generally there to curb the lowest common denominator from hurting themselves and others. I say generally because a few laws slip through the cracks due to social/media hysteria etc.

I thought I had almost perfect vision until I was night driving twice a week for 300km at a time... Got my eyes tested and spoke to the optometrist and he described exactly what I was seeing at night (lens flare style stuff). Now my night vision is hugely improved as long as I wear my glasses.