Lighting Regulations, Adding Driving Lights...

[kb0nly]

Ok, here is the deal folks... I was going to build a custom light bar to go across the roof rack on my KJ when i hear that another owner got ticketed and had to go to court to fight a lighting infraction. The officer claimed that he had an illegal installation of auxiliary driving lights.

Now before you say anything read this... He has the factory OEM KJ lightbar on his, the lights had there covers on, and of course they were not turned on.

He went to court and battled them on it, he brought a copy of his factory build sheet, his owners manual which explains the operation of the installed lightbar, and a copy of a sales brochure showing it as a factory option. He got it thrown out but was reminded that it cannot be used.. WTF?

So i did some digging and found out if an officer here in MN knows the laws i guess he can nail you for it, here is an excerpt from the laws here in MN regarding the installation of auxiliary lights.

Subd. 4. Auxiliary driving light. Except as provided in subdivision 5, (use by authorized emergency vehicles) any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 169.60 shall apply to any combination of headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps.

So if i read this right, i can't add any lights to the roof by law, and if i put two on the front they have to be bumper height? I haven't measured but i know i can fall inbetween 16 and 42 inches if i was to mount a pair of driving lights on a brush guard or directly to the bumper.

So let's hear from everyone. I see plenty of KJ owners on here with lights on their roof baskets, custom light bars, and even the factory light bar. Any troubles since installing them???

 

[jnaut]

That's interesting. I know there are a lot of laws on what you can operate on the roads-- key word here "operate", but that's a far cry from actually having your vehicle equipped with them. Almost all the offroad lights that go on a vehicle can't be operated under normal driving conditions and are for off-road use only. But to say you can't even place them on the vehicle? That's odd.

He got it thrown out but was reminded that it cannot be used..

So, by, 'cannot be used' that means he can't "operate it" right? I guess I'm confused.

 

[tjkj2002]

Most states only allow 4 forward facing white lights on at any one time and most are regulated to height and wattage.The other forward facing white lights need to be covered also in most states.I know in SD you can only have 4 forward facing white lights uncovered at any one time but 99.99999999% of the time no cop will bug you about it,they will wait till they catch you with the extra lights on since more then 4 lights uncovered is only a $20 ticket and more then 4 lights on is $600 per light over 4.


Oh and if I remember right the Renegade KJ was only legally sellable in 48 states with the OEM lightbar.

 

[Powerslave]

Top mounted roof lights are for off-road only, and not to be used on public roadways, or highways. That's in all states, but as stated, no one should bother you when they are off. I see the Renegade all over PA, the toughest state on highway rules and regs, and they are uncovered. OEM lighting is different than ADDING them... In PA, if it did not come with them, it's illegal.

It used to be in PA also, FOG lights were illegal, they had to change the laws to accommodate new car production. With all that, PA is still one of the few states where you do not need a front mounted plate.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Kentucky doesnt care what I do.

 

[kb0nly]

So, by, 'cannot be used' that means he can't "operate it" right? I guess I'm confused.

Yes, they worded it as "use" but the LEO worded it as "operate".

Now thats the other weird thing... Ok in MN you can have a max of four forward facing lights, not including fog lights, but it also says they can be used on-road with the stipulation that they only project a specified distance, are not aimed upward at oncoming traffic, and can't operate unless the high beams are on.

So the laws here are really confusing. The way i read it if i put two lights on the front, either on the bumper or on a brush guard and i am within 16 to 42 inches of height and the lights only operate when the high beams are on i should be ok. I think.. LOL

 

[kb0nly]

Here is the entire section 169.56 for Minnesota.

169.56 AUXILIARY LIGHTS.

Subdivision 1.Spotlight. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed on the road surface to the left of the center of the vehicle, nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle upon which such lamps are mounted.
Subd. 2.Fog light. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of 25 feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the above requirements may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified in section 169.60.
Subd. 3.Auxiliary low-beam light. Except as provided in subdivision 5, any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary low-beam lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 169.60 shall apply to any combination of headlamps and auxiliary low-beam lamps.
Subd. 4.Auxiliary driving light. Except as provided in subdivision 5, any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 169.60 shall apply to any combination of headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
Subd. 5.Exception for light obstructed by snowplow blade. (a) The auxiliary lamps permitted in subdivision 3 may be mounted more than 42 inches high on any truck equipped with a snowplow blade that obstructs the required headlights. The lights may not be illuminated when a snowplow blade is not mounted on the vehicle.
(b) No other vehicle may be operated on a public highway unless the auxiliary lamps permitted in subdivisions 3 and 4 comply with the height requirements or are completely covered with an opaque material.

If you notice Note B at the end, If the lights do not comply they can still be installed as long as they are covered by opaque material. So with that in mind you would have to keep the covers on even if you had a Renegade lightbar in MN.

Here is section 169.60 for Minnesota.

169.60 DISTRIBUTION OF LIGHT.

Except as hereinafter provided, the headlamps, the auxiliary low-beam lamps, or the auxiliary driving lamps, or combinations thereof, on motor vehicles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading.

(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

(c) All road-lighting equipment manufactured and installed on and after January 1, 1938, shall be so arranged that when any beam is used which is not in conformity with paragraph (b), means shall be provided for indicating to the driver when such beams are being used.

Now if you read that it's telling me that i can install a roof mounted lightbar as long as:

A: The lights are covered with opaque covers
B: There must be an indicator to show that they are on

But what good is the indicator if they are covered anyway? LOL

 

[kb0nly]

Alright fellow Minnesotans, here is fact... I got a copy of the court documents and i will transcribe some of the info that they referred to in this case. The info from the court documents i will html in so they look like a quote.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches.
Driving lamps are lamps designed for supplementing the upper beam from headlamps and may not be lighted with the lower beam.

So according to that i can have a pair of Hella's on the brush guard and they DO NOT have to remain covered, but they may only operate when the high beams are on. If i install more than two lights, or lights above the 42" maximum height on say the roof i will have to keep them covered at all times.

Subd. 10. [ COVERING LAMPS AND REFLECTORS. ]

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), it is prohibited for any person to:

(1) equip a motor vehicle with any equipment or material that covers a head lamp, tail lamp, or reflector; or
(2) operate a motor vehicle fitted with or otherwise having equipment or material that covers a head lamp, tail lamp, or reflector.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to:

(1) any manufacturer's original equipment or material;
(2) any equipment or material that is clear and colorless; or
(3) the covering for auxiliary lights required under section 169.56.

Now i know why all the "tuners" around here are getting tickets for those covers that black out your headlights. Last i heard the state patrol was giving out $200 tickets for those, and you can't even put on the aftermarket headlights or taillights unless they are DOT Approved and the lens must have that proof stamped or molded in for immediate inspection. I read the info on a kids court papers a few months back, he had those tinted covers on his headlights to make them look cool and got hung for them.

Also, and i haven't found the statute yet that covers it, but in MN you can't have those trim covers that go around your license plates anymore. The new non-relief stamped license plates we went to have the adhesive registration tabs down in the corners and if you put one of those on they obstruct the tab and the serial number printed across the bottom edge of them. Thats another $100 or so ticket. I know a gal here in town that had Vikings trim plates on her car, got pulled over and was cited for obstruction of the license plate info because it covered the bottom of those tabs. He told her take them off now and you can go on a warning, otherwise i will have to ticket for it. She had a screwdriver thankfully and took them off and tossed them in the trunk.

Things are getting way too restricted now.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Well the solution to that is simple... relocate the sticker tab thingie.

I have a plate frame *and* cover (overkill I know) and been running it for years without issues here in Michigan. But then again my cover and frame do not block the registration month (it's your birthmonth here) or sticker serial number.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

The cop that goes after you for your lights is an A hole. If he doesn't have a real reason to pull you over Let alone just for lamps on the roof of a 4X4, he must of got to the doughnut shop just after they closed or he/she have a total little man syndrome!
If on the other hand you Nuke a cop with Millions of candle power!
And you earn a ticket, well, thaen that's your fault!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Kentucky doesnt care what I do.

Neither does FL.....

 

[ridenby]

Kentucky doesnt care what I do.

Amen

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I've posted this before for any of the British Colombians who like to know about the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations for Vehicle lighting.
http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document...58 Motor Vehicle Act Regulations/26_58_00.htm
http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document...58 Motor Vehicle Act Regulations/26_58_00.htm

 

[Ry' N Jen]

The above link is the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations for Vehicle lighting
I edited it down so it would fit here and only posted the most relative sections

Auxiliary driving lamps
4.09 (1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 auxiliary driving lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 40 cm and not more than 1.06 m, that are capable of displaying only white light.

(2) An auxiliary driving lamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the lamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface.

(3) An auxiliary driving lamp must operate so that it is illuminated only when the upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp is illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Parking lamps
4.10 (1) A vehicle may be equipped with 2 parking lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light.

(2) A vehicle may be equipped with 2 parking lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only red light.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Fog lamps
4.11 (1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 fog lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle below the headlamps, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light.

(2) Each fog lamp must be

(a) mounted not more than 30 cm below the headlamps, and

(b) adjusted and aimed so that, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, the centre of the beam is at least 10 cm below the height of the fog lamp.

(3) The fog lamp wiring and switch must permit simultaneous operation of the parking lamps, tail lamps, licence plate lamp and, if required, clearance lamps.

(4) The operator of a vehicle may use fog lamps instead of headlamps when atmospheric conditions make the use of headlamps disadvantageous.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Side-marker lamps
4.12 (1) A vehicle may be equipped with

(a) 2 side-marker lamps, mounted on each side of the vehicle near the front, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light, and

(b) 2 side-marker lamps, mounted on each side of the vehicle near the rear, that are capable of displaying only amber or red light.

(2) The side-marker lamps referred to in subsection (1) may operate in conjunction with turn signal lamps or the hazard warning signal.

(3) A vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, may be equipped with side-marker lamps mounted on each side of the vehicle at the horizontal mid-point of the vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Turn signal devices
4.13 (1) A vehicle may be equipped and mounted with

(a) a lamp type turn signal system, or

(b) a semaphore turn signal device,

functionally equivalent to original equipment supplied by the vehicle manufacturer or of a type or make approved by the director.

(2) A lamp type turn signal system must

(a) have 2 lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying flashes of white or amber light which are visible to the front,

(b) have 2 lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying flashes of red or amber light which are visible to the rear,

(c) be visible on each side of the vehicle at a distance of 100 m in normal sunlight at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and

(d) include a tell-tale lamp which gives a clear indication that the system is activated.

(3) During the time specified in section 4.01, a semaphore turn signal device must be capable of illumination by light or reflection visible from a distance of 100 m.

(4) A public passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle that weighs more than 4 500 kg may be equipped with supplementary turn signal lamps in addition to the turn signal system required by subsection (2).

(5) A turn signal lamp must be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to highway construction vehicles, maintenance vehicles, tow cars or vehicles being towed by a tow car.

(7) A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must have turn signals that are synchronized with the turn signals of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle turn signals are illuminated.

(8) Despite subsection (5), a tow car may be equipped with supplementary turn signal lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab.

(9) The centre of the front signal lamps must be at least 10 cm from the edge of the low beam headlamps

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 135/2003, s.1.]

Cowl and fender lamps
4.14 A vehicle may be equipped with no more than 2 cowl or fender lamps, mounted on each front cowl or front fender of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only amber or white light visible to the front and amber or red light visible to the rear.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Tail lamps
4.15 (1) A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with 2 tail lamps, mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, that are capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear on both sides of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.

(2) Despite subsection (1),

(a) a motorcycle may be equipped with only one tail lamp, and

(b) a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1959 may be equipped with only one tail lamp.

(3) Each tail lamp must be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to vehicles being towed by a tow car.

(5) Despite subsection (3), a tow car may be equipped with 2 supplemental tail lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab.

(6) A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must have 2 tail lamps that are synchronized with the tail lamps of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle tail lamps are illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Licence plate lamp
4.16 (1) The rear licence plate of a vehicle must be illuminated by a lamp that is capable of displaying only white light so that the numbers on the licence plate are legible from a distance of 15 m to the rear of the vehicle.

(2) The lamp required by subsection (1)

(a) must illuminate whenever the headlamps or parking lamps are illuminated, and

(b) must not project white light to the rear of the vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Stop lamps
4.17 (1) A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer on a highway must be equipped with 2 stop lamps, mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, that are visible to the rear on both sides of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.

(2) Despite subsection (1),

(a) a motorcycle may be equipped with only one stop lamp, and

(b) a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1959 may be equipped with only one stop lamp.

(3) A stop lamp must be

(a) capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear of the vehicle in normal sunlight,

(b) illuminated exclusively upon application of the service brake, and

(c) mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(4) Subsection (3) (c) does not apply to vehicles being towed by a tow car.

(5) A vehicle may be equipped with one additional centre-mounted stop lamp that is capable of displaying only red light visible to the rear.

(6) A public passenger vehicle may be equipped with 2 supplemental rear stop lamps.

(7) A tow car may be equipped with 2 supplemental rear stop lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab.

(8) A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must be equipped with and illuminate 2 stop lamps that are synchronized with the stop lamps of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle stop lamps are illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Backup lamps
4.18 (1) A vehicle may be equipped with not more than 2 backup lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only white light to the rear of the vehicle.

(2) A backup lamp must illuminate only when the vehicle is in reverse gear.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]


Spot lamps
4.24 (1) A motor vehicle on a highway may be equipped with not more than 2 spot lamps that are capable of displaying only white light.

(2) An illuminated spot lamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam will not strike the windows, mirrors or occupants of another vehicle.

(3) A spot lamp must be securely fastened to the motor vehicle, and the lamp or control must not interfere with the driver's vision or control of the vehicle.

(4) A spot lamp must not be used in substitution of headlamps.

(5) Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to emergency vehicles.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Off-road lamps
4.25 Despite section 4.04 (2) (c), a vehicle equipped with off-road lamps when on a highway must have the off-road lamps concealed with opaque covers.

Cheers
Ry'

 

[kb0nly]

We have a lot of those "little man" cops around here. I'm going to get a grill/brush guard as i can afford it and put two lights on that. I know one thing, i will have to carry a copy of the statute with and a tape measure, because the one cop we have here will stop me eventually just because he will think he can make a point. And then i will have the info and can measure it there on the spot.

Yeah the whole license plate thing, thats just stupid, but on the other hand i can understand why it happened. We had a rash of people stealing tabs off parked vehicles, they would peel them off with a razor blade and then stick or re-glue them to their plates. So it got to the point where cops were checking the serial numbers on the tabs if they looked like they have been tampered with. And it's pretty easy to tell because they end up having a rippled look after being peeled off and then pressed flat again.

What people won't do these days...

As for the lights and their use, i plan on having a pair on the front for extra driving light, and by reading the laws i can do that if they only come on with my high beams. Just tired of driving along paranoid watching the ditches. Need some extra light, too many deer around here.

If i put some on the roof then they would only be used when go offroad, which is a few times a month usually to visit a few places where no road travels.

 

[jnaut]

giving out $200 tickets for those, and you can't even put on the aftermarket headlights or taillights unless they are DOT Approved and the lens must have that proof stamped or molded in for immediate inspection.

That's pretty standard everywhere. Any light on your vehicle must be DOT approved. All of those fancy lights of different colors are usually stamped "for show use only". There are tons of restrictions, all of which have to do with distraction or incorrect color. The idea being that when your brake lights come on, they must be red. If two blue lights came on, people might not know that you're slowing down.