LED light bars are becoming more popular but their legal placement can be a bit of a headache because they're a single unit rather than two as spotlights are. As is all too common, there is no consistent ruling across the country but different rules in each state - here's some links to the legislative requirments:
These are from an Article in Pat Callahan's online 4WD mag - article link is:http://bit.ly/1Psx9wS
Regards
Dave
exa41 said
12:29 PM Aug 18, 2015
Strange but I was talking to a chap in Derby not so long ago , he was saying (hear say again ) that someone was pulled over by the police in WA and told to remove his single light bar ( as I have) as they are supposed to be in pairs . All he did was get some gaffa tape and wrapped it around the light and solved the problem .not sure how true it is though.
Long Weekend said
01:34 PM Aug 18, 2015
I also heard that one a couple of weeks ago. At our last club rally I mentioned it more or less in passing to a member who had a single light bar mounted at the front of his vehicle.
My brother also had a single one fitted to the front of his Ranger. His response was that the lights in the center of the bar had a lower output which made it 'sorta' legal.
As I see a lot of vehicles on the roads with single light bars it would seem that the police are not yet aware of the law.
Similarly, the drawings on each of those sites show that mounting lights above and at the rear of vehicle cabins is also a no-no. Again, I regularly see vehicles driving around the roads with lights in that position. In fact, only yesterday I saw a utility with a (single!) light bar mounted in that position. Again, the police do not seem to be interested - if I see them while driving around then surely the police must also see them.
But, like the recent high number plate booking, sooner or later the police will lower the boom. Just wait until the first person is booked and screams with rage about being the only one to be 'picked' on!
Murray
03_Troopy said
07:34 PM Aug 18, 2015
There have been changes to the rules regarding driving lights and lightbars recently. It seems you can have them mounted in odd number configurations in states. Sorry I haven't posted a link, but if you are concerned, feel free to use Google to find the correct ADR's etc.
dogbox said
09:13 PM Aug 18, 2015
there is nothing wrong with light bars , spotlights fog lights, only the people that install/use them in a manner that annoys everyone else because they think they look cool
03_Troopy said
06:51 AM Aug 19, 2015
dogbox wrote:
there is nothing wrong with light bars , spotlights fog lights, only the people that install/use them in a manner that annoys everyone else because they think they look cool
The OP was about the legal requirements, not the merits of them.
dogbox said
07:53 PM Aug 19, 2015
I thought it was a legal requirement that they don't dazzle people but then again it might just be my tired old eyes that get more tired by looking at all the brighter than normal lights
-- Edited by dogbox on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 07:57:52 PM
03_Troopy said
10:57 AM Aug 20, 2015
dogbox wrote:
I thought it was a legal requirement that they don't dazzle people but then again it might just be my tired old eyes that get more tired by looking at all the brighter than normal lights
-- Edited by dogbox on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 07:57:52 PM
Haha, yes it is a legal requirement to dip them for oncoming traffic And when you are following it can be just as bad, but people don't seem to realise it, when they're behind you.
jab160 said
02:41 AM Aug 22, 2015
Those ultra bright lights many cars get fitted with, if they're not factory spec, ( original ) am told your in a spot of trouble. ?????
Also heard.......new laws now ( Qld )....you can leave high beam/spotties full on, to within 200m of oncoming cars........how stupid is that. ( considering the performance of modern lights now )
03_Troopy said
11:37 AM Aug 23, 2015
I found this on the LCOOL forum, but don't have an original link to the Info Sheet.
I did a Google search on the title of the Fact Sheet and came up with a few links for different states. Peruse at your leisure
LED light bars are becoming more popular but their legal placement can be a bit of a headache because they're a single unit rather than two as spotlights are. As is all too common, there is no consistent ruling across the country but different rules in each state - here's some links to the legislative requirments:
NSW
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/.../70,055-Headlights-and...
VIC
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/.../fog-and-driving-lights
SA
https://www.sa.gov.au/.../lighting-and-instrumentation
ACT
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/.../70,055-Headlights-and...
WA
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/.../lice.../LBU_VS_IB_123.pdf
These are from an Article in Pat Callahan's online 4WD mag - article link is:http://bit.ly/1Psx9wS
Regards
Dave
My brother also had a single one fitted to the front of his Ranger. His response was that the lights in the center of the bar had a lower output which made it 'sorta' legal.
As I see a lot of vehicles on the roads with single light bars it would seem that the police are not yet aware of the law.
Similarly, the drawings on each of those sites show that mounting lights above and at the rear of vehicle cabins is also a no-no. Again, I regularly see vehicles driving around the roads with lights in that position. In fact, only yesterday I saw a utility with a (single!) light bar mounted in that position. Again, the police do not seem to be interested - if I see them while driving around then surely the police must also see them.
But, like the recent high number plate booking, sooner or later the police will lower the boom. Just wait until the first person is booked and screams with rage about being the only one to be 'picked' on!
Murray
The OP was about the legal requirements, not the merits of them.
I thought it was a legal requirement that they don't dazzle people but then again it might just be my tired old eyes that get more tired by looking at all the brighter than normal lights
-- Edited by dogbox on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 07:57:52 PM
Haha, yes it is a legal requirement to dip them for oncoming traffic
And when you are following it can be just as bad, but people don't seem to realise it, when they're behind you.
Those ultra bright lights many cars get fitted with, if they're not factory spec, ( original ) am told your in a spot of trouble. ?????
Also heard.......new laws now ( Qld )....you can leave high beam/spotties full on, to within 200m of oncoming cars........how stupid is that. ( considering the performance of modern lights now )
I found this on the LCOOL forum, but don't have an original link to the Info Sheet.
I did a Google search on the title of the Fact Sheet and came up with a few links for different states. Peruse at your leisure
Additional driving lights including LED lights bars.
-- Edited by 03_Troopy on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 11:49:59 AM