The law- spotlight use on the road!

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MaxyMan

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Location
Hampshire
I've read up on all the threads on driving with spotlights and fog lights etc all the different hights, colours, spacing apart and exemptions so on..
Let me just get this straight, I have 4 55w halogen spotlights fitted on me roof lightbar, am I righht in saying I can use these on road only on full beam? Trying to get the proper bloody answer haha. Cheers :rolleyes:
 
I've read up on all the threads on driving with spotlights and fog lights etc all the different hights, colours, spacing apart and exemptions so on..
Let me just get this straight, I have 4 55w halogen spotlights fitted on me roof lightbar, am I righht in saying I can use these on road only on full beam? Trying to get the proper bloody answer haha. Cheers :rolleyes:

I do, think its legal. As long as they go on and off with high beam, thats what i do no one will ever know anyway as soon as you see another cars lights there off ;). Also recommend wiring in a over ride switch to keep them off
 
There was a thread started about a week ago with this exact question.

As far as I can remember from it, you cannot use roof lights on the road at all.

However you can use spots if they are the same level as your headlights and wired into the same switch.


May be wrong though..
 
Ok cheers for that. Sorry didn't see that other thread in the search don't want to **** everyone off with same questions!
 
If you wire roof lights up to high beam it is an MOT fail ... my old 90 was like that when I bought it and I had to change it. The only spots you can have on high beam must be below head light level.
Roof lights must be operated by an independent switch and can be deployed on road when safe to do so.
 
cops will stop yu if yu use roof lights on a public highway. I believe it is illegal, but if not they will do you for driving without due care.....
 
I had roof-lights on me old RRC.

They came on with the highbeams and were wired in by an MOT tester.

BUT

They were wired through the front fog-light switch, so could be over-ridden.

When I drove Lorries they all tended to have roof-lights, and spots on the Main-beam, and VOSA never said a dickie...
 
I had roof-lights on me old RRC.

They came on with the highbeams and were wired in by an MOT tester.

BUT

They were wired through the front fog-light switch, so could be over-ridden.

When I drove Lorries they all tended to have roof-lights, and spots on the Main-beam, and VOSA never said a dickie...

Thats because trucks roof lights are in front of the axle, think thats why its allowed
 
Hmmm. I not disagreeing, but Scania's have them as a factory fit just above the windscreen.
They used to do a 'bonneted' model called the T-cab, or 'bull-nose' and they had roof-lights...:confused:

I duno , just have them with a override switch and just dont get caught ;) im sure most police will be clueless on the rules of roof lights, if they pulled you for them you said sorry didnt know i have a override switch will not use them on road anymore, they wont book you anyways, unless they where having a really bad day! Haha
 
Hmmm. I not disagreeing, but Scania's have them as a factory fit just above the windscreen.
They used to do a 'bonneted' model called the T-cab, or 'bull-nose' and they had roof-lights...:confused:

I duno , just have them with a override switch and just dont get caught ;) im sure most police will be clueless on the rules of roof lights, if they pulled you for them you said sorry didnt know i have a override switch will not use them on road anymore, they wont book you anyways, unless they where having a really bad day! Haha ;)
 
I duno , just have them with a override switch and just dont get caught ;) im sure most police will be clueless on the rules of roof lights, if they pulled you for them you said sorry didnt know i have a override switch will not use them on road anymore, they wont book you anyways, unless they where having a really bad day! Haha ;)
Oh yeah HaHa:D got it the second time:p:rolleyes:
 
Mine are wired through the headlights, they have halos on dipped beam and then the spots come on with full beam. They were fitted by Land Rover main dealer before I collected my new (second hand) motor. They did not tell me it was illegal and my warranty covers my next MOT so if there are any issues they will be picking up the tab. There is no overide switch either, it should surely have one to enable them to be used for off roading only. I will look into this some more as I would like to make sure I am legal.
 
Try this site Linky--->The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
1989 No. 1796
SCHEDULE 5



If I'm reading it correctly. As long as your lamps switch off with the dip switch you can put them anywhere as long as they are in pairs and symmetrically mounted, as long as they aren't further to the outside of the vehicle than the dip beam lamps.

As long as they go off with the dip switch you can have as many watts as you like as long as the individul lamps have BS kite marks or CE marks.

If you have them on a separate switch you can't use them on the road and they become work lights.
 
Try this site Linky--->The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
1989 No. 1796
SCHEDULE 5



If I'm reading it correctly. As long as your lamps switch off with the dip switch you can put them anywhere as long as they are in pairs and symmetrically mounted, as long as they aren't further to the outside of the vehicle than the dip beam lamps.

As long as they go off with the dip switch you can have as many watts as you like as long as the individul lamps have BS kite marks or CE marks.

If you have them on a separate switch you can't use them on the road and they become work lights.


This is how I understand the law to be. You can have any number of full beam lights as long as they are rated (i.e. E marked) and paired up, face forward, do not cause a danger to pedestrians (i.e. sharp edges) and switch of with the full beam.

Never heard any mention of infront/behind axles & yes worklights are only for stationary or off road use
 
My dads 90 has had a light bar fitted on the roof for the best part of 4 years and has recently had its mot, nothing mentioned about them and never pulled for them either
 
Try this site Linky--->The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
1989 No. 1796
SCHEDULE 5



If I'm reading it correctly. As long as your lamps switch off with the dip switch you can put them anywhere as long as they are in pairs and symmetrically mounted, as long as they aren't further to the outside of the vehicle than the dip beam lamps.

As long as they go off with the dip switch you can have as many watts as you like as long as the individul lamps have BS kite marks or CE marks.

If you have them on a separate switch you can't use them on the road and they become work lights.

I have just been reading the same and was going to put a linky up but you beat me to it.

I am happy after reading this that mine are legal and comply with the regs. Glad I checked first as I was going to put a seperate switch in.
 
I have just been reading the same and was going to put a linky up but you beat me to it.

I am happy after reading this that mine are legal and comply with the regs. Glad I checked first as I was going to put a seperate switch in.

I supose you can fit a seperate switch to stop them coming on if you wish but according to the link they must still go through the dip switch.
 
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