Off-road lights help drivers navigate dark trails at night, paying attention to potential dangers, unsuspecting creatures, and obstacles they might find in their path. However, the same lights can be annoying when used on busy public roads and highways. They may be able to blind oncoming traffic, resulting in avoidable collisions. For this reason, many states require you to cover these lights. Although most vehicles are equipped with pre-installed fog lights, many states consider them auxiliary lights. This means that they are counted in the law, which stipulates that a maximum of four uncovered luminaires are allowed within the specified height range on the public road. So be sure to check your state`s laws regarding these auxiliary lights to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities. The second regulation for additional off-road lights, followed by some states, requires that all lights that are not mandatory headlights, brake lights, turn signals, etc. must be covered when driving on public roads.
Regardless of their height, you should cover all auxiliary lights to avoid fines. Failure to follow your local safety rules can result in hefty fines. Currently, there are no federal regulations in the United States that regulate whether off-road lamps should be covered or not. The Code of Georgia describes limits on the number of lights that may be mounted on a vehicle. The law does not authorize more than one headlight, two fog lights, an additional passing beam and an additional headlight. Blue lights are prohibited on private cars. Using blue lights on a non-emergency vehicle is considered a crime and can result in up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. However, adding an extra set of lights or headlights to your SUV doesn`t mean you can use those lights when traveling on local roads and highways. This is because these lights can potentially dazzle other drivers on the road, leading to car collisions and other preventable accidents. If you`re going on an adventure with your all-terrain vehicle in the evening or at night, you`ll need extra lights, as your headlight can`t provide enough light for you to see where you`re driving properly. That`s because your vehicle will likely be the only source of light on an off-road ride.
You will need additional lights to see potential obstacles and dangers that may be coming your way. This way, even if the lumens are designed for off-road use, the lights will not cause any damage to other road users. Ask your DMV or a police officer what the LED lights rules are in your state, as regulations vary. Here are examples where you`re better off with those bright lights. KC lights attract a lot of attention from police officers because of their high intensity. If you`re not careful, you can get a ticket simply because you have the lights on your vehicle. But ask your police department or DMV if KC lights are allowed in your vehicle, as rules vary from state to state. Whether you`re running or just relaxing with the guys, these lights will come in handy. Every state in the United States allows auxiliary lighting such as KC lights and other off-road lighting systems.
But it seems that they are following all the rules of the federal Department of Transport in this matter. Another important point to remember is that if the off-road LED light is not DOT approved and marked with the appropriate DOT panel, it should never be lit while driving on normal roads, as they pose a danger to other drivers and are illegal. The first regulation states that luminaires mounted within the approved height limits do not need to be covered. In general, these lights must be installed inside the height of the vehicle`s headlights. Sometimes minimum and maximum heights are given, sometimes only a maximum. When visiting forest roads, it is advisable to use KC lights at night, preferably when the road is deserted. Please note that although this is the best advice we can give on this topic, it is based on our experience and those we know. However, this information should not be construed as actual legal advice. We`ve all seen this guy drive towards you with his light bars. PSA – don`t be that guy! If you`re driving on the road OR off-road and people are approaching you no matter what, make sure you don`t create a dangerous situation by blinding the driver of the other vehicle rushing towards you. It`s for their safety and yours! Even if you are off-road and another truck or jeep approaches you, it is common to turn off your LED light bars for 15 seconds as they pass. Off-road lights are bright and most vehicles have not pre-installed them to prevent the dazzling light they emit from obstructing the view of oncoming drivers on busy roads and highways.
Because shining a bright light in the eyes of an approaching driver can be dangerous, even deadly in some cases. The ultimate off-road lighting buying guide to make sure you make an informed decision. If you install off-road lights, if you need to cover these lights depends on the local laws of your state, to find out the regulations in your area, you can use the list below: KC lights turn darkness into daylight, making them unsuitable for use on roads. These lights can be used on private property such as farms and larger parcels, off-road trails and service roads. As always, you want to check with the local authorities for the rules regarding lights mounted on ploughing vehicles. Thus, a cover means that if you have your vehicle inspected, you can remove these lights from the examination making sure to cover them at the time of the inspection. To use KC luminaires on public roads, the lamps must meet DOT requirements for visibility, reliability and durability. Replacement lamps must also be DOT compliant to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
Other rules for SAE/ECE luminaires relate to the number of luminaires and where they are mounted. Some states have rules about how many auxiliary lights you`re allowed to have on your vehicle that are forward-facing, whether or not they`re road-legal. Many states also have rules about mounting heights for the legal auxiliary lights you`ll use. A general rule of thumb for these is that even if they are street legal but mounted above your headlights, it`s not right. Therefore, it is best to mount legal street lights in alignment or under your headlights. They cannot be used on urban roads, highways or public roads. Use is prohibited, even on less frequented secondary roads. If it is a public road, you must not use your auxiliary lighting at any time. Curious about automotive, assistive, and off-road LED lighting laws in your state? Another type of auxiliary light that is often used off-road are swivel spotlights. These are great tools when traveling on a dark lane, as they can be positioned from inside the vehicle to scan the area for potential hazards. More specific off-road LED lighting laws for multi-beam street lighting devices – Although LED light strips are recommended when driving off-road, it is dangerous to use them on public roads.
The other common regulation on auxiliary lighting, including off-road lamps, requires that all lamps other than prescribed headlights, turn signals, stop lamps, etc. be covered when driving on public roads. Regardless of height or number, all auxiliary lights mounted on a vehicle must be covered, which can result in fines. Two important factors are mentioned in it, the lights must be mounted in the specified heights and you can not have more than two auxiliary lights for a total of four front lights, including the prescribed headlights. Since these additional off-road lights are not necessarily legal for on-road use, depending on local laws in your area, you may need to cover when driving your vehicle on public roads. Currently, there is no federal law in the United States that regulates the use of off-road lights when driving on public roads. However, different states have different regulations to cover off-road lights. Florida Auxiliary and Off-Road LED Light Laws and Other Vehicle Modifications State Unified Traffic Control: Equipment (FS Ch. 316 scroll down to 316,217 to 316,455) Some states also allow drivers to use their KC lights during the day, while others limit their use to night.
Anyway, ask your DMV or traffic officer what the law says because the rules change every time.