Considering the lights mounted on the roof× I see a lot of 4×4 with lights mounted on the roof, both spots and light bars. I don`t see any problems with rooftop lights or more lights than allowed as long as they are not used on the street. The only reason why, in my opinion, roof-mounted lights can be a problem is that they increase the distance from the vehicle and the car may not be able to fit a standard garage or parking lot, but as long as the driver knows the height, he can avoid parking where the passage prevents it. The ADRs of what I believe are intended for use on the road, but when I get off the road, I do not see how the same rules apply. Many of these lights indicate on the stands, and some also on the actual lights, that they are not suitable for use on public roads, or that they are only suitable for off-road use, so in this situation, as long as they do not cause an obstacle to the driver, it should be fine. Everything is confusing lol. You`ll also need to redesign the reflector to work properly with HIDs. Basically, the effort is not worth it and if you want more light, adjust a number of points. For more information, see Australian Design Rule 13. Here`s an official photo from the wa government showing how the bars can be mounted: The other thing that concerns me now is that I`m in the process of setting up some accessories, including a pair of LED lights mounted in the rear bumper that are switchable and turn on in reverse. We have a caravan, and the ability to light up the rear should make it easier to reverse, especially when parking the caravan and reversing to connect the caravan. The car has a well-positioned rearview camera that displays the tow ball and allows me to see exactly where everything is and I can connect the caravan without the need for an observer.
The lights have an overide switch so I can turn on the lights in the park so I can see the back of the car and help me plug in a pressure belt if I help recover a vehicle stuck behind me. Or to level and furnish the caravan. Or to organize luggage when setting up our caravan or packing. I hope that will not be a problem. Above all, the excerpts of rules say more or less the same thing, but each authority has put its own point of view on it. One problem is that absolute values such as « You will not mount lights on your roof » (unless you are in WA) have been replaced by « do not dazzle another road user » and « do not cause discomfort to the driver ». This is good because there is freedom of placement, but bad because it is difficult to define what is dazzling or uncomfortable. An application to amend a light vehicle form must be submitted to the Vehicle Standards. Additional lighting systems must be installed strictly in accordance with South Australian legislation and must be marked to comply with Australian design rules. A pair of daytime running lights may be installed symmetrically around the centre line of the motor vehicle.
The lights shall be wired so as not to come on while the vehicle`s main headlights are on. The first principle of vehicle modifications in Australia is that the response is always state-specific. Unfortunately, each part of Australia has its own road authority, which has a slightly different set of rules, so what is legal in one state may not be legal in another. Because, well, who knows. We just have to live with the pain. Additional LED light strips and headlights may be installed provided that they meet the following requirements: 2) Like all additional headlamps, they must be switched on in such a way that they can only be switched on when the main-beam headlamps are switched on. The short answer is no. The technical formulation is that the light should not be in the driver`s line of sight. For most of us, this means that placing a light bar on top of your bull pole will disrupt your line of sight.
For those who have a low loop or no loop at all, everything will be fine under this decision. One sentence that should be given special attention is « up to a maximum of four ». These are additional lights, so it includes fog lights in a bull bar if the vehicle was not originally equipped with them. Two new fog lights at the bar and a pair of HIDs in the middle mean that a light bar counts as the fifth light and is illegal – no matter where it is mounted. No, it`s too easy. Here are some excerpts, and the text in bold highlights some inconsistencies: www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/2945/~/motor-vehicle-headlights-and-lamps The installation of the additional lights should also be legal. These should only work when the LED high beams are on. Similarly, the lights must go out with the projectors.
In other words, the additional lights are connected to LED high beams. The switch for additional luminaires can be separated. However, the power source for these lights comes from LED projectors. Hi Nicole, I experienced all this with the rms guy. My light bar is lit by an insulated switch. During the 3 years it has been on the car, it has been used perhaps a dozen times, in the bush on private property usually or in the middle of the bush to set up camp. It does not protrude from the vehicle area and therefore does not present a risk of injury. All I want is to be presented with the rules that say it is illegal. That`s what the roof mount says. No one seems to be doing that. The rules are muddy at best.
Nothing is clear in writing. In South Australia, you are allowed to get a maximum of four lights. The four luminaires can be directed forward. The four lights can be in a combined form. For example, two LED light strips and the other as headlights could be. With all the LED light together, one light acts as a single lamp. If you are installing replacement or roll-up suspension components, you must submit an application to amend a light motor vehicle form and a report from a recognized technical signatory (507.1 KB PDF) (LVES). The installation of luminaires must not present a danger to pedestrians. It should not exceed in any way.
In case of light protrusion, it could injure pedestrians. The same is not even allowed in road and traffic law. You can get the extra lights on the top of the roof. In this way, it is acceptable and also safe from accidents. My interpretation of Victorian laws is that fog lights must have an independent switch installed. For light strips, however, there is only the requirement that the light strips be switched on and off with the high beams. This is the reading of the link provided. If there is Victorian legislation that requires an independent switch for light strips, please let us know. Can you upgrade your headlights to HIDs? Yes, if you do it legally? That said, you also add: Source: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/vehicle-safety/fog-and-driving-lights internet is full of half-truths and whole lies when it comes to traffic lights. Here is the last word in Australia`s laws on lightness behind the wheel. Graeme Snell of RMS explains the ADR13 rule.
He said that, although there was no height limit, the requirement of ADR 13 7.3.4 was that the lamps should be at the front of the vehicle. This would limit placement, for example, on the roof or roof rack. ADR definitions define frontend FRONT END / the frontmost point of the vehicle, including the bumper; Over-driver/driver; tow hooks; and Bull Bar if standard equipment. He also explained that ADR13 has been modified and that the last previous states « are arranged at the front, symmetrically around the longitudinal axis. If you are looking for an image of what longitudinal and axis mean, you will see an image. Here is the Federal Register of Legislation and the full law is available for reading. I hope this helps because it has been an area of reflection for me to do research, as I`m sure it is for many people. You will see the reference to ADR13. 7.3.4.3 Yes, you can legally mount a light bar on your roof, but there are a few provisions associated with it. You must submit a light motor vehicle modification request for each chassis change, and a declaration of requirements will be issued prior to traffic control. For vehicles manufactured from 1 July 2013 with a maximum authorised mass (BWM) of less than 3,5 tonnes, the bull canes must conform to the shape of the vehicle. However, it is said that the risk of injury to pedestrians, the driver`s line of sight and so on are not increased.
This means that the above statement is not a license to install the lights wherever and however you want, on the roof. It also explicitly mentions protrusions. The list of passenger car lanes for vehicles from 1970 onwards (4.0 MB PDF) specifies the maximum permissible wheel lane for light passenger cars. Red and blue lights are only allowed in emergency vehicles – for example, police, firefighters and ambulances. nt.gov.au/driving/safety/additional-lighting NSW: 1 is correct for light strips, rest is illegal without physically mounted on/off switch outside. ADR13 specifies « shall be located at the front of the vehicle » and « not above the height of the headlight » and « not more than 1200 mm above the ground ». NSW`s Highway Traffic Act complies with ADR13. Apart from that, if you plan to get extra lights for your vehicle, you have to go through the laws. There are laws that determine how many extra lights your vehicle can have. It is not possible to memorize every law, so it is better to go through the official website. The same goes for Australia, as the law varies from country to country.
It`s not just about light bars where every state varies – seemingly for no reason.