We have two large spotlights mounted on the front bull bar, but they are not connected. We are considering getting them connected up but what is the law regarding the use of spotlights? As we live in a rural area, they would be quite handy.
Spotlights on a car!
- Thread starter Surfer
- Start date
Spotlamps must be wired in such a way that they can only be switched on when the headlamps are on main beam. Also, if they are mounted in pairs, then they must operate simultaneously and must therefore not be switchable separately.
Greetings,
Can I add to Lutz's answer.
He is correct. However, if the spotlights are under 450mm from the ground they may only be used in fog or falling snow conditions.
I appreciate that it has already been stated that the spots are on Bull Bars but I didn't want people not to be aware of the above extra condition.
Can I add to Lutz's answer.
He is correct. However, if the spotlights are under 450mm from the ground they may only be used in fog or falling snow conditions.
I appreciate that it has already been stated that the spots are on Bull Bars but I didn't want people not to be aware of the above extra condition.
Can you please tell me where the usage restriction that you mention is defined? I can't find any reference to it in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 Schedules 4 and 5 (dipped and main beam headlamps) or Schedule 6 (optional front fog lamps).
These schedules specify a minimum height of 500mm for headlamps and no minimum height for fog lamps.
Spotlamps are not mentioned at all, so presumably they are treated as 'optional' main beam headlamps if mounted higher than the minimum limit or as foglamps if below.
These schedules specify a minimum height of 500mm for headlamps and no minimum height for fog lamps.
Spotlamps are not mentioned at all, so presumably they are treated as 'optional' main beam headlamps if mounted higher than the minimum limit or as foglamps if below.
"spotlights are under 450mm from the ground" Quite correct in what he quotes Lutz, only to be used in conjunction with dipped beam headlights where visibility is severely restricted, ie in such conditions as fog and falling snow, or on a motorway where spray from a heavy down pour restricts your vision, the same applys to the use of rear fog lamps.
I know for a fact that the front fog lights law is correct as my son was prosecuted for improper use, admittedly that was a few years back and the law might have changed.
I know for a fact that the front fog lights law is correct as my son was prosecuted for improper use, admittedly that was a few years back and the law might have changed.
The reason why I question emmitdb's information is that the regulations that I refer to mention a 500mm height limit and not 450mm.
I'm also confused because I cannot find a definition which distinguishes between a foglamp and a spotlamp. If a lamp is mounted below 500mm (or 450mm) is it automatically considered a foglamp? And what about foglamps mounted higher than the same limit? There's nothing in the regulations that prevents this.
I'm also confused because I cannot find a definition which distinguishes between a foglamp and a spotlamp. If a lamp is mounted below 500mm (or 450mm) is it automatically considered a foglamp? And what about foglamps mounted higher than the same limit? There's nothing in the regulations that prevents this.
Not 100% on this Lutz, but I think you will find that any lamp mounted bellow 450mm fits in to the severely restricted visibility and can ony be used in conjunction with dipped beams.
Above 450mm I believe will be classed as auxiliary driving lamps and can only be used in conjunction with main beam, ie, they must be extinguished when you return to dipped beam.
Above 450mm I believe will be classed as auxiliary driving lamps and can only be used in conjunction with main beam, ie, they must be extinguished when you return to dipped beam.
But some of the additional daytime running lights which are fitted to all new cars since the beginning of this year are below the said 500mm (or 450mm) minimum height and they are on without the dipped beam headlights, so what's to stop one from using fog lamps as daytime running lights if the headlamps themselves are not switched on and so long as they located far enough outboard to fufill those requirements? I find it all very confusing.
Agree on that Lutz, the only defining difference could be the wattage of the lamps (55watt), or the "E" markings on the fog lamps themselves, again the law with regard to the new style daytime running lamps is not over clear, conflicting reports that they must also go out when the headlamps come on, or they should dim in intensity, but having said that I have seen a new Mercedes running with both dipped beam lamps and the new daytime lamps together................................... yes very confusing
Hi,
When the spot lamp law was first introduced, (50 years ago? I understood it to say that a single spot lamp could not be used alone, as this would confuse other drivers into thinking a motorcycle was approaching. Therefore you could drive with two spot lamps, and no head lamps OR two head lamps and a single spotlamp (three lamps). I never put that assumption to the test.
I would suspect that, when driving in fog, it would be better to have a pair of flat-top beams lighting the road, no matter how far above the ground they are mounted, than either main or dip beams. I haven't put that to the test either, and it appears that I never will, if they can only be used in conjunction with main beams.
I have long thought that for anybody visting Europe frequently, the ideal set up would be to have a pair of auxilary lamps set up as right hand dip headlamps. Both standard dip lamps and auxilary dip lamps to be wired through the dip switch, but with either pair being seperately switched. So as you drive onto the ferry at Dover, you isolate the LH dip filanents, and activate the auxilary RH dipped lamps, preferably using a change-over switch. Note, dipped beams must be no closer together than the mainbeams. Some drivers may prefer to fit "free-standing" double filament headlamps, and not use their UK orientated headlamps at all. I have been advised that either set-up would be illegal in France, because you would still be able to dazzle oncoming drivers ..... if I wanted to dazzle them, I would use my main beams. But it might make sense to fit "curtains" over the lamps not being used.
602
When the spot lamp law was first introduced, (50 years ago? I understood it to say that a single spot lamp could not be used alone, as this would confuse other drivers into thinking a motorcycle was approaching. Therefore you could drive with two spot lamps, and no head lamps OR two head lamps and a single spotlamp (three lamps). I never put that assumption to the test.
I would suspect that, when driving in fog, it would be better to have a pair of flat-top beams lighting the road, no matter how far above the ground they are mounted, than either main or dip beams. I haven't put that to the test either, and it appears that I never will, if they can only be used in conjunction with main beams.
I have long thought that for anybody visting Europe frequently, the ideal set up would be to have a pair of auxilary lamps set up as right hand dip headlamps. Both standard dip lamps and auxilary dip lamps to be wired through the dip switch, but with either pair being seperately switched. So as you drive onto the ferry at Dover, you isolate the LH dip filanents, and activate the auxilary RH dipped lamps, preferably using a change-over switch. Note, dipped beams must be no closer together than the mainbeams. Some drivers may prefer to fit "free-standing" double filament headlamps, and not use their UK orientated headlamps at all. I have been advised that either set-up would be illegal in France, because you would still be able to dazzle oncoming drivers ..... if I wanted to dazzle them, I would use my main beams. But it might make sense to fit "curtains" over the lamps not being used.
602
Auxiliary lamps must always be fitted in pairs and, in most cases, it is illegal to use them instead of dipped beam headlamps as these will, more likely than not, not fulfil the beam pattern requirements that apply to dipped beam headlamps.602 said:
I cannot find any reference to a requirement that auxiliary lamps may only be switched on together with main beam, only that when they are switched off, the headlamps must revert to dipped beam. My understanding is that auxiliary lamps are treated the same as main beam headlamps and only foglamps may be used in conjunction with dipped beam.
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