lighting rules for spot lights and fog lights

[jakesae101]

was thinking of making up a light pod because I have nothing better to do and i have some spotlights and fog lights lying around I was thinking of having. 2 spots and 2 fog lights i know your not allowed more than 2 spotlights but reading the rules am i allowed to have 4 aftermarket lights ?

[pc]

The answer is probably in here somewhere.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/certifiers/virm-in-service/general-04-v3a5.pdf

all the WOF rules here
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/certifiers/virm-in-service/index.html

[jakesae101]

i did read that and didnt see anything to say i couldnt just wanted to double check

[sergei]

Any spot/driving lights without proper lens should be only used off-road.
Rest of the time it should be covered by cover.

[jakesae101]

funny you say that sergei i used to use them quite a bit when i did lots of night driving in my escort handy on bits of motorway with no lighting i find it nice to see whats far ahead of me

[Boost_4_Life]

for motorsport purposes i think the rule is they have to be mounted in a permanently dipped position but then i dont think we can use them on the open road anyway..?

[jakesae101]

spots are fine on a road car provided they are alligned correctly and can only be opperated when on high beam and i havent had any issue over the years on previous cars using them on the open road i tend to use them when there arent any other cars so theres no risk of dazzleing other road users

[Mr. Mainstream]

funny you say that sergei i used to use them quite a bit when i did lots of night driving in my escort handy on bits of motorway with no lighting i find it nice to see whats far ahead of me

did you ever run into problems? i have 2 genuine from the era rally lights i would like to put on my escort but mixed minded

[jakesae101]

mine were mounted stelth but never had any issues using them they were genuine gt escort ones and never had any issues using them with the plod or vtnz as long as they are wired to come on only when the high beam is switched on but had ones on my mk1 also and never had any issues i use old ones to i have some cibie iode and oscar and super oscars that im useing

[matt dunn]

AFAIK, from a year or so ago,

you are only allowed a maximum of 4 forward facing lights.

So if hi beam and low beam are separate bulbs your are not allowed any extra lights.
If they are just one light, you can fit one set of extra lights.


If driving lights must only be allowed on with hi beam,

if fog lights, you are only allowed to have them on in the fog.

The boss got pulled over in his Toyota Avensis with the factory fog lights on at night when it was not raining and not foggy, and got a ticket.

[Leon]

You can have 4 x main beam lights

You can additionally have 2 x fog lights that you may only operate during fog

This is off the top of my head so I could be wrong.

Technically "spot lights" don't exist as a definition, they're either a main beam or dipped beam light. Or a daytime running lamp. Or a fog light.

[jakesae101]

sorted i can have my "main beam lights" then and my fog lights i recon it will look cool this is what happens when i become money poor and time rich

[Mr. Mainstream]

oh that looks choice jake, really good. i would have to mount mine externally due to them being slightly larger then those ones,

BTW who changed my member status to The Devil

[nobody]

BTW who changed my member status to The Devil

That happens when you make your 666th post

[jakesae101]

oh that looks choice jake, really good. i would have to mount mine externally due to them being slightly larger then those ones,

BTW who changed my member status to The Devil

wish i still had it it was really easy to do aswell i just used some flat bar and bent it to the shape i needed

[Stealer Of Souls]

I did a lot of leg work on this back in the day. And I haven't seen any changes to the rules.

What I found was....

You are allowed 4 main beams (two standard plus two extra). The extra pair must be aligned (ala high-beam) properly and should only come on with the original main beam setting. The extra set may also include an additional switch to turn them off indepenedantly of the standard main beams (NOTE: OFF not ON).

You are allow one set of fog lamps. These can be controlled completely independant of all other lights, BUT can ONLY be used during fog/foul weather conditions (I believe the "definition" of this is something stupid like less than 50m visibility with standard lights on, don't quote me on that).
Fog lamps should be spaced low and as far to the out edges of the car as possible.

So..
In theory you can have EIGHT forward facing lamps IF you have separate standard high and low beams, extra main beams, and fog lamps.
BUT, be prepared for tickets, and fights with the WOF people, a lot of them have no idea on the lighting rules. I think when I was doing the research I got three different answers from three different WOF people. In the end I spoke to someone at LTSA who got me a verbal clarification (surprise surprise they wouldn't write down what they said though).

In general I've kept an eye on the rules over the past years since I had that sorted out, and I haven't seen any changes to the rules in relation to this. BUT, that doesn't mean I didn't miss anything.


On a side note. Strictly speaking, main beams and low beams don't need to be factory fitted lamps. As long as they function as per the descriptions... I've never been gutsie enough to test that one on my WOF guy though.

[Loudtoy]

When i was much younger, and had heaps of different spot lights to play around with i used to have 6 extra lights on my old laser (ok ok but i was only 16 with no money and they were free), At that time (it may have changed now) i was allowed to run the 4 spots with the high beam and the other two mounted in a driving/fog light style pointed almost directly at the ground, took a bit of mucking round to get the relays wrking right so that when on low beam the 2 driving lights were on and when on full beam they would go off and the others come on.
Only issue i noted that not being the most powerfull car, when on high beam ti would actually slow down a couple of kmph (flat out downhill with a tail wind was only 135 anyways)
But i can't see anything apart from in the motor sport manual that says light pods and spot lights must be disabled y means of a fuse being pulled or relay being removed whilst driving on public roads

[Leon]

http://www.brookers.co.nz/legislation_p ... -32005.pdf Lighting rule

3.1 Application of headlamp requirements
3.1(1) A headlamp fitted to a motor vehicle must comply with 2.1 and 3.2.
3.1(2) A headlamp fitted to a vehicle must comply with an approved vehicle standard for headlamps if this is specified in Table
3.2 for that vehicle group or class.
3.1(3) A vehicle of Group A must comply with the relevant requirements in 3.3.
3.1(4) A motor vehicle of Group L, M or N, or an unclassified motor vehicle, that does not comply with an approved vehicle
standard for the installation of lighting equipment must comply with 3.3.
3.1(5) A vehicle retrofitted with a headlamp must comply with 3.3.
3.2 Safety requirements for headlamps
3.2(1) When operated, a headlamp must emit a beam of light that is substantially white or amber.
3.2(2) A main-beam headlamp must be able to be dipped or extinguished from the driver's seating position.
3.2(3) A warning device that is designed to indicate that the main-beam headlamp is in operation must, if fitted, be in good
working order.
3.2(4) The horizontal orientation of a headlamp on a vehicle must, when the vehicle's front wheels are pointing in the straightahead
position, ensure that the centre-line of the beam of light emitted from the lamp is projected either parallel to, or to
the left of, the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle.
3.2(5) The vertical orientation of a main-beam headlamp on a vehicle must be such that, under all conditions of use, the centreline
of the beam of light emitted from the lamp does not rise above a plane that passes through the centre of the lamp and
is parallel to the surface on which the vehicle is standing.
3.2(6) A dipped-beam headlamp designed solely for a left-hand-drive motor vehicle, where the maximum intensity of the beam
is dispersed to the right, must not be fitted to a vehicle.
Angles of dip
3.2(7) A motor vehicle must comply with:
(a) the angle of dip specification in the approved vehicle standard that is applicable to that vehicle; or
(b) the requirements in 3.2(8), 3.2(9), 3.2(10) and 3.2(11).
3.2(8) The vertical inclination of the centre-line of the light beam of a symmetric dipped-beam headlamp on a motor vehicle of
Class LC, LD or LE, Group M or Group N, or an unclassified motor vehicle (other than one in Schedule 3), must be
between 3% and 3.5%.
3.2(9) The vertical inclination of the cut-off of the light beam of an asymmetric dipped-beam headlamp on a motor vehicle of
Class LC, LD or LE, Group M or Group N, or an unclassified motor vehicle (other than one in Schedule 3), must be within
the limits specified in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 — Dipped-beam requirements according to height of headlamp
Height of headlamp lens Minimum dip Maximum dip
h1 ≤0.8m 1.0% 1.5%
0.8m≤h≤1.2m 1.0% 2.0%
h>1.2m 2.0% 2.5%
Note. “h” is the mounting height of the centre of the light source.
3.2(10) A motor vehicle equipped with dipped-beam headlamps that are able to be adjusted from the driver's seating position must
comply with the requirements in 3.2(8) or 3.2(9) with the adjustment in its highest position.
3.2(11) A motor vehicle that is equipped with self-levelling suspension must comply with the requirements in 3.2(8) or 3.2(9)
when the suspension is at its normal level.
3.3 Fitting and performance requirements for headlamps
3.3(1) A dipped-beam headlamp on a motor vehicle (other than an unclassified motor vehicle, or a vehicle having a gross vehicle
mass exceeding 12,000 kg) must be positioned at a height not exceeding 1.2 m from the ground.
3.3(2) A vehicle of Group A:
(a) may be fitted with one or two headlamps; and
(b) when operated during the hours of darkness, must be fitted with one or two headlamps that emit light that is visible
from a distance of 100 m.
3.3(3) If a vehicle of Group A is fitted with:
(a) one headlamp, that headlamp may be flashing;
(b) two headlamps, only one of the headlamps may be flashing.
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Section 3 Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
3.3(4) A motor vehicle of Class LA or Class LB:
(a) must be fitted with one or two dipped-beam headlamps that, when operated, illuminate the road in front of the
vehicle for 30 m; and
(b) may be fitted with one or two main-beam headlamps.
3.3(5) A motor vehicle of Class LC, LD or LE:
(a) must be fitted with one or two dipped-beam headlamps that, when operated, illuminate the road in front of the
vehicle for 50 m; and
(b) may be fitted with one or two main-beam headlamps.
3.3(6) A vehicle of Group M or Group N, or an unclassified motor vehicle (other than one in Schedule 3):
(a) must be fitted with one pair of dipped-beam headlamps that, when operated, illuminate the road in front of the
vehicle for 50 m; and
(b) may be fitted with one or two pairs of main-beam headlamps.
3.3(7) A motor vehicle in Schedule 3 (other than a trailer):
(a) may be fitted with one pair of dipped-beam headlamps; and
(b) may be fitted with one or two pairs of main-beam headlamps; and
(c) if operated during the hours of darkness, must be fitted with a pair of dipped-beam headlamps that emit light that
is visible from a distance of 100 m.
3.3(8) A motor vehicle of Group T must not be fitted with a headlamp.

and

10.1 Application of requirements for optional lamps
10.1(1) A motor vehicle fitted with an optional lamp must comply with 2.1 and with the requirements in Table 10.1, as applicable,
and either:
(a) the applicable fitting and performance requirements in this section; or
(b) an approved vehicle standard for the installation of that optional lamp.
10.1(2) A motor vehicle must not be retrofitted with a front fog lamp, a rear fog lamp, a daytime running lamp or a reversing lamp
on or after 1 January 2006 if that lamp does not comply with the applicable vehicle standards in Schedule 1.
10.1(3) A motor vehicle retrofitted with an optional lamp must comply with the applicable requirements in this section.
Table 10.1 — Safety requirements and approved vehicle standards for optional lamps
Component Vehicle Vehicle manufactured
before 1 January 1996
Vehicle manufactured
on or after 1 January
1996 and before 1
January 2006
Vehicle manufactured
on or after 1 January
2006
Front fog lamp Groups M, N Requirements in 2.1 and
10.2
Requirements in 2.1 and 10.2 approved and vehicle
standard for front fog lamps
Front fog lamp Group L Requirements in 2.1 and 10.2 Requirements in 2.1 and
10.2 and approved
vehicle standard for front
fog lamps
Rear fog lamp Groups M, N, L, T Requirements in 2.1 and 10.2 Requirements in 2.1 and
10.2 and approved
vehicle standard for rear
fog lamps
Daytime running
lamp
Groups M, N Requirements in 2.1 and
10.3
Requirements in 2.1 and 10.3 and approved vehicle
standard for daytime running lamps
Daytime running
lamp
Group L Requirements in 2.1 and 10.3 Requirements in 2.1 and
10.3 and approved
vehicle standard for
daytime running lamps
Reversing lamp Groups M, N Requirements in 2.1 and
10.5
Requirements in 2.1 and 10.5 and approved vehicle
standard for reversing lamps
Reversing lamp Group L Requirements in 2.1 and 10.5 Requirements in 2.1 and
10.5 and approved
vehicle standard for
reversing lamps
10.2 Fitting and performance requirements for fog lamps
10.2(1) The light emitted from a front fog lamp must be substantially white or amber.
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Section 10 Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004
10.2(2) The light emitted from a rear fog lamp must be diffuse and substantially red in colour.
10.2(3) A front fog lamp fitted to a motor vehicle must not be positioned higher than a dipped-beam headlamp fitted to the vehicle.
10.2(4) The horizontal orientation of a front fog lamp fitted to a motor vehicle must ensure that the centre-line of the beam of light
emitted from the lamp is projected either parallel to, or to the left of, the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle.
10.2(5) When operated, a front fog lamp must emit a permanently dipped beam.
10.2(6) A front fog lamp fitted to a motor vehicle must be aligned so that the vertical inclination of the centre-line of the beam is
not less than 3%.
10.2(7) A fog lamp must be able to be extinguished from the driver's seating position, and a front or rear fog lamp warning device
that is fitted must be in good working order.
10.2(8) A motor vehicle of Group L may be fitted with one or two front fog lamps.
10.2(9) A motor vehicle of Group M or Group N, or an unclassified motor vehicle, may be fitted with one pair of front fog lamps.
10.2(10) A motor vehicle of Group L, M, N or T, or an unclassified motor vehicle, may be fitted with one or two rear fog lamps.
10.2(11) A vehicle of Group A or Group T must not be fitted with a front fog lamp.
10.2(12) A vehicle of Group A must not be fitted with a rear fog lamp.
10.3 Fitting and performance requirements for daytime running lamps
10.3(1) When operated, a daytime running lamp must emit light that is substantially white or amber.
10.3(2) A daytime running lamp must not operate when a front fog lamp or headlamp is in use.
10.3(3) A motor vehicle of Group L may be fitted with one or two daytime running lamps to the front of the vehicle.
10.3(4) A motor vehicle of Group M or Group N may be fitted with one pair of daytime running lamps to the front of the vehicle.
10.3(5) A vehicle of Group A or Group T, or an unclassified motor vehicle, must not be fitted with a daytime running lamp.

enjoy