There are numerous lights and lamps on a motor vehicle which the driver needs to see the road, pedestrians and other vehicles clearly at night, and to signal other drivers. For safety reasons, there are certain requirements for where these lights or lamps should be placed, how many there should be, and how bright they should be. The information below provides a brief outline of what inspectors will look for before allowing a vehicle to be registered.
Daytime running lamps (DRLs) are optional lamps which can be used to increase a motor vehicle's visibility during the day. These lamps have become popular in recent times and are in wider use on new model vehicles, and automotive after market kits.
DRLs have placement and height requirements outlined in the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). Placement instructions and ADR requirements may be found in after market lamp installation kits.
DRLs must not operate with headlights. Late model DRL units may incorporate a park light and therefore dim output to operate as a park light.
Driving lights are covered by Australian Design Rule 13. The Australian Design Rule now aligns the vehicle safety standards to the international standards of a maximum of four additional lamps, removing the former requirements of lights in pairs of two or four.
These changes also allow for single driving lamps to be fitted. While this change has made it easier to fit LED light bars and other driving lamps, it is still important to make sure that driving lamps are correctly fitted to all vehicles.
An LED light bar is considered to be one lamp if all of the LEDs operate together. If an LED has different parts or sections that can be switched on or off independent of other parts (sometimes referred to as being switchable) then each independently controlled section counts as a lamp.
Requirements for fitting and using driving lamps and LED light bars include:
All forward mounted fixed additional lights will be considered driving lights.
Refer to the Motor vehicle accessories and equipmentpage for more information about protruding accessories and equipment requirements.
Fog lights produce a light that is intended to improve the illumination of the road during times of reduced visibility such as heavy rain, smoke, dust storm or fog. These lights produce a broad flat beam the top of which must not be higher than the centre of the fog light when measured 8m in front of the vehicle.
Four wheeled motor vehicles may be fitted with two fog lights which must be mounted symmetrically:
Fog lights must be able to be operated independently from the headlights and driving lights. As a minimum, they must only be able to be operated when the park lights are on.
The light emitted shall not cause discomfort by reflecting off any of the vehicle's surfaces into the driver's eyes.
The driver of a motor vehicle fitted with front or rear fog lights must not operate them unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility.
The Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board have determined a badge fitted to a vehicle (front, rear or side) which indicates the make or model or other information, which had a backlight (a backlit badge), would not be considered a lamp under Australian Design Rule 13.
The Commonwealth Government in conjunction with the States and Territories have determined and allowed these backlit lights if when fitted they meet certain requirements including:
High intensity discharge (HID) lights produce more light to the amount of power they consume than other types of lights. The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) specify minimum design and performance standards in HID lights for road vehicles.
ADRs mandate specific performance and orientation requirements for such lamps and lamp assemblies due, in part, to the higher light intensity and output, and the potential for these types of lamps to severely dazzle oncoming road users. Simply retro-fitting original or after market conversions of HID lamps and assemblies to the dipped beam (low beam) circuit of a vehicle does not guarantee that they will comply with the specific set of ADR performance requirements applicable to the vehicle, which may make them non-compliant for road use.
HID lights producing more than 2,000 lumens (a measure of light) may be fitted to dipped beam (low beam) lights on road vehicles. However, that vehicle's lights must also align to ADR 13, have headlamp cleaning devices (washer jets or wipers) and have self-levelling systems to prevent the brighter lights being projected into oncoming vehicles. The road rules prohibit the dazzling of other road users with bright vehicle lights.
High powered lights with a higher end white colour are not allowed for road use. Commercially available high performance light products ensure that lighting kits, packages and globes are marked 'not for road use' however some products available online have no warnings or consumer information notices.
Inspectors and examiners do not need to record a vehicle with HID headlamps as a modified vehicle, however, that vehicle must meet the full requirements of ADR 13 .
Additional lights intended to be used for temporary purposes such as reading signs, handling or adjusting loads or providing additional illumination may be fitted to a vehicle in any location.
Work lights must be fitted with a tell-tale illuminated labelled rocker switch to warn the driver the light is on.
A driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or inside the vehicle to dazzle, or in any way that is likely to dazzle another road user.
Where a vehicle is fitted with lighting that is coloured, other than mandatory lights (Red, Amber or White), the lights must not be visible to other motorists when driving or stationary.
Commonly known as emergency or enforcement coloured lights (Blue, Green or Magenta), are not intended for use on private use vehicles but have been known to be used as under body neon type lights toenhance a vehicles aesthetic character.
This type of lighting can diminish the conspicuity of other statutory lighting requirements and when fitted to unauthorised vehicles can be confused by other road users with other types of lighting or can cause glare or light reflection confusing other motorists.
Where the vehicle is fitted with Amber working lights, the light must not be concealed and only be used where a vehicle is working on a road or road related area.
The fitting of advertising or destination signs is permitted on vehicles. They are normally assigned to vehicles such as taxis, pizza delivery vehicles or for business advertising on company cars. Where such signage is used on a vehicle, it must meet certain requirements including:
