Thread: HIDs in QLD / Australia?

I'd like to see someone try using a copy of a RACQ publication when they get pulled over by the transport inspectors....

Doh, of course not. The article does reference RACQ asking the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the answer is from the Dept, which I omitted from my previous post. However, if they are asking you about the headlights, the reason that you most probably got pulled over is glare. I'm trying to present a point of view that comes from question / answer in a motoring association article, as I assumed that the ADRs and regulations would have been there to make the use of HIDs illegal.

Try this one...

'The driver you dazzle is the one who drifts over the line and slams head-on into you.'

The ADR's (when I last looked) did'nt specify any numbers on glare, except to say it would be "gauged" - whatever that means.

The ADRs make no mention of HIDs as such, but do make specific mention of light output - which effectively specifies HIDs. These high output lights are not illegal, but do require self levelling and washer/wipers. It is also very unlikely that fitting HID bulbs to light units designed for incandescent lights meet the glare requirements.

The above, it should be noted, only applies to low beam lights - no such restrictions on high beam - after all, these are not a glare problem, as they should never be on with approaching traffic.

john

from my discussions with queensland transport, driving lights are fine but aftermarket HID's are not to be fitted to headlights regardless of high or low beam....

Good to see that the authorities have got their stuff together on this. Most HID kits indicate for off road use only. As for me, I will continue to use + series lights - +50 to +120 as I have been using them for the past 10 or more years in a lot of different cars. No additional current draw, reasonable life, more light.

One thing to be aware of is HID lights run at a differant temperature.

I work in a motorcycle shop and have now seen two bikes fitted with HID light conversions that have started to melt the reflectors. And these were in near new BMW's so its unlikely the reflectors would be poor quality to start with.
It maybe that the mighty Discovery reflectors are more robust , and it maybe that my customers fitted cheap HID's out of China , but I would like to make other readers aware of this possible safety issue.
Cheers / Andy

er! .... what are + series lights? Google doesn't know of them........

onebob

Originally Posted by bsperka

Good to see that the authorities have got their stuff together on this. Most HID kits indicate for off road use only. As for me, I will continue to use + series lights - +50 to +120 as I have been using them for the past 10 or more years in a lot of different cars. No additional current draw, reasonable life, more light.