Thread: LED Headlights for Defender/County/RRC etc

Ah I see it now

So, can we summarise by saying that it appears both HID and LED headlights are illegal because they're actually too bright and effective and could be a distraction to oncoming drivers, is that right?
They're OK on driving lights and light bars because they can be turned off when around other drivers.
Think I'll just buy some Phillips plus bulbs and brighten up my standard lights, since I already have Lightforce driving lights to fall back on when necessary.
Incidentally, I often see cars whose lights are much brighter than other vehicles, but appear to be dipped. So, these upgrades are noticeable.

The special requirements for HID lights (washers, wipers and self levelling) are not specifically for HID, but for lights above a specified brightness. Which applies to most HID lights, but not necessarily LED.

A separate requirement is that you must use approved lights, and part of that approval includes the type of bulb - this does not only mean HID conversion bulbs are out, but also any other bulb that has a light source with different shape or position to the one used for approval, that gives a different shaped beam.

This means that you can simply swap in any complete light unit that is approved, without any other requirements provided its light output is not excessive. This certainly includes at least some LED units, although most if not all HID units will run into the excessive output problem. One catch to watch out for if ordering from overseas (or even local) is to ensure that the light units are for 'drive on left'.

Virtually all these comments apply only to the dipped beam. There are very few restrictions on high beam or driving lights.

Even if not approved, you would be very unlikely to encounter any problems with LED lights provided they give a beam shape that is sensible, but if they don't, you could be in strife, and without an approval you have no defence.

John

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

So, can we summarise by saying that it appears both HID and LED headlights are illegal because they're actually too bright and effective and could be a distraction to oncoming drivers, is that right?
They're OK on driving lights and light bars because they can be turned off when around other drivers.
Think I'll just buy some Phillips plus bulbs and brighten up my standard lights, since I already have Lightforce driving lights to fall back on when necessary.
Incidentally, I often see cars whose lights are much brighter than other vehicles, but appear to be dipped. So, these upgrades are noticeable.

If LR are fitting Norden LED headlights from the factory they can't be illegal. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

If LR are fitting Norden LED headlights from the factory they can't be illegal. Pat

Just because it comes from the factory doesn't necessarily mean its legal in this country e.g. try registering a left-hand drive vehicle from the USA in this country without changing it over to right hand drive.

Unless I am mistaken, if it has Euro approval for drive on left, which it needs to sell in the UK, it is automatically approved here.

John

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Just because it comes from the factory doesn't necessarily mean its legal in this country e.g. try registering a left-hand drive vehicle from the USA in this country without changing it over to right hand drive.

I don't think Land Rover try to sell LHD defenders here Mick,I don't know of any changes LR make to the defender to make them Aust compliant either. Pat

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Unless I am mistaken, if it has Euro approval for drive on left, which it needs to sell in the UK, it is automatically approved here.

John

I think you mean LHD.

Goodridge braided stainless brake lines (guaranteed for life) are Euro approved, but not necessarily ADR approved AFAIK, except in Queensland where I must have fitted mine.

If ADR approval is directly related to Euro do you have a link to confirm?

Thanks John, DL