Are the Driving Lights on Your 4WD Legal?
Are the Driving Lights on Your 4WD Legal?
There’s nothing better than a long, cross-country drive in your comfy 4WD. Some of the best drives in Australia take you across state lines, meaning new laws will apply. Driving lights are one of the 4WD accessories that have different rules depending on which state you’re travelling in. Don’t get caught out by a rule you didn’t know about. Read our guide to driving light regulations below.
General Australian rules
First, let us clarify; when we talk about driving lights, we’re talking about any additional lights you attach to your vehicle. These could be mounted spotlights or light bars.
The national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions are known as Australian Design Rules. The lighting rules were last updated in 2017 and align more closely with international standards. The new rules allow for a maximum of four additional lamps fitted to your vehicle. LED light bars count as 1 lamp when all the LEDS operate together. If the light bar can operate in sections, individually switched on or off, then each section counts as 1 lamp. This means it is now legal to mount a single lamp to your vehicle, where it used to be allowed only in pairs.
Further guidelines include:
- Lights must be fitted to the front of the vehicle towards the centre – not on top of the hood or any bull bars
- Extra lights may only be used at the same time as high beams and must turn off when the high beams are turned off
- Mounted lights must not interfere with the driver's field of view
Guidelines by state/territory
There are 3 common light mounting placements that are either legal or illegal depending on the state/territory rules. The placements are:
- At the front of the vehicle
- On the roof or attached to a roof rack
- On a sports bar (if driving a ute)
Below are the current rules by state/territory in Australia:
|
State |
Position |
|
NSW, ACT & Tasmania |
Only 1 is legal |
|
WA, SA & NT |
All of the above are legal |
|
QLD |
1 and 2 are legal but 3 is not |
|
VIC |
1 is legal, 2 and 3 are case dependent. If the attending officer feels they are obstructing the driver either directly or via a reflection, they may be considered illegal.
|
Keep in mind that regulations and laws are subject to amendment. While these are currently up to date, it’s always worth double-checking the guidelines before setting off for a new state or territory.
Fit-out your 4WD online with Bossco Auto
Customise your vehicle with the most affordable 4x4 accessories from Bossco Auto. Browse our range online or visit the warehouse in Prestons, NSW for professional installation. Call us on (02) 8729 6777 with any questions.
