Fitting HID headlamps

[Dave Adams]

Been doing some research on this subject and came across this......

it might be interesting to some of you out there, but basically it would be impossible to legally fit HID bulbs or lamps to a Dutton. (no one is likely to fit self levelling suspension or headlamps to a Dutton)

 

Aftermarket HID (Xenon) headlamps
Fact sheet: Aftermarket HID headlamps
December 2006

In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:

Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[Adrian Southgate]

Looks like there might be some boy racers failing the MOT then... or more likely not.

I can see the point with saying old lenses etc but the new lenses on most cars still blind other drivers...

I hate HID lights (but really want some so I can make people aware of my prescense on the road)

[Adrian Southgate]

Got a paticular set or manafacturer you would recommend Mike?

[Dave Adams]

To me the requirement to have the dip beam on with the main beam seems strange. but so does the requirement to have headlight washers, if there is a perceived glare problem having the dip on with the main (not the way it works on any other bulb type) and a requirement to keep the headlights clean at all times can only exacerbate the problem.

[Adrian Southgate]

I will have to have a look at the site. I am planning on separate dips and mains for the phaeton and Legerra II so it may not prove to be an issue. The current 7" lucas style units on my green legerra are H4 but piss poor in bad weather so was looking for a legit upgrade. My lights are lower than normal because I normally run with a boot full of sh1t and have adjusted them so they are right with two bodies and a full car.