Aftermarket HID and the Police.

[amccan10]

Just found out, the expensive way, that after market hids are illegal. Bugger

[amccan10]

Unless the headlamp is specifically designed for HID, in otherwise e marked then aftermarket kits are illegal. Oh and the traffic cops are "stopping people al the time for them" myself included. :-(

The below was taken from the dept for transports website:

"In summary it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit for use with hid bulbs..... The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bubs"

Edited by amccan10 on Monday 21st November 23:47

[amccan10]

The manufacturer is Ultra, 6000k H4 in the standard scooby headlights. £30. Fixed no points but still a pain in the ass

Edited by amccan10 on Monday 21st November 23:53

[amccan10]

sixspeed said:

I can't stand idiots who put HID kits in non-projector headlight assemblies. The glare from such installations is ridiculous.

IMO people in this country are just lazy idiots (and probably just don't know any better). In the US there is a big HID retro-fit scene, but it's done properly, by taking an HID projector and bulb assembly, and fitting/moulding the entire HID unit into the old headlight (take a look at something like HIDplanet.com for an idea).

They still wont be legal in the uk though as the entire light unit must be e marked

[amccan10]

saaby93 said:

What's the difference then if you have got projector lights - a lens in front of the bulb rather than a reflector behind it.
Why is it ok to replace those with HIDs?

Its not ok, it'll need to be a complete head light conversion of a factory built unit.


from the dft website:

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]

Edited by amccan10 on Tuesday 22 November 11:26

[amccan10]

SB10 said:

Wonder how MTB's fitted with HID's would be dealt with? Shirley, a pedal bike with these being used on the road would cause dazzling and or/distraction as much as a motorbike or car would.

I think he means fitting LEDs to your car headlights. something like this:
http://www.phoenixautobulbs.co.uk/sc/led-headlight...

not fitting hids to his bicycle

[amccan10]

matchmaker said:

No. The pain in the ass is idiots like you going around blinding all and sundry with your crappy HID conversions!

I only posted up this topic for the benefit of others, like myself, that may be unaware of the legislation. not to be insulted by bellends on the forum.

[amccan10]

Goaty Bill said:

Lets be a little bit fair to the OP here.
He admits he was ignorant of the legality (still being hotly disputed by others), paid his fine, changed back to the originals and said "but still a pain in the ass".

Since his 'problem', he has researched and and now appears to understand how to comply with the law, when he fits new lights.
Not sure how that qualifies him as an idiot exactly

Overly bright and/or illegal lights get a double from me too.

Thank you.

[amccan10]

GC8 said:

littleredrooster said:

I'd be interested to know what the exact charge was on the sheet. AFAIK, there's no proven case law which stops HID conversions; the section lifted from the DfT's website is their opinion, not fact.

Some well-intentioned made up law perhaps? It wasnt too long ago that some traffic officers bought their own decibel meter and started nicking people for noisy exhausts. Equally as spurious legally.

Offence code 319008 unauthorised lamps fitted

[amccan10]

SB10 said:

OP, are you from the Glasgow area by any chance?

SPotted this post on an Astra Owners site, 2 people in that thread pulled, fined £30 and given a pink slip on same night within the Glasgow area.


http://forums.astra-sri.co.uk/showthread.php?s=40b...

Yip.

The filth officer at the time came out with something along the lines of:
as its coming into the winter we've noticed a lot more cars with HIDs fitted, we're driving into the city more often to pick up on them