Are HID's legal?
Professional
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 212
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From: Between Heaven and Hell
HID bulbs are illegal in every state in the US for ALL vehicles that don't come equipped from the factory with them. Unfortunately it's not a Law that is enforced enough. I have very sensitive eyes and can pick out HID's in Halogen housings a mile a way.
For EX. Every Ram owner to even put projector headlights along with HID's are illegal even though the projector housing is the correct way.
HID bulbs in stock housings even turned downwards still has alomst 10X the scatter as a hologen bulb so you will still be very bright to oncoming cars.
Will you get pulled over?? You could. You could get a ticket, or you could drive for a few years and not get any tickets. If your local Inspector looks at your lights, you may be SOL.
Now, Rebel stated it best! No need to go further. Here's a link to a well written HID page
For EX. Every Ram owner to even put projector headlights along with HID's are illegal even though the projector housing is the correct way.
HID bulbs in stock housings even turned downwards still has alomst 10X the scatter as a hologen bulb so you will still be very bright to oncoming cars.
Will you get pulled over?? You could. You could get a ticket, or you could drive for a few years and not get any tickets. If your local Inspector looks at your lights, you may be SOL.
Now, Rebel stated it best! No need to go further. Here's a link to a well written HID page
We may disagree 99% of the time, but you're alright.
Every Honda owner in my town found the piece of **** HID specials on ebay (or on here) and decided to throw them on. It's absolutely blinding, no matter where they're aimed. On dark back roads, you may as well pull over and let them go by.
To anyone considering HID's, anything under $200 is junk. If you venture onto the big boards, lots of people have issues with the cheap HID's. IE; melting, car catching on fire. Hell, the one board I go to the guy's car was totaled from fire caused by the HID's. The cheapo's have fine print to protect their asses from such cases.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prohibits the sale of HID conversion kits. To date, NHTSA has investigated 24 HID conversion kit suppliers; all investigations have resulted in recalls or termination of sales. “These illegal lights are a potential hazard to those who share the road,” said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey Runge, MD. “And we will continue to pursue those offering them for sale and violating the law.” Understand there is a $10,000 fine to the manufacturer per kit sold.
NHTSA has also determined that a commonly used disclaimer "for off-road use only" has no legal meaning and is not recognized by the agency as the manufacturer, importer and retailer are not in a position to control use once a product has been sold. Any equipment offered for sale which is covered by FMVSS No. 108 (headlamps, taillamps, side markers, etc.) must comply with the standard.
It is at discretion of the officer if he/she believes the LO is blinding drivers causing unsafe conditions on the road, unless the officer has a piece of paper they can use to hold in front of the light, if it turns blue, you get cited.
CONVERSION KITS are not compliant with FMVSS108 - which every state has to abide by.
Use them at your own risk
NHTSA has also determined that a commonly used disclaimer "for off-road use only" has no legal meaning and is not recognized by the agency as the manufacturer, importer and retailer are not in a position to control use once a product has been sold. Any equipment offered for sale which is covered by FMVSS No. 108 (headlamps, taillamps, side markers, etc.) must comply with the standard.
It is at discretion of the officer if he/she believes the LO is blinding drivers causing unsafe conditions on the road, unless the officer has a piece of paper they can use to hold in front of the light, if it turns blue, you get cited.
CONVERSION KITS are not compliant with FMVSS108 - which every state has to abide by.
Use them at your own risk
Last edited by 02Steve1990; Aug 3, 2009 at 02:29 PM.
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
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From: DIXON, IL
OK Dog. I read through the link (3 times). It pretty much says that the 7K/8K/12K HIDS are not better than the 4.1K/6K lights with proper housing. I have a 2008 300C with HIDS, and the lights are plenty bright. I'll try to figure out what rating I have in my car and put the same in the truck. So, I don't just want brighter lights, I want the prism and correct light. I want to have the distict "Light Line" that my car has. I guess I'll take my chance on the legality of it if I'm going to get the proper set up. Does any one have a brand they have experience with? I see there are brands listed on Dog's link, so I'll check those out.
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,488
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From: Suffield, CT
Nah I am parked in my driveway with is on an incline. no one has ever flashed there lights at me.
Professional
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
From: Between Heaven and Hell
I figured that was the case.
What housings did you get? That's by far the best HID conversion on here. That's just impressive cut off for a truck.
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
From: Suffield, CT