just a q. I have a set of Piaa lights on my car. thinking about putting on another set. anybody know if it is legal in CA?

 

There was a post somewhere that it is a Federal Law that only allows 4 pairs of lights max on the front of a car.

Headlights
High Beams
Fog Lights
First pair of Driving lights.

If you disabled your highbeams, technically you'd be within the law. However I wouldn't be surprised if you got pulled over often and had to demonstrate that your high beams were disabled. Expecially considering what I have read on here about some California police agencies and their dim view of modded cars.

 

If you want them for show and not on when the others are you can do it, but as said you can not run with all four on. Wire the other set up to an independent switch so you can use them on the back roads that are empty, but you’ll more than likely get a ticket in the city where you don’t need your Hi-beams on anyway.

 

In Virginia, no "Dummy" lights are allowed. Upon inspection, all installed lights must work, even accessory lights like fog lights which are not on all models. If it is on the car, it has to work.

 

4 rally light here and we have fog lights and the standard headlamps.

Never been pulled over for it, never been questioned about it either.
Then again i'm in AZ

 

I see poser redneck 4x4s with a row of fog/spotlights on the roll bar all the time. Why don't they ticket these guys?

 

I believe that lights above a certain height are viewed as "off-road" lights and are subject to a different set of rules. Plus, most pick-up lights are on a bar attached to the BED of the truck, so they do not count as lights ON the truck.

 

here it's 4 lights illuminated at any given time max.

ie: lows and fogs
lows and highs ~independent bulbs for highs and lows (most cars after 1995)-highbeams(4 lights total)
i have a european option enabled on my saab that keeps the fogs on all the time even with highbeams on.
i haven't had any problems yet either under inspection or with police

 

This is what I found from DMV of CA ...

"Maximum Number of Lamps 24405. (a) Not more than four lamps of the following types showing to the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time:

(1) Headlamps.

(2) Auxiliary driving or passing lamps.

(3) Fog lamps.

(4) Warning lamps.

(5) Spot lamps.

(6) Gaseous discharge lamps specified in Section 25258.

(b) For the purpose of this section each pair of a dual headlamp system shall be considered as one lamp.

(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any authorized emergency vehicle.

Amended Ch. 234, Stats. 1976. Effective January 1, 1977."

at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24405.htm

 

I had four driving lamps wired into my cars brights for months and months...so 6 brights in total...again if you are not using them then it's legal...and at night on a road where you would need them un less you leave them on and a cop is coming at you that is the only way they can ticket you...legally...

 

Dealer in MD would not install a four-driving light kit on my car. Said it was illegal to have the capability to have more than four lights lit at any time, so with two headlights and four rally lights I would be illegal and they would not do it. They did not consider fogs in the equation, since they have it arranged that you cannot have your driving lights (tied to high beam) and fog lights on at the same time.

I decided to just go with the factory driving lights, which in the end actually balance out my car just fine and I'm glad I didn't go with the four light option. (That is until I see someone who has it and I turn green with envy!)

 

The four light set up looks great so I'm thinking you'll be green.

 

I am a California Brake & Lamp Inspector, yes; you can only have four lights forward. Any more then four must be covered but this is not strictly enforced unless you have a ridicules array.

Did you ever wonder why the factory driving lights are made only to come on with the high beams? It is of course because the fog lights are turned off.


Dave

 

humm. I noticed that piaa has a fog light kit that is the same bucket as the driving lights. what if I ran 2 driving lights and 2 fog lights. then I could have a bank of 4 lights that could operate. but I do have the factory fogs as well that would make it illegal. but I doubt I would operate the factory fogs and the piaa fogs at the same time. unless I was in some really thick soup. I doubt I would get a ticket for that.

I did find in the Ca motor vehicle code that dummy light are illegal. that all have to operate and no more than 4 on at a time. except for offroad use. you could put a bank of 4 on but you have to keep 2 covered to be legal. unless if I went with the fog light option. the fogs throw amber light. might be cool for a contrast.

 

I've had the MossMINI Rally light bar on my car since Day 1 which was over 13 months ago. I live in CA and haven't had any problems with law enforcement about my lights--knock on wood.

But I also try to stay away from the more obvious of the attention getters like dark tinted windows or missing front license plate.

I once got pulled over in Hollywood by a motorcycle cop for my tinted windows--even though it was a very light tint, and missing front license plate when I was driving an Acura Integra.

Besides I rarely turn on my driving lights--they are usually pointed into the sky--I just like how they look during the day!

These were taken before I had my stripe installed.

 

I have the Alta Rally light bar with a four light setup (my car is on the bottom of the page) and haven't had any issues to-date. I drive it with the covers off on weekend and snap them back on to avoid the gravel on the roads during the week.

AMPR

 

Thanks! The link doesn't show an Alta light bar, but I did get about 10 pop-ups.

 

Looks like it had double http. Try it now.

 

I just picked up an Alta light bar with 4 lights on ePay. The kit came with the wiring instructions but no install instructions for the brackets and bar. AMPR do you still have your install instructions for the Alta kit? If so is there a chance you could fax me a copy?

A question about the yellow lights on your car at Alta's web site. Are the yellow beams driving lights or the fog lights? The set I bought has 4 white lights. I don't know if they are fog or driving lights. I was thinking of replacing 2 with yellow beams.

 

In Texas, you mustn't have more than four forward faceing white lites. Any others beyond that must be covered. However additional amber lights are permissiable.

 

According to Alta, both the yellow and white are the same driving light beam pattern, just different colors.

I'm still in need of a copy of the Alta light bar mounting instructions. Anyone, Anyone?

 

Like D1JL said. If you exceed the allowable, you should be good as long as their covered.

 

Jeff,

Haven't been on for a few days. Just found the instructions. Send me your e-mail address via PM and I'll send them to you.

AMPR

 

If your driving lamps (regardless of number) are wired correctly and used correctly, they'll be off when the high beams are off which means that they'll be off when there's oncoming traffic...doubtful there'll be any problems.


Around here the only laws that get enforced are the speed limits... I've used "E-Code" (European spec) headlamps on nearly every car I've owned and never had a problem.

Rawhyde

 

This is strange. I have a set of dealer installed PIAA driving lights. While it is true that they go off when the high beams are on, the factory fog lights are unaffected. In other words, the fog lights are not turned on and off with either the driving lights or the highbeams. In fact I usually drive down the driveway late at night using only the fogs and the parking lights to avoid shining lights into the neighbors houes when I turn in from the road. I know the law in Virginia is the same as in Maryland.

I still want the rear fogs. It really gets my goat that a state 3500 miles away can dictate options for the entire country.

Regards, and Drive Safe
Phil