Lighting systems in modern cars are complex. They have many components, such as headlights, taillights, and extra lights. Some examples of extra lights are daytime running lights, fog lamps, driving lights, and LED light bars.

You should not use some lights in all situations. You might break the law if you do that. You could get fined or lose points on your license. Here is a guide to help you use lights legally.

Foglamps 

Foglights are lights below the headlights on a vehicle’s front. They light up the road surface in fog, snow, heavy rain, or dust storms. Rear foglights make a vehicle more visible from behind in bad weather.

Front and rear foglights are very bright and can blind other drivers if not aligned well. Using them in clear weather is illegal and annoying to other drivers, especially rear foglights.

Australian Road Rule 217 says drivers can only use foglights in fog or bad weather that makes visibility low. They must not use them with the main beam or dipped beam headlights.

Drivers cannot use foglights for looks or say they did not know they were on. All foglights have a dashboard indicator light to show if they are on or off.

Driving Lights 

Driving lights provide more illumination than regular headlights, so they can help you see farther on the road. They are especially useful in rural areas where you need to spot animals from a long distance.

However, driving lights can also blind other drivers if you use them carelessly. Some people ignore this and turn on their driving lights on highways, shining bright beams at other cars.

According to Australian Road Rule 218, driving lights follow the same rules as high-beam headlights. You must not use them when you are within 200 meters of another car, whether it is in front of you or behind you.

To follow the law, driving lights must have a separate switch and only work when you have your headlights on high beam mode.

This way, you can use driving lights safely and respectfully, without hurting or distracting other drivers.

LED Light Bars 

LED light bars are popular driving lights for off-road 4×4 vehicles. They are often installed on the front or above the cab of vehicles, giving better illumination.

LED light bars must follow Rule 218, which regulates driving lights and high beams. They must also comply with Australian Design Rule (ADR13), which caused problems for some state authorities.

Some states used to ban single LLB units because ADR13 said driving lights must come in pairs.

Recent changes have fixed this issue, allowing single LLB units if they meet these criteria:

• The LED light bars must be symmetrical around the vehicle’s centerline.
• The LED light bars configuration must have no more than four units.
• The LED light bars must be wired with the high beam circuit of the vehicle.
• The LED light bars units must face the front of the vehicle.

Now, single LED light bar units are legal in Australia. But different states have different rules about where LLBs can go on vehicles.

This is because of state jurisdiction in the Australian Federation.

To install LED light bars, follow ADR13 guidelines. This regulation says:

• LED light bars should not make the driver uncomfortable, directly or by reflections.
• LED light bars should not block the driver’s view of the road.
• Also, do not mount light bars above the bonnet line, especially on the bull bar. This is illegal.

Interpretation and Regional Variations:

• Different Australian states have different rules. The current rules are:
• ACT and Tasmania: Only position one for LLBs.
• NSW, NT, SA, Vic, and WA: Positions one, two, and three for LLBs.
• Queensland: Positions one, two, and three for LLBs if the rollbar is at the front half of the vehicle.

Foglamps, driving lights, and LED light bars are not just for looks. They help you see better, but use them only when needed and think of other drivers.

Follow these rules and use extra lights responsibly. This will make the road safer and respect other motorists.