I know that this subject has been covered before but I came across this whilst "surfing" - note the date: Decmeber 2006!!

 

 

 

 

This is an actual response that a member on FiatForum got when he wrote to VOSA who then forwarded it to the Department of Transport to clear up the uncertainty surrounding the fitment of aftermarket HID conversions on a car which did not have it as standard.

 

Please read if you have already, or are considering the fitment of such kits, can't say you were not warned.

 

 

Dear Mr XXXXXX,

 

Please see attached our fact sheet which outlines the Department's understanding of the regulations relating to HID conversion kits.

Please note that the Department for Transport cannot provide an authoritative interpretation of the law; that is a matter for the courts.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Jillian Smith

DfT - Transport Technology and Standards

 

The fact Sheet; (It came in form of a word document, but I have just copied and pasted here for ease.)

 

December 2006

 

Aftermarket HID headlamps

 

 

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 Telephone: 020 7944 2078

London Fax: 020 7944 2196

SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk

That's not going to stop me from fitting them. :)

They say exceeding 70mph on a motorway isn't legal either...

 

 

Although if someone's HID's caused an accident through dazzling I don't know what would happen then...

or me LOL

I can't see the Police spotting you've had it done and if they did you'd just put the original bulbs back in and maybe have to get it MOT'd again?

Hmmm, so I can fit them in my Xantia, but not my Z !

That's not going to stop me from fitting them. :)

 

Nor me :cool:

Thing is, the Z has projector style headlamps anyway, which are the design used for true HID conversions, not some kit fitted to a 1987 Ford Fiesta etc. IE, they look like they should be there.

 

Anyway, there's nothing in the MOT rules and regulations about HID requirements.

I guess the guys at VOSA and DoT have never driven a standard Z at night then LOL :rofl:

Thing is, the Z has projector style headlamps anyway, which are the design used for true HID conversions, not some kit fitted to a 1987 Ford Fiesta etc. IE, they look like they should be there.

 

Anyway, there's nothing in the MOT rules and regulations about HID requirements.

 

So your saying it is legal to fit them in a zed then, si?

No, he's saying that the MOT does not check for them (other than alignment), but technically they are still illegal to fit. Much like MOT only checks for numberplate spacing but not font, although funny fonts are illegal.

had mine fitted while it was at SWZ, picked it up at night and... OMIGOD i can see, there actually are other cars in the darkness ..lol

 

not taking mine out for anyone...

So your saying it is legal to fit them in a zed then, si?

 

Not at all. But there's no requirements for them in the MOT test which tests a cars' roadworthiness.

HID designed projector lenses have concentric rings engraved on the inside face - ours don't. But then again, who cares - i bet it's a load of old bollux anyway.

 

We should do a test, could someone with HID fitted take a photo of the pattern on there garage door? Then we can compare it to a standard car.

 

Dave

Too late!!! ;) ;)

I don't care if it's illegal. Along with my small front number plate, my HID's have passed two MOT's so far without any probs :D

No, he's saying that the MOT does not check for them (other than alignment), but technically they are still illegal to fit............

 

Not necessarily!

 

Many HID conversion kits are "E" marked - therefore legal to use here.

 

OEM fitment regs say the lights must have height/level control and wash facility but that does not apply to the aftermarket.

 

For the record, I have had an HID conversion for around 3 years now. My ZX has passed 3 MOTs at different garages with no reference to the headlamps - all they check is the allignment and the fact they work.

 

Richard :)

Not necessarily!

 

Many HID conversion kits are "E" marked - therefore legal to use here.

 

OEM fitment regs say the lights must have height/level control and wash facility but that does not apply to the aftermarket.

 

For the record, I have had an HID conversion for around 3 years now. My ZX has passed 3 MOTs at different garages with no reference to the headlamps - all they check is the allignment and the fact they work.

 

Richard :)

Isn't that what Andy said?

How can a kit of parts be 'E' marked? Surely only a full component, or a lens can have an 'E' mark!

 

Under the rules, as stated earlier, even the 99 spec full headlamps are still illegal, as they don't come with height adjustment!

Mr Blair will have your cars crushed and you will all end up in jail with soap on ropes :rofl:

Well I'm glad the soap will be on a rope, as theres no way I'll be picking it up!!

You got a little 3/4 sized plate on the front of yours then Dave? IMHO, they look great. Not being bias or anything.

You got a little 3/4 sized plate on the front of yours then Dave? IMHO, they look great. Not being bias or anything.

Yep, had it made for the 99 bumper :D

 

Old pic now ;)