Light bar laws

I just installed my roof rack and was going to mount a 37” light bar to it, but wanted to make sure it was compliant before I wired it up. I found online that some states like NJ, DE, DC, MD, etc have more restrictive requirements than my home state in PA which would make it non compliant.

my question is: If my light bar is compliant in the state where it’s registered and I’m just passing through a state in which it isn’t compliant, will I get a ticket?
Anyone have any experience with that?

 

No direct experience but each state has its own rules on lighting and from what I’ve heard “off-road” lights are required to be covered when on streets and highways in many states. With that said, my light bar is positioned so that the covers that came with it can’t be installed.

 

You're only required to follow the laws of the state the vehicle is registered in. However, much light how that goes with window tint, you might get hassled in other states. All depends, unfortunately, on the cop, even if you can reference the applicable laws/regs during the stop.

 

The vast majority of states require covers over auxiliary lights.

However, I'm of the understanding that receiving a ticket or failed inspection is rare. Not non-existent. But extremely rare. It's usually either an add-on to a larger offense or it's an excuse to have a closer look at what you're up to.

All I will say is, if you're willing to put up with the risk of a minor violation, make sure everything that's riding inside the vehicle is clean.

 

dont turn it on

 

Who needs that much light on road?

 

I wouldn't stress it.
If you get pulled over for that reason in another state, just don't be a dick to the cop and start reciting the law, they generally don't like that. Whether you are right or wrong about the law, the path of least resistance should be taken into consideration.
I can't imagine that something like this is a huge issue.

 

I've been meaning to say...

The Father Ted image cracks me up every time I see it.

 

My two cents -

Penny #1) Mount up all the lights you want.

Penny #2) Drive sane and 100% sober at all times, only use your accessory lights on rural and off-roads where they are truly making your life safer, keep your license plate registration current, ditto your inspection sticker, and you will be 100% perfectly A-OK.

OK, my third cent,

REMEMBER THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT LIGHT ON YOUR VEHICLE IS THE TINY BULB THAT ILLUMINATES YOUR REAR LICENSE PLATE THAT MUST MAKE YOUR PLATE READABLE FROM 50 ft..

100% of LEOs will use that as an excuse to pull you over after midnight and go on a fishing expedition.

 

Man i love that show.
I don't think they would get away with making a show like that nowadays.

 

as a lighting addict that's dug far to much into lighting laws...

first, it's an offroad light bar. by federal standards(fmvss 108), and the fact that it's output doesn't comply with that standard at any level, it cannot be used on any legal roadway under any circumstances-people around or not. it means you can use it on private land until your hearts content.

this is where the federal and state laws get a little confusing-- legally, once a light is non-conforming to the federal standards, and in use on a legal roadway, it is up to the ticketing officer to determine the fine-- officers can ticket federally non-compliant lighting assemblies. if they feel you're grossly endangering the public, they can easily impound the vehicle, with jail time, and hefty fines. no different than running around a bank to pay your mortgage while swinging a firearm around.

the reality is that most officers aren't going to deal with it unless you're being a real dick about it, or tack it on to other violations...

also, cloudy or broken factory light assemblies also no longer comply with federal lighting standards, as do having burned out bulbs anywhere around the vehicle, or, as my area loves to do, when the low beam bulb burns out, they run their high beams everywhere, which is also a violation of lighting laws...

 

NJ, DE, DC, MD…..

No shortage of legislation there…

 

If you've ever driven with a light bar in a rural, non street lit setting, you will never drive without one. Personally we live in deer country and drive to moose and bear country. I use my light bar like high beams. If you are not a dick, to oncoming motorists, I see no issue in more lighting. But those that refuse to turn off high beams, have a special place in hell. Ski

 

If by happenstance you do get cited, it's better to fight it in court than on the roadside...

 

I’ve got a light bar behind my grille and I use it out in dark areas country roads and it makes a huge difference.

 

Keep them turned off while driving on the road and the chances of being stopped and harassed is pretty darn low. Be THAT dork running them at night on the road for that ''light up the world'' effect and the rest of the world will cheer as you are handed a ticket.

Hitting those dorks with a remote controlled stupidly strong spot mounted on top of the work ride makes for some frantic ''get the lights off, it's a cop!!!!!'' shenanigans.

 

Yes i have property in the stix I know what a dark dirt road full of wildlife is...
Didnt need one in 1970 dont need one now.

 

So edgy yet so vague lol.

 

NY here. Deer, moose and black bear territory. to get pulled over for having a light bar... who did you piss off? who did you flip off? What did you do to draw extra attention to yourself?

I have had one since my 2013 and never had any issue at all.. including it being on while LE was running speed traps...

 

This. NY Here as well. I've never been stopped for or heard of anyone being stopped for having auxiliary lights. I use mine on the dark country roads often.