DRL / Fog light rules

Rorie · Jan 13, 2019

My new headlights will have DRL in them. I'm away to buy a new bumper for my defender 90 and considering getting one with DRL in them.

Is there any rules stopping me having two sets of DRL?

Other thought I had was to put fog lights into the bumper rather than DRL. What are the rules for fog lights? I.e. position etc on the car?

saxavordian · Jan 13, 2019

most fogs where on the bumper on each side of the grill. As far as I know if drl are only fitted with later models to meet EU regulations. If yours don't need it but still want them worth asking an mot garage where best fixing and rules with tests.

leeds · Jan 13, 2019

There is no legal requirement to retro fit DRL, however if retro fitted they must conform to regulations.

Have a look at the Dept of Transport notice here

Only allowed 2 DRL's on a vehicle. DRL's must have an approval mark which consist of a country code, light function code RL and approval number. Details can be found in section 6.19 here

DRL's must be wired to come on with an ignition fed live and a signal wire so that they either dim down to a sidelight or switch off when headlights switched on.

Sidelights allowed 4.

Brendan

discool · Jan 13, 2019

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov...ors-and-electrical-equipment.html#section_4.1

All the rules for DRLs are above also. The don’t have to have an ignition feed there’s a bit of kit available to connect across the vehicles battery that will turn on as soon the alternator starts charging, very handy saves the additional wire to the ignition switch circuit.

leeds · Jan 13, 2019

Fog lights, must have an approval mark which will have light function code F3.

Maximum 2 front fog lights, minimum 250 mm above ground, max 800 mm above ground and not more then 400mm from outer edge. Have a look at UNECE R19

Brendan

discool · Jan 13, 2019

From the MOT testers manual, a reason why my disco has got away with them over the last few years as the don’t dim or extinguish when the head lamps are on, although the facility is there.

Daytime running lamps
“You only need to inspect daytime running lamps (DRLs) fitted as original equipment to vehicles first used on or after 1 March 2018.
There mustn’t be more than 2 DRLs fitted and they must emit white light.”

FlyingPete · Jan 13, 2019

You really should wire up DRL to dim or switch off (even if you don't legally need to) out of consideration to other road users.

Fog lights can be any distance from the outer edge, but if they are more than 400mm or not a matched pair (e.g. the single lamp fitted to some older vehicles) then you need to use the dipped headlamps as well. If they are less than 400mm then you can legally run with headlights off in poor visibility.

leeds · Jan 13, 2019

Don't you just love a bit of ill written government manuals?

4.2 Front and rear position lamps, daytime running lamps and end-outline marker lamps
4.2.1 Presence, condition and operation
This inspection is for:

mandatory position lamps

mandatory end-outline marker lamps

daytime running lamps (DRLs) fitted to M1 vehicles first used on or after 1 March 2018

Now DRL's have been fitted as standard since about 2011 on new vehicles. So reading the above DRLs will not be tested on M1 vehicles until March 2021 under the 3 year rule for first MOT. That is about 10 years since they were first on new models.

The other question is that a lot of Land Rovers are N1 classification so where do they fit into the MOT?

Yes I am confused!

Brendan

Click to expand...

Rorie · Jan 13, 2019

Thanks folks.

The new led headlights I'm thinking of getting have the DRL feature, that's the only reason I'm putting them in. But if having two sets (I.e. Bumper and on the headlights) is not permitted, them that makes the decision for the bumper easy!

I'll just get a normal bumper for now and consider drilling it for fog lights later.
Thanks!

FlyingPete · Jan 13, 2019

Rorie said:
I'll just get a normal bumper for now and consider drilling it for fog lights later.

A pair of round fogs sprouting up from the bumper always looks quite smart. Lamps embedded in the bumper are really too small to give a decent spread of light, particularly for a fog lamp.

MJI · Jan 16, 2019

I HATE DRLs. They dazzle me badly.

I may even have to give up driving if they get worse.

Eyesight is fine, checked yearly.

I will admit sometimes they get full beam back!

discool · Jan 16, 2019

MJI said:
I HATE DRLs. They dazzle me badly.

I may even have to give up driving if they get worse.

Eyesight is fine, checked yearly.

I will admit sometimes they get full beam back!

Well their not going away, 95% of the vehicles on the road will have them by 2029.

MJI · Jan 16, 2019

discool said:
Well their not going away, 95% of the vehicles on the road will have them by 2029.

It becomes warfare then.

I have roof mounted lights which would help

DRL / Fog light rules

Rorie

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saxavordian

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leeds

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discool

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leeds

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discool

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FlyingPete

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leeds

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Rorie

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FlyingPete

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MJI

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discool

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MJI

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