Lighting Regulations

 

 

 

Web maintained by JohnnyRide

Nthegruv@comcast.net

  

 

   

Now this topic normally opens a can of worms mainly because the vast general public is mislead by countless advertisements guarantying how wonderful their bulbs are and how they will light up the night with their "special bulb".  But what you as a motorcyclist need to remember is this, All these adds are targeted to automobile applications. They aren't marketing to motorcyclists.... let that sink in a second.... Motorcycle regulations are different and scattered through countless documents, sections and subsections of Federal Code..... let that sink in a second also... Normally, it is at the State level that lighting restrictions occur. Your State may choose to adopt Federal Guidelines or not. Check with your state on what is legal. They may have adopted very little with regards to DOT regulations. From what I hear, motorcycle regulations in general are more relaxed than the regulations for automobiles. I don't see that a standardized specification for any automotive bulb will occur and more than the likelihood of a National Healthcare system being implemented and operational. What's legal? I can't tell you because the information is not available in a single source, that's why it is being rewritten. 

 

 

So I shall defer to the best qualified person I know to address any and all questions regarding HID Conversion Kits, blue bulbs, bulbs that are 55W but act like a 100w in output, glare and the continuing studies by NHTSA. Go to his website read, learn and implement with knowledge rather than guesswork. You just may be saving a life, which might be your own. Daniel can talk your head off and make you dizzy with the knowledge he processes.  He is consistent and responsive with his business and is a good guy in general. 

Daniel's H4 bulbs for sale.... http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

 

 

 

 

    The US Federal Government's Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently considering changes its headlamp performance standards contained in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. Although these standards are written by a branch of the United States government, in fact they determine the headlamp performance for the USA, Canada and Mexico. The current interest in possibly changing the standard arises from complaints of excessive headlamp glare from present headlamps in North America.

This document provides background on the issue and asks 46 specific questions on how glare might be addressed. Some of these questions appear to be leading towards pre-determined conclusions. Some of the questions are phrased as if one must choose between EITHER good seeing OR low glare from a headlamp, but cannot have both. While the two goals of good seeing and good control of glare often are in direct conflict, it is certainly possible to have reasonable levels of both.

You may download Daniel's responses directly from the glare docket at http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf82/176157_web.pdf

         

    Want to review all the opinions submitted by some heavy weight professionals as well as your average citizen?

Go here and enter the number 8885  http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm

 

    Here is another interesting link on these type subjects as well http://fmvss108.tripod.com/

 

 

General H4 Information

 

    These 2-filament bulbs with P43t base are for high/low beam headlamps and are considered the "stock" bulb for motorcycles 9 out of 10 times.  The H4 was the world's first 2-filament halogen automotive bulb. It was introduced in Europe in 1971, and was used in many millions of European and Japanese headlamps starting in that year, but wasn't legalized in the US (where it was designated HB2 or 9003) until over two decades later, in 1992!  The bulbs are not coated with blue, yellow or purple in any shape or form. They are the best technology in a legal format which meet OEM specs as well as Government Regulations.

   

 

There are so many facts to consider on bulbs with all the hype out there, no wonder people are confused and make the wrong choices.

Some bulb makers are just flat out lying about be "approved this" and DOT approved that". DOT does not approved anything...

 

HID bulbs sold without a specifically designed reflector are illegal.   "Oh that law was rescinded"..... no.

 

FMVSS108 is undergoing a rewrite, but the contents of the regulation will not change *at all*. The rewrite is strictly a reorganization of the regulation to make it easier to read. NHTSA has not rescinded the law requiring headlamps meant for a particular type of light source to use only that light source; what they've done is re-interpreted the regulation so that any company can make a headlamp system that uses any approved light source for any application, as long as that system they make is fully compliant with all applicable requirements.

 

So then one can say yes a complete headlamp system is the bulb with a matched reflector which conforms to DOT standards and specifications is legal. Consequently, buying a random Chinese HID bulb and ballast off EBAY will not get you a legal setup.

 

Finally, there is not a reference anywhere, which states you can't put an approved HID in motorcycle. It's finding one that fits is the problem. I have a 7.5" can. :(

 

    It would appear that the Federal Regulations on high wattage bulbs does not specifically dictate a Standard Wattage bulb for motorcycles. Interesting huh? What it does talk about is called, "photometric specifications", in section S7.9, which really seems to deal with measurements of light at different degrees of angle, as in up a degree or left 2 degrees then left again another degree, or in other words, "that damn bulb is too bright your burning my retinas!!!! your not in conformance!!! You go now!! But it does not reference wattage anywhere.  It seems to boil down to interpreting FIGURE 32, shown below, which is the candela output of a bulb and how it is aimed.  It's not the brightness as you see going away from your headlight out to the darkness it that is illegal, its the visual representation of your bulb to the on-coming driver that dictates the law. What I don't understand is how a 60/55W +50 like I am running fits on the Figure 32 chart. I don't have access to all the test result numbers GE has.

 

The problem really lies in 2 areas,

#1 The information for Federal Regulations are in numerous sources and I could not find all of it and what I did find was confusing.

#2 Even if you could say, "this is a legal bulb", and could develop a checklist of what makes a bulb legal,  you can't find the technical information from the bulb makers to back it up.

 

 

Read about it here... search the text for "Motorcycle"  

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/571.108.htm

 

Or look at it below... You might want to drink 4 or 5 strong cups of coffee first...

 

 

§571.108 Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

 

S7.9 Motorcycles.

Each motorcycle shall be equipped with a headlighting system designed to conform to the following requirements.

S7.9.1 A motorcycle manufactured before September 1, 2000, may be equipped with—

(a) A headlighting system designed to conform to SAE Standard J584 Motorcycle Headlamps April 1964, or to SAE Standard J584 April 1964 with the photometric specifications of Figure 32 and the upper beam aimability specifications of paragraph S7.9.3; or

(b) One half of any headlighting system specified in S7.1 through S7.6 which provides both a full upper beam and full lower beam. Where more than one lamp must be used, the lamps shall be mounted vertically, with the lower beam as high as practicable.

 

S7.9.2 A motorcycle manufactured on or after September 1, 2000, shall be equipped with—

(a) A headlighting system designed to conform to SAE Standard J584 Motorcycle Headlamps April 1964 with the photometric specifications of Figure 32 and the upper beam aimability specifications of paragraph S7.9.3; or

(b) A headlighting system that conforms to S7.9.1(b).

 

S7.9.3 The upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp designed to conform to the photometric requirements of Figure 32 shall be aimed photoelectrically during the photometric test in the manner prescribed in SAE Standard J584 OCT93 Motorcycle Headlamps.

 

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.

(If any authority ever gives you crap about your headlight modulating you can sound like you belong on Boston Legal...Denny Crane, I got mad cow...sorry, I love that show.

 

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity, provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 ±40 cycles per minute.

(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70 percent of each cycle.

(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17 percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament light operating at 3000 °Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.

(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.

S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally, each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.

(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.

 

S7.9.5 Each replaceable bulb headlamp that is designed to meet the photometric requirements of paragraph S7.9.1(a) or paragraph S7.9.2(a) and that is equipped with a light source other than a replaceable light source meeting the requirements of paragraph S7.7, shall have the word "motorcycle" permanently marked on the lens in characters not less than 0.114 in. (3 mm) in height.

 

S7.9.6 A headlamp system shall be installed on a motorcycle in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.

S7.9.6.1 The headlamp system shall be located on the front of the motorcycle.

S7.9.6.2 (a) If the system consists of a single headlamp, it shall be mounted on the vertical centerline of the motorcycle. If the headlamp contains more than one light source, each light source shall be mounted on the vertical centerline with the upper beam no higher than the lower beam, or horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline and mounted at the same height. If the light sources are horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline, the distance between the closest edges of the effective projected luminous lens area in front of the light sources shall not be greater than 200 mm (8 in.).

(b) If the system consists of two headlamps, each of which provides both an upper and lower beam, the headlamps shall be mounted either at the same height and symmetrically disposed about the vertical centerline or mounted on the vertical centerline. If the headlamps are horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline, the distance between the closest edges of their effective projected luminous lens areas shall not be greater than 200 mm (8 in.).

(c) If the system consists of two headlamps, one of which provides an upper beam and one of which provides the lower beam, the headlamps shall be located on the vertical centerline with the upper beam no higher than the lower beam, or horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline and mounted at the same height. If the headlamps are horizontally disposed about the vertical centerline, the distance between the closest edges of their effective projected luminous lens areas shall not be greater than 200 mm (8 in.).

 

FIGURE 32 - MOTORCYCLE AND MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLE HEADLAMP PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS

Test Points (deg.)

Motorcycle (candela)

Motor-Driven Cycle (candela)

Motor-Driven Cycle with Single Lamp System (candela)

Up or Down

Left or Right

Lower Beam
1.5U 1R to R 1400-MAX 1400-MAX  
1.5U 1R to 3R - - 1400-MAX
1U 1.5L to L 700-MAX 700-MAX 700-MAX
0.5U 1.5L to L 1000-MAX 1000-MAX 1000-MAX
0.5U 1R to 3R 2700-MAX 2700-MAX 2700-MAX
1.5D 9L and 9R 700-MIN    
2D 0.0R 7000-MIN 5000-MIN 4000-MIN
2D 3L and 3R 4000-MIN 3000-MIN 3000-MIN
2D 6L and 6R 1500-MIN 1500-MIN 1500-MAX
2D 12L and 12R 700-MIN    
3D 6L and 6R 800-MIN 800-MIN  
4D 0.0R 2000-MIN 2000-MIN 1000-MIN
4D 4R 12500-MAX 12500-MAX 12500-MAX

Upper Beam
2U 0.0R 1000-MIN    
1U 3L and 3R 2000-MIN 2000-MIN  
0.0U 0.0R 12500-MIN 10000-MIN  
0.5D 0.0R 20000-MIN 20000-MIN  
0.5D 3L and 3R 10000-MIN 5000-MIN  
0.5D 6L and 6R 3300-MIN 2000-MIN  
0.5D 9L and 9R 1500-MIN    
0.5D 12L and 12R 800-MIN    
1D 0.0R 17500-MIN 15000-MIN  
2D 0.0R 5000-MIN 5000-MIN  
3D 0.0R 2500-MIN 2500-MIN  
3D 6L and 6R — 800-MIN  
3D 9L and 9R 1500-MIN    
3D 12L and 12R 300-MIN    
4D 0.0R 1500-MIN    
4D 0.0R 7500-MAX 7500-MAX  
ANYWHERE ANYWHERE 75000-MAX 75000-MAX

 

 

TABLE III. - REQUIRED MOTOR VEHICLE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
[All Passenger Cars and Motorcycles, and Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, Trucks, Buses, and Trailers of Less Than 80 (2032) Inches (mm) Overall Width]

Item

Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses

Trailers

Motorcycles

Applicable SAE standard or recommended practice (See S5 for subreferenced SAE materials)
Headlamps See S7 None See S7.9 J556, January 1960.
Taillamps 2 red 2 red 1 red J585e, September 1977.
Stoplamps 2 red 2 red 1 red SAE J586, February 1984.
High-mounted stoplamp 1 red Not required Not required J186a, September 1977.
License plate lamp 1 white 1 white 1 white J587, October 1981.
Parking lamps 2 amber or white None None J222, December 1970.
Reflex reflectors 4 red; 2 amber 4 red; 2 amber 3 red; 2 amber J594f, January 1977.
Intermediate side reflex Reflectors5 2 amber 2 amber None J594f, January 1977.
Intermediate side marker lamps 2 amber 2 amber None J592e, July 1972.
Side marker lamps. 2 red; 2 amber 2 red; 2 amber None J592e, July 1972.
Backup lamp 1 white None None J593c February 1968.
Turn signal lamps 2 red or amber; 2 amber 2 red or amber 2 amber; 2 red or amber. SAE J588, November 1984.
Turn signal operating unit 1 None 1 J589, April 1964.
Turn signal flasher. 1 None 1 J590b, October 1965.
Vehicular hazard warning signal operating unit. 1 None None J910, January 1966.
Vehicular hazard warning signal flasher. 1 None None J945, February 1966.


 

 

Now here is the kicker, here in Tennessee, we don't go by ratings or published specifications. This is directly out of the law books, we go by glare... and that's it. So basically it is at the discretion on the part of the LEO whether you are going to get sited or not. So this means my chances are greater of a citation by and older LEO than a younger one because of how our sensitivity to light changes as we age. Contacts or glasses also change you glare response. Is this fair? No, it is wayyyyy to fluid for me.

 

 

55-9-403. Headlamps on motorcycles - Penalty.
 

  
 
 

(a)  Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) headlamps. 

 
 

(b)  A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 
 

  
 

[Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 15; 1937, ch. 245, § 5; 1941, ch. 121, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.16 (Williams, § 2695); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-906; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]

55-9-402. Lights required on motor vehicles - Exceptions - Regulations as to color, type and visibility distance.
 

  
 
 

(3) No spotlight or auxiliary lamp shall be so aimed upon approaching another vehicle that any part of the high intensity portion of the beam there from is directed beyond the left side of the motor vehicle upon which the spotlight or auxiliary lamp is mounted, nor more than one hundred feet (100') ahead of such motor vehicle. 

 
 

(b) (1)  Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with two (2) red tail lamps and two (2) red stoplights on the rear of such vehicle, and one (1) tail lamp and one (1) stoplight shall be on each side, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1939, trucks manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1968, and motorcycles and motor-driven cycles shall have at least one (1) red tail lamp and one (1) red stoplight. No non-emergency vehicle shall operate or install emergency flashing light systems such as strobe, wig-wag, or other flashing lights in tail light lamp, stoplight area, or factory installed emergency flasher and backup light area; provided, however, that the foregoing prohibition shall not apply to the utilization of a continuously flashing light system on a motorcycle. For the purposes of this part, "continuously flashing light system" means a brake light system on a motorcycle in which the brake lamp pulses rapidly for no more than five (5) seconds when the brake is applied, and then converts to a continuous light as a normal brake lamp until such time as the brake is released. 

 

(2) The stoplight shall be so arranged as to be actuated by the application of the service or foot brake and shall be capable of being seen and distinguished from a distance of one hundred feet (100') to the rear of a motor vehicle in normal daylight, but shall not project a glaring or dazzling light. 

 
 

(3) The stoplight may be incorporated with the tail lamp. 

 
 

(c)  Each lamp and stoplight required in this section shall be in good condition and operational. 

 

55-9-406. Headlights on motor vehicles - Operation during inclement weather - Violation - Penalty - Costs.
 

  
 
 

(a)  The headlights of every motor vehicle shall be so constructed, equipped, arranged, focused, aimed, and adjusted, that they will at all times mentioned in § 55-9-401, and under normal atmospheric conditions and on a level road produce a driving light sufficient to render clearly discernible a person two hundred feet (200') ahead, but shall not project a glaring or dazzling light to persons in front of such headlights. Such headlights shall be displayed during the period from one-half (1/2) hour after sunset to one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise, during fog, smoke, or rain and at all other times when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person on the road at a distance of two hundred feet (200') ahead of such vehicle. 

 

 

55-9-408. Headlights complying with prohibition against glaring and dazzling lights - Anti-glare devices - Mounted height of lamps.
 

  
 
 

Headlights shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of § 55-9-406, prohibiting glaring and dazzling lights, if the headlights are of a type customarily employed by manufacturers of automobiles and in addition are equipped with some anti-glare device approved by the department of safety; provided, that the department shall not approve any anti-glare device, or any combination thereof, unless it has been submitted to a laboratory test and has been found, when properly adjusted, to prevent any of the bright portions of the headlight beams from rising above a horizontal plane passing through the lamp centers parallel to a level road upon which the loaded vehicle stands and in no case higher than forty-two inches (42"), seventy-five feet (75') ahead of the vehicle. 
 

  
 

[Acts 1931, ch. 82, § 15; 1937, ch. 245, § 5; 1939, ch. 206, § 4; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.16 (Williams, § 2695); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-911.]

 

55-9-409. Inspecting and testing lamps emitting glare - Order to remove illegal lamps - Arrest of drivers.
 

  
 
 

(a)  Any member of the highway patrol having reasonable ground to believe that any headlamp or auxiliary driving or fog lamp or any device subject to approval upon a vehicle emits a glaring light as defined in §§ 55-9-406 and 55-9-408, or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this part, may require the driver of such vehicle to stop and submit such lamp to an inspection or test. In the event any such lamp or device is not of the type which has been approved by the department, the officer making such inspection shall require the driver of such vehicle to remove such illegal lamp within twenty-four (24) hours, and may arrest such driver and give the driver a notice to appear, and may further require such driver or the owner of the vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence of the removal of such illegal lamp. 

 
 

(b)  In the event any headlight or auxiliary driving or fog light of a type which has been approved by the department, by reason of faulty adjustment or otherwise, emits a glaring light as defined in §§ 55-9-406 and 55-9-408 or otherwise fails to comply with this part, the officer making the inspection shall direct the driver to make such light or lights conform to the requirements of this part within forty-eight (48) hours. Such officer may also arrest such driver and give the driver a notice to appear, and further require the driver or the owner of such vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence that such light or lights have been made to conform with the requirements of this part. 
 

  
 

[Acts 1937, ch. 245, § 5; 1939, ch. 206, § 5; C. Supp. 1950, § 2700.16 (Williams, § 2695); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-912.]

 

 

....and I haven't even scratched the surface of all this information, it just goes on and on and on, and all I wanted to do was see better at night.

 

 

 

 

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