Understanding the Legality of HID Lights in the United States

HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights have been a popular choice among automotive enthusiasts due to their bright and white illumination. However, many motorists may wonder about the legal status of HID lights in the United States. This article aims to clarify the legal aspects of HID lights in the U.S., including their legality and the specific situations where they are acceptable.

Legal Status of HID Lights Across the U.S.

Contrary to popular belief, HID lights are not illegal in any U.S. state when they are original equipment installed in a new car. According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), a car meeting all these standards is legal in all 50 states. However, the situation changes when it comes to aftermarket conversions.

Aftermarket Conversions

Cheap HID conversions are often illegal across several states due to the improper light pattern or color discrepancies. These conversions do not meet the regulatory requirements and, therefore, are not compliant with the FMVSS. While it may be tempting to install such conversions to enhance visibility, doing so could lead to legal issues.

The key to legality lies in the integrity of the entire lighting system, including the headlamp and the light source. Typically, a conversion kit that lacks proper certification or testing may not be compliant with the regulations. As a rule, it is recommended to install a full replacement headlight setup that is designed and tested for your specific make and model. This means purchasing a complete headlight unit, including the lamp and wiring harness, that was originally available as HID-equipped in your car.

Exceptions and Full Replacement Headlights

There are exceptions to the general rule of legality. For instance, some vehicles are available with factory HID lights. If you have one of these vehicles that was originally manufactured with HID lights, you can legally swap out the HID-equipped headlight assembly from another vehicle of the same make, model, and year, provided they are from the same country of manufacture. This is the only “legal” way to swap in HID lights. However, it is important to ensure that the replacement lights and wiring are compliant with the regulations.

For example, consider the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which was available with HIDs outside the United States. Even if you receive such a vehicle from a left-hand drive (LHD) country, it would still be illegal to install the HID lights, as the light pattern and other factors have not been tested or certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for U.S. standards.

Regulatory Compliance and Documentation

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), any replacement headlamp that intends to replace original equipment headlamps must comply with all applicable photometry requirements using the replaceable light sources intended for use in the headlighting system. This stipulation underscores the importance of certified and tested replacements.

NHTSA has provided guidance on this matter. In a letter from March 13, 2003, to Mr. Galen Chen, it was stated that headlamps designed to replace original equipment headlamps must comply with all applicable photometry requirements using the replaceable light sources intended for the vehicle. The regulation specifically requires that replaceable light sources be non-interchangeable to ensure that the lighting system functions properly.

NHTSA reiterated this stance in a subsequent interpretation to Calcoast-ITL on October 8, 2004, emphasizing that HID headlamp conversion sets cannot meet the standards' photometry requirements for original equipment headlamps using halogen light sources. Therefore, such kits cannot be sold for this purpose.

In conclusion, the legality of HID lights in the United States hinges on whether they are original equipment or if they are part of a certified conversion kit. Always ensure that any replacement or conversion adheres to the stringent safety and regulatory standards set by the FMVSS and NHTSA. Illegal installations could result in fines, citation by law enforcement, and potential voiding of your vehicle’s warranty.

Key Takeaways

HID lights are legal when installed as original equipment in a new car. Aftermarket HID conversions are illegal in some or all states due to improper light pattern or color discrepancies. Only full replacement headlight setups that are designed and tested for your specific make and model are considered legal. Installing illegal HID lights can lead to legal consequences, including citations and potential voiding of vehicle warranties.

For more information on lighting regulations, visit the NHTSA website or consult your vehicle’s user manual.

References:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Letters of Interpretation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)