Can a car pass the annual inspection after headlight modification?

[AaronMarie]

According to China's 'Road Traffic Safety Law', no unit or individual may assemble motor vehicles or alter the registered structure, construction, or features of motor vehicles without authorization. A car can pass the annual inspection after headlight modification, but it must comply with the following regulations: 1. Brightness: The brightness of the headlights must be within the legally permitted range, with the low beam not less than 1050 lumens and the high beam not less than 1450 lumens. The light intensity during driving should not be less than 15000 CD. 2. Color: The color of the headlights cannot be changed. 3. Angle: The angle of the headlights must also be correct. 4. Color temperature: The color temperature is restricted and must not exceed 6000K.

[MacRyan]

My friend installed xenon headlights last year and had a tough time passing the annual inspection. There are three key factors for modified lights to pass inspection: the color temperature must not exceed 6000K (white light is barely acceptable but blue light is definitely not allowed); the light housing must be equipped with a lens to avoid glare from scattered light; and the brightness must not exceed standards. My friend’s setup was 5500K with a lens, and it took three adjustments at the DMV to pass the beam pattern test. It’s advisable to keep the original parts when modifying—if the inspection gets held up, you can temporarily swap them back. Some modification shops now offer "guaranteed-to-pass" services, but most are just gimmicks. A better option is to directly choose LED lights around 4300K, which provide both brightness and easier approval. After modification, it’s best to test the headlight height—a beam landing distance of 20 meters is the safest.

[GabrielaRose]

As a seasoned driver, I must remind you that modifying vehicle lights does affect the annual inspection. Inspection stations are now very strict, focusing mainly on the type of lighting modifications you've made. If you're upgrading from factory halogen to LED, you'll need to replace the entire headlight assembly with lenses—simply swapping bulbs will likely fail the inspection. It's best to keep the color temperature below 5000K; lights that are too blue will get you pulled over by traffic police on the spot. My car has modified lens headlights with daytime running lights, and I made sure to get the light path calibrated at the dealership before the inspection. I recommend keeping the modification invoices and the product's 3C certification to prove compliance if you encounter a meticulous inspector. Be extra cautious with colored films on taillights—if the light transmittance is less than 30%, it will be deemed unqualified outright.

[GideonMarie]

The key to passing the annual inspection with modified lights lies in compliance. The color temperature must not exceed the standard value of 6000K, and colored demon eyes are strictly prohibited. If converting halogen reflectors to xenon lights, adding a lens is mandatory to avoid light scattering issues. My setup with 4300K xenon lights and Hella lenses has passed five consecutive annual inspections. Choosing a qualified modification shop is crucial, as reputable shops will properly adjust the cutoff line height. Before the inspection, it's advisable to self-check with a light meter - setting low beams at 70cm and high beams at 65cm from the ground is safest. Keeping the original headlight assembly is essential for quick 30-minute reinstallation if needed.