What are the regulations for vehicle headlight modifications?
2 Answers
The regulations for vehicle headlight modifications are as follows: the wattage of the front headlights must not exceed 60W; the height should be moderate and must not affect the driving safety of others; the color temperature should not exceed 6000K, with the low beam not less than 1050 lumens and the high beam not less than 1450 lumens. Currently, common types of vehicle headlights include halogen headlights, LED headlights, and xenon headlights. Headlight modifications typically refer to replacing halogen headlights with LED or xenon headlights. Halogen lights are simple to manufacture, low-cost, easy to adjust and control in brightness, and have good color rendering, but they have a short lifespan and low luminous efficiency. LED headlights, on the other hand, have the advantages of long lifespan, high efficiency, and low energy consumption, but their drawbacks include high cost and poor heat dissipation. Xenon headlights offer high brightness and good color temperature, but they have the disadvantage of a delay when turning on. When modifying headlights, it is important to first pay attention to the brand and quality of the headlights. It is recommended to choose well-known brands from reputable manufacturers. Secondly, confirm the modification plan. For example, directly replacing halogen lights with LED lights is currently the mainstream primary modification method, as it is energy-saving, allows for non-destructive installation, is affordable, and improves performance. Another option is to modify LED lights with dual-lens systems, which not only enhances the width and distance of the light beam but also improves driving safety.
I just went to the DMV last week to inquire, and there are indeed strict regulations on headlight modifications. First, the color temperature must not exceed 6000K, otherwise the traffic police will definitely stop you if they see blue cold light. Last time, my friend's headlights were too bright, and he directly received a 200-yuan ticket. Also, be careful not to install strobe functions—those cool-looking lights on off-road vehicles are all illegal. If you want to upgrade to xenon lights, you must install lenses; scattered light without lenses is practically murder for oncoming drivers' eyes. After the modification, remember to go to the DMV for registration, bringing the headlight inspection certificate and your ID card. The worst case I've seen was someone who modified their lights without registration—they got stuck during the annual inspection and wasted three days. Actually, standard LED lights nowadays are bright enough; there's really no need to risk installing flashy lights.
