Are
LEDs legal in existing classic car lamps?
In the FBHVC NEWS item
Ian Edmunds says "unfortunately, the relevant regulations are quite complex
and
there is no simple overall yes or no answer to the question “is it legal
to use LEDs in the existing lamps on my historic vehicle?”
The
situation is different for different lamps and also for different dates of
first registration of the vehicle in question. This article will explain the
background before summarising the conclusions at the end. There is no regulation
that specifically prohibits the use of LEDs in lamps first used prior to the e/E
marking requirements, although there is a requirement for e/E marked lamps fitted
to a vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 to be fitted with e/E marked
bulbs. (see above)".
Comment
The use
of LED bulbs in classic cars to improve relative visibility in both day and night
driving conditions is a topical issue for classic car enthusiasts. The key thing
is "relative visibility" because as modern cars have brighter
lights and daytime running lights, on a comparative basis classic cars tend to
be less visible.
What seems clear is the regulations have not caught
up with the new technology and are still talking about electrical "power"
(wattage) of bulbs and not the actual measured light output. Anyone driving around
the roads these days can see LEDs fitted to many modern cars for indicators, side,
tail and brake lights and it's clear they offer superior visibility to traditional
bulb fitments on classic cars.
The dilemma facing many classic car owners
is do they think it is more important to be safe and as visible as they can be
in modern traffic or whether compliance with the letter of the the outdated law
is more important? | Conclusions
Lamps
where the use of LEDs is legal subject
to the
conditions noted earlier:
Front Position Lamps. (Side
lamps). Vehicles first registered before 1st January 1972 LED light sources in
the original lamps are compliant.
Rear Position Lamps. (Tail lamps).
Vehicles first registered before 1st January 1974 LED light sources in the original
lamps are compliant.
Rear Registration Plate Lamps. Vehicles first
registered before 1st April 1986 LED light sources in the original
lamps are
compliant.
Stop lamps. Vehicles first registered before 1st January
1971 LED light sources in the original lamps are compliant.
Lamps where
the use of LEDs is not legal:
Stop
lamps. Vehicles first registered after 1st January 1971 LED light sources
in the original lamps are non-compliant. This is because LEDs will not meet the
minimum wattages specified in the regulations.
Direction Indicators.
(flashing type). LED light sources
in the original lamps are non-compliant.
This is because
LEDs will not meet the minimum wattages specified in the
regulations.
Headlamps.
LED light sources in the original lamps are
generally non-compliant. This is
because LEDs will not
meet the minimum wattages specified in the regulations.
However,
in some particular cases it may be possible to
locate LED light sources of
compliant wattage.
Concern with dazzle
The main concern is LED
bulbs in an incandescent bulb fitting, will almost certainly not be focused and
will cause dazzle which is a safety concern classic car enthusiasts will wish
to avoid. This is mainly with headlights. |
