IS it illegal????

[danoexploring]

Is it illegal to run fog/head lights on the top of a vehicle like on the cargo rack???

 

[DeRocha]

I would think it would be illegal to use any fog / driving light above the roof line while on the street. It may be ok to mount the lights above the roof, but you can only use them while Off-Road. You'd really need to check out your state's DMV and see what the have concering vehicle lighting laws.

 

[RFR2212]

I would think it would be illegal to use any fog / driving light above the roof line while on the street. It may be ok to mount the lights above the roof, but you can only use them while Off-Road. You'd really need to check out your state's DMV and see what the have concering vehicle lighting laws.

What he said. I'm almost certain it's illegal. Most states have a limit for the highest mounted light. There are some exemptions, for government vehicles, etc.

 

[98Explorer4x4]

Here in Minnesota you can have them on township roads and county roads up north in the deep woods, but of course turn em off when approaching vehicles. Other parts its illegal to have them on any public road. You can mount them just not have them running while driving on public highways. Yeah like they said above, check your local DMV regs.

 

[unclemeat]

It is illegal to have them mounted on the roof in West Virginia. I believe that is the only state. The reason I know is because the Jeep Liberty with the offroad package has them and I read in one of the offroad rags that they could not be sold in there. Several states have maximum light height requirements, that would make them illegal for highway use. Also they must be tied to the high beam circut, both cannont be on at the same time.

 

[mcG]

i never understood why they cannot be used at the same time as the hi-beams. same for fog lights, why do they turn off when you put on your hi-beams?

 

[SVO]

It's illegal in Texas to run with the overhead lights turned on (lights mounted above the stock headlamp mounting location) unless you off-road.

Some states say in the law that you must have your overhead lights covered also.

 

[Bill Kemp]

There is a Fed. DOT Reg. about the height of headlights. This is usually for semi trucks but it applies to all. Roofs are too high.
Companies shut fogs off when high beams are on so that your vision is directed further down the road to the lighted area of the high beam. Same reason that low beams shut off when high beams are on.

 

[SilverSL500]

Huh?

Is it illegal to run fog/head lights on the top of a vehicle like on the cargo rack???

One question not asked is WHY you would want fog lights on top of a vehicle. That would be totally counterproductive

 

[yosh18981898]

In IL, it's "a vehicle may have a maximum of 3 (don't ask me why not 2 or 4) auxilary lights provided that they do not cause glare for oncoming drivers and are mounted at a minimum of 12" and maximum of 42" above ground level"

I used to have 4 lights on my roof rack but I took 'em off because they were negatively affecting gas milage. I never turned them on in urban areas or highways though, that would have been asking for trouble. They do come in really handy though for traveling back roads, I've avoided hitting several deer because of auxillary lighting over the past couple of years.

 

[danoexploring]

One question not asked is WHY you would want fog lights on top of a vehicle. That would be totally counterproductive

Im not saying that the lights i am thinking about are fog lights.. just thought it would be easier to ask about them.. I live up here in hillbilly maine and i travel back roads all the time. Plus i wanted to put some lights on the rear (white) and when people tailgate me or just piss me off turn on the old switch and let them have it but probally would be over doing it

 

[A Wise Guy]

In IL, it's "a vehicle may have a maximum of 3 (don't ask me why not 2 or 4) auxilary lights provided that they do not cause glare for oncoming drivers and are mounted at a minimum of 12" and maximum of 42" above ground level" QUOTE]

Because they are sold in pairs. This way our state makes sure that we always have spare parts. If the lights are roof mounted in Illinois they also must have covers on them when on the road.

 

[MartyD]

The othe reason to turn off your fogs when your highbeams are on is that in fog, your highbeams actually REDUCE visability. So i guess the mfg.s figure you don't need both at the same time. Fog lights need to be mounted as low and far apart as possible, driving lights as high and close together as possible. I have 2 55w driving lights on my brush gaurd that sure come in handy on deserted back roads and low traffic situations on some larger roads too.

 

[TSTONE]

Last I knew for Michigan - it was legal to have them high-mounted but they could not be used when driving on public roads, also in Michigan you are not allowed more than 6 forward "driving" lamps being lit at once (got a ticket for that one once).

 

[FROADER]

Plus i wanted to put some lights on the rear (white) and when people tailgate me or just piss me off turn on the old switch and let them have it but probally would be over doing it

I wouldn't say that's over doing it. Notice on the pic below the light on the rear of the roof rack (a 6" Hella 5000) was aimed perfectly for tailgaters. I have to say it was pretty funny to be able to see the peoples' faces when I turned that thing on and how their cars would swerve all over while braking.

 

[Saleen_SR71]

aaah i want something like that! (need it for backing up as my rear windows are freaking hella dark! and backing up at night is a *****!) i might just add some rear lights and splice in to the reverse lights

 

[FROADER]

I did that too, that was after this picture though. I had a little 4" light spliced into the reverse lights and it helped out a lot.

 

[Saleen_SR71]

thing is i dont want mine mounted that high... only place i could mount it is under the bumper... so it wont do me much good, but it will sorta help, i need to experament before installing it

 

[danoexploring]

lol Love the rear light.. well i checked around and found out that Maine has some of the strict laws for 4x4 vehicle mods. so far i havent seen anywhere where it says its illegal to have multi fog/driving lights just cant to use them on the "public roads" unless the Vehicle came with them. Basically after snooping around i found out that if they want they can pull you over and give you sh_t about anything. :thumbdwn: Lovely America. Theres alot about lowering or raising the vehicles height. ( sucks cause my vehicle is an X, and the soon to be wife is a very low plymouth breeze with body kit. To bad none of the roads around here are improved enough to drive it. Trying to talk her into trading it for an X hopefully ) But of course you need to be a law student atleast to read any of the laws. The state also gives inspection stations more reasons to charge you to "fix" a legal problem with your vehicle. But i found giving the inspector a little extra cash will get you by anything. Who says money cant buy you happiness????

 

[collkid]

From what i understand, they work almost like brights. You can use them when you are alone and its dark but when on public road's, turn them off.