High beam road lamps - rules of application

Regulations regarding the certificate of approval of LED road lamps for motor vehicles

The popularity of LED road lamps is constantly growing. It is the result of many factors, including effectiveness, efficiency or economy. Because LED road lamps are willingly used in many various new solutions, so manufacturers offer a wide range of LED road lamps for various applications. Drivers also install LED road lamps in their vehicles. However, before the driver decides to use LED lamp in his car, he must familiarize himself with legal standards regarding the legality of their presence on the car. Lamps approved for use on public roads must have a certificate of approval or permit for their use in accordance with the ECE standard.

The ECE R-112 regulation, published by the European Economic Commission (ECE), regulates the approval of motor vehicle headlights equipped with filament lamps that emit asymmetric low-beam or high-beam or both.

This technical arrangement includes uniform provisions for the approval of motor vehicle headlights equipped with filament lamps or light emitting diode (LED) modules that emit asymmetrical low or high beam or both. These regulation provisions apply to headlights for M category vehicles (vehicles with at least four wheels, motor and used for passenger transport). Category N vehicles (vehicles with at least four wheels, motor and used for cargo transportation), Category L vehicles (motor vehicles with less than four wheels), Category T vehicles (agricultural and forestry tractors).

Work lamps and participation in road traffic

In the case of work lights, the problem is not too complicated, because LED lamps do not meet the required standards of participation in road traffic. Their use is forbidden and you can receive a high traffic ticket or you can lose the vehicle`s certificate of registration. Work lamps are often used as additional reversing lights - e.g. in off-road vehicles, trucks or semi-trailers. Drivers can use them outside public roads - e.g. on maneuvering yards near warehouses or during off-roading.

Long-range road lamps (halogens) are a kind of iconic truck equipment. Characteristic huge lamps with a powerful design are very willingly installed by professional truck drivers. Of course, they are road approved according to the ECE R112 regulation.

Reference numbers indicating the level of light intensity

An important indication is also the reference number, which indicates the level of light intensity. The following constant values are assumed: 7.5; 10; 12.5; 17.5; 20; 25; 27.5; 30; 37.5; 40; 45; 50 for high beam road lights. EU regulations state that road lighting cannot have more than 4 light points. Also, the sum of the reference numbers should not exceed 100 or cannot be higher than the level of light intensity emitted by the road lights, it cannot exceed 480 lux. If this level is exceeded, the light must be covered. In spite of appearance, it is not enough to turn off the switch in the cabin, which deactivate the lamp. The regulations say that a lamp permanently disconnected, but not covered, is only out of order. But you can receive a fine as a result of inoperative lighting in the vehicle.

Before buying LED road lights, it is therefore necessary to carefully check the markings and symbols on the product, because the lack of the necessary parameters may mean that the lamp does not meet the required legal standards.