Hi, @
Garree001 said:
"With the insurance assessor though, they would have to do more than just say the lights were illegal, and therefore would not be paying out. They would have to demonstrate that the modification was a contributing factor in an incident."
This is not correct on at least two grounds:
/1 Most insurance companies require you to declare all modifications and can cancel insurance if you don't tell them regardless of any claim.
/2 Most insurance companies require you to keep the car in legally roadworthy condition, a deliberate act that makes it Illegal is grounds for voiding the policy.
@
robotdancer said:
"DRL side lights do not use or have a 'beam pattern' or 'spread' to disrupt. DRL lights are for 'being seen by' not 'to see by' and are not for the same purpose as main, dipped and fog lighting.
and
DRL's are not an MOT requirement in the UK, if you are remotely worried, you simply turn the feature off for a test.
and
You're partially right about LED type approval, as you can buy approved bulbs to replace P21W tungsten filaments (look up Halfords)"
All exterior lights, including optional ones (apart from worklights that are not used when driving) must be of an approved design. The design requirments for DRLs does include pattern and intensity requirements.
Passing an MOT does not mean the car is leagal in all respects and many cars with DRLs use them to meet the "position light" (sidelight) requirement so are required for the MOT.
The only Halfords P21W LED I can find is
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bu...car-bulbs/halfords-382-p21w-led-car-bulbs-x-2
The listing clearly states they are off-road use only.
If it was possible to make legal LED replacements the reputable manufacturers like Osram, Phillips, Ring etc would be selling them. Osram say they are working on it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be the "lighting police" here, If you wnat to fit them it's your choice (and risk). I just want the legal issue clearly mentioned in any thread so readers can make an informed decision. If it's not clear some may think it's OK becase it's on a reptuable forum.
Robert G8RPI.