LED Light Bar Laws in BC
If you are considering purchasing an LED light for your vehicle, be sure to review the LED light bar laws in BC or in your respective province/territory. Improper mounting of LED lights can result in fines and pose a safety risk to other drivers on the road.
Lamps are found in Division 4 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), some of the key excerpts relating to auxiliary, fog and off-road lights are summarized below. It is recommended that you take the time to read through the BC MVA to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations; it is your responsibility to ensure you are compliant. The BC Lighting Requirements Summary prepared by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is also very helpful reference guide.
If the auxiliary or fog lights on your vehicle do not meet the requirements below, they are likely considered 'off-road' lights and are required to be covered with opaque covers while on the highway.
AUXILIARY LIGHTS (LIGHT BARS and DRIVING LIGHTS)
Auxiliary lights must be SAE or ECE certified to be compliant for highway use.
Auxiliary driving lamps [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]
4.09 (1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 auxiliary driving lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 40 cm and not more than 1.06 m, that are capable of displaying only white light.
(2) An auxiliary driving lamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the lamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface.
(3) An auxiliary driving lamp must operate so that it is illuminated only when the upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp is illuminated.
Auxiliary Light Mounting
Recommended Auxiliary Light Wiring for SAE and ECE certified lights. As mentioned above, “An auxiliary driving lamp must operate so that it is illuminated only when the upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp is illuminated.”
FOG LIGHTS
Fog lights must be SAE or ECE certified to be compliant for highway use
Fog lamps [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]
4.11 (1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 fog lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle below the headlamps, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light.
(2) Each fog lamp must be
(a) mounted not more than 30 cm below the headlamps, and
(b) adjusted and aimed so that, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, the centre of the beam is at least 10 cm below the height of the fog lamp.
(3) The fog lamp wiring and switch must permit simultaneous operation of the parking lamps, tail lamps, licence plate lamp and, if required, clearance lamps.
(4) The operator of a vehicle may use fog lamps instead of headlamps when atmospheric conditions make the use of headlamps disadvantageous.
Fog Light Mounting
OFF ROAD LIGHTS
Off-road lamps [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]
4.25 Despite section 4.04 (2) (c), a vehicle equipped with off-road lamps when on a highway must have the off-road lamps concealed with opaque covers.
Note - Always check regional rules and regulations regarding the use of auxiliary driving and fog lights for highway use. Northern Light Bars will not be accountable for improper mounting, aiming, wiring or regional restrictions.