![]() The NHTSA is responsible for setting requirements, but doesn’t, and likely will never, certify that any specific product meets their standards. Unfortunately, this logo only indicates that the company manufacturing the kit has met federal requirements. There is a common rumor that you can legally install an HID conversion kit, as long as it has a Department of Transportation Approval logo on it. ![]() In some cases, aftermarket HID headlights have been found to exceed more than 800 percent of the power of the halogen headlights they replace. However, this is an impossible standard to follow, due to the fact that halogen bulbs don’t utilize ballasts to begin with.įurthermore, the NHTSA has also determined that HID conversion kits typically exceed the regulated output of factory headlights by quite a large margin. Because HID headlights don’t work the same way that halogen headlights do-such as using a ballast that halogen lights do not-the NHTSA holds a strict view of what is and isn’t allowed.Īccording to NHTSA, in order for an HID replacement to be legal, the H1 halogen bulb would have to exactly match an H1 bulb’s filament size and placement, electrical connector and ballast. The question of blue headlight legality can shortly be answered with FMVSS 108. These regulations are in place to keep all motorists safe, and require that replacement headlight capsules match the exact dimensions and electrical specifications of the original factory equipment. This federal agency aims to “save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce vehicle-related crashes.”Ĭurrently, most counties in the US require headlights to follow their safety standards, specifically Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 108. ![]() The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is part of the Executive Branch of the United States Government, and the Department of Transportation. This means that although you can purchase HID capsules that easily fit into your factory headlight assembly, you may create issues with bright, unfocused headlight beams that shine all over and cause problems for other motorists. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lights are similar to stock halogen lights, but use a projector assembly instead of a reflector. When they burn out, all you have to do is replace the halogen capsule, rather than paying for and replacing the entire reflector assembly. These headlights are made up of a permanent reflector assembly and a halogen capsule. Most modern vehicles use halogen headlights, due to their ease of replacement and lower cost. Stock halogen headlights are just plain, regular halogen lights with a blue film. However, just because they both look blue doesn’t mean they don’t rely on two totally different technologies. The reason the legality surrounding blue headlights is so complicated is because there are actually two different kinds of aftermarket replacement bulbs that can appear blue. Originally published in 2017, this blog has been updated in 2020 to conform to changing manufacturer and industry standards. If you’ve replaced your headlight bulb with something other than a simple stock replacement, we suggest checking the specific laws where you live and drive to ensure you aren’t traveling around in a car with illegal parts. That’s why it’s important to understand what you can and can’t do when making changes to your vehicle. ![]() These illegal modifications can and likely will lead to an expensive ticket, or something worse. On the other hand, some cars with blue headlights have been illegally modified. These strong, bright beaming headlights often frustrate oncoming motorists, but the fact of the matter is, some cars with blue headlights arrived that way from the factory and are completely legal. Whether or not blue headlights are illegal is a simple question with a complicated answer.
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