Headlights and LED light bars: additional headlights, work lights and off-road headlights for your vehicle
Offroad headlights offer you the opportunity to provide optimal lighting even off paved roads. Whether you have a LED light bar for the roof rack or powerful additional headlights and offroad lightbars like theOsram 10 Lightbars it is crucial to know the legal regulations and technical requirements.
Are additional headlights allowed on cars?
The regulations for additional headlights for cars in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are similar, but have some differences. In Germany and Austria, two additional headlights are permitted, with Austria allowing a total of six headlights for the car (including standard ones). Switzerland is stricter and only allows a maximum of four headlights. All countries require symmetrical installation to the center of the vehicle, and the headlights must not dazzle oncoming traffic. A ECE approval is required in all three countries. The use of the auxiliary lights is limited to use with high beam, except for approved fog lights. Switzerland has stricter regulations regarding the number, while Austria allows a higher total number.
Whether the LED headlights are exempt from registration or whether further declarations are necessary depends on the respective product. It is important to check these details carefully to ensure that all legal requirements are met and that trouble-free use on the road is possible. A notice: You can find this information about the OSRAM headlights on the respective product page.
Regulations in other European countries
The regulations for offroad headlights and offroad light bars in other European countries. In most European countries, an ECE approval is required for additional vehicle lighting. Scandinavian countries have more generous regulations, often allowing several additional headlights. In countries such as France, Spain or Italy, the regulations are stricter and there are clear restrictions on the number and position of headlights. Before travelling, it is therefore important to thoroughly check the specific regulations of the destination country in order to avoid problems.
Where can you attach additional headlights to your car?
Additional LED headlights can be attached to various places on the vehicle, but there are also regulations here:
- Front of the vehicle: The most common position for additional headlights is at the front of the vehicle, usually near the standard headlights or on the radiator grille. They must be installed symmetrically to the center of the vehicle.
- Bumper: Many vehicles have special brackets or attachment points in the bumper area. The height must comply with legal requirements.
- Roof or roll bar: On off-road vehicles, additional headlights are often attached to the roof or to a roll bar. However, these LED headlights may only be used off-road or on certain commercial vehicles on public roads, as they can dazzle other road users.
- Vehicle width and height: The headlights must not protrude beyond the width of the vehicle and must be installed within a certain height above the road surface.
- Roof rack: Another possibility is to install the LED light bars on the roof rack. The OSRAM headlights work great with the horntools ExRoof roof rack. This mounting offers an elevated position for maximum illumination, but is mainly suitable for off-road use or specific commercial vehicles.
The right off-road lighting for your adventure
The right off-road lighting is crucial to ensure clear visibility on unpaved and challenging routes and to identify potential hazards in good time. It improves the visibility when driving at night, in dark forests, in bad weather and on difficult terrain, minimizing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.
Osram off-road headlights offer you excellent performance, whether you choose powerful LED headlights or versatile off-road light bars. The additional headlights illuminate the surroundings comprehensively, which is safe driving and navigation in off-road adventures is essential.
