Interpretation ID: nht95-4.77

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: November 15, 1995

FROM: Richard L. Russell

TO: Blane Laubis -- Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, US Dept. of Transportation

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: 12/22/95 letter from Samuel J. Dubbin to Richard L. Russell (A43; Std. 108)

TEXT: I now have two DOT Approved headlights on my 1956 Jeep and I would like to add two additional Auxiliary Lights to supplement my highbeams. These lights would be wired into the highbeam switch, so that, they can only be used on highbeam and mounted on my bumper below my DOT Approved headlights (36.5" from the ground).

My question is . . . are my auxiliary lights required to be DOT approved? Are they required to be SAE approved? And is there any limitation to bulb wattage for auxiliary lights used to supplement the DOT approved headlights while they are on highbeam?

I understand that the State of California may have regulations to further define or restrict the use of auxiliary lights. I would appreciate your response to these questions at your earliest convenience.