Interpretation ID: 21883.ztv
Mr. Arman Asinmaz
611 Golden Harbour Drive
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Dear Mr. Asinmaz:
This is in reply to your e-mail of July 1, 2000, in which you ask "what color lights are permitted inside the headlight." We are unsure whether you are asking about the color of the headlamp beam or whether headlamps may incorporate a colored light source for a function other than headlighting, but we shall answer both questions.
The color of light from headlamps is specified by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment. A state may not prohibit or allow any color for a headlamp other than that specified by Standard No. 108. The Federal standard requires that the light emitted by headlamps be white and comply with SAE Standard J578c, Color Specification for Electric Signal Lighting Devices, February 1977. The SAE standard defines colors in terms of spectral coordinates, and the coordinates of white are such that near the boundaries the color white may be perceived as having a bluish cast. This bluish cast is especially noticeable in the light emitted by high intensity discharge headlamps.
Standard No. 108 also allows turn signal lamps and front side marker lamps to be incorporated "inside the headlight," to use your phrase, that is, to be in the same housing as headlighting sources. The color of light from these lamps is required to be amber. The amber light can be produced by an amber bulb emitted through a clear lens. Thus, amber is a color permitted "inside the headlight " (amber light can also be produced by the combination of a clear bulb and amber lens).
If you have further questions, you may e-mail Taylor Vinson of this Office as you did before
Sincerely,
Frank Seales, Jr.
Chief Counsel
ref.108
d.8/11/00