California Headlights Law | Kensun HID and LED Headlights (2024)

FAQs

Are HID headlights legal in California? ›

Using High-Intensity Headlights in California

HID headlights must measure within the limit of 2,513 lumens to be street legal according to California's headlight brightness law. Similarly, there are limits to when drivers may use their high beams on California roads.

Are aftermarket LED headlights legal in California? Aftermarket headlights – those that you purchase separately for your vehicle – are legal in California. LED headlights are also legal as long as they are white, have amber turn signals, and are within the 2,513-lumen limit.

“The lights cannot exceed 2,513 lumens.” For reference: There are about 800 lumens, which measure brightness, in a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin. Halogen bulbs typically fall around 3000K, but HID bulbs have a much higher colour temperature. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your HID headlight bulbs aren't above 6000K. At that point, in most places, bulbs are no longer street legal.

LED headlights are not only legal, most new cars have them now. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has done the research and determined it is impossible to produce HID conversion kits that meet federal regulations. Federal guidelines set standards for how bright headlights can be.

At least two headlights upon every vehicle shall be mounted at a height of not less 22 nor more than 54 inches, the height of tail lights and at least two spot lights to be mounted is not specified.

The brightest headlight you are legally allowed to have varies depending on the state you're in. Most states limit output to 2,000 lumens, while California limits brightness to 1,600 lumens. These measurements are taken at 100 meters, so bulb ratings are higher than these limits.

Xenon HID bulbs with a high colour temperature - such as 8000K or above - are sometimes not road legal. Halogen bulbs with a colour temperature of 4300K or over also tend to be non-road legal.

California Title 20 lighting compliance requires LED bulbs to give illumination for general lighting with a brightness equal to or less than 2600 lumens and greater than or equal to 200 lumens or 150 lumens (for candelabra bases).

The maximum brightness allowed in California, for example, is 2,513 lumens per headlight. Moreover, aftermarket LED headlights are indeed legal, given they comply with color and brightness limitations.

Why are LED bulbs not road legal? ›

The The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 is based on old technology and doesn't account for newer technologies like LED's. The regulations are not in-line with current MOT testing guidelines and creates a confusing message for people looking to purchase these products.

The LED headlights are excessively intense and have extreme levels of blue wavelength light. The video below demonstrates the eye-damaging blue-rich light and blinding glare from LED headlights. The author asks, “Why are these still legal?” The answer is that LED headlights never have been legal.

The 6000k is usually the most popular. The higher you go in the Kelvin Rating, you get more color in the light in exchange for visibility. So 6000k will be just slightly brighter than 8000k and 8000k will be slightly brighter than 10000k and so on but they will have more and more color to them.

As long as an HID bulb meets the specifications in this legislation then it's road legal. One important rule with HID bulbs is that they should only be fitted in a vehicle that originally had HID bulbs. If your car originally had halogen bulbs, then it's not road legal to install HID bulbs.

As long as an HID bulb meets the specifications in this legislation then it's road legal. One important rule with HID bulbs is that they should only be fitted in a vehicle that originally had HID bulbs. If your car originally had halogen bulbs, then it's not road legal to install HID bulbs.

The HID projector Headlights are legal in India only fitted with manufacturers of your car/bike. If you want to know more about types of the headlight, check our video.

The good news is that LED and HID headlights are legal if they follow certain rules and guidelines. In the US, the Department of Transportation (DOT) makes sure cars are safe and follow the rules.