TheMaddog
Senior Member
20.16 Head Lamps
Motor Vehicles. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps, at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in these regulations. Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches to be measured from the center of such lamp to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles, Mopeds. Every motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of these regulations. Every head lamp upon every motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches to be measured from the center of such lamp to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load. The head lamp on a motor-driven cycle or moped may be a single beam lamp.
General Provisions. All motor vehicles including motorcycles sold new after January 1, 1948, other than motor-driven cycles (motor scooters and motorbikes), must be equipped with multiple beam head lamps. Single beam head lamps will be permitted on those vehicles sold new prior to January 1, 1948, and on all motor-driven cycles (motor scooters, motorbikes, and mopeds).
There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 450 feet ahead for all conditions of loading (motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds at a distance of at least 300 feet).
There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead.
Single beam head lamp: A head lamp which provides only one fixed beam, which is not adjustable from the driv-er’s seat (usually on motor-driven cycles and mopeds only).
Multiple beam head lamp: A head lamp which provides more than one beam, which may be selected as required from the driver’s seat.
Dual head lamp system: Those vehicles using the dual or four head lamp system must be equipped with a combination of a #1 and a #2 type head lamp on each side of the vehicle. The use of any other type of lamp in those sockets is illegal and does not meet the inspection requirements for head lamps. The four head lamp system must be wired to burn as originally designed.
Other lamps: Fog lamps, auxiliary passing lamps, auxiliary driving lamps, backup lamps, and parking lamps are not required to be inspected.
Headlight identification: The 7-inch diameter 6000 series lamp, identified by the #2 on the lens, contains two filaments. One filament produces the upper beam, the other produces the lower beam. The original 7-inch sealed beam lamp can be identified by the absence of the #2 on the lens. Composite 9,000 series head lamp, identified by bulb housing, lens, or lamp housing marking of DOT or SAE and/or series 9,000.
Retractable lamps: check if fully retractable and will fully open and lock in a rigid position.
Composite head lamps: These 9,000 series headlights are of a new composite design. They consist of a lens (usually contoured to the grill and fenders of the vehicle), a reflector, and one or two halogen replaceable bulbs. These lamps are not sealed beam. Some moisture may appear in these lamp assemblies when the vehicle has not been in use. The moisture will dissipate when the lamps are turned on for a few seconds. Slight moisture will not reject these lamps. Some types of the composite headlights have a single lens but two bulbs, one of which burns on low beam and one on high beam. Most will have a single bulb that will burn on both high and low beam. Either type will pass inspection as long as the bulbs are under one common lens and are of a type meeting Department standards.
Halogen lamps: Acceptable if they are of the type meeting Department standards. Head lamps approved for use on motorcycles and motor- driven cycles cannot be used on an automobile or truck and vice versa. On motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds without batteries, the engine should be run at high idle speed to observe operation of head lamp. Refer to the Reference Section for further inspection procedures.
Preparation for Head Lamp Inspection
Clean head lamp lenses, if necessary.
Check for burned out head lamp and proper beam switching.
Inspection Procedure. Check operation and condition.
All head lamps will be inspected for and rejected if:
Lamp or lamp assembly is not securely fastened to the vehicle.
Lamp is improperly connected and does not light the proper filament for different switch positions.
Lamp lens is cracked, broken, discolored, or missing. (Exception: Composite or halogen-type lamps will not be rejected for being cracked, unless the reflector material inside the lamp is discolored or deteriorated.)
Lamp is not of a type meeting Department standards.
Wiring insulation is worn, rubbed bare, or shows any evidence of burning, short circuiting, or poor electrical connections.
Lamp lens is rotated, upside down, canted, or is marked “Right,” “Left,” #1 or #2 and not appropriately installed.
Lamp fails to function properly in any manner.
Lamp has dirt or any contamination or discoloration inside or moisture except condensed moisture in composite head lamps non-seal beam halogen lamps.
Lamp switch or dimmer switch does not operate properly and is not convenient to the driver.
Foreign material placed on head lamp lens, such as shields, half of lens, paint, tape, etc., that interferes with the light beam of the lamp.
Vehicle is not equipped with head lamps as required.
Lamp can be moved easily by hand, due to a broken fender or loose support.
Lamp is missing.
Lens is other than clear (white).
Any filament in head lamps fails to burn except composite lamps with more than one bulb when both upper and lower beam burn when selected.
Wiring is dangling or connections are loose.
A good ground is not made by the lamp mounting.
Lamp is mounted on vehicle more than or less than prescribed mounting heights.
Head lamp is covered by any lens or cover located in front of the head lamp which is any shade or color other than clear.
There is physical damage that would obviously cause a headlight beam to fail to illuminate the roadway ahead of the vehicle sufficiently.
it doesn't say it's not illegal, ergo, legal.
Motor Vehicles. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps, at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in these regulations. Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches to be measured from the center of such lamp to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles, Mopeds. Every motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of these regulations. Every head lamp upon every motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches to be measured from the center of such lamp to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load. The head lamp on a motor-driven cycle or moped may be a single beam lamp.
General Provisions. All motor vehicles including motorcycles sold new after January 1, 1948, other than motor-driven cycles (motor scooters and motorbikes), must be equipped with multiple beam head lamps. Single beam head lamps will be permitted on those vehicles sold new prior to January 1, 1948, and on all motor-driven cycles (motor scooters, motorbikes, and mopeds).
There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 450 feet ahead for all conditions of loading (motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds at a distance of at least 300 feet).
There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead.
Single beam head lamp: A head lamp which provides only one fixed beam, which is not adjustable from the driv-er’s seat (usually on motor-driven cycles and mopeds only).
Multiple beam head lamp: A head lamp which provides more than one beam, which may be selected as required from the driver’s seat.
Dual head lamp system: Those vehicles using the dual or four head lamp system must be equipped with a combination of a #1 and a #2 type head lamp on each side of the vehicle. The use of any other type of lamp in those sockets is illegal and does not meet the inspection requirements for head lamps. The four head lamp system must be wired to burn as originally designed.
Other lamps: Fog lamps, auxiliary passing lamps, auxiliary driving lamps, backup lamps, and parking lamps are not required to be inspected.
Headlight identification: The 7-inch diameter 6000 series lamp, identified by the #2 on the lens, contains two filaments. One filament produces the upper beam, the other produces the lower beam. The original 7-inch sealed beam lamp can be identified by the absence of the #2 on the lens. Composite 9,000 series head lamp, identified by bulb housing, lens, or lamp housing marking of DOT or SAE and/or series 9,000.
Retractable lamps: check if fully retractable and will fully open and lock in a rigid position.
Composite head lamps: These 9,000 series headlights are of a new composite design. They consist of a lens (usually contoured to the grill and fenders of the vehicle), a reflector, and one or two halogen replaceable bulbs. These lamps are not sealed beam. Some moisture may appear in these lamp assemblies when the vehicle has not been in use. The moisture will dissipate when the lamps are turned on for a few seconds. Slight moisture will not reject these lamps. Some types of the composite headlights have a single lens but two bulbs, one of which burns on low beam and one on high beam. Most will have a single bulb that will burn on both high and low beam. Either type will pass inspection as long as the bulbs are under one common lens and are of a type meeting Department standards.
Halogen lamps: Acceptable if they are of the type meeting Department standards. Head lamps approved for use on motorcycles and motor- driven cycles cannot be used on an automobile or truck and vice versa. On motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds without batteries, the engine should be run at high idle speed to observe operation of head lamp. Refer to the Reference Section for further inspection procedures.
Preparation for Head Lamp Inspection
Clean head lamp lenses, if necessary.
Check for burned out head lamp and proper beam switching.
Inspection Procedure. Check operation and condition.
All head lamps will be inspected for and rejected if:
Lamp or lamp assembly is not securely fastened to the vehicle.
Lamp is improperly connected and does not light the proper filament for different switch positions.
Lamp lens is cracked, broken, discolored, or missing. (Exception: Composite or halogen-type lamps will not be rejected for being cracked, unless the reflector material inside the lamp is discolored or deteriorated.)
Lamp is not of a type meeting Department standards.
Wiring insulation is worn, rubbed bare, or shows any evidence of burning, short circuiting, or poor electrical connections.
Lamp lens is rotated, upside down, canted, or is marked “Right,” “Left,” #1 or #2 and not appropriately installed.
Lamp fails to function properly in any manner.
Lamp has dirt or any contamination or discoloration inside or moisture except condensed moisture in composite head lamps non-seal beam halogen lamps.
Lamp switch or dimmer switch does not operate properly and is not convenient to the driver.
Foreign material placed on head lamp lens, such as shields, half of lens, paint, tape, etc., that interferes with the light beam of the lamp.
Vehicle is not equipped with head lamps as required.
Lamp can be moved easily by hand, due to a broken fender or loose support.
Lamp is missing.
Lens is other than clear (white).
Any filament in head lamps fails to burn except composite lamps with more than one bulb when both upper and lower beam burn when selected.
Wiring is dangling or connections are loose.
A good ground is not made by the lamp mounting.
Lamp is mounted on vehicle more than or less than prescribed mounting heights.
Head lamp is covered by any lens or cover located in front of the head lamp which is any shade or color other than clear.
There is physical damage that would obviously cause a headlight beam to fail to illuminate the roadway ahead of the vehicle sufficiently.
it doesn't say it's not illegal, ergo, legal.
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