LED lights are rapidly transforming the lighting landscape. They are increasingly common in street lights, parking garage lighting, walkways, outdoor area lighting, including vehicle headlights.
However, there are growing concerns among Canadian road users about whether or not they are legal to use on vehicles in Canada. In this article, I discuss the legality of LED headlights in Canada, including the potential risks and benefits of using them on the road.
Are led headlights legal in Canada? Yes, LED headlights are legal in Canada. However, there are strict guidelines set by Transport Canada regarding color, intensity, electrical connections, and position to ensure the safety of road users. These guidelines must be followed to ensure that the headlights are approved for use on the road.
Transport Canada is an initiative of the Canadian government saddled with the responsibility of implementing and developing transportation policies and programs.
According to Transport Canada, all vehicles must be installed with headlights that conform to visibility and performance standards. The standards define what is acceptable in areas such as color, position, intensity, electrical connections, and direction of the light, as well as the size and shape of the headlight beam.
LED headlights that meet these standards are approved for use on Canadian roads, as long as they are properly installed and functioning correctly.
LED headlights approved in Canada
It is crucial to note that not all LED headlights are approved for use on Canadian roads. Aftermarket LED headlights may not be legal in your province, so it is up to you to check with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and only purchase LED headlights that comply with Transport Canada guidelines.
As an example, flashing LED lamps are only permitted on specific vehicles, and the use of lamps that emit blue or red light must only be fitted to an emergency or service vehicle, such as an ambulance or a police vehicle.
Any additional lamps fitted to a vehicle be securely fitted, and adhere to the following:
- Motor vehicles must be fitted with either one or 2 headlamps, installed on both sides of the front of the vehicle and capable of displaying white light.
- The headlamp height when mounted must be at a height of not less than 56 cm and not more than 1.37 m.
- Despite subsection (1), a motorcycle must be equipped with at least one and not more than 2 headlamps.
- A motor vehicle must be fitted with headlamps that can be turned on automatically when the engine is started/running if the vehicle was manufactured after December 31, 1974.
- Motorcycle headlamps must be capable of revealing objects at a distance of 30m if traveling at speeds of up to 0 km/h or more.
Multiple beam headlamps
(1) A motor vehicle fitted with multi-beam lamps must function so that the driver may select lamps capable of displaying:
(a) an upper beam of light capable of revealing an object at a distance of 10m, regardless of the load on the vehicle.
(b) Furthermore, a lower beam of light capable of revealing an object at a distance of 30m, of which the high-intensity portion of the lower beam must not strike the eye of an oncoming driver.
(2) The lighting setup must be designed to include a tell-tale lamp that serves as an indicator when the upper beam of light is being displayed.
(3) If the lighting system is fitted with an automatic dimmer, there must be an accompanying control.
(4) The vehicle operator must not illuminate the upper beam of a headlamp if an oncoming vehicle is within a distance of 10m from the vehicle unless the vehicle has overtaken the oncoming vehicle which will keep the high-intensity portion of the beam from striking or reflecting into the other eyes of the other driver.
(6) The upper beam of the motor vehicle headlamp must not be illuminated if the vehicle is parked or standing on a highway.
Single beam headlamps
Motor vehicles and motorcycles may be equipped with single-beam headlamps instead of multiple-beam headlamps if:
(a)When illuminated, the headlamps reveal an object at a distance of 60m, with each headlamp fitted and directed in such a way that the high-intensity portion of the beam is projected at a distance of 8m from the headlamp, and must not be higher than 1.06 m from the road surface, and at a distance of 25 m from the lamp.
(b) Each of the headlamps should be mounted and directed in such a manner that the high-intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8m from the headlamp, and at least 12 cm below the height of the headlamp, positioned at a distance of 2m from the lamp, and should not be higher than 1.06 m from the road surface.
What color LED headlight is legal in Canada
In Canada, the legally acceptable colors for headlights are white or yellow. This applies to both the low-beam and high-beam headlights. Blue, purple, and red colored headlights are strictly prohibited for use on personal vehicles.
Colored headlights are prohibited. Any additional function that obstructs vision is illegal. As cool as smoked headlights may seem, their use can end badly. Smoked headlights are also illegal in Canada.
These colors can easily dazzle other vehicle drivers, which may cause confusion or lead to an accident.
If you’re in doubt about the condition or color of your vehicle’s headlights, I recommend you check with a professional mechanic or at a vehicle inspection center.
Brightest legal headlight in Canada
The brightness of headlights in Canada is enshrined in the Canadian Highway Act. The primary objective of your vehicle lighting is to see and be seen, therefore the standards exist to ensure that headlights are bright enough to provide clear visibility for the driver while ensuring the safety of other road users.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), headlights should have a luminous intensity of between 500 and 3,000 candelas, which also applies to aftermarket headlights. Any headlamps brighter than the maximum allowed brightness must be coated with colored material.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to aftermarket headlights. These options range from halogen, xenon (HID), and LED headlights, which vary in terms of luminous intensity. Therefore, it is empirical to only purchase headlights that meet the standards set by Transport Canada.
Simply put, the brightest legal headlights in Canada are those that adhere to the safety requirements as outlined by Transport Canada and produce a white or pale blue light beam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are blue headlights legal in Ontario?
Blue headlights are illegal in Ontario, the legally permitted headlight colors remain yellow or white. Colored halogen lamps with a temperature above 4200K are also prohibited for road use. Some of the colored HID lights with a temperature of up to 6000K are allowed for use on the roads.
Are LED tail bulbs legal in Canada?
Yes, tail bulbs are permitted for use on vehicles in Canada, as long as they are DOT certified.
While these lights are legal for use on your vehicle, it is important to install them in such a way that they do not distract other drivers. If you run into problems on the road and your insurer determines that your headlights are not approved in that state, you will not be entitled to compensation.
Are LED underglows legal in Canada?
Underglows are decorative lights used to color the ground under your vehicle, which implies a decorative role.
These lights can be neon, LED e.t .c. However, it is illegal to turn them on while driving. Brightly colored lights can distract other drivers on the roads and cause an accident on the roads.
To ensure the safety of road users, Canadian law prohibits the use of underglow lights while driving.
Conclusion
If you are considering aftermarket bulbs, please take out time to familiarize yourself with local laws before buying anything other than a stock replacement headlight bulb, as some aftermarket bulbs may not meet provincial or state regulations. While some aftermarket LED bulbs may appear bright and attractive, the light emitted by these bulbs is considered “uncontrolled” light and consequently, illegal.
Aftermarket LED or HID lighting kits are not DOT compliant. However, there are round or rectangular sealed beam LED headlights that have passed DOT, SAE, and E9 requirements. DOT SAE E9 markings can be found on the lenses of complaint units.