Driving lights and light bars

Driving on country roads at night brings real risks, especially from wildlife such as kangaroos, wombats, emus and stock. Factory headlights often don't reach far enough or light the road edges well enough for comfortable travel in remote areas. Auxiliary driving lights and LED light bars can greatly improve what you see, but they must be fitted and used legally and considerately.

This guide explains the types of lights, how to wire and aim them, and the rules that apply in Australia.

Types of auxiliary lights

Round or rectangular driving lights are traditional auxiliary lights, available with halogen, HID or LED light sources. They are often sold in pairs and mounted on bull bars.

LED light bars are long, slim housings with many LEDs. They can be mounted on bull bars, behind grilles or on roof racks, and often combine spot and spread optics.

Spot beams throw light far down the road in a narrow pattern, useful at highway speeds.

Spread or flood beams light a wide area close to the vehicle, including road edges where animals appear.

Combination beams mix both in one unit.

Work lights and reversing lights light the area around the vehicle at camp or when reversing. These are generally not for use while driving on roads, apart from legal reversing lights.

Choosing lights

Consider:

• Beam pattern for the roads you travel. A combination of spot and spread suits most country driving.
• Light colour. Many LED lights are cool white; some drivers prefer warmer colours that may reduce glare from dust and reflective signs.
• Quality. Reputable lights have good optics, robust housings, sealing against dust and water, and heat management. Cheap lights can have poor beam patterns and fail early.
• Electromagnetic interference. Poorly designed LED lights can interfere with radios, including UHF and AM/FM reception.
• Compatibility. Check that mounting won't block airbag sensors, cameras, radar or airflow, or obscure the number plate.

Legal requirements

Lighting is regulated by the Australian Design Rules and state and territory rules, which draw on the national code for vehicle modifications. Requirements can cover:

• the number of driving lights allowed;
• mounting height and position, and whether roof mounting is permitted;
• that driving lights only operate with high beam, switching off when headlights are dipped;
• not obstructing number plates, indicators or the driver's view;
• colour and intensity.

Rules differ between states, and many light bars sold online don't meet every requirement. Check with your state transport agency before buying and fitting lights.

Under the Australian Road Rules, which form the basis of state road rules, drivers must not use high beam when within 200 metres of an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle ahead travelling in the same direction. Because driving lights should work with high beam, they must be switched off at the same time.

Wiring

Driving lights draw significant current. They should be wired with:

• a relay, triggered by the high beam circuit and a dedicated switch, so the high current flows through heavy cable from the battery, not the vehicle's headlight wiring;
• a fuse close to the battery, sized for the circuit;
• appropriately sized cable for the current and distance;
• sealed connectors to keep out water and dust.

Many lights come with a wiring harness that includes a relay, fuse and switch. Modern vehicles with complex electronics may need specific adaptors to tap into high beam circuits without triggering faults. If in doubt, use a qualified auto electrician.

Aiming

Badly aimed lights dazzle other drivers and waste light. Aim lights on level ground, following the manufacturer's instructions, generally so the beam is parallel to the road or slightly down. Check aim after fitting suspension lifts or changing loads, which change the vehicle's angle.

Driving safely at night

Better lights help, but they don't make night driving in wildlife areas safe. Many travellers avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night in rural and remote areas, when animals are most active. If you must drive, slow down, scan the road edges and be ready to brake. Swerving to avoid animals is a common cause of serious crashes. Fatigue is another major risk on long drives, so take regular breaks.

Bull bars and lighting

Bull bars are popular mounts for driving lights. In Australia, bull bars must meet requirements relating to design, mounting and compatibility with airbags, and they must not obscure lights or create dangerous protrusions. Choose a bar designed for your vehicle model.

Maintaining lights

Keep lenses clean; dust and mud dramatically cut light output. Check mounts and wiring after rough trips, as vibration loosens fittings and chafes cables. Use lens covers on gravel roads to protect against stones, removing them before use.

Common mistakes

• Buying lights that don't meet state rules.
• Wiring lights so they stay on with low beam.
• Cheap LEDs that interfere with the UHF radio.
• Dazzling oncoming drivers with poorly aimed lights.
• Relying on lights instead of slowing down in wildlife areas.

Choosing between halogen, HID and LED

Halogen driving lights are simple and cheap but draw more current and produce less light for the power. HID (high-intensity discharge) lights are bright with long reach, but take a moment to reach full brightness and need ballasts. LEDs are now most common: efficient, instant-on, durable and available in many beam patterns. Whatever you choose, quality optics matter more than the headline brightness figure.

Lights and UHF radios

Interference from LED lights and their drivers can reduce UHF radio range, a real safety concern on remote tracks. Test your radio with the lights on and off after fitting. If you hear noise, quality lights with good filtering, ferrite chokes and careful cable routing can help.

Key points

Auxiliary lights help you see wildlife and hazards, but must meet the Australian Design Rules and state rules. Choose quality lights with suitable beam patterns, wire them through a relay and fuse to work with high beam, aim them correctly, dip within 200 metres of other vehicles and drive cautiously at night.