Street Legal Light Bars? Do they exist?

Are there any grill or bumper mounted light bars that are street legal?
Pix if ya got 'em.

Low mounting I assume.

I love the NSV LED bar mounted in the upper hood area, but it is $$$ and I don't believe it is street legal.

 

There's not much auxiliary lighting that's legal if it's not covered up.

 

I was going to say that

 

Rigid SAE lineup

https://www.rigidindustries.com/sae-street-legal-landing-page

 

For street legal, I believe they have to be SAE and importantly DOT(FMVSS 108) approved.

 

One or the other certification works, doesn’t have to have both, but they also must be installed within the correct height limits, and wired to work only as intended for the certification number on the lense. ie driving lights only work with high-beams... it gets a bit complicated.

Nightrider also has some SAE offerings, including a 20” single-row bar.

 

Light bars are illegal in Connecticut unless they are covered up.

 

I worded it like that because I read this, no?

SAE approved headlights and tail lights are not street legal in US, until they are approved by DOT. In short, SAE guide the quality of the product, and DOT test the product to make sure it is fully complied with transportation law and approve for use in all US roads and highways.

So all DOT approved headlights and tail lights will stamp the word “DOT” on the lights to show law officers that they are street legal and complied with the transportation law.

The other aspects you pointed out are important too!

 

For Canada, or at least BC for sure, SAE alone is sufficient. Would be worth checking your province’s regs.

 

Just noticed you're in Canada too

I usually talk in US terms here especially if the OP is American but you and Adriver got me thinking of my own light bar. Looks like Ontario doesn't have a law where we have to cover our bars like some provinces and Conn up there. We've got the usual rules about the fronts being white or amber only, and Section 62(9) says max 300 candella. I guess that's why when I was talking to a cop after he let me go for speeding, he asked what the light bar was for but never mentioned about it being illegal. I just moved my bar from behind the grille to behind the bumper, in anticipation of updating my grille, it be a hassle to completely remove it or find a cover.

 

I doubt it’s legal in California to have my lights uncovered but have had so many police and CHP see my truck and never had an issue. This is my front end. Not to say they won’t mess with you, but if it is illegal I haven’t been popped yet in 3 years of having this front end. Shit, I even drove through 14 states this summer with lights uncovered and no issues in any state. I personally thought it was just the roof lights that needed to be covered, but I’m no expert on the laws specifics. My grill and bumper have 3 rigid industries D2s rigid 38” RDS and I believe the 20” rigid E2 in the rigid grill and NFab bumper. I’ve turned them on on highways that are not lit up and just turn them off if I see headlights coming. Plus I see people all the time with light bars on during the day for no reason, but they are usually in the bumper. Again don’t know law specifics

 

Define covered up.

Do you mean have an approved or compliant lens? I'm fine with that, and no issues with mounting at an approved height.

 

Good info. I didn't know that just having a light bar uncovered was a legal issue but, then again, I didn't know that mud flaps are required by law for trucks that are lifted (AZ law). Has anyone here ever received a citation or warning for an uncovered light bar or is it one of those things that are never enforced unless or until there is some other major violation going on?

 

I feel so much safer in this world with mud flap, and light laws.

 

I'm ok in my CDN province but other provinces like Manitoba (north of North Dakota and Minnesota) bars have to be covered:




Rigid SAE fogs in 2019 Pro bezels, like another set of lowbeams, I use them at night with DRLs only. That way I'm not blinding people anymore with my headlights being higher up. These things are great:



https://www.rigidindustries.com/d-series-sae-fog-light-2-504813.html

 

I dont think theres an exact stamped DOT approved cover that needs to be used. Just a cover that is not transparent, so that it cannot blind other drivers if accidentally switched on. Think "old school KC HiLites" with the yellow smiley face. They sell black out light bar covers.

Its another fix it ticket law that LE can use as their discretion. I have been ticked for it with Hellas on one of my old trucks, before the light bar days. But the cop chose to write that violation vs the speeding he pulled me over for. I guess i was nice enough to him.

 

So another piling on charge, when they need to beat you down.....

Never break two (or more) laws at the same time. They may give you a pass on one, but prolly not two or more.