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Off Road Lights, are they legal in NY?

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Old Sep 14, 2011 | 10:10 AM
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Default Off Road Lights, are they legal in NY?

Just curious if roof mounted lights are legal in NY. I'm pretty sure they are, but I've never seen trucks with them before so I could be wrong.

I looked up the laws, and it doesn't really say anything about accessory lights.
 
Old Sep 14, 2011 | 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by CraigSnedeker
Just curious if roof mounted lights are legal in NY. I'm pretty sure they are, but I've never seen trucks with them before so I could be wrong.

I looked up the laws, and it doesn't really say anything about accessory lights.
I got this off another forum, but check it out. It is for Cali, let me see if I can get one for NY.

Edit: I couldn't find one for New York, but I think the law below states the law for more than just Cali. Most cops won't have a problem with off-road lights as long as they are off or have a cover on them or both. It just comes down to whether the cop is having a good or bad day.

A few years ago, on my way back from Ocotillo Wells, I got pulled over by the CHP. It was right were the S-22 hits Hwy 76. He was sitting on the side road and motioned for me to pull over. I figured he was stopping me for my window tint or my non existent front license plate. It was actually for just my uncovered off-road lights. There was getting out of it and I was hit with a $120 fine.
Even though these lights are considered off-road lights, I also use them on the street. The high beams on my Tundra just are not bright enough. It seems when ever drive at night I am always dodging coyotes or some other critters. Looking at this from a safety issue, what is the point of having an extra set of lights if you can’t use them on the street? The truth is you can legally run a pair of off-road lights, with out covers, as long as they can only be activated by your high beam switch. Most people are not aware of this as well as most cops. If you ever do get pulled over keep a copy of this CA vehicle code just incase.

24402. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches. Driving lamps are lamps designed for supplementing the upper beam from headlamps and may not be lighted with the lower beam. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24402.htm

If you are wondering how to legally setup your existing lights, or if you want to add some lights and a harness, Soltek Light System has you covered. We have 4”, 6”, 8” and led lights available, along with a special wiring harness. This simple harness wires directly off your vehicles battery and ties into you high beam wiring. It easily installs in about half an hour. You also do not have to run any wires through your fire wall. If you are a stickler and you must have a toggle switch to turn the lights on, there is a separate switch harness kit available. This toggle switch harness plugs directly into the Soltek harness. If you use the toggle switch remember to cover the lights when you drive on the street. We also offer a splitter harness if you would like to add an additional light. Legally you can only run two.
 

Last edited by tibby; Sep 14, 2011 at 11:24 AM. Reason: Editing
Old Sep 14, 2011 | 11:49 AM
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If your not using them while driving in roads its ok i never heard of them not being legal tho ive seen people have them
 
Old Sep 14, 2011 | 04:08 PM
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I had a cop that stopped on a side street and saw me go by without any covers on mine and they turned and followed me for about a 1/2 mile. So I was thinking 'Oh crap.' But then they turned off the road I was on. So here at least I guess you can run them without covers.
I have also looked for laws here and it dosn't really say, so next time I see a cop I'm going to ask.
 
Old Sep 14, 2011 | 06:35 PM
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Yeah, I guess this is one of those "grey areas."
 
Old Sep 14, 2011 | 08:47 PM
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out here you are aloud Max 4 forward facing 'accessory' lights uncovered, any more and they must be covered.

every state could be different. buddy got fined for having 5 on his rollbar in his toyota pickup, even though they were very obviously not even wired up..
 
Old Sep 15, 2011 | 07:17 AM
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"fined for having 5 on his rollbar in his toyota pickup, even though they were very obviously not even wireed up.."

Really I would have taken a picture with the cop in the back ground showing the lights unwired and showed that at traffic court. It cant be a light unless it has the wiring to provide the power...... at that point it was a decoration!
 
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:15 AM
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You can argue that they give the trucks a "rugged look" I could see that passing in court.
 
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:40 AM
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An after thought.....turn one backwards!!!!
 

Last edited by HigherPower; Sep 16, 2011 at 12:43 AM.
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:41 AM
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haha nice after thought or let me call it a brain fart =P
 



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