Anyone up to speed on traffic laws concerning DRLS?

[MrBounce]

There's a driving instrunctor round here who has a Citroen DS3. I swear I'm gonna get me a crowbar and hammer the sh!t out of his cr4ppy lights - they're way too bright.

My question would be "Why do you need DRLs?" It's light. If it gets dark, switch your headlights on... 

[Thom89]

I think the bottom line here is, its illegal to alter Type approved/"E"marked lights, and its also illegal to display fog lights under any condition other than Fog, or severely restricted visibility, so they could tug you either way!

Thom

[mac7]

That DADRL website is hillarious. The home page states:

"Daytime Running Lights are a violation of the Declaration of Human Rights Act."

What a load of crap 

In my opinion, because the OP is operating his fog lights at reduced intensity for the purpose of daytime running lights, they are no longer functioning as fog lights. Provided they come on automatically with the ignition and go off again when the headlamps are activated I can see no arguement against their use in this way.

DRL's may be combined with other lamps - VW do something similar with the high beam lamp on Mk6 Golfs (although they do use a dual filament bulb). VW also use low mounted lamps as DRL's on the new Polo and Passat, as do Skoda, setting a precedent for the location. Additionally, the reflector in a low mounted fog lamp will result in far less dazzle than either a high beam or even a purpose-designed DRL.

The fitment of DRL's is actually now a legal requirement on all new cars - although their use isn't (i.e. you can disable them if you want). Guidance can be found in the DfT link below.

http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf

[stealthwolf]

DRLs aren't for illumination - they're for awareness. Much in the same way motorbikes often have their headlamps on. They have to be in specific locations and meet certain specifications.

Hella do a set of DRLs for the Mk5 and Redrobin is someone who's used them early on. Might be worth contacting him as he has done tonnes of research into this. They are bright without dazzling. Importantly, they turn off when you turn on any other lights including sidelights. If you flash your mainbeams, they turn off during that flash.

Besides, if you need fogs on as "extra" illumination, get better bulbs for the headlights. Foglights are designed to penetrate fog, rather than bounce back and increase the opaqueness of the fog.

[Rhyso]

@ Mac & Stealthwolf

My DRLs (fogs) function in exactly the way you describe; they come on with the ignition and then as soon as I put on sidelights or dipped beam they go off.  I also have the added bonus in that they still function as normal fog lights with the dial in the correct position

I read Redrobin's thread and actually looked for a set for the Audi but was unable to find them    I was wondering if the MK5 would fit the Audi as they appear to be the same size / shape 

Ross Tech then updated VCDS and the ability to code the fogs as DRL's became available

[Guy]

when i retrofitted DRL's in my mk3 I  got stopped by a rozzer once in a car park... he said 'you've got your fogs on' - when I pointed out that they were specific DRL's and that fogs would only be on with my headlights wouldn't they? he backed off... I also offered to show him the wiring diagrams and information leaflet in my drivers manual but he declined and drove off 

still... the silly bint in the new beetle who ended up nearly having a crash trying to tell me that 'you've got your f**king fog lights on' was of a different opinion... god she was so fat and ugly!

[dragonfly]

still... the silly bint in the new beetle who ended up nearly having a crash trying to tell me that 'you've got your f**king fog lights on' was of a different opinion... god she was so fat and ugly!

Like the car she was driving......

 

I'm not a fan of DRL, we have managed without them for so many years.  They are now just an accessory for people to add. Each to their own.

[Chris MKV]

imho of course, they look sh!t and are a waste of time i bet people who love driving with fog lights on 365 days a year love them though. if you want day time running/driving lights, just use the side lights?

If you do that your tail lights are on as well which makes the indicators hard to see on the MK 5 in day light.

I'm considering a proper LED DRL set up that is built in to the fog light grills.

[tech1889]

i think your f**ked 

[F17BAD]

i wouldnt worry too much, they dont look to be dazzling. i like what you have done their. DRLs usually look chav. Those in the fogs look smart

We got them ones in the MK6 golf Headlights, Bright as a mo fo and annoying!,  sick of folk telling me iv got my headlights on hahahaha

I do think DRL is a good thing tho,  wont be long till ALL new cars have them standard