DRL's

[joey]

evening all,
so are DRL'S a legal requirement? yes or no...

thanks

[Hartside]

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

Hope this helps

[joey]

thanks for the info, but still not clear if the option to turn them off by choice is allowed.

btw, mines off at the minute.
 

[p3asa]

Interesting article but after reading it I was still none the wiser if it was a legal requirement to have them on if they were indeed fitted to your car.

Another point that is very wooly is the part "Vehicle manufacturers must fit DRL to new types of passenger car and light goods vehicle (car derived vans) type approved to European vehicle requirements from February 2011. In practice this means that any new model launched after this date, and many launched before, will be fitted with DRL"  
So in theory any car in production before this date doesn't need to fit them. And what constitutes a new model? Is that a brand new car or going from say a Mk6 to Mk7?

[mac7]

New model refers to any vehicle type first introduced for sale after Jan 2011. If it is a model that was on sale in the EU prior to this date (eg Mk6 Golf) it does not need to have them fitted. This is regulated by ECE 48 which if you are very bored is below (page 72 for DRL's).

http://live.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/r48r6e.pdf

But I was told by a legal friend that there is currently nothing in law requiring the use of daytime running lamps in the UK when fitted.

[R32UK]

u dont have to use them. 

[p3asa]

Cheers but what deems a new model?

I suppose a MK6 is a bad example to use as it already has DRLS but say the MK6 never had DRLS and then VW introduced the MK7 next year. Is that a new model or still simply a Golf? Same "model" but just revised!

[Radek]

Cheers but what deems a new model?

I suppose a MK6 is a bad example to use as it already has DRLS but say the MK6 never had DRLS and then VW introduced the MK7 next year. Is that a new model or still simply a Golf? Same "model" but just revised!

Most mk6 don't have DRL. What they have is the ability to drive with light on. DRL in the meaning of ECE 48 are SEPARATE DRL. Think Audi and Golf R and the latest GTI with LED lights. That's DRL. Also when the dipped beam is on the DRL must not be on. Any car that drives with both (or fogs on top on that) doesn't have DRL legally.
As for the new type - it's the manufacturer’s decision but it is verified by certification bodies and test facilities. Generally new type is a lot of hassle so that decision is not taken lightly. A new type needs to be substantially different than the previous model in regards to safety and environmental items. A new model can be the same type but modified still falling under the same type. Think model year 2010, MY2011 and so on. Subtle differences, engines tweaks, different colours.
Yes, all new types will have to be equipped with DRL. All existing types (certified before Feb 2011) don’t have to adopt DRL ever. But it may be worth it anyway if competitors do that.

[dubber36]

Cheers but what deems a new model?

I suppose a MK6 is a bad example to use as it already has DRLS but say the MK6 never had DRLS and then VW introduced the MK7 next year. Is that a new model or still simply a Golf? Same "model" but just revised!

Most mk6 don't have DRL. What is has is the ability to drive with light on. DRL in the meaning of ECE 48 are SEPARATE DRL. Think Audi and Golf R and the latest GTI with LED lights. That's DRL. Also when the dipped beam is on the DRL must not be on. Any car that drives with both (or fogs on top on that) doesn't have DRL legally.
As for the new model - It's the manufacurer's decision but it it verified by certification and test facilities. Generally new model is a lot of hassle so that decision is not taken lightly. A new model needs to be substantially different than the previous model in regards to safety and environmental items.

My understanding of a DRL is a light that is automatically turned on during daytime driving whether it be a separate LED (Golf R etc), adapted existing lights (Standard Golf) or dip beam and tail lights on (Polo)

As for new models, I would guess that it means completely new models, not cars resistered after a certain date. I have seen countless 11 plate cars from all manufactures with no DRL's. They can't all have been turned off by their owners. Subsequently they must have been type approved without them, or they would not be legal.

[Radek]

My understanding of a DRL is a light that is automatically turned on during daytime driving whether it be a separate LED (Golf R etc), adapted existing lights (Standard Golf) or dip beam and tail lights on (Polo)

As for new models, I would guess that it means completely new models, not cars resistered after a certain date. I have seen countless 11 plate cars from all manufactures with no DRL's. They can't all have been turned off by their owners. Subsequently they must have been type approved without them, or they would not be legal.

That's the common understanding but not strictly correct according to ECE 48. DRL need to be separate. Everything else is just driving with lights on.
They are all existing types approved before Feb 2011. Mk7 will be a new type for example.