What is the penalty for xenon in fog lights?

In 2019, you will be deprived of your license for xenon, how to install xenon correctly so as not to get caught

Vehicle headlights must be equipped with bulbs only provided for by the design of the vehicle - traffic police officers closely monitor this. Many car owners who have independently installed xenon have questions regarding what fine for xenon for 2019 is provided for by the legislation regulating road safety.

It’s no secret that unadjusted xenon headlights greatly blind drivers of oncoming vehicles, constantly creating emergency situations on the road.

It is clear that punishment for drivers whose car “shines” on the road brighter than a Christmas tree should be provided for by law. However, neither the list of traffic violations prohibiting the operation of a vehicle, nor the Code of Administrative Offenses directly says anything about the installation of non-standard xenon lamps . But drivers should not calm down, since the traffic police has adopted an official unambiguous interpretation of this offense.

There is no direct ban on non-standard xenon, but rights will be deprived for this

Moreover, these clarifications were published a relatively long time ago - in 2010, and have not changed since then. This will certainly be of interest to drivers who are interested in what fine they will have to pay for xenon in 2019. Let us immediately note that for such a violation, if detected by a traffic police officer, a protocol will be drawn up under Art. 12.5 Part 3 of the Administrative Code, according to which the driver is deprived of his license for a period of six months to a year in the following cases:

If red headlights or reflective devices of the same color are installed;
Lighting devices whose operating mode and color do not comply with the rules for admission to vehicle operation.

In accordance with the list of malfunctions of external lighting devices, according to which operation of the vehicle is prohibited, operation of the vehicle is not permitted in the following cases:

If the operating mode and type of headlights do not correspond to the design and are not provided by the vehicle manufacturer (there is a note according to which lighting devices from other cars can be used on discontinued models);
If the headlight adjustment does not comply with GOST;
If the lenses and lamps do not match the type of lighting fixture.

There are no more provisions of interest to us in this article, but those already presented above are enough to deprive the rights of a driver who has unauthorizedly installed unadjusted and not designed xenon headlights for the entire next year. Therefore, we will repeat it especially for those motorists who are wondering what kind of fine they can receive for xenon - administrative punishment is provided exclusively in the form of deprivation of rights.

Fog lights are also headlights, the same prohibitions

The same applies to installing xenon in fog lights. The same requirements apply to them as to headlights. That is, if the design does not provide for the installation of xenon, then the punishment for this administrative violation will be the same - deprivation of rights.

However, a fine is not always provided for xenon in fog lights, as well as in the situation with headlights. It all depends on the type of lamps provided by the manufacturer, as well as the correspondence of the markings of the lamps and headlights. And for xenon headlights, the markings may be as follows:

DC – xenon lamps can be used for low beam;
DR – for high beam;
DCR - gas discharge sources are used in both modes of headlight operation.

If the marking contains letters, for example, HСR, then only halogen lamps are installed in the headlights - in this case, the use of xenon lamps is already prohibited. The simple C, R and CR markings indicate that only incandescent lamps are used.

Exceptions to the rules

Sometimes, at the time of purchasing a car, it was not equipped with xenon headlights, but today the manufacturer produces this model with xenon. If you also want to install xenon lamps in such headlights and hope not to get fined for xenon in 2019, then it is better to purchase new special headlights.

They should already be equipped with an automatic light beam corrector and washer. This way, you won’t be able to get caught by a traffic police officer by accident. But only a technical supervision inspector and exclusively at a stationary post can determine the presence of xenon bulbs in the headlights of a car.

Video: How to install xenon so as not to be subject to deprivation of rights

So, if the headlights of your car were originally designed to use xenon lamps, you can safely communicate with any traffic police officer, since he will not be able to fine you or deprive you of your license for this. If you installed xenon lamps in the headlights without permission, then remember your rights when talking with a traffic inspector - he has the right to stop you to check the compliance of the headlights with current standards exclusively at a stationary post, and the inspection can only be carried out by a technical supervision inspector with the appropriate certificate.

What fines and penalties are provided for non-standard xenon in headlights and fog lights. Lawyer's advice: how to mitigate the punishment?

The automobile market is annually replenished with new models from well-known automakers. Many of them feature the most modern, attractive and advanced lighting.

In an effort to modify their car with the latest technology, drivers install xenon lighting on their cars, however, this is not always correct. We are ready to talk about when it is legal, what the liability is if it is not and how you can avoid it.

○ Ban on xenon in Russia.

Experts actively debate the advantages and disadvantages of installing xenon on cars, but they agree that as such, xenon discharge lamps have a number of advantages. They provide light as close to daylight as possible, objects in them look clearer even in the worst weather, last much longer than halogen lamps, and consume several times less energy.

But, as you know, everything has a downside, in the case of xenon, it is the impossibility of installing them in headlights originally intended for incandescent or halogen lamps. The problem arises due to the fact that direct xenon light blinds oncoming drivers, which can lead to a wide variety of accidents with dire consequences. The reason is that headlights must be specifically designed to accommodate such lamps in order for them to be safe. In addition, in headlights without special reflectors, the notorious increased quality of lighting disappears. The light falls closer to the car and the driver himself sees the situation on the road worse.

There is a list of faults that lead to a ban on the use of the vehicle. Clause 3.4 states:

“There are no lenses on the lighting fixtures, or diffusers and lamps that do not match the type of the given lighting fixture are used.”

Therefore, the Code of Administrative Offenses contains articles indicating the liability that non-standard xenon entails.

○ Responsibility for non-standard xenon.

Let us say right away that the law does not provide for a fine for xenon , but there is liability for installing light devices on a car, the operating mode of which violates the requirements of the basic regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation, and for driving such vehicles.

Xenon will only be legal if it is installed by the manufacturer or if the headlights are marked with appropriate symbols indicating the possibility of their use.

You don't have to move to get a fine. Even if the inspector finds a car parked with abnormal xenon, he can take measures to send it to a stationary post for inspection. If it turns out that xenon is priced illegally, you will have to pay a fine of 3000 rubles. and lose xenon on the spot according to part 1 tbsp. 12.4 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:

“Installation on the front of the vehicle of lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety , entails the imposition of an administrative fine on citizens in the amount of three thousand rubles with confiscation of the specified instruments and devices; for officials responsible for the operation of vehicles - from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand rubles with confiscation of the specified instruments and accessories; for legal entities - from four hundred thousand to five hundred thousand rubles with confiscation of the specified instruments and devices).

✔ Deprivation of rights.

For several years now, a wave of struggle against abnormal xenon has periodically swept across Russia. In a fit of enthusiasm, inspectors organize raids on those who like to drive with “collective farm xenon”.

In relation to those caught, protocols are drawn up, and the case is sent to the court to make a decision on deprivation of rights under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

“Driving a vehicle on the front of which there are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, (entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with confiscation of the specified devices and accessories."

And it doesn’t matter that xenon is white, its mode of operation in non-certified headlights clearly does not comply with the provisions on the approval of a vehicle for operation, and therefore the bulbs are mercilessly removed.

○ Is it possible to legally install xenon.

The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation or other regulations do not contain a ban on the installation of xenon . This word “xenon” is not mentioned in them at all. However, the installation of such light sources on vehicles whose headlights are not designed to work with them can cause serious harm, both to the driver himself and to other road users, it is punishable under Art. 12.15 Code of Administrative Offences.

Until 2014, there was a chance to legalize the installation of xenon in a car that was not originally intended. It was necessary to undergo examinations and collect a lot of information, but after all the hassle, xenon became legal. Now a special order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has come into force, abolishing this possibility.

✔ Installation in headlights.

The law does not target xenon as such. If your car was initially equipped with such lamps during production, and the headlights are equipped with special reflectors and lenses, you will not face any persecution from the traffic police inspector.

If the driver decides to ignore the requirements of the law and install gas-discharge lamps on a car that is not intended for them, then you should be prepared to pay a fine or even reclassify as a pedestrian.

Pay attention to how the headlights are marked. DC and DR - xenon is used for low and high beams, respectively, and DCR is used in two lighting modes.

✔ Fog lights (fogs).

Despite the fact that fog lights have their own special purpose, the same rules apply to them as to all other vehicle lighting. That is, if the manufacturer does not initially equip the car with foglights designed for the use of gas-discharge lamps, they cannot be installed.

Some drivers are confident that if the car has xenon headlights, then the fog lights will be the same. It is not always so. Modern models come from the factory with xenon fogs, but older ones do not.

An abnormal installation of xenon in fog lights will only worsen visibility, the light will blur and sparkle.

○ Is it possible to mitigate the punishment or fine.

As you know, any working relationship with traffic police officers is clearly regulated.

Of course, if you put xenon on the old “five” it’s difficult not to notice the violation, but with more modern brands of cars the situation is different. Large concerns annually make small changes to the design of cars, including replacing lighting elements with xenon ones.

If your car was not initially equipped with xenon, but later began to be produced with it, you can also install it. It must be equipped with a washer and a light beam corrector. In this case, the traffic police inspector is unlikely to suspect a violation of the rules.

If you are standing and see an inspector approaching you, do not rush to drive away. After all, driving with non-standard xenon is punished more severely than simply installing it .

When checking, it would be a good idea to ask the inspector to present his identification; this is useful if you have to appeal the decision.

Before asking you to open the hood for inspection, the inspector must take care of the presence of two witnesses or a video camera in accordance with Part 2 of Article 27.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:

“Inspection of a vehicle is carried out by the persons specified in Articles 27.2, 27.3 of this Code, in the presence of two witnesses or using video recording.”

If the technical inspection inspector still asks you to open the hood for inspection, remind them that in the event of a breakdown, you will seek full compensation for the damage caused, and you are not required to unscrew the light bulbs yourself for demonstration, say that you simply “don’t know how” to do this.

If the car is under warranty, then it is absolutely forbidden to violate the integrity of its seals.

Fines for xenon. Tells the story of the news channel "Russia 1".

Published by: Vadim Kalyuzhny , specialist of the TopYurist.RU portal

Fine for xenon in 2020

Good afternoon, dear reader.

Just a few years ago, the press paid a lot of attention to the installation of xenon bulbs in car headlights. The traffic police also monitored the installation of xenon quite closely.

In 2019, much more attention is paid to LED bulbs, which are much easier to install.

This article will discuss whether it is worth installing xenon bulbs in a car whose design requires the installation of other (halogen) headlights. In addition, possible fines for the use of xenon in 2019 and 2020 will be considered:

Which bulbs provide the best visibility?

Let's start with the fact that both xenon and halogen bulbs have both supporters and opponents. Frequent disputes regarding lamps usually end in favor of xenon ones. But are such lamps really better?

Supporters of xenon bulbs cite the fact that when using them, the headlights shine stronger and the road is seen better. In fact, you can't argue with this, since the xenon headlights are actually brighter. But do such bulbs improve visibility?

The visibility of the road depends not only on the light bulbs, but also on the design of the headlight itself, namely, the reflective elements in it.

Please note that the headlight is designed exclusively for a specific type of bulb. We can say that first the light bulbs are selected, and only then the reflective elements of the headlight are adjusted to them.

The light produced by xenon and halogen bulbs is very different, so it is easy to imagine that using xenon bulbs in headlights not designed for that purpose will degrade the performance of the headlights.

Note. If xenon headlights are installed on a vehicle from the factory, then they use suitable reflectors, i.e. visibility is not impaired.

Problems that xenon bulbs create

Let's look at the main problems that incorrectly installed xenon bulbs create:

Firstly, the light of xenon lamps blinds drivers of oncoming and passing cars. This happens because when used with “halogen” reflectors, the light from xenon lamps can be directed incorrectly, that is, not towards the road. In particular, non-standard light bulbs can shine on neighboring and oncoming cars, creating discomfort for drivers.

Of course, we can say that this is a problem for other road users, but to think so is at least stupid. First of all, this is a problem for the driver himself, whose car has non-standard incandescent lamps installed. It is obvious that an oncoming car with a blinded driver will most likely crash into its “offender”, i.e. into a car with incorrectly installed xenon bulbs. So don't tempt fate.

Secondly, there is a common misconception that xenon lamps improve road visibility, i.e. the more light, the better you can see. Moreover, many drivers of cars with “collective farm” xenon firmly believe in this.

With xenon bulbs, the car glows like a Christmas tree. There really is more light. But because of the “non-xenon” reflectors, the headlights don’t shine as well as they should. The light falls too close to the car, i.e. The actual illumination of the road with xenon headlights is much worse. This is confirmed by comparative tests of the same headlights with different types of bulbs. However, many drivers want their car to sparkle in the dark and trust that their bulbs are the best.

Deprivation of rights for xenon until 2019

Well, if you still want to use xenon headlights, then you should refer to the regulatory documents, namely the list of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited and the Code of Administrative Offenses (Article 12.5, Part 3):

This List establishes malfunctions of cars, buses, road trains, trailers, motorcycles, mopeds, tractors, and other self-propelled vehicles and the conditions under which their operation is prohibited.

3.4. Light fixtures do not have lenses or use diffusers and lamps that do not match the type of light fixture .

3. Driving a vehicle on the front of which are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of safety officials traffic, -

entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with confiscation of the specified instruments and accessories.

Until mid-2019, judges considered the use of xenon bulbs as a violation falling under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offences. That is, you can find examples of decisions in which violators were deprived of their rights for xenon for a period of 6 to 12 months .

Fines for xenon in 2019 and 2020

6. Installation on the front of the vehicle of lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety movement (hereinafter referred to as the Basic Provisions), entails administrative liability under Part 1 of Article 12.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
In this case, driving a vehicle on the front of which the specified lighting devices or retroreflective devices are installed, as well as putting such a vehicle on the line, is subject to qualification, respectively, under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation or Part 3 of Article 12.31 of this Code. .
When applying the above standards, it should be taken into account that the objective side of the relevant administrative offense can only occur in the event of a simultaneous discrepancy between the color of the lights and the operating mode of such devices with the requirements specified by the manufacturer in the operational documentation, and in cases of installation of additional lighting devices - with an assessment of the compliance of the introduced changes to the design of the vehicle (clause 3.1 of the List of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited (appendix to the Basic Provisions).

At the same time, if only the color or operating mode of the light devices installed on the vehicle does not comply with the above requirements, driving such a vehicle can be qualified under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation .

The essence of this paragraph is that deprivation of rights should be imposed only for the use of light bulbs whose color and mode of operation are both “wrong”. As a rule, when installing xenon bulbs, the color of the lights remains the same. That is, only a fine can be imposed on the driver under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 - 7 of this article, -

entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles .

The fine is 500 rubles .

In addition, the installation of xenon is an unauthorized change in the design of the car, that is, in addition to a fine, forced cancellation of the vehicle registration is also possible:

I note that if the design of your car requires the installation of xenon bulbs, then xenon headlights should not create any problems and a fine for xenon cannot be imposed.

Until January 25, 2015, a car could only be checked for xenon bulbs at a stationary traffic police post. However, in 2019 this requirement does not apply, i.e. You can check your car's headlights anywhere (as well as the light transmission of the windows).

Traffic police fine or deprivation of rights for xenon in 2019

Is there a fine from the traffic police for installing xenon lamps in a car, or are they deprived of their license for xenon?

What is the penalty for xenon headlights in 2019? Fine or deprivation of rights for xenon 2019?

The traffic police fine for installing xenon lamps in halogen headlights in 2019 is

Article 12.4.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

The traffic police fine for driving a car with xenon lamps in halogen headlights in 2019 is

Article 12.5.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

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Is xenon allowed?

Xenon headlights were invented by German manufacturers as a replacement for obsolete halogen incandescent lamps. This significant event took place in the late 80s of the 20th century, but to this day the technology of gas-discharge lamps has not moved into mass automotive industry. Is xenon allowed? No, but for unauthorized installation of xenon, Russian motorists face a traffic police fine, and often deprivation of their license for 6-12 months under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation for “non-compliance of the color and mode of operation of the lights with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation.”

Punishment for xenon headlights

For xenon, that is, the installation of xenon lamps in halogen headlights or, as traffic police officers say, “for the installation of xenon lamps in headlights intended for their manufacturer,” the law provides for a very severe punishment. Installing xenon leads to a fine of 3,000 rubles, driving a car with non-standard xenon headlights results in deprivation of rights for up to one year.

Most often, traffic police officers, during raids to identify cars with abnormal xenon, apply Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation to violators:

“Driving a vehicle on the front of which there are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety (as amended by Federal Law No. 210-FZ of July 24, 2007) entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with confiscation of the specified devices and accessories. (Part 3 introduced by Federal Law No. 120-FZ of July 22, 2005).”

However, since Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation does not specifically refer to xenon lamps, in a number of situations both traffic police officers and motorists caught using “collective farm xenon” correlate their actions with the elements of the crime provided for in Part 1 of Article 12.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:

“Installation on the front of the vehicle of lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety , (as amended by Federal Law No. 210-FZ of July 24, 2007) entails the imposition of an administrative fine on citizens in the amount of three thousand rubles with confiscation of the specified instruments and devices.”

Punishment for xenon in foglights

There is a common myth that the fine for xenon does not apply to fog lights (sidelights, PTF). Indeed, in some situations, when inspecting a car, a traffic police officer may not notice xenon lamps in the foglights and thus not react in any way to their installation.

However, if during a detailed inspection of the car the unauthorized installation of xenon lamps in the fog lamps of a car whose design does not imply the use of this type of headlights is revealed, the penalty from the traffic police will be the same 3000 rubles. for installation and deprivation of rights for up to a year for driving with xenon in the PTF.

The fact is that the law regulating the installation of lamps in a car does not separate the concepts of “headlights” and “fog lamps”; Articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses 12.4 and 12.5 talk about installation “on the front of the car,” and as you know, “fog lamps” are located in the front.

Deprivation (cancellation) of vehicle registration for xenon

An observant motorist will notice that in paragraphs 12.4.1 and 12.5.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation there is no direct “ban on xenon”. These are not xenon articles! And one can only be held accountable for them by subtly interpreting them.

This state of affairs, however, gives reasons for traffic police officers to invent new and unusual ways of punishing drivers who have allowed the installation of non-standard lamps in their headlights.

A relatively new method was invented by Moscow traffic police.

For the first time, a stopped driver with xenon is checked by traffic police and Gostekhnadzor employees for the presence of oddities in the design, devices not provided by the manufacturer from the factory. It could be anything, from xenon to kangaroo. There are cases when even a tow bar (trailer hook) is a non-standard device.

Then the traffic police officer checks whether the registration certificate for the car contains marks indicating specific changes to the design. Since in 99% of cases there are none, the traffic police officer issues a fine of 500 rubles for the same xenon. under Article 12.5.1 - “Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, the operation of the vehicle is prohibited.”

And it seems like they got off easy, but no, along with the fine, the traffic police officer gives the driver of the “non-standard” car “an order to bring the car to standard condition within a certain period of time.” The information goes into the traffic police database and if, during the next inspection, non-standard modifications are again detected on the car, the car will be deregistered - the vehicle’s registration will be cancelled. After this procedure, the car turns from a means of transportation into scrap metal, on wheels which cannot be sold or re-registered. Increasingly, this scheme is used in the case of xenon.

Fine for xenon on foreign cars 2019

Most often, when it comes to traffic police fines for xenon or deprivation of rights for xenon bulbs, it is understood that the object of the proceedings will be the owner of a domestically produced car. The fact is that standard factory xenon was never installed on UAZs, Ladas, Moskvichs and GAZelles. Traffic police officers know this very well and automatically catch overly bright Russian cars near the road.

It is important to understand that xenon, as such, is not prohibited and, if it is installed from the factory or installed on a car that is technically suitable for such modification, the owner will not have problems with the law, traffic police fines or deprivations. As a rule, on cars suitable for the installation of xenon lamps, a large Latin letter “D” should appear on the headlight socket; if the symbol “H” is shown on the headlight, then the device is suitable exclusively for installing conventional halogen headlights. Traffic police officers know this rule and can use it to determine the type of lamps used in your car.

However, foreign cars above a certain price level in Russia, in 2019, as a rule, are not stopped for xenon. This is due to the unnecessary hassle of determining the types and types of headlights on rare foreign-made cars. By the way, a completely legal xenon on a foreign car must be surrounded by three attributes - a lens, a light beam corrector and a washer.

Why do car owners install xenon?

Several circumstances actively contributed to the spread of xenon lamps. Firstly, the xenon lamp installed in the headlight shines noticeably brighter than a conventional lamp. The spectrum of the gas-discharge lamp is close to natural, solar - xenon headlights work great in rain and fog, on snowy and wet roads. Secondly, the price of Chinese sets of lamps together with ignition units rarely exceeds 4-5 thousand rubles. Thirdly, the resource of a xenon lamp is many times greater than that of a halogen lamp.

How to avoid deprivation of rights for xenon?

There are three main ways by which a motorist will not lose his license and will not be subject to any other penalties for installing xenon lamps in the headlights of his car.

Way No. 1 Do not install xenon lamps in the headlights of cars whose design does not provide xenon headlights.

Path No. 2 Buy a car whose design initially provides for the installation of xenon headlights. Now xenon has entered the mass segment and finding, for example, an affordable car with xenon on the secondary market is no longer difficult.

Path No. 3 Officially register the modification of the car for xenon headlights with the traffic police. The option is expensive, difficult, requiring patience and determination, but anything is possible.

How to register xenon installation according to the law:

Step 1. Obtain a certificate from an expert organization about the hypothetical possibility of converting a car to use xenon headlights.
Step 2. Obtain permission from technical supervision at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate based on a preliminary assessment of experts
Step 3. Buy a complete list of licensed spare parts, including xenon lamps, lenses, high-pressure headlight washers and correctors.
Step 4. Install the equipment at a licensed technical center
Step 4. Re-examination of the work performed in the expert center
Step 5. Obtaining a new diagnostic card (technical inspection)
Step 6. Final examination at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and receipt of a PTS on which xenon in the headlights will be indicated in special marks.

Legal conversion of ordinary headlights, for example Lada, to xenon will cost a five-digit figure in rubles and will require a month spent in offices even in Moscow. This is difficult, but as we see, it is still possible to legalize xenon in 2019.

What is the fine for xenon fog lights?

Fog lights are lighting devices that motorists use to provide additional illumination of the road.

They may only be used in poor visibility conditions or in bad weather.

Installation of xenon rather than halogen lamps in fog lights (PTF) is currently very popular. The problem is that many motorists do not follow the installation rules. The lighting system must have a device that regulates the size of the light beam.

Installing xenon in PTF is a controversial issue. Let's understand the legality of installing xenon headlights, situations when use is justified, and when it is unnecessary and harmful.

Is installing xenon in fog lights justified?

When installing xenon in PTF, it is important to decide for what purpose we are doing this:

Improving road lighting in poor visibility. In this case, the installation is done based on strict rules.
If the goal is to impress your friends or oncoming cars, to show off your eyes, then it is much better and safer to use daytime running lights.

It will not be possible to combine 2 goals at once due to the principles of xenon operation and traffic rules. Thoughtless installation of xenon lamps in PTF will lead to many problems:

The light from the lamps will blind oncoming and passing cars (when you look into the rearview mirror when overtaking). Xenon light spreads in all directions.
Possible loss of control of an oncoming vehicle. And this is fraught with an accident in which you may also find yourself.
Deterioration of headlight visibility due to the properties of xenon.
Fines for the use of xenon in PTF.

What laws talk about installing xenon

The installation of xenon in PTF, as well as the installation of various light sources (halogen lamps, incandescent lamps) in headlights, is carried out in accordance with GOSTs of the Russian Federation and UNECE Rules.

These documents assign the headlights a specific type (for example, DCR).

The headlight type approval mark is depicted in the shape of a circle with the letter “E” inscribed in it. Next comes the number of the country where the approval took place, and the number of the approval itself. Xenon light sources are marked with the initial letter “D” and their installation is prescribed in UNECE Regulation No. 99 and GOST R 41.99-99 on requirements for the installation of gas discharge lamps in motor vehicles (types DC, DR and DCR).

The use of xenon in headlights and PTFs not intended for it is defined as a discrepancy between the operating mode of the lighting device and the vehicle performance requirements. Responsibility for violating the conditions for using xenon lamps arises on the basis of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (CAO).

But such liability is possible if installation rules are violated. For example, if you installed xenon in headlights designed for halogen.

Correct installation of xenon

Xenon is installed exclusively in headlights designed to use gas-discharge light sources.

Such headlights are marked DCR - bi-xenon in one lamp (low and high beam) and DCDR - xenon in different lamps (high and low beam).

HCHR and HCR – markings for headlights with a halogen source.
The DCHR marking allows the use of xenon for low beam, and only halogen for high beam.
CR or CR – only incandescent lamps are allowed.

Low beam headlights with xenon beam can only be operated with headlight cleaners and automatic headlamp angle adjustment devices.

Installation of xenon in PTF is possible only when their type provides for the use of gas-discharge (xenon) light or fog lights with xenon are assembled at the factory and are marked accordingly. There are no other exceptions!

What is the fine?

The use of xenon in fog lights is regulated on the basis of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and the “List of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited.”

Methods for checking vehicles are given in GOST R 51709-2001.

There is no penalty for xenon as such! Problems with installing xenon lamps in external lighting devices are described in Part 3 of Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offences. And the punishment for such an action is strict - deprivation of rights for a period of 6 months to 1 year.

If it turns out that xenon cannot be installed in the PTF for the reasons described above, then the car is confiscated, the license plates are removed and it is sent to the parking lot. This cannot be done in the dark or in bad weather.

Xenon lovers should not be upset. Part 3 Art. 12.5 is too loosely interpreted, so a good lawyer can easily prove your innocence. Why?

The rules state that in order to be able to operate a vehicle, its integrity must be maintained. That is, you cannot change lighting fixtures or replace them with others.
When installing xenon, the integrity of the headlights is not formally compromised, nor is the location of the lamps or operating mode.

Pay a fine online:

Actions to install xenon, if properly presented in court, are often reclassified as part 1 of Art. 12.5, and deprivation of rights is replaced by a fine of 500 rubles. As a result, depriving someone of a license for xenon is a very difficult matter. More often, under unfavorable circumstances, you can only count on a small fine for xenon.

How to communicate with a traffic police inspector if you have xenon installed

The actions of traffic police inspectors are regulated by relevant laws.

And you should know them in order to be able to communicate if you are accused of illegally installing PTFs in foglights.

The inspector claims that he can detect a violation in the xenon installation by eye? Don't be alarmed. The only proof (with a protocol) is the markings on the headlight and lamp base.
The inspector cannot violate the integrity of parts of the car that are under warranty. This is done at a dealership or certified workshops.
If you are asked to remove the lamp from the headlights yourself to check it, feel free to say that you do not know how to do this. A traffic police officer cannot disassemble your car.
If xenon is installed illegally, do not get lost. The inspector is obliged to draw up a protocol and issue a ruling on the violation.
Enter objections into the protocol. They will be used in court.
Record your car inspection on video or photo. This helps to identify irregularities in procedure during legal proceedings.

Bottom line: entrust the installation of xenon in the PTF only to certified specialists. Most likely, you yourself will not be able to adjust the headlights correctly. And this leads to a fine and deprivation of rights. Know how to defend your rights before traffic police officers. And if it comes to deprivation of rights, hire a good lawyer.