Fine for diode lamps of the traffic police

What kind of LED lamps will there be? Deprivation of rights or fine?

More and more motorists are becoming victims of inappropriate police response to LED headlights. On the Internet you can find a lot of stories where a driver was deprived of his license for LED lamps , and there are also other examples where drivers were only fined for small sums for LED lamps .

Most often, traffic police officers scare motorists with the serious responsibility for installing LEDs - this is due to the fact that the meaning and technical features of LED lamps are not precisely stated in the Technical Regulations, therefore, against this background, the police often try to manipulate drivers for their own benefit.

The police operate with the following example when imprisoned for LEDs:

You have a car equipped with standard halogen light bulbs. Accordingly, the headlights themselves (reflectors) are designed to work with halogen lamps. The driver purchases LED lamps with a similar base and installs them in the headlight.

In this case, paragraph 3.1 of the list of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited:

The number, type, color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices does not meet the requirements of the vehicle design.

There is language in this proposal that refers to a “mode of operation” that does not meet the requirements. But the operating mode of the LED lamps themselves is not specified anywhere.

Next, police officers who want to take away rights for LEDs will definitely mention Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which reads:

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 road traffic, 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.

Thus, the police justify the decision to deprive drivers of LEDs for 6-12 months, but in the same excerpt we also encounter a vague wording about “non-conforming operating mode.”

Why don't the police have the right to deprive people of their licenses for LEDs?

We remind you that at present there are simply no specific requirements defining the conditions for the use of LED lamps in headlights. Speaking of operating modes, at the moment only xenon is regulated in this direction.

And since there are no requirements, the previously mentioned “operating mode” cannot be violated, therefore the maximum penalty for installing LED lamps should come from Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (for changing the design of the vehicle):

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.

Additionally, it is important to note that international standards do not provide for personal labeling for LED lamps. Moreover, car manufacturers equate LED lamps to halogen, therefore, similar to halogen, such lamps are marked with the Latin letter H. It is in headlights marked HR , HC , HCR that you can find standard installed LEDs.

It should be borne in mind that threats from traffic police may come from selfish motives , so you should not succumb to provocations - the traffic police management is aware of the situation with LED lamps and has repeatedly stated that LEDs do not violate any operating mode, but no one is canceling a warning for making changes to the design of the car, or in the worst case, a fine of 500 rubles .

It is also worth remembering that LED lamps can only be used in headlights marked H (halogen), but cannot be used in headlights marked D (xenon) - this is subject to liability under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code. Removing markings from a headlight carries the same responsibility.

But what should you do if, somewhere on some highway, you were deprived of your license for using LEDs ? If you are deprived of your rights for LEDs and if you were unable to prove your case on the spot, referring to our explanations above, then you need to go to court, which will take into account all the circumstances of the case.

Of course, without publicity, illegal deprivation of rights for LEDs will continue, so share our article with your subscribers, friends and acquaintances - the more drivers are aware of the affairs around LEDs, the sooner the police brutality with deprivation of rights for LED lamps will end.

The police explain the illegality of deprivation of rights for LED lamps:

Fine for LEDs and LED lamps in automotive optics

A modern light source based on compact and durable diodes has become firmly established not only in everyday life, but also in professional life. Motor transport was no exception, because good lighting on the road greatly increases traffic safety in the evening and at night.

LED and led lamps produce a very bright stream of white flood light, up to 5 times superior to their halogen counterparts, so drivers are increasingly trying to replace weak optics with powerful ones, but in practice, traffic police officers may have questions. We will tell you in more detail about controversial issues, possible fines and rules for installing LED lamps in cars.

What is the fine for installing LED lamps?

There is absolutely no technical difference between LED and led lamps - they are the same light source, but with a different sound. Led is an abbreviation for the English “Light-Emitting Diode”, which means “light-emitting diode”.

Installation of LED lamps in car headlights does not provide for penalties in the case where the diode headlights were installed by the car manufacturer.

Installation of LED lamps in car headlights does not provide for penalties in the case where the diode headlights were installed by the car manufacturer. Unauthorized installation of LEDs in halogen headlights entails a fine of 500 rubles or deprivation of a driver’s license for a period of 6 to 12 months.

Normative base

Formally, regulatory documents do not articulate the concept of “LED lamps” (as well as xenon lamps, the nature of the ban on which is identical to diode sources). However, the use of automotive LED lamps is limited by Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code, which reports non-compliance with the design requirements of the car in terms of the number, type, color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices, referring to paragraph 3.1. Russian traffic rules.

Judicial practice suggests that in most cases, traffic police officers are guided by Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses when issuing a fine for LEDs and led lamps on the car owner. The punishment includes deprivation of the driver's license for a period of 6 months to 1 year, as well as confiscation of LED lamps due to their non-compliance with established requirements.

Is it possible to install LED and LED lamps yourself?

The driver has the right to dismantle halogen devices and replace them with LED analogues, but only in compliance with technical regulations. If you decide to replace a halogen car light with an LED one and not get a fine for it, you must:

The key document that regulates the procedure for self-installation of LED lamps is the Appendix to the Federal Law “On Police” dated November 20, 2015 on “Methodological recommendations for organizing verification of compliance with the requirements for vehicles in use in the event of changes in their design.”

Also, the conversion procedure is reflected by the Federal Law of December 10, 1995 N 196-FZ “On Road Traffic Safety” and the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation “On the provision of public services for making changes to the design of vehicles in use.”

Installation of LEDs and LEDs is legally possible only in headlights certified by the manufacturer, equipped with a washer and auto-corrector, taking into account the installation of bulbs suitable for the type (each light source is marked in accordance with its use in certain headlights, so non-compliance will be considered a violation).

It will not be difficult for a traffic police officer to determine the type of installed headlights (the manufacturer's markings are indicated on the glass), therefore, when installing uncertified devices, the driver falls under clause 3.1 of the Traffic Regulations and Art. 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia, according to which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited due to malfunctions. For violating the law, the driver may receive a fine or lose his driving license for a period of 6 months to 1 year.

Technical requirements for installation

The first requirement for installing LEDs in car lamps is to adjust the angle of the lighting fixtures. Regulates the procedure for installing auto-correctors for the angle of inclination, clause 1.3.7 of Appendix No. 4 of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles.” The optimal angle of inclination will eliminate the glare of oncoming traffic, which will increase road safety for all participants.

According to the same paragraph (clause 1.3.7 of Appendix No. 4 of the Technical Regulations), the key requirement for installing LEDs in low and high beam headlights is the need to equip each device with a washer. The requirement applies to all LED lamps with a luminous flux of 2,000 lm or more.

There are several ways to determine whether a fine can be imposed and whether a car is intended for installation of LED lamps:

refer to the instructions on the vehicle, where the necessary information is indicated;
contact the manufacturer and clarify whether the vehicle complies with the installation of LEDs;
Check the headlight markings yourself for the installation of LED bulbs.

Thus, halogen lamps are marked with the letters HR (low beam), HC (high beam) and HCR (two-mode lights). LED devices also contain similar markings. Accordingly, to install diodes in halogen headlights, it is necessary to use lamps with the appropriate markings. Do not forget that the installation of LED sources requires official permission to re-equip the vehicle.

The main reasons for banning LED lamps

The quality of lighting on the road depends not only on the type of lamps, but also on the technical parameters of the headlights. The main condition is good light transmission through the glass, an optimal luminous angle and proper dispersion of the light flux. Often, LED headlight bulbs do not meet the requirements and create a potential hazard on the road:

Blinding oncoming drivers. Diodes provide good light dispersion, due to which the luminous flux is capable of illuminating not only the road ahead of the vehicle, but also part of neighboring objects and the roadway.
LEDs with chromaticity over 3,000K produce very bright light, creating excellent visibility. However, the main flow falls on the illumination of nearby sections of the road, while distant sections remain poorly lit, which ultimately can make it difficult to detect possible obstacles in a timely manner.

These factors are associated with the imposition of a fine and restrictions on the use of diodes, but there is no direct ban on the use of LED optics in Russia. Therefore, traffic police officers are guided by Code of Administrative Offenses 12.5 to ensure that the installed headlights comply with those approved by the vehicle manufacturer, as well as other points that allow the installation of LED headlights without the threat of receiving a fine or losing a driver’s license (see information about this above).

When is a fine applied for installing LED lamps?

If a traffic police inspector discovers a discrepancy with the original equipment of the vehicle, the driver risks receiving a fine of 500 rubles for the illegal installation of LED lamps. The exception to issuing a fine is in cases where the LED headlights fully meet the factory parameters of the car or the owner has received written permission to use the converted vehicle.

Let us remind you that the collection procedure is regulated by Art. 12.5 part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia, where LED optics are defined as a malfunction, which imposes a ban on operating the car as faulty. In this case, the driver receives a fine of 500 rubles. With rare exceptions, the inspector issues a warning before issuing a fine.

When is deprivation of rights applied for LED and led lamps?

You can lose your driver’s license for installing LEDs and led lamps in two cases:

For installing LEDs in a car whose equipment does not include the initial installation of LED lamps. For example, if the manufacturer provides for the installation of halogen headlights, but the driver installs LEDs without permission to re-equip the vehicle.

According to clause 3.1. Russian traffic regulations consider this to be a violation of the car’s equipment, for which the driver, in addition to a fine of 500 rubles, risks losing his license for a period of 6 to 12 months. Regulates the procedure for punishment, Part 3, Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia.

For the installation of red light lights, as well as their installation in special devices for retroreflection - reflectors. They should be understood as all types of reflectors, including stickers on windshield wipers or the side of the vehicle. In practice, there are often cases when, for installing red “eyelashes” on the headlights, the owner is given a protocol for an offense that entails deprivation of a driver’s license.

The color and mode of operation of such lights does not comply with legally defined standards, for which the driver is deprived of his driving license for a period of 6 to 12 months, including the confiscation of installed devices. The punishment procedure is regulated by Part 3 of Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia.

What is the difference between standard LEDs and non-standard ones?

The legal installation of LED optics in accordance with the Technical Regulations and legal norms of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation will help protect yourself from penalties and deprivation of your driver’s license. For a clear understanding, look at the comparative table, which allows you to clearly distinguish between the concepts of standard and non-standard LEDs:

Penalty for LED bulbs in headlights

Good afternoon, dear reader.

The automotive industry does not stand still; vehicle designs are constantly being improved. This process also affected lighting devices. Traditional halogen bulbs were first replaced by xenon headlights, and then even more advanced LED bulbs began to appear.

Currently, LED headlights are installed mainly on expensive car models, so many car owners want to install LEDs themselves. This article will discuss fines for diode bulbs in headlights , which can be received in different situations.

Using LED headlights

There are 3 possible options for using LED headlights:

Installation of LED headlights at the factory. In this case, the lighting devices are installed completely legally and the driver will not face fines.
Installation of LED headlights on a car, if such headlights are installed by the manufacturer on cars of a similar model.
Installation of LED headlights on a car, if the manufacturer did not provide for such an installation.

In this article we will talk about the second and third situations.

Installing LED bulbs in halogen headlights

First, let's look at the simplest option. You have a car equipped with standard halogen light bulbs. Accordingly, the headlights themselves (reflectors) are designed to work with halogen lamps. The driver finds LED bulbs with a similar base and installs them in the headlights.

3.1. The number, type , color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices do not meet the requirements of the vehicle design.

Deprivation of rights for diode lamps until 2019

Until mid-2019, the courts considered the installation of LED light bulbs as a violation under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

3. 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 ensuring road safety, -

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.

Thus, the punishment for installing LED bulbs in halogen headlights was a deprivation of rights for 6-12 months . If you wish, you can study the judicial practice on this issue and make sure that until 2019, magistrates deprived people of rights for diode bulbs in headlights.

Penalty for LED light bulbs in 2020

On June 25, 2019, Resolution No. 20 of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation was published, which contains clarifications regarding the imposition of penalties for the improper use of lighting devices:

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 .

It follows from this paragraph that deprivation of rights is imposed only if light bulbs are installed in which both the color of the lights and the operating mode do not meet the requirements. However, when installing LED bulbs, the color of the lights usually does not change. That is, the headlights both shone white with halogen lamps and continued to shine white with LED lamps.

Installing LED headlights instead of halogen ones

Let's consider another option - completely replacing halogen headlights with LED ones. In this case, there is a violation of the same paragraph 3.1 and the fine for violation is 500 rubles .

However, in this case it is possible to legalize LED light bulbs. To do this, you need to obtain a certificate of compliance of the vehicle with the changes made to its design with safety requirements, and then re-register the car with the traffic police.

So, if you have documents for LED headlights, you can legalize them and not pay fines.

In addition, the situation is much better if vehicles of a similar model are equipped with LED headlights. In this case, the driver will not have to undergo a safety test. Clause 77 of Section 4 of Chapter V of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union:

77. Vehicles are not subject to inspection in the following cases:

1) when installing components on a vehicle:

intended for this vehicle and have undergone conformity assessment as part of this vehicle, which is confirmed by the documentation of the component manufacturer;

provided by the vehicle manufacturer in the operational documentation;

2) when serial changes are made to the design on the basis of design documentation developed and approved in the prescribed manner, if on its basis an assessment of the conformity of the changes made was carried out.

To comply with the regulations, you need to install headlights that are installed on cars of a similar model. Such a replacement should not cause problems when communicating with traffic police officers.

In conclusion, I would like to note that replacing halogen headlights with LED ones can cause problems in the operation of the car's electronics. This is due to the fact that different types of lamps have different resistances. So in practice, it may not be enough to simply change the headlights and you will have to additionally change the headlight control unit. Keep this in mind.

Penalty for LED lamps

Any car owner wants to make his vehicle better than the rest, so he installs higher quality parts with higher performance characteristics. However, no one thinks about the law that prohibits making changes to the factory parameters of the car through improved components and assemblies, for example, LED lamps. Failure to comply with this law may result in a fine and even loss of license.

Penalty for replacing optics with LED

The Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses includes Part 3 of Article 12.5. It regulates the rules for installing vehicle optics and conveys the following information to the driver in simple language: “It is prohibited to drive a car whose front lighting devices do not meet the requirements of the basic provisions.”

LED lamps in headlights

Head lighting should not be equipped with red lamps or elements that return light to the source. It is believed that they reduce traffic safety, therefore, violation of this article is punishable by deprivation of rights for a period of 6 months to a year. But for the first time everything costs one fine of 5,000 rubles*.

Additional Information! The amount of monetary penalties in Moscow and St. Petersburg is approximately one and a half times higher. This is due to the fact that some fines are set by local authorities.

These penalties are applied only if independent replacement of lights has resulted in deterioration or improvement of optics, that is, a change in color, number of lumens, etc. It is these parameters that are characterized by Art. 12.5. part 3.

If there is no compliance with the factory equipment, then the fine for installing LED low-beam lamps in 2018 will be 500 rubles. If they meet the operational requirements of the vehicle and receive confirmation for use in conjunction with it, there will be no problems with the law. But you need to take into account that you will have to do a technical inspection at an official dealer, who will check the optics and issue a diagnostic sheet.

Vehicle diagnostic sheet

Important! The law does not provide for a fine for halogen lamps for cars. However, this does not apply to colored flasks. That is, by placing lights whose color is not white or yellow, the owner is already breaking the rules. In this case, the traffic police officer can fine you, but only when he fully proves guilt. This rarely happens because special equipment is required to test the optics. He is not at a regular post, so no one can prove anything, therefore, they have no right to fine. But during the next technical inspection, the dealer will in any case make changes to the diagnostic sheet that the car has undergone.

It turns out that rights can be revoked if replacing lamps causes changes in the functionality of the headlights. For diodes in the PTF, a fine of 500 rubles* is imposed only when they do not correspond to the factory configuration.

Note! You need to understand that there are LED lamps and LED headlights. Just because these lights have a suitable socket does not mean they can be installed. In conventional optics they will dazzle oncoming people, but in specially equipped LED headlights they will not, since they have a projection lens suitable for this source.

There is also a fine for LEDs in foglights. To avoid this, the official dealer must issue permission to use such equipment with the car. This also applies to VAZ cars. For this purpose, an examination is carried out using special instruments.

Checking headlights with special equipment

The main parameters that must correspond to the factory ones are power, that is, the number of lumens, color (white or yellow only) and direction of the light flux. If the replacement did not cause changes in any of these characteristics, then the dealer does not add anything to the diagnostic sheet. In the same way, you can avoid a fine for ice lamps in fog or headlights.

What to do if you are issued a fine

If the driver violates the rules, he will definitely receive a notification. There are several ways:

Letter - an envelope containing the appeal is sent to the offender’s physical address, as well as a photocopy of the resolution.
Personal delivery is the most common method, when a traffic police officer fills out a report at the scene of an incident.
Electronic version - a letter is sent to the offender’s email with all the information, as well as options for resolving the problem.
Court decision - there are situations when disagreements arise between a traffic police officer and a driver. In this case, he can appeal the inspector's decision. Whatever the court decides, that’s what we’ll have to do.
SMS message - this paid (RUB 120/year) function is available for any mobile device.
PUSH notifications - there is an application for smartphones and PCs, when installed, messages will be sent to the gadget about the status of all the user’s fines.

Important! The first step is to ensure the authenticity of the resolution. This document must contain at least the most important information: a unique number (UIN), date, time and place of the violation. Particular attention should be paid to the latest information, since its discrepancy with reality will immediately arouse suspicion.

The resolution also contains other data:

The device used to record the violation (radar, camera, etc.).
The full name of the car owner and the inspector who issued the fine, as well as his title and signature.
Make, model of the car and its registration number.
The article that the driver violated. For example, according to Art. 12.5 of Part 3 for diode bulbs in headlights a fine or deprivation of rights is imposed.
Physical address of the vehicle owner.
The recipient must be the Federal Treasury.

Resolution on violation of Article 12.5 Part 3

If payment is made within the first 20 days, the violator is entitled to a 50% discount. When the fine for LEDs in headlights is closed, the offender will no longer pay 500, but 250 rubles. If payment is not made within 60 days, the culprit may be deprived of his freedom, property, and even put on the federal wanted list.

To avoid problems with the law, it is better to close the fine on time. There are several ways to do this:

Bank branch is the most common method. To do this, you only need a receipt from the letter, which must be filled out.
Post office - similar to the previous option, only you need to go to a post office rather than a bank.
Internet - you need to register on the Sberbank website and link your account to it. The main thing is to save the electronic receipt.
WebMoney - the wallet has a “Payments” section, where there are fines.
The traffic police website is the most convenient option, since all fines will be visible. Registration required.
Qiwi terminal is a fast way that does not require a receipt. Just select the “Payment for services” section, and then “Fines and fees”.
Third-party resources - there are many of them on the Internet, but there is a risk that the amount will go to scammers.

Regardless of how the fine is paid, there must always be a receipt. It is a confirmation of payment and, in case of discrepancies, the salvation of the car owner.

How to report a traffic violator

It is very unpleasant when oncoming cars blind you. In this case, you can independently record the violation so that the culprit pays a fine for LED lamps. This can be done using photography or video.

Using a camera or camera, you can film a driver breaking the rules. In this case, the license plate number of the car, as well as evidence, must be visible on the footage. For example, to force a car owner to pay a fine for diode lamps, a few photographs of the front of the car with the headlights on will be enough. In addition, you also need to record the time and location of the incident (manually).

When the necessary evidence has been collected, you can contact the traffic police. Methods:

in person - everything happens when we meet;
letter - just send an envelope with information and then appear to give evidence;
email - on the traffic police website you need to fill out several fields and attach photographic material as evidence.

Recording a violation using a phone

In the first and second cases, it is necessary to write a statement that should contain:

time and place of the incident;
number, model and make of the car;
violated traffic rules;
punishment according to the Code of Administrative Offences.

In this case it is Art. 12.5 part 3, which provides for a fine of 500 rubles for oversized LEDs. Along with the application, you also need to print out photographs or give a disk, and you need to contact the traffic police department that services the area of the violation.

Changes in legislation

There are two basic laws governing the use of optics.

Art. 12.5 part 1 “Non-compliance with the quantity, color, operating mode, and location of lighting devices of the vehicle’s factory equipment is subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of 500 rubles.” That is, for diodes in low beam headlights, the fine is the maximum degree of punishment in the case when they do not meet the operational requirements of the vehicle. This law has been in force since July 22, 2005, and was amended on July 10, 2012. It is current for 2018, and no changes are expected yet.

Art. 12.5 part 3 “Installation of red lights in the headlights, as well as devices due to which the operation of the optics does not meet basic requirements, is punishable by deprivation of rights for a period of 6 to 12 months.” The Russian government adopted this bill on July 22, 2005, and then edited it on the 24th of the same month in 2007. This rule is valid for 2018 and does not expect changes in the future.

There is no way to avoid penalties for installing LED lamps. Car optics are not a night light, so such actions are considered illegal, even if the traffic police did not catch the offender. However, there is one way in which you can legally travel with such equipment. This is possible if the car manufacturer has started producing LED optics for it. Then it will correspond to the factory configuration and will appear in the documents.

* Prices are current as of June 2018.

Penalty for installing LED lamps in headlights in 2019

Many drivers tune their cars by replacing the standard low-beam headlight bulbs with LED ones. This is done in order to save money and improve performance in the operation of optics. But in some cases, such modernization of a car may be illegal and entail a fine for LED low beam lamps in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses. Actually, LED lighting technology is not an offense. The penalty entails that the changes do not comply with the factory characteristics of the vehicle's optics.

Car manufacturers use different types of headlights as standard:

Halogen headlights are the most common type of automotive optics. Halogen optical devices are used for high and low beam modes. The operating reserve is 500-1500 hours, the luminous flux power is 1500-2100 lumens.

Xenon lamps have a more complex design, have a high-quality reflector and have good focusing. Can be monoxenon or bi-xenon. The operating reserve is up to 4000 hours, the luminous flux power is up to 3200 lumens.

LED headlights are a modern type of lighting technology, capable of producing a powerful stream of white light with a power of up to 6000 Kelvin. The work reserve is 5000-10000 hours. These are the brightest, most powerful and durable headlights.

Modern LED headlights are installed in some of the latest generation foreign cars - Porsche, Audi, Lexus. If you have one of these models, then the LED lamps in the optics correspond to the standard configuration. But if the factory equipment includes halogen or xenon headlights, then the answer to the question becomes obvious: is it possible to drive with LED lamps? If you change anything in your car without complying with the technical parameters established by the manufacturer, this is a violation of the safety regulations for operating the vehicle. Tinting your car headlights has the same consequences.

Misconceptions of many drivers

Many drivers are mistaken in thinking that they have the right to change the lamps in the optics of their car themselves. It should be understood that LED headlights and LED lamps are not identical concepts. Despite the fact that manufacturers produce LED lamps with a base suitable for installation in standard headlights, this does not make replacing conventional halogen or xenon lighting devices with LEDs legal. Factory LED headlights are equipped with a stock projection lens designed for that light source.

Therefore, the installation of LED lamps in PTF entails a fine in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which deals with non-compliance with the requirements for vehicles for operation and the requirements of road traffic regulations.

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Penalty for installing LED lamps

The fine for diode bulbs in headlights that do not correspond to the factory optics is 500 rubles. The same consequence will occur in any other case of discrepancy between the technical parameters of the standard optics (for example, when replacing halogen lamps with xenon ones or installing xenon optics with LED ones). LED low beam bulbs are fined only if they do not comply with the operational documentation provided by the vehicle manufacturer or have not received confirmation of compliance as part of the vehicle.

When can your rights be revoked?

Deprivation of rights for LED lamps is possible only if independent replacement in any way affects the functioning of optical partings - changes the quantity, color according to GOST, or operating mode. All this meets the requirements of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code. But in practice, the issue of checking and recording violations is controversial, because the procedure requires appropriate equipment, which not all traffic police posts have.

Methods for checking headlights by traffic police officers

Traffic police officers can check LED lamps for a car on site only visually, or by checking them with the technical documentation for the car. To more accurately determine the parameters of the lamp, a special flat screen with a white matte finish and a device that fixes the relative position of the screen and the vehicle for measuring light indicators are required.

Therefore, deprivation of rights for “xenon” is quite rare in practice, because For the protocol, the traffic police officer requires more compelling reasons. They are usually limited to a verbal warning or a fine. In the latter case, the traffic police hotline for fines will allow you to clarify the grounds for the order and, if necessary, challenge it in court.

Legalization of LED lamps for cars

Self-installed LEDs in headlights do not always entail administrative liability. In some cases they can be legalized. To do this you need:

buy certified optics that correspond to the car model range (if the manufacturer produces other models with a similar configuration);
install them in the optics of the machine;
pay a visit to the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate at the place where the vehicle is registered and write an application for changes to the design of the vehicle;
undergo a technical inspection of the vehicle and make a mark in the diagnostic card;
obtain a certificate of compliance of the vehicle design with road traffic regulations.

If you go through this procedure, then you will not be afraid of deprivation of your license and fines for driving with modified optics.

Free legal consultation by phone:

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St. Petersburg, Leningrad region. +7 (812) 407-29-43

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Legal ways to drive with LED lamps

You can drive with diode lamps without legalization only if the manufacturer has already begun installing LED optics in similar models of the car brand. In this case, even independent changes will correspond to the parameters declared by the manufacturer and recorded in the documentation. In this case, there will be no penalty for installing LED bulbs in halogen headlights.

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