Rear Facing Work Lights Legality

Sorry, just remembered that link was for heavy vehicles, but I think the search light section covers the work lights for utes etc as well.

Fred

This is not trying to be picky however ADRs are very differant to vehicle regulations.

ADRs are set by the fedral government (Australian Design Rules) and are more related to vehicle standards.

Tim

Hi Tim,
Took my car into the pits.
4 HID lights on the front bar wired through high beam with a switch (two above my bullbar). Two Lightforce 170 on my roof rack pointing off at 45 deg (use when on tracks) seperate switch and wired to high beam (called them WORK LIGHTS). LED Work lights on both sides of roofrack and two on the rear all for camping hooking up caravan etc.
He actualy stated the ADRs when checking my car and showed me where to find them for reference.
I would agree as per your post that there is alot more to it than just the ADRs.
One thing of interest is that the ARD for post 2010 cars is that they can not have lights mounted to the roof rack facing forward as the wording has changed from "Forward facing to on the front of the vechile".

BY no means am I saying that I understand or am a expert in the Regs and ADR's. Thus I with spanner in hand ventured to the "Examination Center".

Last time I checked they also have a red and blue light and a very loud siren, doesn't mean you are allowd to have them though.

Josh

yes as long as you don't have them on while driving :-)

Not just Police cars "But" Power Company, Ambulances, Service Vechiles. Tow Trucks, Taxi (side) the list goes on.

Division 19 — Other lights, reflectors, rear marking plates
or signals
112. Other lights and reflectors
(1) In this rule —
exempt vehicle means —
(a) an emergency vehicle;
(b) an Australian Protective Service vehicle;
(c) an Australian Customs Service vehicle;
(d) an Airservices Australia vehicle; or
(e) any other type of vehicle approved by the Director
General and used in conformity with any conditions that
may be imposed by the Director General;
special use vehicle means —
(a) a vehicle built or fitted for use in hazardous situations on
a road;
(b) a vehicle that because of its dimensions is permitted to
be driven on a road only in accordance with a notice or
permit issued under a law of this State;
(c) a vehicle built or fitted to accompany a vehicle
mentioned in paragraph (b);
(d) a bus fitted, before July 1999, with a sign telling road
users that the bus carries children;
(e) a transport enforcement vehicle;
(f) any other type of vehicle approved by the Director
General and used in conformity with any conditions that
may be imposed by the Director General.
(2) A vehicle may be fitted with any light or reflector not
mentioned in the Vehicle Standards.
(3) However, unless subrule (4) applies, a vehicle must not
display —
(a) a light that flashes; or
(b) a light or reflector that —
(i) shows a red light to the front;
(ii) shows a white light to the rear; or
(iii) is shaped or located in a way that reduces the
effectiveness of a light or reflector that is
required to be fitted to the vehicle under the
Vehicle Standards.
(4) Despite any requirement of a third edition ADR —
(a) an exempt vehicle may be fitted with any light or
reflector approved by the Director General; and
(b) a special use vehicle may be fitted with one or more
flashing yellow lights (or flashing lights of another
colour or colours approved by the Director General).
[Rule 112 amended in Gazette 3 Jan 2003 p. 4.]

I posted the relevant part of the Wa Rules above, it's just a question of whether they take precedence over the ADR's or vice versa, in the eyes of inspectors, police, and insurance companies.

Cheers Tanka.

I agree that the rules are not easy to follow.
Thus I took my car to the Examination Centre and had it inspected. This was just prior to Christmas. The following week I had a altercation with a pole. My car goes in for repair in March included in my approved claim is replacing the bullbar which has a note requesting a extra bracket to fit the CB aerial between my lights mounted above the bullbar. So I think it is safe to say that the insurance company is aware of the lights and as of March they have actually fitted them.

Hi Josh,

Just wondering can you please explain what advice is wrong?
Not having a go just curious that's all, as there are 2 sides to a story.

cheers
Simon

Hi Simon and Karen,
I didn't say any advice was wrong. Just if it turns to be wrong it could cost him. I made the following comment.... (advice not followed up with proof from WA roads authority).......as if he follows the link and follows the ADR it will be legal. Some people have replied with links to ADR's so would it not make more sense to look there or contact the appropriate authority.
Here are some examples that could lead to wrong info.
1, Yes you can have work lights facing rearward.... easy answer but should have read if used in search and rescue operations.
2, Yes you can have them rear facing if they can't be turned on from inside the cab....easy answer...should have read if covered when not in use.
I'm not saying the above is what the ADR's say but how someone could interpret the ADR differently.
Here's a personal example. I hired a small truck. It had 3 seats across the front. The centre seat was wide enough for 2 small people to sit side by side with the centre seat belt across them. I rang a mate to see what he thought as I knew had had a similar incident recently and been pulled over. He had 4 people in the back seat as he had been told you can carry extra people if all seat belts are used. He got pulled over by a cop who told him to put the centre belt around both people as it is safer.
We headed off with all people restrained. I got pulled over and fined for having 2 people in 1 seat belt. I disputed it especially cause he let us continue to our destination like that. I lost and had to pay $240. It took a while to work out what the ADR's actually said as you had to refer to 3 different ADR's to actually find out what was legally meant and then I still recon it was open to personal opinion.
As I said I'm not saying anyone on here gave the wrong advice but unless you read the ADR for yourself sometimes it is hard to know what it actually says for your circumstance, sometimes 1 ADR doesn't cover the regs in a certain situation.
Hope this clarifies my intensions and comments.

Josh

You're not alone Josh, I'm sure many of us have the same misgivings wrt some of the technical and legal questions posted. Largely depends on how the question is posed.

Josh,

Totally agree, just wasn't sure what you meant that's all.
I have never checked the regs on this matter, like I said i have them on the back of my Navara as I need them for work, mainly in the winter time. Had them on all my utes and trucks for years. We also have them on our work utes here in the North West along with the other 90% of work utes here.
The police have them also and one would hope they comply with the regs!!!!
But like you said things can change, depends on who pulls you up. And sometimes the regs can be so hard to understand. I am in the process of upgrading my CT and have had to ring the dept of Trans to work out what they mean by some of their wording.
As Fred said as soon as it is all nationalised the better then hopefully everyone will know where they stand. Hopefully!!!!!!!
Oh well that's just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers
Simon

You will find that they are pefectly legal, with one proviso, that is that they can't be switched on from the driving position, inside the vehicle.
There has been people posting here that if they think the vehicle behind them hasn't dipped it's lights, they give it a burst from their work light/s.
I put an isolating switch in my cargo area to prevent people from turning it on when the vehicle is unattended.