What Safety Regulations Should You Be Aware of When Using LED Lights on Trucks?BLIAUTO Truck Lighting Regulations & Safety Guide

What Safety Regulations Should You Be Aware of When Using LED Lights on Trucks?BLIAUTO Truck Lighting Regulations & Safety Guide

With the growing popularity of LED lighting technology, more and more truck owners and transportation companies are upgrading their traditional halogen or HID lights to LED headlights. This not only improves nighttime visibility but also reduces energy consumption and extends the lifespan of lighting systems.

However, upgrading your lighting system without paying attention to the relevant safety regulations and road standards may result in fines—or worse, pose serious road safety risks.

So, what key regulations and technical standards should you pay attention to when using LED lights on trucks? BLIAUTO breaks it down for you.

1. Road Lighting Regulations: Regulations ≠ Free Installation

In most countries and regions, vehicle lighting systems must comply with national road traffic safety regulations or vehicle regulatory certification standards. Here are some key requirements:

1.1 Lighting Color Standards

Headlights (high/low beam): Must be white or slightly yellow.

Turn signals: Front signals must be amber or yellow; rear signals may be amber or red.

Tail lights and brake lights: Must be red.

Reverse lights: Must be white.

Illegally colored LED strips (such as blue, purple, or flashy rainbow lights) are often regarded as illegal modifications and can lead to fines or enforced removal by traffic police.

1.2 Brightness and Beam Angle

Regulations often specify the luminous intensity (lumens) and beam spread (angle) of headlights.

LED lights that are too bright or have poorly adjusted beam angles can dazzle oncoming drivers, which is a road hazard.

For example, Chinese standards limit high-beam lights to no more than 110,000 candela, and low beams must avoid obvious upward glare.

Therefore, when upgrading to LED headlights, proper calibration and beam adjustment are essential to avoid impairing the vision of other drivers.

2. LED Light Installation Requirements: It’s Not Just About Brightness

2.1 Mandatory Certifications (e.g., ECE, DOT, or CCC)

In the U.S. and Europe, LED vehicle lights must be certified by DOT (Department of Transportation) or ECE R112/R10.

In China, they must carry the CCC (China Compulsory Certification) mark, especially for commercial trucks.

Using uncertified lighting products may lead to penalties or forced removal during inspections.

2.2 Proper Light Distribution Design

High-quality LED lights should use precision optical lenses or reflector systems to ensure focused, even, and glare-free light output, avoiding blind spots or asymmetrical lighting.

2.3 Waterproof and Dustproof Ratings

Trucks operate under various extreme weather conditions. LED truck lights should be rated at least IP67 or higher.

For off-road or heavy-duty use, opt for models with IP68 or those resistant to shock and corrosion.

3. Additional Safety Tips & Regulatory Details

3.1 DRLs Must Be Properly Linked

In some countries, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) must automatically turn off when the low beam or main headlights are on to avoid confusing other drivers.

3.2 Avoid Decorative Lighting

Adding light bars, ambient lighting, or underglow lights has become increasingly popular.

However, if these lights are used while driving and affect visibility or color recognition, they are often classified as illegal lighting equipment.

Especially blue, red, or strobe lights—in most countries, these are reserved for emergency or official vehicles only.

3.3 Stable Electrical Systems Required

After switching to LEDs, voltage stabilizers or decoders should be used to prevent flickering or false error codes.

Avoid tampering with or bypassing the original vehicle wiring system, as this can lead to short circuits or electrical overloads.

4. BLIAUTO Tips: How to Upgrade Your Truck's LED Lighting Legally and Effectively

To ensure your lighting upgrades are compliant and safe, BLIAUTO recommends:

✅ Choose certified LED light brands (e.g., DOT, ECE, CCC).

✅ Ensure proper installation and beam angle calibration.

✅ Follow local traffic laws and avoid blinding, miscolored, or illegal lighting devices.

✅ For heavy-duty or specialized trucks, use professional commercial LED lighting series, such as work lights, spotlights, and auxiliary lighting.

Conclusion: More Than Just Brightness—Focus on Safety and Compliance

LED lighting brings greater efficiency and clearer vision to truck driving, but only within legal and regulatory bounds can you truly achieve a safe and effective upgrade. We hope this guide helps truck drivers and fleet managers approach lighting modifications with more professionalism and caution.

BLIAUTO is dedicated to high-quality automotive LED lighting solutions—helping you travel safely and legally, every mile of the way.