Is anything here DOT approved ?

[Ben Burped]

Much was made of the fact that Custom Dynamics lighting is not DOT approved and states as much with their products. I would like to know if any, I repeat if any lighting offered for sale on this website is truly DOT approved ?

[JerryB]

Hi Ben,

Re: any lighting

I do not know about 'any' but of at least two of the vendors listed on the Home page, of the items that I inquired about; not one item was DOT approved.

Jerry Baumchen

[bruiser]

None of the lighting on the vendor pages is DOT approved. However, that does not make it illegal. What makes it illegal is the various state laws. DOT or more correctly NHTSA, set's the minimum requirements for vehicle lighting including location, placement, color and brightness (lumens) and number of lights. It also sets requirements for reflective materials including standard plastic reflectors and reflective tape. Standard vehicle lighting must also have the DOT logo on the lens or cover.

While additional lighting is allowed, it must not take away from or interfere with NHTSA and state regulations. As far as LED lighting sold by vendors, it doesn't meet DOT regulations because it is an added feature not standard on the vehicle at time of manufacture.

[Ben Burped]

None of the lighting on the vendor pages is DOT approved. However, that does not make it illegal. What makes it illegal is the various state laws. DOT or more correctly NHTSA, set's the minimum requirements for vehicle lighting including location, placement, color and brightness (lumens) and number of lights. It also sets requirements for reflective materials including standard plastic reflectors and reflective tape. Standard vehicle lighting must also have the DOT logo on the lens or cover.

While additional lighting is allowed, it must not take away from or interfere with NHTSA and state regulations. As far as LED lighting sold by vendors, it doesn't meet DOT regulations because it is an added feature not standard on the vehicle at time of manufacture.

Thank you for a very concise and informative post. I hoped that someone would know the specifics on this issue. Does removing the reflectors on the side of the RT and replacing them with lighting that has no reflective value such as Custom Dynamics Bright sides negate the DOD requirements for the RT ?

[stevedfive]

DOT requires front and rear side reflectors. The California Vehicle Code also required them. TricLED's front fender and rear side cargo door led lights have reflector lens, therefore they are DOT compliant.

[finless]

The show chrome lights (big bike parts) sold from value accessory is also DOT approved. These are the front fender and saddle bag marker lights.

Bob

[Bob Denman]

DOT requires front and rear side reflectors.

Would some reflective tape suffice?