Penalty for blue headlights in 2021

Improving and upgrading a vehicle, or, more simply, tuning, can go to the extreme. To the extreme which is associated with danger on the road. And on the road, safety must come first! After all, no appearance can replace lost health, much less life. What we all mean is that when operating a vehicle, it is necessary to comply with the requirements prescribed by traffic rules and other regulatory documents that advocate for our peace of mind. Let's say you put xenon in the headlights that are blinding, or LEDs in the headlights of the wrong color. As a result, from afar in the dark it is not clear whether there is a car there or a Christmas tree. And from here all possible unpleasant consequences follow. In addition, the driver of such a car may also be charged a fine. So, can they issue a fine for dimensions of the wrong color, no matter blue, green, yellow or another color, on what basis and how much!? It is this question that we will answer in our article.

Where does it say that blue (green) lamps cannot be installed in the dimensions?

Let's turn to the basics, to the traffic rules, namely to the document “Traffic rules of the Russian Federation, Basic provisions for the approval of vehicles...”. Here we will be interested in the appendix to this section “List of faults and conditions under which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited.” In section 3, paragraph 3.6 prohibits operation if:

Here all that remains is to argue about the shades and what is white light and what is something else. But if you want to go to the extreme, then this topic can of course be developed, but we won’t. Actually, from the logical conclusions it becomes clear that blue or green dimensions do not fit into the concept of the List of Malfunctions and Conditions at all... So, if there is a violation, then there is a punishment for it.

Is it possible to install blue lamps in headlights and markers?

3.6. The vehicle is equipped with:

• in front - lighting devices with lights of any color other than white, yellow or orange, and retroreflective devices of any color other than white;
• at the rear - reverse lights and state registration plate lights with lights of any color other than white, and other lighting devices with lights of any color other than red, yellow or orange, as well as retroreflective devices of any color other than red.

Fine for having blue (green) lights on a car

Let's look through the booklet of the Code of Administrative Offenses under Chapter 12 and understand that for dimensions of the wrong color, one of the most universal articles will be used, namely 12.5. Here you need to refer to part 3

Yes, it should be noted that the seemingly harmless action of changing the color of the dimensions can be punished so severely. Indeed, deprivation of a driver’s license, that is, a special license, is a rather harsh punishment. It only remains to note that the deprivation of a special right is carried out by a judicial act, that is, such a decision is made by a judge. If we talk about the confiscation of lamps with blue or green light, which is provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, then the confiscation must take place with 2 witnesses, or with a video recording. A protocol for the seizure of items will be drawn up. Confiscation of items of an administrative violation allows for Article 243 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. The inspector's decision can be challenged in court.

Can you deprive your license for having blue lights?

For driving a car with lighting devices, the color and mode of operation of which is included in the List of Malfunctions, the Code of Administrative Offenses imposes a punishment in the form of confiscation of rights for 6-12 months (Part 3 of Article 12.5).

Previously, punishment for installing blue light devices was imposed precisely under this part of the article. However, in 2021, the Supreme Court clarified that this penalty applies only in cases where both the operating mode and the color of the headlights together are not compliant. That is, they don’t deprive you of your rights simply for having a blue light. But for the flashing blue, simulating car lights, special. services, you may be left without a license.

Detention of a vehicle if it has blue (green, yellow) dimensions installed

Also, a motorist may have questions about the possibility of detaining his vehicle if suddenly a traffic police inspector stops the car and charges him with dimensions of the wrong color. In order to answer the question about the possible detention of a vehicle, it is necessary to refer to Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. And here, when reading the article, it becomes clear that in relation to Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, detention can only be applied for part 2, and we have part 3. That is, they cannot detain a vehicle for blue (green) dimensions. Well, at least something makes me happy!

Deprivation of rights for xenon

Xenon lamps have been on sale for a long time. They are inexpensive, which tempts tuning enthusiasts to take the easy route and simply plug such lamps into standard headlights. This is especially widespread among owners of VAZ cars, the standard light of which is far from ideal, and only halogen optics are provided from the factory.

However, this is a big risk. It is worth remembering that there is no fine for xenon - only deprivation of rights. Judicial practice shows that drivers are deprived of their license for xenon under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, and illegally installed equipment is also confiscated.

According to the specified part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, it is prohibited to drive a vehicle on the front of which there are lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices installed, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the operating mode of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to the operation and responsibilities of road safety officials.

This violation entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of 6 months to 1 year with confiscation of the specified devices and accessories. While xenon has been on the shelves for a long time, LEDs are a newer type of lamp that appeared on the mass market relatively recently, but have already gained popularity among tuning enthusiasts.

It is worth noting that the installation of LED lamps is considered no less serious a violation than xenon. The punishment for this is exactly the same - deprivation of rights from 6 months to a year, with confiscation.

One of the latest court decisions on LEDs was made in Naberezhnye Chelny on January 10, 2021. According to the document, under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the driver was deprived of his license for a period of 6 months, with the confiscation of lighting devices in favor of the state - two LED lamps with cooling fans.

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The current state of affairs with dimensions of the wrong color (blue, green, etc.)

Actually, most motorists already know that experimenting with the “wrong” light in dimensions is not worth it. And those lamps of blue, green and other colors that are sold in auto parts stores are mainly intended for interior lighting and instrument lighting. That is, in reality we quite rarely encounter such an offense. As for shades of white, that is, when there were incandescent lamps and LEDs were inserted into the dimensions, then usually such a replacement takes place without consequences, that is, no one finds fault with the fact that a lamp with a different spectrum is installed in the socket, which is provided according to the manufacturer’s documentation TS. However, this cannot be said about xenon and LEDs, when such light sources are used in headlights for high and low beam.

Penalty for blue light bulbs

I installed side lights in a bluish-colored car. Traffic police officers stopped and issued a fine under Part 1 of Art. 12.4 Code of Administrative Offences. Is this legal?

Answer. In accordance with clause 2.3.1 of the Traffic Rules, the driver of the vehicle is obliged to check before leaving and ensure that the vehicle is in good technical condition on the way.

In accordance with clause 11 of the Basic Provisions, the operation of vehicles is prohibited if their technical condition and equipment do not meet the requirements of the List of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited.

The specified List establishes the conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited.

According to clause 3.6. The list prohibits the operation of vehicles if the following are installed on the vehicle:

• in front - lighting devices with lights of any color other than white, yellow or orange, and retroreflective devices of any color other than white;
• at the rear - reverse lights and state registration plate lights with lights of any color other than white, and other lighting devices with lights of any color other than red, yellow or orange, as well as retroreflective devices of any color other than red.

Thus, for installing blue lamps in the dimensions, the driver is held liable under Part 1 of Art. 12.4 Code of Administrative Offences.

First of all, let's turn to the main road law - the Rules of the Road. So, paragraph 19.5 reads: “ During daylight hours, low-beam headlights or daytime running lights must be turned on on all moving vehicles for the purpose of identifying them.”

At the same time, the Rules clearly allow for one possibility of replacing the low beam - clause 19.4. allows the use of fog lights instead of low beam headlights.

Thus, during the day you should have either low-beam headlights, fog lights, or daytime running lights on in front. There is no mention in the traffic rules that there are enough side lights during the day.

How to distinguish side lights from DRLs?

Let's say you're buying a car, new or used, and want to determine whether it has DRLs. Running lights are fundamentally different from conventional side lights, both in their greater brightness and mode of operation. Even if the car’s lighting control is in the “OFF” position, when the engine starts, the DRLs light up themselves, and when the headlights are turned on, they either reduce their brightness or turn off completely.

Light and law

Although the Rules have put everything in its place, many car enthusiasts are trying to modify their old cars that do not yet have standard DRLs. What is the reason? The fact is that the need to burn low beam lamps all day can lead to the fact that you are much more likely (especially if your light sources are halogen) to be left with one functioning headlight. And then any inspector on the road at night can stop such a one-eyed car, fine the driver, and even prohibit further movement. And he will be right! According to paragraph 2.3.1, “it is prohibited to drive with the headlights and tail lights off (absent) in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility.”

In other words, either learn to change a headlight bulb in the dark, under the snow, in the cold, and quickly, like assembling a Kalashnikov assault rifle, or take care of the low-beam headlight bulbs. Therefore, during the day I advise you to drive with fog lights or DRLs. The owner can install the latter independently or in a car service center, but the requirements for the placement and brightness of such lights must be met.

What not to do:

• Installation of LED lamps in colorless turn signal lamps, which glow brightly white while driving, until the turn signal is switched on. Then they start flashing orange. Due to the use of LEDs, the idea may fail when meeting with a meticulous inspector.
• The use of an electronic unit, which, when starting the engine, turns on the high beam lamps (or high beam spirals in combined lamps) with a reduced (40–70% of the nominal) brightness. The headlights are located above the foglights and are therefore better visible. Traffic police officers are unlikely to distinguish them from simply burning low-beam headlights, especially if double-filament lamps of the H4 type are used. And they should not blind oncoming drivers due to reduced brightness. And, naturally, as soon as you turn on the low beam headlights, all the above functions should be disabled.
• Installation of powerful LED lamps instead of “dimensions” (weak incandescent light bulbs). Then it’s enough to turn on the “dimensions” and all problems are solved? Not certainly in that way! Firstly, there may be problems with the traffic police, and secondly, with this mode of use in the car, quite a lot of lamps will be on on the instrument panel and on the rear of the car. And, let me remind you, the side lights in the back will burn and burn out, for which the inspector can arrange for you to spend the night in an open field if the lamp does not light and you do not know how to change it.

Are orange lights allowed in the front lights or not?

In accordance with paragraph 3 of the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation, the technical condition and equipment of vehicles participating in road traffic, in terms of road safety and environmental protection, must meet the requirements of the relevant standards, rules and technical operation manuals.

The standards clearly stipulate the color, location, dispersion angles of dimensions and other lighting fixtures. Clause 2.5.6 of GOST 8769-75 “External lighting devices for cars, buses, trolleybuses, tractors, trailers and semi-trailers” requires: “The color of the front side lights must be white, the rear lights must be red.”

Paragraph 11 of the Basic Provisions prohibits the operation of vehicles if their technical condition and equipment do not meet the requirements of the List of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited.

And accordingly: Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) provides for liability for driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited. In accordance with Part 3 of this article, 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 and 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 think for yourself - one of your light bulbs has burned out - other drivers will think that your turn signal is stuck and will expect you to maneuver!

Penalty for blue headlights in 2021

Good afternoon, dear reader.
In this article we will talk about installing light devices with blue lights on a car, as well as possible punishment for blue headlights.

As a rule, drivers install blue lights as tuning, i.e. to improve the appearance of the car.

At the same time, blue lamps can be installed in headlights, side lights, daytime running lights, rear registration plate illumination, or as additional lighting under the bottom of the car.

Is it possible to install blue lamps in headlights and markers?

3.6. The vehicle is equipped with:

• in front - lighting devices with lights of any color other than white, yellow or orange, and retroreflective devices of any color other than white;
• at the rear - reverse lights and state registration plate lights with lights of any color other than white, and other lighting devices with lights of any color other than red, yellow or orange, as well as retroreflective devices of any color other than red.

This paragraph provides an exhaustive list of permitted colors of lighting devices:

The blue color of the headlights is not mentioned at all in this paragraph, i.e. installing blue or cyan bulbs in any case is a violation .

And not an ordinary violation, but a violation in which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited.

Deprivation of rights for blue light bulbs until 2021

Until June 25, 2021, judges considered the installation of blue light bulbs as a violation falling under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code:

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.

Thus, there was no monetary fine for blue lights in the parking lights or headlights. The driver immediately received a license deprivation for a period of 6 to 12 months.

Penalty for blue light bulbs in 2021

On June 25, 2021, Resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court No. 20 was published, which contains the following paragraph in paragraph 6:

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.

When installing blue bulbs, only the color of the lighting fixtures changes. The operating mode does not change. Therefore, in 2021, the driver may be fined under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code - 500 rubles or a warning.

This article is about installing blue light bulbs. This is due to the fact that cars with this violation can be found on Russian roads from time to time. However, information about this violation has not received wide publicity, unlike, for example, the installation of xenon or LED lamps. Therefore, few drivers who install blue lamps understand what punishment awaits them.

About a couple times a year I get questions about installing blue light bulbs. Most often, the point is that the driver wants to find out how lawfully the punishment was imposed for the wrong color of the lamps in the headlights. So I don’t recommend repeating this mistake. If your vehicle has blue or light blue bulbs, replace them with standard ones as soon as possible.

Note. The above information also applies to lighting devices of other non-standard colors : green, purple, brown. However, such options are much less common.

In addition, I would like to remind you that a driver may have his license revoked for using red lights on the front of the car.