I have a friend who is trying to tell me that the HID lights on the S2000 are not legal in all states. He said that even if they are DOT or SAE or whatever approved... that doesn't mean anything because an individual state can make a law saying they are not... even if the federal government says they are.

So what's the deal? Is he wrong? And if so, is there any website anyone can point me to with this info, so I can prove so to him?

 

I think a new car's lights have to be DOT approved before they are sold and produced to be used on a car driven in the U.S. It usually says DOT I believe on the actual taillights but I'm not sure if its on the headlights of the S2000. Some of those fake HID looking bulbs that just has a shade of color are not DOT approved.

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/thursdayarchive/13...194/detail.html

http://www.komotv.com/stories/17528.htm

 

Another example of more useless bitching and whining... What are they gonna complain about next? Oh exotic cars like the NSX and Ferrari's should be made illegal since everyone is starring at one on the road and not preparing attention to driving. Geez...

Wis, the HID's in the S2000 are DOT approved. They have to be in order for Honda to legally sell the car in the US.

 

at least for the time being

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Wisconsin S2k
[B]I have a friend who is trying to tell me that the HID lights on the S2000 are not legal in all states.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KeithD
[B]


Federal government regulates automobile standard not the States.

 

I am pretty sure the CA smog deal is because there is no FEDERAL program to regulate smog checks. It easier to let the states police themselves etc... DOT approval is a FEDERAL approval and would overturn any state laws. Since you can not get a FEDERAL smog tag then you have to rely on your individual state laws. If the FEDRAL government did come up with a FEDERAL smog tag then you would be able to drive your car in every state regardless of their local law. I hope this clears things up. Please someone chime in if I am off base.

Later...

 

if a car is sold in a certain state, than the HID's are legal in that state.

they can't sell the car if the HID's are illegal - and that would be state wide.

i hadn't heard of any states in which the S2000 wasn't sold.......

 

Well buddy, CA cars have california emissions. They have a tougher standard than Federal law, which is ok. They cant go out and eliminate emissions controls, that would be in violation of federal law. See how it works...

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) approved HID headlamps, like those used in our car. The state cannot legislate against them, because they can't go against federal law.

Understand buddy?