Throughout Australia, car lighting regulations have become far more stringent, incorporating international best practices, particularly in how users employ light bars and spotlights. Accessories such as light bars and spotlights have assistive features in terms of light, helping many users increase visibility. However, knowing the legal boundaries before the accessories are fitted is paramount.
Light Bars
As of 2025, light bars are legal to use in all of Australia. However, each state has its own specific rules in terms of mounting and usage. All forward-facing auxillary lights must be placed at the front of the vehicle and typically must be below the bonnet line, and should not obscure the driver’s view and should not cause glare to other road users. They should be mounted symmetrically to each other and should not be misaligned. Roofmounted light bars are banned in most public road cases, but can be used for off-road boating. Note that all light devices must comply with the Australian Design Rules and must have proper control of the placement and the light output. These and other regulations have come into force with the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018.
Spotlight Legality
Spotlights—more commonly referred to as “spotties”— can be legally used as long as certain conditions are strictly followed. The States require all spotlights to be fitted in pairs, symmetrically, and in front of and below the vehicle’s roof or bonnet. They can only be used in conjunction with high beam headlights and automatically switch off with low beam head lights. The front facing auxiliary lights on a vehicle must be four or less to comply with the majority of State laws and the ADRs. Check points and heavy fines are placed on people who leave spotlights on in heavy traffic.
Harmonisation for the National and State Laws
Newly amended ADRs have aligned Australia’s National vehicle standards with the United Nations standards. The decrease of ambiguous regulations in the country has come as a result of the country component standards set as a result of these framework amendments. The focus has now moved towards the reduction of regulatory burdens, improving certification turnaround, and a shift towards the up-to-date safety standards on vehicles for importers and manufacturers. The released standards have harmonised the installation and operational standards for light bars, spotlights and other lighting apparatus.
Roof and Number Plate Lighting
For off-road purposes, light bars can be mounted onto the roof of the vehicle, however, for public roads, they are not allowed on the vehicle as they cause excessive glare and distractions for other drivers. This may be the case on private roads or off-road environments. Number plate light bars are acceptable as long as they follow the safety and positioning guidelines where they do not obscure the number plate or cause glare to other road users. These lights are also required to follow the specified photometric requirements and the ADRs.
Enforcement and Penalties
Not mounted properly, or light bars and spotlights being used unlawfully, corrections can be fines, defect notice on the vehicle, or even cancellation of the registration. Enforcement agencies are able to capture unregulated lighting and these fines also come in the case of roadside compliance. Penalties differ from state to state in the example of improper installation, unregulated, excessive blinding light, or illegal equipment, these all can lead to trenching on the law.
Table: Typical Lighting Data Required
| Accessory Type | Mounting Rule | Max Number | Road Use Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Bar | Symmetrical, below bonnet | 1 or 2 | Yes, not roof |
| Spotlights | Paired, below bonnet | Up to 4 | High beam only |
| Roof Light Bar | Not public road (off-road) | 0 | Off-road only |
FAQs
Q. Can I install a light bar myself?
Yes, each state has its own ADR and installation position guidelines.
Q. Are roof-mounted light bars ever legal?
Only on private off-road tracks or for designated work vehicles, never for public road driving.
Q. How many spotlights can I use at once?
Up to four, provided all are installed below the bonnet line and used only with high beams.
