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You Can’t Drive In This City With LED Lights On: Check Rules, Penalties, How Many Booked In Major Crackdown So Far

You Can’t Drive In This City With LED Lights On: Check Rules, Penalties, How Many Booked In Major Crackdown So Far
The Surat Regional Transport Office (RTO) has stepped up action against vehicles using bright white LED and modified lights. Over the past week, reportedly 242 vehicles have been booked for violations. On February 6, this year, officers also carried out checks at Y Junction in Surat, where around 50 vehicles were penalised under the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).
Officials reportedly said strict monitoring will continue as many motorists are still ignoring repeated warnings about illegal lights.
Crackdown To Continue Across The City
According to the RTO, unauthorised high-intensity LED lights create strong glare for other road users. This can cause temporary blindness for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, especially at night, and increase the risk of serious accidents.
Despite clear bans, many vehicle owners continued to install illegal white lights by altering the manufacturer’s original lighting system. To control the issue, the RTO had announced a special enforcement drive across the city on February 10. Multiple teams were deployed to impose on-the-spot fines and even seize vehicles using such lighting systems.
A post shared by Kem Cho Surat (@kemchhosurat)
Fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,000 were reportedly collected during recent drives. Authorities have also warned that action will not stop with vehicle owners. Garage owners and workshops that install these lights may also face penalties.
Similar drives have reportedly been conducted in cities such as Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mangalore and Rajkot.
A post shared by Surat updates (@suratupdatesofficial)
Why These LED Lights Are Not Allowed
Most aftermarket LED and HID headlamps do not meet safety standards for brightness, glare control, and beam pattern. Many people replace regular halogen bulbs with stronger LED bulbs in the same housing, which affects how light spreads on the road.
In some cases, the beam goes above the cut-off line and directly into oncoming drivers’ eyes. This can cause discomfort and raise the risk of accidents.
Under Indian rules, headlights must meet government safety standards (AIS certification). Any change to a vehicle’s original setup must be approved and updated in the RC. Low-quality aftermarket lights usually fail to meet these rules.
The RTO has reportedly urged vehicle owners to remove illegal lights on their own to avoid heavy penalties and strict action.
Here’s How Social Media Reacted
As the videos gained attention, several social media users reacted in support of the action. Many said strict steps were necessary against the use of bright white lights.
A user wrote, “Yes, good because those white lights hurt the eyes of pedestrians and other drivers equally. Those who drive will understand."
Another said, “Yes we require high power lights ! Why? To find proper roads ! Potholes free roads ! Proper standard speed breakers ! Proper road safety guide lanes and so on. That’s why we use power lights bcz nowadays it’s invisible to us."
“Must needed all over India," a person said. “Phele street lights har jagah lagwayo," an individual wrote.
Some users commented that a similar action is needed in New Delhi, while others mentioned Pune.
Source: News18
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