DRL (Daytime Running Lights) standard, option or mandatory?

Question

More cars seems to be engineered with DRL (Daytime Running Lights). Is this scheduleded to be a federal regulation or a simply remain a manufacturer option?

Answer 1

Daytime running lights are mandatory in Canada, for any vehicle manufactured on and after September 1988. In the U.S., so far it's a manufacturer's option. As with a lot of import manufacturer's now, its easier for them to build one electrical wiring system for the headlights for North America, instead of two separate system for the US and Canadian markets and also in most parts of Europe, DRLs are also mandatory. So do the economics, what would you do if you manufactured cars.

Answer 2

If you live in Canada, and your vehicle was manufactured after a certain date, DRL is a mandatory regulation. Because roads in North America are fast and mostly straight, your vehicle is more visible by others with these lights during poor weather conditions or when they may be making a left turn with YOU coming towards them. Someone may decide to pass a vehicle ahead and you may be be the oncoming car. They may not see you without your DRL lights........so, they are installed for safety reasons. In some vehicles they may be turned off (I don't agree with this)......
Also, most vehicles' rear lights do not function when only your DRL are in use.

Answer 3

Removing the fuse when you need them to be off is probably the easiest and safest way to turn these off. The car "may throw a code" or a dash light may come on to tell you that a light is burned out but that's all. I'd replace it before going back on the road though. Good Luck RoyG KC

Answer 4

As far as I know only GM cars have this ridiculous feature. I remember reading that they hoped it would become a fed regulation but gladly it hasn't.