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Evo GeneralDiscuss any generalized technical Evo related topics that may not fit into the other forums.
Please do not post tech and rumor threads here.
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I recently imported an 8 Evo to Canada and I'm having a lot of trouble finding information regarding safety compliance for safety inspections.
The mechanic doing my OOP inspection told me that I needed to replace my headlights as well as taillights to DOT compliant ones but after talking to the import broker who helped me with my import, he said that most shops would pass the inspection with the stock headlights and taillights. Seeing as how new OEM USDM headlights seem to be going for $2500+ Canadian and used ones are hard to find id like to avoid having to replace them. I tried searching for this information but I had trouble finding any results and the actual wording of the CMVSS is very lawyery and hard to understand so hopefully, someone has had a similar experience trying to pass inspection or who knows about DOT and safety checks can fill in a few blanks.
Do I need to make my headlights and taillights DOT compliant to pass safety?
What makes the headlights and taillights not DOT compliant?
Is it possible to modify them to make them DOT compliant myself or do they need to pass when they are manufactured?
If they need to be replaced, any recommendations on where to find used/aftermarket headlights that are DOT compliant?
I never had any of this be an issue and I'm only one province over (mind you I had mine done in 08' lol). I would look for another shop that's willing to do the inspection and pass the car.
Is this a jdm car or usdm? There are some subtle differences in lighting. Jdm doesn't have the side reflectors (the strip on the usdm rear bumper) and I believe on the headlight too. There are people that can make the OOP pass happen for you though.....
I don't recommend modifying the lights to pass. I don't even recommend changing them out to pass. Just find a OOP inspector in the community rather than a random shop. But if you really need I have usdm headlights and taillights on the shelf.
LHD headlights have a different beam pattern - they light up the ditch on the right side of the car for better visibility. As you can imagine, RHD headlights do the opposite. On North American roads, those RHD headlight beams go straight into the eyes of oncoming traffic, which is dangerous, and why they should be changed out for USDM versions. Example:
The LHD headlights will have a DOT casting into the plastic; Manitoba looks for the exact same thing to pass a safety.
Is the guy simply confusing the lack of DRL? Make sure it's not that. Where is the 8 from? USDM, JDM, EUDM? Where? It's probably DRLs. Get a relay to wire up fogs when the car turns on and you're good.
Maybe.
Last edited by osetsky; Mar 3, 2020 at 04:02 PM.
Reason: maybe
It's not just that there is no DRL. The headlights actually do not meet safety standards. More than the headlight pattern (which they don't check). It doesn't have the side reflectors:
The JDM headlight doesn't have this very small but still important reflector. Same with the JDM rear bumper, which doesn't have the red reflectors for the back. Usdm cars have these things so that's why all you had to do is add a DRL module. Alberta OOP is actually this ****. Same with Quebec. Other provinces are more lax.
It's not just that there is no DRL. The headlights actually do not meet safety standards. More than the headlight pattern (which they don't check). It doesn't have the side reflectors:
The JDM headlight doesn't have this very small but still important reflector. Same with the JDM rear bumper, which doesn't have the red reflectors for the back. Usdm cars have these things so that's why all you had to do is add a DRL module. Alberta OOP is actually this ****. Same with Quebec. Other provinces are more lax.
Dang, that sucks! Mine is USDM and here in BC they gave me a pile of grief over DRLs. Had to hire Canadian Tire(they are contracted to do OOP) and they hooked relay to high beams then the inspector(same Canuck Junk shop) tried to deny my car. I demanded he show me the letter of the law saying that highs could not function as DRL. He could not so my car passed. Didn't know about the yellow bit, that sucks *****.
Hey OP, any other Evo owners nearby you could borrow some lights from?
My Evo is JDM so they have the righthand drive pointed lights
As far as I can tell from some tuner groups in Sask they didn't have any issues when importing JDM cars and I got the names of a couple of shops to try out.
The taillights didn't pass because they are lacking side reflector that extends past the body of the car so I think I can just wire some small lights and stick them to the side for the inspection
I definitely need to wire in DRLs though to pass.
Haven't find anyone local that could lend me them for inspection
