Below is a research guide to many government lighting regulations.

Headlamps & Taillamps

The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is responsible for regulating most automotive lighting. Headlamps and Taillamps must comply with the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS 108). Interpretations, as well as records of past interpretations, are available for public view at the NHTSA Legal Council. Any change in the law must be proposed, commented on and published in the Federal Register.

Headlamp Bulbs & Sealed Beams

All headlamp replaceable bulbs, ballasts and sealed beam headlamps must meet FMVSS 108 and Part 564 requirements. To learn more, visit Regulations.gov, a database where all U.S. government files are stored. Type in "1998-3397" in the Keyword Field for headlamp replaceable bulb, ballast and sealed beam headlamp characteristics dockets.

The following document can be downloaded for detailed NHTSA search techniques: NHTSA Document Search.

Foglamps

Foglamps, auxiliary driving lamps and other types of automotive lighting are regulated by each state government. States require these lamps meet SAE requirements. The SAE document can be purchased from the SAE Bookstore. Check each state to determine which version of the SAE document is specified.

Police Fire & Ambulance

Emergency warning lamps for police, fire truck, ambulance and service vehicles are regulated by each state. Most states reference SAE specifications such as SAE J595, SAE J845 and SAE J1318. Fire trucks are additionally regulated by NFPA 1901.

Associated Equipment

Flashers (turn signal and warning lamps) must comply with FMVSS 108. Warning triangles must meet FMVSS 125. Mirrors must meet FMVSS 111.

Reflective Sheeting

Reflective sheeting is regulated by each state government. States require reflective sheeting meet D4956 Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control. This document may be purchased from the ASTM web site.

Roadway Lighting

Roadway lighting is regulated by each state government and must comply with ITE requirements. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines the standards used by road managers in the United States to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. The Traffic Control Devices Handbook supplements the MUTCD. Both can be purchased from the ITE Web site.

Roadway Construction Equipment

Pavement markers, traffic cones and other construction equipment are regulated at the state level. Unfortunately, there is no single specification required by each state. Visit State Transportation Web Sites to review each state requirement.

Barricade Warning Lights

Barricade warning lamps are regulated by each state government and must comply with ITE requirements. The Purchase Specification for Barricade Warning Lamps can be found in the Traffic Control Devices Handbook published by ITE and can be purchased from the ITE Web site.

High Visability Clothing

The requirements for high visibility clothing are given in ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 and ANSI/ISEA 207-2006. These specifications can be purchased from the ISEA.

Bicycle Reflectors

Bicycle reflectors are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To find these requirements, refer to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 16, Part 1512. You may also download a copy from the Commission's Web Site.

Marine Lighting

The Coast Guard, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is responsible for regulating most marine lighting. These lamps must comply with UL1104 Standard for Marine Navigation Lights. This document can be purchased from the COMM-2000 Web site.