Rando, et. al.,
I researched driving lights and light bars before my Alaska trip.
California and many other States as well as British Columbia Canada have laws about headlights, driving lights and other auxiliary lights.
Here is a general summary which may vary from state to state:
1) All front mounted lights (headlights, driving lights, fog lights, spot lights) in use while driving on a public road must be DOT and or SAE compliant. That information is usually molded in or stamped on the glass or lens or front of the light.
2) No more than 2 sets of lights may be used at a time (i.e. 2 headlights plus 2 driving lights, 2 headlights plus 2 fog lights, 2 headlights plus a spotlight, etc.)
3) The mounting location and height range is usually specified as a "zone" or area and restricted
4) Driving lights may only be used when the high beams are on and must not be operable when low beams are on (implies same circuit as high beams but not same circuit as low beams)
5) All non DOT/SEA compliant lights must be covered when the vehicle is operating on a public road
6) Use of non-compliant lights is an infraction (e.g. not identified as Dot./SAE compliant, mounted outside the specified "zone", not properly pointed, too many lights in use, etc)
Now I know these laws are not universally or even regularly enforced. In addition, some folks may object to over regulation.
Please keep in mind I am only communicating information and I am agnostic on any issue or politics related to these laws. However, I accept the law and do my best to abide by it even if I disagree with it.
Here is a reference to the California law on headlights and auxiliary lights:
https://law.justia.c...4400-24411.html
I hope this is helpful information and stimulates some research before you spend time and money mounting lights.
Craig
P.S. If you have your brights on and use illegal and far too bright off road lights when coming at me on the highway I reserve the right to turn on my grill mounted 50 watt CO2 laser and burn out the lights on the front of your vehicle. Apologies if I accidentally vaporize your radiator as well. ;-)