Is DOT certification required for automotive lamps?

No, DOT does not certify lamps. Unlike ECE, there is no type-approval process. DOT only requires that the manufacturer takes "due care." This means that at the beginning of production, the manufacturer must certify its lamps comply with FMVSS and that a quality control process is in place.

Can I have my product tested under numerous trade names?

Yes, as long as you certify that the products sold under each trade name are the products being tested.

If SAE changes a specification, are products tested under the older version no longer acceptable?

If the device is regulated by DOT then the current SAE requirements are not relevant. If the products are regulated by state governments then the device may no longer be acceptable. You must check with each state government to determine whether your product still complies.

Are there special rules for testing LED automotive lamps?

Yes, the device is tested at design voltage specified by the manufacturer. A warm-up time may be required, usually 10 or 30 minutes after applying voltage.

What are the procedures for petitioning for rulemaking to amend FMVSS No. 108?

These procedures are set fourth in 49 CFR 552.4. The petition must contain the name and address of the petitioner and be addressed to the NHTSA Administrator. It must be written in English and prefaced by the word "Petition." The petition must set forth facts in support of an amendment, and contain a brief description of the substance of the requested amendment. Petitioners for changes in signaling lamp requirements should be familiar with the policy statement issued in 1998, discussing how NHTSA evaluates rulemaking petitions to require or permit new or different signal lighting or signal lighting actuation (63 FR 59482).

Where can I find the requirements for bicycles?

The requirements are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in Title 16, Part 1512. You can download a copy from the Commission's Web Site.

How do I convert between measurements of luminance? Iluminance?

For the conversion ratios, see the tables of luminance and ilumance conversion.

What is a lumen?

A lumen (lm) is a standard unit of luminous flux. The luminous flux is a unit of measurement for light. If a uniform point light source of 1 cd luminous intensity is positioned at the center of a sphere of 1 m radius, then every area on the inside of the sphere will receive a luminous flux of 1 lm.