Auxiliary Lights for Bikes in India: RTO Rules & Buying Guide
ROADLE Ride Journal · Wakad, Pune
Auxiliary lights for bikes in India: laws, RTO rules, and how to buy right
A rider's guide to what actually decides whether your auxiliary lights are road-legal — and which Motorfans or Maddog setup fits how you actually ride.
Auxiliary lights aren't blanket-legal or blanket-illegal in India. What matters is certification, colour, mounting, beam pattern, how many are fitted, and how the light is actually used — judged against the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and applicable AIS/BIS standards. Brighter isn't a shortcut: a poorly aimed or wrongly coloured light is more likely to get you challaned than a correctly chosen one.
Start Here
The central legal framework
India's vehicle lighting rules sit primarily in central legislation — the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 — supplemented by AIS and BIS specifications that define what a compliant lamp looks like on paper. States and local police layer enforcement and awareness drives on top of this central base; they generally don't write a separate "auxiliary lamp law."
The mandatory lighting baseline
Sets out the lighting every vehicle must carry — rear lamps visible from 75 metres on a motorcycle, a lamp illuminating the registration plate, and requirements on obligatory head lamps. Auxiliary lights sit outside this baseline, as additions to it.
Beam aiming, not just brightness
Any forward-facing lamp must be built and maintained so its beam meets the standards under Rules 124 and 124A. This is the rule most commonly cited against auxiliary lights that dazzle oncoming traffic.
Colour is not optional
No motor vehicle shall show a red light to the front, or a light other than red to the rear. There is no exception here for auxiliary riding lights — which is also why amber is repeated so often as the safer supplementary colour choice.
The most overlooked rule in this whole topic
No spot-light or search-light shall be carried on the front of any vehicle except in exceptional circumstances with the prior approval of the registering authority. A genuine narrow-beam spotlight fitted without that approval sits in direct tension with this rule, regardless of brand or price.
Retrofits need an authorised channel
Any alteration must be carried out by the OEM, an authorised dealer, or a workshop/service station authorised by the State Government, and be certified — typically on Form 22F. Fitting auxiliary lighting counts as a retrofitment under this framework.
Penalties: Section 182A penalises non-compliance with notified alteration standards, with fines running into thousands of rupees and escalating for repeat violations; unauthorised structural alteration under Section 52 carries its own separate exposure. Figures move with amendments — confirm current ones with your RTO before treating any number as final.
Nationwide, Not 29 Laws
Rules across India: what changes by state?
India does not run 29 separate auxiliary-lamp laws — the Motor Vehicles Act and CMVR apply nationwide. What genuinely varies is enforcement intensity and, in a handful of states, specific judicial directions. Where no distinct state-level rule was identified, the table says so rather than inventing one.
| State / UT | Framework | Extra guidance? | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard RTO/traffic police enforcement |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Assam | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Bihar | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Chhattisgarh | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Goa | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Tourist-season enforcement drives reported locally Note |
| Gujarat | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified as a separate law | Reported active RTO/police drives against non-compliant lighting in Ahmedabad and Surat Note |
| Haryana | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Himachal Pradesh | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Jharkhand | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Karnataka | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified as a separate law | Bengaluru traffic police have run large-scale drives against dazzling and non-standard auxiliary lighting exceeding AIS-130 limits Note |
| Kerala | Central, plus Kerala HC directions | Yes — ongoing court-directed enforcement | Kerala HC has repeatedly ruled that unauthorised multi-colour/LED/flash lighting violating AIS-008 cannot be treated as compliant, directing suspension of fitness certificates Strictest |
| Madhya Pradesh | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Maharashtra | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified as a separate state law | Standard RTO/traffic police enforcement across Pune, Mumbai and other cities |
| Manipur | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Meghalaya | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Mizoram | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Nagaland | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Odisha | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Punjab | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Rajasthan | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Sikkim | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Tamil Nadu | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement, periodic city drives reported |
| Telangana | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified as a separate law | Hyderabad traffic police/RTOs reported to actively target lighting mods alongside loud exhausts Note |
| Tripura | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Uttar Pradesh | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| Uttarakhand | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | A 2017 Uttarakhand HC PIL specifically examined CMVR Rules 105–111 on dazzling headlights Note |
| West Bengal | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified | Standard enforcement |
| All Union Territories | Central (MV Act + CMVR) | None identified as a separate UT law | Delhi traffic police periodically run drives against non-standard lighting; intensity varies by UT |
Two Different Questions
Installing an auxiliary light vs using it on the road
These are two different questions, and mixing them up is where most riders go wrong.
Installing asks: is this product certified, and is it being fitted through an authorised channel that satisfies Rule 112 and Section 52? A shop selling and fitting a certified product properly is operating within that framework.
Using it on a public road asks a different set of questions every time you ride: is the beam correctly aimed, is the colour compliant, is it a spotlight requiring an approval you don't have, and is it causing glare to oncoming traffic right now?
A technically installable product doesn't travel with a permanent "legal" stamp — legality behaves more like a live condition than a one-time certificate. That's why no honest seller will tell you a specific model is "RTO approved everywhere": the "using" half of the equation is decided by your riding, not the box it came in.
Tap A Card
Myth vs fact: auxiliary lights in India
"Auxiliary lights are completely illegal in India."
tapThey aren't banned outright. What's regulated is certification, colour, mounting, beam control, quantity and use. A correctly fitted light is a different legal situation from an uncertified strobe.
"If a reputed brand sells it, it's automatically legal."
tapBrand reputation speaks to build quality, not to whether your specific installation meets Rules 106, 108 and 111. A good product can still be fitted or used non-compliantly.
"More lumens means a better light."
tapRaw output with no beam control just shifts the glare problem onto everyone else. A well-controlled beam at moderate output beats an uncontrolled high-lumen unit on every practical and legal measure.
"A spot beam is best for every situation."
tapSpot beams suit open highway and little else — they're the pattern Rule 111 restricts most directly on the front of a vehicle. Flood and combo patterns suit far more everyday riding.
"Fog lights can be used like high beams."
tapFog lights are for actual fog, heavy rain or dust — not a substitute for a high beam on a clear night. Running them in clear conditions is a common source of challans.
"If nobody's stopped me, my setup must be legal."
tapAbsence of enforcement on one ride isn't a legal determination. A setup that draws no attention on a quiet Tuesday can still be non-compliant on a different day, in a different city.
"Yellow lights are always legal."
tapAmber is generally the preferred colour for supplementary lighting, but colour alone doesn't guarantee compliance — mounting, beam pattern, intensity and use all still apply.
"A relay and fuse make any setup legal."
tapA relay and fuse are correct electrical practice, protecting your bike's wiring. They have no bearing on whether colour, beam pattern or mounting position is compliant.
"Any auxiliary light can be used in a city."
tapHigh-intensity, long-throw lighting built for highway use is far more likely to cause glare and nuisance in dense city traffic and around pedestrians — exactly where enforcement attention is highest.
"RTO friendly means officially approved by every RTO."
tap"RTO friendly" is marketing language, not a certification mark. Final legality depends on the vehicle, mounting, configuration and actual road use — not the label on the box.
Where You Ride
City riding rules and best practices
Pune & PCMC / Wakad
Dense mixed traffic and heavy two-wheeler density mean glare control matters more than throw distance. Keep lights off in normal traffic; reserve them for genuinely low-visibility stretches, like early monsoon fog on the outer ring roads.
Mumbai
Similar density to Pune, with added monsoon-season low visibility where a correctly mounted, amber, low-set fog lamp is genuinely useful — only in the conditions it's designed for.
Bengaluru
Traffic police here have run large drives against dazzling and non-standard headlights. A documented, moderate-output, correctly aimed setup is worth the extra care in this market.
Delhi NCR
High enforcement visibility generally. Avoid anything resembling emergency-vehicle colour schemes entirely, and keep beams aimed low.
Hyderabad
Active RTO and police attention on structural and lighting modifications. Treat auxiliary lighting as a documented retrofit, not an informal add-on.
Chennai, Kolkata & other cities
The same principles hold everywhere: use lights only when conditions call for them, keep beams angled down and away from oncoming eyes, and never run high output in traffic.
General good practice, everywhere
- Use auxiliary lights only in fog, heavy rain, dust or genuinely dark unlit stretches — not as default night lighting.
- Dip or switch off when a vehicle approaches from the opposite direction.
- Switch off before entering a lit intersection or a pedestrian-heavy stretch.
- Never run auxiliary lighting while following closely behind another vehicle — their mirrors catch the glare.
- On highways, use higher-output beams only on open, unlit stretches, and dip exactly as you would a high beam.
Before You Buy
The checklist
Lumens alone should never decide your purchase — a poorly controlled 3,000-lumen light is worse, legally and practically, than a well-controlled 1,200-lumen one.
- Beam patternSpot, flood, or combo — matched to your actual riding.
- Lumens vs usable lightRaw figures are marketing numbers; ask how light is actually distributed.
- Colour temperatureAmber or white for road use; avoid anything reading as red, blue or multi-colour.
- Housing & IP ratingIP67 or better is a reasonable minimum for monsoon spray and vibration.
- Heat managementPoor heat-sinking degrades LEDs faster and can affect nearby wiring.
- Mounting systemVibration-rated brackets sized for your specific model, not a forced universal clamp.
- Wiring harness, relay, fuseA proper harness protects both the light and your bike's electrical system.
- CAN-bus compatibilityRelevant on newer motorcycles — an incompatible harness can throw errors.
- Warranty & serviceabilityWhat's covered, for how long, and whether spares are available separately.
- Legal considerationsColour, mounting height and beam type against Rules 106, 108 and 111.
Red Flags
Setups to avoid
Off-road/rally lights run on public roads — engineered for open, unlit terrain, not shared traffic.
Unbranded lamps with no documented specs and no serviceable parts.
Uncontrolled-glare units where the beam spills wide with no cutoff.
Incorrectly aimed spotlights — level or upward-aimed narrow beams are a direct oncoming-traffic hazard.
Flashing or strobe setups — these read as emergency-vehicle signalling.
Red or blue forward lighting of any kind — reserved in effect for authorised vehicles.
Improvised electrical taps without a relay or fuse.
Structurally unsafe mounting that compromises ground clearance or crash-bar function.
Know Your Beam
Beam types explained
02 — Our Picks
ROADLE's choice: recommended auxiliary lights
None of the figures below are legal certifications — they describe product performance. Whether a specific installation is compliant depends on mounting, colour filter use, aiming and how you actually ride. ROADLE recommends professional installation and responsible operation in accordance with applicable regulations.
Nine-model range, hard-anodized CNC aluminium housings with toughened glass lenses. Every kit ships with amber filters.
| Model | Price | Beam | Output | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L4X Ultra | ₹9,500 | Spot | 6,000 lm / 60W, 6000K | 1 yr + 6 mo |
| L4X Power Up | ₹12,000 | Spot | 8,000 lm / 70W, 5700K | 1 yr + 6 mo |
| L4X Max | ₹15,500 | Spot | 8,000 lm / 80W, dimmable | 1 yr + 1 yr |
| L6D | ₹16,000 | High/Low, 3 colour modes | 160W total | 1 yr + 1 yr |
| L4G Ultra | ₹16,800 | Spot | 10,000 lm / 100W, 5700K | 1 yr + 6 mo |
| L6R Ultra | ₹17,800 | Combo (42° + 6°) | 13,000 lm / 100W | 1 yr + 6 mo |
| L4G Pro | ₹24,500 | Combo/Spot | 10,000 lm / 100W | 2 years |
| L6R Pro | ₹25,500 | Combo (42° + 6°) | 13,000 lm / 120W, dimmable | Up to 2 years |
| L7 Flagship | ₹40,800 | Combo/Spot, multi-mode | 15,000 lm / 130W | 1 yr + 1 yr |
Six-model range from Bangalore, 5000–5700K warm white throughout, 18-month replacement warranty on manufacturing defects across the line.
| Model | Price | Beam | Output | Throw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scout | ₹4,250 | 100% Flood | 2,800 lm / 20W | 100m |
| Scout-X Top rated | ₹6,250 | Combo 50/50 | 4,800 lm / 40W | 200m |
| Delta | ₹7,749 | Combo 70/30 | 6,400 lm / 60W | 250m |
| Alpha | ₹10,249 | Combo 70/30 | 9,600 lm / 80W | 300m |
| Rage | ₹12,750 | Hybrid 90/10 | 11,600 lm / 90W | 380m spot |
| Lycan Flagship | ₹14,750 | Independently switchable 60/40 | 10,800 lm / 80W | 250m / 150m |
Side By Side
Comparison table
| Brand | Model | Best for | ROADLE recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maddog | Scout | Close-range city use only | Good starter pick for fill light, not highway throw |
| Maddog | Scout-X | Mixed city + occasional highway | Rider-reviewed as usable in traffic without complaint — strong lead for city-heavy Pune riders |
| Motorfans | L4X Ultra | Highway-focused, budget-conscious | Straightforward spot beam, amber filters included |
| Maddog | Delta | More throw than Scout-X | Balanced step-up without jumping to Alpha's output |
| Motorfans | L6D | One light, multiple conditions | Amber mode aligns with RTO-friendlier colour guidance |
| Maddog | Alpha | Highway touring | Pair with a dimmer for city use — full output is genuinely too bright in traffic |
| Motorfans | L6R Ultra | All-round mixed riding | Closest Motorfans match to a genuine "one light for everything" pick |
| Maddog | Rage | Open highway, minimal city | Least city-friendly of the range given its narrow flood spread |
| Maddog | Lycan | Full control over beam behaviour | ROADLE's pick for genuinely doing both jobs well — needs its own harness/switch |
| Motorfans | L7 | Serious highway/touring | Most feature-dense option in either catalogue |
Do It Right
Professional installation guide
Determine mounting position
Crash bar, fork or fairing mount, checked against your motorcycle's geometry.
Check clearance
Ground clearance, fairing movement, fork travel and steering lock-to-lock.
Install brackets
Vibration-rated, torqued to spec — not a generic clamp forced into place.
Route the wiring harness
Away from heat sources and moving parts like the chain and suspension linkages.
Use the correct fuse and relay
Sized to the light's actual current draw, not guessed.
Connect the switch
Mounted somewhere reachable without taking your eyes off the road.
Protect the wiring
Loom taping or conduit at any point exposed to abrasion or water.
Check total electrical load
Against your bike's charging capacity, especially with other accessories fitted.
Aim the beam correctly
The step most DIY installs skip — and the one Rule 106 is built around.
Test against oncoming traffic
Have someone check the beam from the front, at night, before regular use.
Re-check after 100–200 km
Vibration loosens brackets and connectors faster than most riders expect.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Not universally legal or illegal — legality depends on the specific product's certification, colour, mounting, beam pattern and how it's actually used, judged against the CMVR and Motor Vehicles Act.
The same framework applies to motorcycles as other vehicles, with motorcycle-specific standards like AIS-010 governing photometric approval for two-wheeler lighting.
There's no single standalone rule — relevant provisions span CMVR Rules 105, 106, 108, 111 and 112, read with Section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and the AIS standards that certify specific products.
The central framework applies in Pune as everywhere else. Use responsibly per the city-riding guidance above, and confirm current specifics with your RTO if in doubt.
Legally possible with a compliant, correctly aimed setup, but city traffic and pedestrian density make situational use — not constant use — the practical standard.
Fog lights are a recognised, legitimate category when correctly mounted below the headlight, correctly coloured white or amber, and used only in genuine low-visibility conditions.
LED is a technology, not a legal category by itself — an LED light still has to meet the same colour, beam and certification requirements as any other auxiliary lamp.
Yes, for their intended purpose — supplementing visibility on open, unlit stretches — with the same dipping discipline as high beams around oncoming traffic.
There's no single universal number in the core rules; total configuration and interference with mandatory lamps factor in, so confirm with your specific RTO before adding multiple units.
White and amber/selective-yellow are the colours consistent with the framework for forward lighting; red to the front and non-red to the rear are directly restricted under Rule 108.
Rule 111 specifically restricts spot-lights and search-lights on the front of any vehicle without prior approval from the registering authority.
Fog lights are wide, low-mounted, low-cutoff beams for low-visibility conditions; driving lights are longer-throw beams meant to supplement your high beam on open, unlit roads.
Not by themselves — beam control and correct aiming matter more than raw lumen output. An uncontrolled high-lumen light is a bigger glare and compliance risk, not a better product.
It depends on your riding — a combo beam suits most mixed commute-and-highway riders, a flood beam suits close-range or city use, and a driving beam suits highway-heavy riders.
For mixed city-and-highway riding, the Motorfans L6R Ultra or Maddog Lycan are the closest fit to "one light for everything." For city-only riding, the Maddog Scout-X is ROADLE's most-recommended starting point.
Get it fitted right, the first time
Walk into ROADLE in Wakad, Pune, or call ahead — we'll help you pick the right auxiliary lighting setup for your bike and install it properly.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Vehicle lighting regulations, homologation requirements and enforcement practices may change. Riders should verify the latest applicable rules with the relevant transport authority or RTO and use auxiliary lighting responsibly.
