Additional Lights & Position Lights Regulations 2025: The Expert Answers

Installing additional lights is the best way to improve visibility when driving at night, but the rules can be confusing. What does E-marking mean? How high can you mount the lights? Do you have to have two or can you have three? In this guide, we answer all the most common questions in a simple and clear way, so you can feel confident that you are driving both safely and legally.

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Installing additional lights is a matter of course for safer driving in our dark country. But the rules can feel like a jungle. Are you allowed to have three additional lights? Are the stylish position lights in the LED ramp really legal? And what does the E-marking actually mean?

Don't worry, we'll sort it all out. As Sweden's leading experts in vehicle lighting, we're here to give you straight, clear answers to the most common questions so you can drive with maximum light – completely legally.

The basic rule: How may Extra Light be used?

Answer: Auxiliary lights must always be connected so that they turn on and off together with the car's regular high beams. You must never be able to drive with the auxiliary lights on together with the low beams or daytime running lights. This is the most important and fundamental rule.

Can I have three extra lights? (Number & Placement)

Answer: No, it is not permitted to install three round auxiliary lights on a regular passenger car. The law requires that auxiliary lights be installed in pairs (i.e. two or four) and placed symmetrically. However, an LED ramp is considered a single unit and may therefore be installed alone and centrally.

E-marking & Reference figures: What applies in Sweden?

Answer: In Sweden there is no legal requirement for E-marking or any upper limit for reference numbers. These are generous rules compared to the rest of the EU. The reference number (which indicates brightness) is mainly relevant if you are going to drive abroad, where the sum of all high beams may not exceed 100.

Our Expert Recommendation: Always choose E-marked products (ECE R112/R149). This is your guarantee that the light is quality tested, safe for road traffic and has a correct light pattern that does not dazzle unnecessarily.

The Big Question: Are Sidelights in Auxiliary Lights Legal?

This is where it gets complicated, and this is the most common source of error. Many people drive illegally without knowing it.

Step 1: Is the position light itself approved?

Answer: For the function to be legal, it must have its own approval. Look at the marking of the auxiliary light. In addition to the ECE approval for high beam (R112/R149), it must also have R7 (or the new marking R148 ) for the position light to be type approved.

Step 2: Is the position light installed correctly?

Answer: This is where almost everyone makes a mistake. In order to use an approved parking light on public roads, the lights must be installed according to very strict dimensions, just like the car's original parking lights:

  • Distance between the lamps: At least 60 cm.
  • Distance from the side: Max. 40 cm from the outer edge of the car.
  • Height from the ground: At least 35 cm.

The consequence of this is brutal but simple:

  • A centered LED bar with position lights is always illegal to use as position lights, because the distance between the "lights" is zero.
  • Three round auxiliary lights with position lights are always illegal .
  • Two round auxiliary lights or two smaller ramps may be legal, but only if they are mounted so widely apart that there is at least 60 cm between them.

So why do so many people drive it?

The answer is simple: it's neat, and the risk of a fine has historically been low. The police and inspection have often been lenient with this. But the rules are clear, and it's important that you as a vehicle owner know them.

Our Recommendation: Connect your parking lights via a separate switch. Then you can easily turn them off during inspections or if you want to be 100% legal, and still enjoy the look at other times.

Checklist for Legal Assembly

  • ✅ Connection: Only together with high beam.
  • ✅ Quantity: Always in pairs (2, 4, etc.), except for single LED ramp.
  • ✅ Location: Symmetrical on the vehicle.
  • ✅ Position lights: Know the rules and consider a separate switch.
  • ✅ Installation: Always use a professional wiring kit with relay and fuse for a safe installation.

Do you have more questions? We are the experts!

The rules may seem complicated, but we know them inside out. Contact us or explore our range of approved additional lights and accessories , and we'll make sure you get a great light that you can use with a clear conscience.