Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)

Many studies have concluded that a vehicle with lights on during daylight hours is more conspicuous, reducing the chance of a collision and improving safety. This is why many vehicles come from the factory with headlights that come on whenever the vehicle moves forward, at full or reduced power, or with dedicated Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). These lights are legally required in many localities, but rules aside, it’s just common sense that the more visible you make your car, the less chance of an accident. But if your vehicle didn’t come with DRLs or you want to upgrade your system, read on.

Like reflective safety equipment and apparel, DRLs were created to catch the human eye, so other motorists are aware of your presence. Vehicles that are seen are generally not the ones involved in collisions - it’s usually the vehicle that the other driver “didn’t see” that gets hit. But while by definition DRLs are meant to increase visibility during daylight hours, today they’re as much an integral part of modern vehicle styling as they are providers of illumination, and auto manufacturers have embraced DRLs to make styling statements both at night as well as during daylight hours.

On the majority of new vehicles the DRLs are constructed with LEDs, and on some vehicles the pattern they display is so distinctive that the make and model can be discerned even in pitch black darkness. But you don’t have to buy a new car or truck to get the safety and style of DRLs. No matter what you drive, you can improve your vehicle’s illumination and upgrade its appearance with a selection from the wide range of custom DRL kits displayed on this page. We have both application specific lights and universal fit lights that can easily be installed on any car, truck or SUV. Along with our custom DRLs, we also offer direct fit OE replacement LED and halogen DRLs if you need to make repairs to your factory DRL equipped vehicle.

Our custom DRLs come with the LEDs encased in attractive modules in a selection of shapes or sizes, and with clear, smoke or yellow lenses, as well as light strips that attach easily with 3M adhesive. Some modules are small enough to fit easily into bumper or grille recesses, yet provide powerful illumination. The light strips come in sizes to fit specific models as well as universal strips that can be cut to fit, so you can be creative with your installation. Weatherproof construction means you can install flexible DRL strips inside or outside the headlight housing. You also have a choice of LED display as we offer lights with individual LEDs, SMD (Surface Mounted Device) LEDs, which give a segmented appearance, as well as Plasma or channel lights that have an uninterrupted light display.

Although exact capability will vary according to brand and application, DRLs can be configured to activate according to key position, and dim or go off when the headlights are turned on. Just like many OE systems, we have DRLs that switch to amber and flash when the turn signals are activated. We also offer kits with light displays other than white, including red and blue. And for select factory DRL applications we offer circuit board kits that can be used to change the DRL color. With a wireless remote the user can select various colors, patterns and degree of brightness. These circuit boards are direct replacements for a bolt-on installation. In addition to the above, Halo rings can be used as DRLs and we offer Halo ring kits and headlights and fog lights with Halo rings pre-installed.