Choosing headlights is not only about matching the shape of the lamp. The beam pattern must also suit the side of the road on which the vehicle is driven. Ordering the wrong traffic-side configuration can reduce visibility, create glare for oncoming drivers and cause inspection problems.
What LHD and RHD mean
LHD normally describes a left-hand-drive vehicle used in countries where traffic keeps right. RHD normally describes a right-hand-drive vehicle used in countries where traffic keeps left. Product descriptions can use the terms differently, so confirm both the steering-wheel position and the intended traffic side before ordering.
Why the beam pattern matters
Dipped beams are shaped to illuminate the road edge while limiting glare. A lamp designed for right-hand traffic generally has a different cutoff direction from one designed for left-hand traffic. A physically compatible housing is therefore not automatically road-compatible.
Checks to make before ordering
- Confirm the country where the car will be registered and driven.
- Confirm whether the vehicle is left-hand drive or right-hand drive.
- Match the exact model, chassis code, production year and facelift status.
- Check the original lighting type: halogen, xenon, LED or adaptive.
- Confirm connector, control-module and coding requirements.
- Review certification information and local inspection requirements.
Can the beam be adjusted?
Some lamps have limited mechanical adjustment, but adjustment does not necessarily convert one traffic-side beam pattern into the other. Tourist deflectors are also not a permanent substitute for a correct lamp. Use the configuration explicitly approved for the vehicle and destination market.
Get fitment confirmation
If the listing does not clearly state the traffic-side configuration, send the vehicle model, year, chassis code, existing lamp type and destination country before ordering. Explore our headlight upgrades or browse tail lights for model-specific options.