If you grew up in the last century, then you probably remember a time when video games didn’t require charging, phones were attached to a cord, and the headlights of the family car were yellow. Indeed, for 50 years, yellow headlights were the synonym of a car registered in France. But since 1993, and to comply with the rest of European countries, France has imposed white headlights on all new vehicles. However, like K7s, vinyls, Laserdiscs and video game cartridges, these good old yellow headlights have recently resurfaced.
Towards the return of yellow headlights?
For the record, in France, from 1937, all vehicles on the road were equipped with yellow headlights. A specificity which according to some allows you to benefit from better visibility in difficult conditions (in addition to limiting glare), but which would also have made it possible to better distinguish French vehicles from those German or Italian in the event of war.
Still, this specificity will continue over the years, until 1992. In Europe, many countries have already switched to white headlights, and this is what France will also do the following year. Since then, while yellow remains possible for fog lights, headlights must be white, in accordance with European regulations. For several years now, apart from classic cars and old models, it has been very rare to come across recent vehicles with yellow headlights.
However, in recent months, we have seen certain automobile concepts equipped… with yellow headlights. This is particularly the case at Renault, with the Fl4wer Power concept, which was exhibited with this retro-leaning light touch. It must be said that the vehicle claims a side “hippie chic” and an inspiration straight from the 1970s, and notably reminiscent of the Renault 4 Safari and Savane.
Among many automobile manufacturers, the trend is clearly towards “neo-retro” (hello electric R5). However, if certain elements with a nostalgic tendency remain in line with the standards in force today, it risks being more complicated with regard to a possible return of yellow headlights, since only vehicles approved before 1993 can be equipped with them, in accordance with Regulation ECE 48 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Finally, remember that by equipping your vehicle with yellow headlights, it is possible to be penalized for “non-compliant lighting“, in the case where the approval report for a new car indicates the initial presence of white headlights. You have been warned.
