Interesting point about DRL

[Daim]

Originally Posted by jaygee

I'm more confused now Diam.

Okay, I'll try to do it understandable

Lets say, on the S40 base:
The first S40 II was built from 2004-2007. That was the prefacelift. Type approval was then 2003 (latest!). Probably more so 2002. This does not require DRL which cannot be disabled.
The second S40 II was built from 2008-2012. This is the facelift. As this requires a typeapproval due to the front change (this being a major alteration) it was done. This was latest 2007 but more so 2006. As this was long before 2011, DRL can be disabled (according to EU law).

Volvo though still fitted the S40 II with factory DRL from 2011 onwards. This not being a requirement, as the car had a type approval before 2011. The only reason Volvo did this, was to match with rivals with these already (so basically following mainstream trend).

The C30 facelift was introduced for the MY2011 but got it's type approval around early 2010 or even late 2009. This again means: DRL are not a "MUST HAVE BY LAW" but a "can have upon demand". The first 2011s were delivered without DRL. But from early 2011 onwards (as the MY 2011 began in 2010) they got them fitted from factory. Option was: foglights or DRL. If you took foglights, you couldn't turn your headlights off.

This is a very dry topic in the automotive world, but hey, it is still there.

Depending on how extensive the facelifting may be (different front in total like the C30 got or a different headlight like Land Rover got), a new type approval is or is not required.

So, making it short:
Type approval before 02/2011: no DRL needed. Can be disabled.
Type approval after 02/2011: DRL required. Cannot be disabled.

Some companies started fitting DRLs early or because they wanted to "mix in with the bunch". These are allowed to be disabled but sometimes the companies won't let you as they don't have the software.