united-kingdom european-union traffic
European prohibitions on bullbars on public roads
<p>I am looking to drive my American SUV in Europe (mainly in the UK, but also probably France, Italy and Germany). I have a hefty bullbar on both the front and back of my 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/B003TYR7MS" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">similar to this</a>.</p>
<p>Since these bullbars are so dangerous if you’re ever in a collision with a pedestrian, I am wondering if there are any laws in those countries which prohibit them on public roads. I am intending to go only for a short holiday, so I am not trying to register the SUV in Europe.</p>

<p>The answer to your question does not depend on what the laws of the UK, other countries or even the EU say about bull bars. The reason is simple: All of those countries signed the <em>Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.</em> According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Convention_on_Road_Traffic#Cross-border_vehicles" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia</a>, by signing the Convention, those countries agreed to respect each others technical requirements. As a result, any car <em>registered</em> in the US that <em>meets US technical requirements</em> can be legally driven on the roads of <em>any country</em> that signed the Convention. Thus, those countries are <em>required by the Convention</em> to allow you to drive with bull bars on their roads.</p>
<p>The power of the Convention was illustrated a few years ago when <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/florida-backs-down-on-enforcing-new-international-drivers-licence-law/article8666459/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Florida</a> passed a law requiring all foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit. Since the Convention requires signatory countries to respect the licenses of other countries, Florida had to back down from enforcing its law.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R0078" rel="nofollow noreferrer">restriction</a> pertains to their sale in the EU. The rule in art. 4 is basically</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In accordance with Article 10, manufacturers shall ensure that frontal
protection systems either fitted as original equipment to vehicles
placed on the market or supplied as separate technical units comply
with the requirements of Sections 5 and 6 of Annex I.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Possession and use are not prohibited.</p>
