To improve the accuracy of light distribution test of automotive lamp and to reduce cost, a novel light distribution test system based on moving in the plane for automotive lamp was researched to test luminance of every point on light screen. By comparing to the current rotating desk system with the best precision in China, the error transfer function was founded and errors of two systems were analyzed. Then, the accuracies to two kinds of test systems were tested with national benchmark lumeter. Finally, the best distance of automotive signal light was calculated from residual error norm. After testing JT200 headlamp and AD100 signal light, the experimental results indicate that the position precision of the system is 0.14 mm, which is 31 times that of the current rotating desk system, and luminance accuracy is 0.02 lx,three times that of current one. The experiment to automotive signal light shows that the best test distance for the rotating desk system is 2 m instead of 3.16 m used currently in China, and the luminance accuracy of new-style system is direct proportion to the test distance. These results can satisfy the system requirements of national standard in higher precision, rapid speed and the adjustable test distance to lamp.