reversing lamp MOT legalities?

[tvrgit]

rewc said:

tvrgit said:

^Slider^ said:

rewc said:

^Slider^ said:

So no reversing lights will pass an MOT. But you may get a £30.00 fpn from the police.

If the Officer was kind enough to offer rectification under the VDRS would a MOT station be willing to check an item that is not required for the MOT?

Its down the the MOT testing station, some may charge, some may just take a look and make sure its fixed.

Any mot testing station will check anything for a VDRS as they usually chaarge for the service.

Reversing lights wouldn't come under VDRS if there's no legal obligation to have them.

So I assume Slider is incorrect when he says that a Police Officer could issue a FPN for them being inoperable?

Edited by rewc on Tuesday 26th January 21:03

Well that's my understanding but I might be wrong - I'm asking out of interest, not challenging.

ETA Since posting this, I've had a look at the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations and reversing lamps are definitely optional, not obligatory. Schedule 14 includes the requirement that they must either work automatically when in reverse gear, OR have a warning light, but I can't see anything that says you have to have them, or that they have to work.

Am I missing something?

Edited by tvrgit on Tuesday 26th January 21:33

[Ean218]

tvrgit said:

Am I missing something?

No

[^Slider^]

Tvrgit is quite correct, my mistake, as it's not an obligatory lamp!

[tvrgit]

Thank gawd for that, I thought I was losing the plot! There are a few on here who know what they are talking about and I bain't be arguin' with em...

[^Slider^]

Yep, got mixed up with the similar number plate thread Which is obligatory!

[bryan35]

tvrgit said:

Right so we've established that if a vehicle has reversing lights, they can only come on when the vehicle is reversing. We've also established that reversing lights aren't part of the MOT.

That doesn't answer the question that remains though from earlier posts: ie can you be fined if your reversing lights don't work? I don't think you can.

So again: (a) must a vehicle have reversing lights, and (b) if it does, must they work.

Ah, not my original question though! :-)

My colleagues gearbox switch thing is stuffed, so is it legal to have a switch to turn the reversing lights on, but the looks of the above, no its not, as they can come on when the vehicle ISN't reversing, and possibly also when the engine isn't running.

But, it's not part of the test, and as long as he doesn't forget the police would never know!

I think!

[tvrgit]

bryan35 said:

tvrgit said:

Right so we've established that if a vehicle has reversing lights, they can only come on when the vehicle is reversing. We've also established that reversing lights aren't part of the MOT.

That doesn't answer the question that remains though from earlier posts: ie can you be fined if your reversing lights don't work? I don't think you can.

So again: (a) must a vehicle have reversing lights, and (b) if it does, must they work.

Ah, not my original question though! :-)

My colleagues gearbox switch thing is stuffed, so is it legal to have a switch to turn the reversing lights on, but the looks of the above, no its not, as they can come on when the vehicle ISN't reversing, and possibly also when the engine isn't running.

But, it's not part of the test, and as long as he doesn't forget the police would never know!

I think!

The answer to your original question is:

(a) he doesn't have to fix it for the MOT or for any other reason; and

(b) if he does want to fix it, he can fit a separate switch as long as it has a warning light when it's on.

There!

[bryan35]

tvrgit said:

bryan35 said:

tvrgit said:

Right so we've established that if a vehicle has reversing lights, they can only come on when the vehicle is reversing. We've also established that reversing lights aren't part of the MOT.

That doesn't answer the question that remains though from earlier posts: ie can you be fined if your reversing lights don't work? I don't think you can.

So again: (a) must a vehicle have reversing lights, and (b) if it does, must they work.

Ah, not my original question though! :-)

My colleagues gearbox switch thing is stuffed, so is it legal to have a switch to turn the reversing lights on, but the looks of the above, no its not, as they can come on when the vehicle ISN't reversing, and possibly also when the engine isn't running.

But, it's not part of the test, and as long as he doesn't forget the police would never know!

I think!

The answer to your original question is:

(a) he doesn't have to fix it for the MOT or for any other reason; and

(b) if he does want to fix it, he can fit a separate switch as long as it has a warning light when it's on.

There!

Thank you sir!

i shall pass the info on.

[GuinnessMK]

I don't have a reversing light on my car, and it's passed two MOT's.

Mind you, I don't have a reverse gear either

[NiceCupOfTea]

Sorry to drag this up again chaps, I have a related question.

I have converted one of my reversing lamps to a foglamp, it works fine, but it's questionable as an MOT pass because it's slightly pink - some places will pass it, others won't.

As a result, I've fitted the 'orrible square one again for the MOT, and will remove it afterwards. As a result, I have what looks like a reversing light that doesn't come on with the reversing lights (or the foglight any more as I took the wire off for the boxy one!).

I have a reversing light and it works, but will an apparently not working light pass?

I know I could wire it up as a reversing light again, but it's a PITA and I can't be bothered!

[Colin 1985]

The kit car gets through its MOT's with no reverse lights.

ETA: I didn't read the new question, as you were.

Edited by Colin 1985 on Saturday 28th August 21:28

[streaky]

tvrgit said:

Right so we've established that if a vehicle has reversing lights, they can only come on when the vehicle is reversing.

To be pedantic, we established that the EU regs require the light(s) to come on when reverse gear is selected. The vehicle does not need to be reversing. Further, if the vehicle is reversing downhill without reverse gear selected, there is no requirement for the light(s) to come on. The UK regs allow also for a switch to operate the reversing light(s) and associated warning light, instead of the selection of reverse gear.



Streaky

[Dwight VanDriver]

Just to clear up another point.

re showing a white light to the rear:

RV Lighting regs 1989

No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except-


(b) white light from a reversing lamp;

dvd

[thinfourth2]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Just to clear up another point.

re showing a white light to the rear:

RV Lighting regs 1989

No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except-


(b) white light from a reversing lamp;

dvd

Tractors have big sod off work lights facing the rear

And so does my landrover

And not unusual on recovery trucks

[tvrgit]

thinfourth2 said:

Dwight VanDriver said:

Just to clear up another point.

re showing a white light to the rear:

RV Lighting regs 1989

No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except-


(b) white light from a reversing lamp;

dvd

Tractors have big sod off work lights facing the rear

And so does my landrover

And not unusual on recovery trucks

I suspect DVD was trying to clear up the point about reversing lamps being ONE exception to the "red light only to the rear" general requirement. The one he quoted is item (b) on a list in Section 11. The full list is :

RVLR1989 said:

(2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except-

(a) amber light from a direction indicator or side marker lamp;


(b) white light from a reversing lamp;


(c) white light from a work lamp;


(d) light to illuminate the interior of a vehicle;


(e) light from an illuminated rear registration plate;


(f) light for the purposes of illuminating a taxi meter;


(g) in the case of a bus, light for the purposes of illuminating a route indicator;


(h) blue light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to a police control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;


(i) white light from a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;


(j) green light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to an ambulance control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;


(k) blue light from a warning beacon or rear special warning lamp fitted to an emergency vehicle, or from any device fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;

(l) amber light from a warning beacon fitted to-

(i) a road clearance vehicle;
(ii) a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii) a breakdown vehicle;
(iv) a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v) a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi) a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii) a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii) a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
(ix) a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;
(x) a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi) a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii) a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;


(m) green light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with full, provisional or limited registration);


(n) yellow light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle for use at airports;


(o) light of any colour from a traffic sign which is attached to a vehicle;


(p) reflected light from amber pedal retro reflectors;


(q) reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of-

(i) a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;
(ii) a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or
(iii) an invalid carriage;


(r) reflected light from amber retro reflective material on a road clearance vehicle;


(s) reflected light from yellow retro reflective registration plates;


(t) reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a rear marking of a type specified in Part I Section B of Schedule 19 and fitted to-

(i) a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7500 kg;
(ii) a motor vehicle first used before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 3000 kg;
(iii) a trailer having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg;
(iv) a trailer manufactured before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 1000 kg;
(v) a trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles one of which is of a type mentioned in a previous item of this sub-paragraph;
(vi) a load carried by any vehicle; or


(u) reflected light from orange retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981[16] or the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 1986[17]

There you go, almost a full alphabet!

[streaky]

Not to mention the light from a mobile-phone ... being used by a hearing passenger, of course - Streaky

[mcford]

It makes you wonder why so many manufacturers insist on using amber coated bulbs for the indicators, where the coating eventually falls off due to the heat, leaving white flashing 21 watt bulbs for the indicators.

[BonzoG]

NiceCupOfTea said:

As a result, I have what looks like a reversing light that doesn't come on with the reversing lights (or the foglight any more as I took the wire off for the boxy one!).

I have a reversing light and it works, but will an apparently not working light pass?

They probably won't even check it, but to be sure you could just take the bulb out and tuck the wire in under the carpet. It's not a requirement to even have one, so they can't fail it for being broken if it isn't fitted...

As an aside I've done the fog light swap as well - the slight pink tint wasn't a problem for my MOT man, but I don't really like it. I think the only way to get rid is to drill out the white plastic from the light cluster.

[snoopstah]

My first VX220 passed an MOT no problem without a functioning reverse light (switch was faulty).

[NiceCupOfTea]

BonzoG said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

As a result, I have what looks like a reversing light that doesn't come on with the reversing lights (or the foglight any more as I took the wire off for the boxy one!).

I have a reversing light and it works, but will an apparently not working light pass?

They probably won't even check it, but to be sure you could just take the bulb out and tuck the wire in under the carpet. It's not a requirement to even have one, so they can't fail it for being broken if it isn't fitted...

As an aside I've done the fog light swap as well - the slight pink tint wasn't a problem for my MOT man, but I don't really like it. I think the only way to get rid is to drill out the white plastic from the light cluster.

Yeah - if I'm going to pull the wire out I might as well wire in the reversing light again to be sure... Ah well, better than a fail I suppose.