Screen wash law
Author
Discussion

mr clive

Original Poster:

1,195 posts

282 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
What is the law regarding screen wash bottles?

Is there a rule that they have to have fluid in them.

If a ticket was recieved for having an empty one after being inspected by a police officer at the roadside, is it valid?

(friend of a friend and all that)

tvrgit

8,489 posts

282 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Yes I believe that they have to be filled and working at all times.

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Yes. I think it's a bit like the law on spare tyres in that you don't have to have them fitted in the car but if they are they must be ready to use at all times.

rustybin

1,769 posts

268 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
The screenwash requirement in the MOT is the only part of it that has ever been introduced retrospectively (in 1971 iirc). Everything else is based upon what was required when the car was built but if you have a fixed windscreen you need to be able to clean the outside remotely from the inside whether the vehicle originally had the equipment or not. Thus if your friend could not achieve this and could not fold his window down his car was an MOT failure and thus he was nickable.



stands back and waits to be corrected by DVD

WildCat

8,369 posts

273 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Ist a fixed penalty offence as well - I think

I seem to recall a bit of scandal in paper mit West Yorks silly BiB ... who knocked on someone's door (allegedly per GMTV und the tabloids about three year ago) to check his Cavalier parked outside house at kerb. Car had just passed MOT but was low on screen wash und had a faulty plug lead or something. He got a fixed penaly, told the press und the penalty was cancelled - but he got a caution instead.... after press mauled the BiBs ... But the guy was still miffed at the official ticking off.

mr clive

Original Poster:

1,195 posts

282 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Thanks for the info

He was given a fixed penalty for £30 I think. Offence code is apparently G123 (though he said the handwriting is poor so it might be GL or GI) if that means anything.

He was originally pulled for fancy plates but let off as he had normal ones in the car. I cant vouch for his actions after he was pulled so I dont know if its really justified

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
I'm guessing that it should be CU60 - Undefined failure to comply with Construction and Use Regulations - although CU20 - Using a vehicle with parts or accessories in dangerous condition - sounds more like what you are looking at.

>> Edited by V8 Archie on Friday 24th June 15:23

tvrgit

8,489 posts

282 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
V8 Archie said:
Yes. I think it's a bit like the law on spare tyres in that you don't have to have them fitted in the car but if they are they must be ready to use at all times.

You don't HAVE to carry a spare tyre - but if you do, then it must be legal.

I thought you HAD to have screenwashers fitted, even to cars that pre-dated the law (as somebody else said above).

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
I stand corrected on that then.

Dwight VanDriver

6,583 posts

274 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Reg 34 RV [Con and Use] Regs

If fitted with windscreen, unless driver can see to the front without looking through it, vehicle has to have one or more efficient automatic wipers capable of clearing the screen so that the driver can see to the road in front, AND
where wipers fitted just also have a windscreen washer capable of clearing mud or simiular deposit, AND
Every wiper and washer fitted shall at all times whilst the vehicle is on a road, shall be maintained in efficient working order and be properly adjusted.

Nothing in the bottle, which is part of the system, then it isn't working, innit.

Re bald spare tyre, any offence regarding a tyre is whilst fitted and BEING USED on a road . There is no requirement that a spare has to be carried, neither is there a requirement for it to comply, BUT if used on a road following a puncture replacement then it has to comply.

DVD

tvrgit

8,489 posts

282 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Dwight VanDriver said:
Re bald spare tyre, any offence regarding a tyre is whilst fitted and BEING USED on a road . There is no requirement that a spare has to be carried, neither is there a requirement for it to comply, BUT if used on a road following a puncture replacement then it has to comply.


V8 Archie said:
I stand corrected on that then.


Add me to the "stand corrected" club.

Cooperman

4,428 posts

280 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Dwight VanDriver said:
Reg 34 RV [Con and Use] Regs

If fitted with windscreen, unless driver can see to the front without looking through it, vehicle has to have one or more efficient automatic wipers capable of clearing the screen so that the driver can see to the road in front, AND
where wipers fitted just also have a windscreen washer capable of clearing mud or simiular deposit, AND
Every wiper and washer fitted shall at all times whilst the vehicle is on a road, shall be maintained in efficient working order and be properly adjusted.

Nothing in the bottle, which is part of the system, then it isn't working, innit.

Re bald spare tyre, any offence regarding a tyre is whilst fitted and BEING USED on a road . There is no requirement that a spare has to be carried, neither is there a requirement for it to comply, BUT if used on a road following a puncture replacement then it has to comply.

DVD


Otherwise you could not get the spare wheel, or any other wheel, to the tyre shop to get a new one!

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

291 months

Friday 24th June 2005
quotequote all
Similarly any lorry with a lift axle that is up and has a bald tyre is not contravening the law (assuming not overweight,etc) because the tyre is not on the road.

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Saturday 25th June 2005
quotequote all
I'm a little surprised about the tyre thing 'cause I'm sure you fail the MOT if your spare is not legal.

I could believe that it is not an offence to carry an illegal tyre if you are taking it to get fixed or replaced or otherwise dispose of it though.

gone

6,649 posts

293 months

Saturday 25th June 2005
quotequote all
V8 Archie said:
I'm a little surprised about the tyre thing 'cause I'm sure you fail the MOT if your spare is not legal.


Spare tyre is not part of an MOT. If you do nnot have a spare tyre when the vehicle is tested, as long as everything else is serviceable the vehicle will pass.
If spare is bald, vehicle will pass as long as it is not fitted to any of the wheel hubs.

Many TVR/Porsche/Ferrari do not carry a spare anyway.

tvrgit

8,489 posts

282 months

Saturday 25th June 2005
quotequote all
I'm sure that the spare tyre is part of MOT - if you have one, it must be legal.

But you don't have to have one - cue much removing of dodgy spare tyres at MOT time. Been there, done that.

I know that this used to be the case, perhaps the rules have changed recently.

WildCat

8,369 posts

273 months

Saturday 25th June 2005
quotequote all
Per a VOSA leaflet picked up in garage...

WHAT IST INCLUDED IN MOT TEST

Vehicle Structure - free from excessive corrosion of damage in specific place - no sharp edges

Fuel Sytstem No leaks - Cap has to fasten securely und they open the fuel cap to check.

Exhaust emission Vehicle meet requirement of exhaust emission - depend on age und fuel type of vehicle.

Exhaust system Secure, complete und not leaks und has to have the silencer

Seat belts All seat belts are checked for type, condition, operation und security. All compulsory belts must be in place.

Seat Front seats are checked to be secure und they check the back seats are secured in upright position

Doors They have to open und close - und latches have to be secure und the front doors whoud opne form inside und outside car unbd rear doors should also do this if car ist a saloon/4/5 door hatch.

Mirrors Presence, condition , security

Brakes Condition, operation und performance (they test them on testing machine) Removal of the road wheels ist NOT part of test.

Tyres und wheels Condition, security, type sizew und tread are tested. spare tyres are not inpsected

Registration Plates Condition, security und the digit spaces are checked (und they will check to see your scres are right colour these days )

Lights Condition, operation, security und correct colour und headlamp check to see if aim ist correct.

Bonnet CHeck to see it keeps shut

Wipers/Washers Opertate to give the clear view ahead

Windscreen Condition und driver view of road

Horn correct operation und type

Steering und suspension Correct condition und opration

Vehicle identification number Not more than one different identification number should be used on vehicle first used on or after 1 August 1980.

test does not include clutch, gears or engine und ist not really adequate proof of roadworthiness - but ist better than nothing.