Do I need my high beam 'passing/flashing' button for a MOT?
Discussion
During the weekend, I was doing work to get the bike ready for its yearly visit for a MOT, including a yearly clean to keep Mr Tester happy 
Main one was fixing my dipped beam, which has been out of action due to a break in the main loom. While it is now fixed, I found that the break (or another break) was to the Passing button, and will make a connection when I manipulate the wiring loom, and work.
High beams work fine otherwise, and this is a 12V+ feed in parallel that runs to the bulb. So 12V can come from either the light switch, or the circuit from the passing button. I am sure this must be feed a separate/constant 12V, but would have to check my wiring diagram (thank god I have a proper workshop manual)
Anyhow, checking the wording of the MOT tests, nothing specifically says if I need my passing/flashing button to work. Anyone?
Main one was fixing my dipped beam, which has been out of action due to a break in the main loom. While it is now fixed, I found that the break (or another break) was to the Passing button, and will make a connection when I manipulate the wiring loom, and work.
High beams work fine otherwise, and this is a 12V+ feed in parallel that runs to the bulb. So 12V can come from either the light switch, or the circuit from the passing button. I am sure this must be feed a separate/constant 12V, but would have to check my wiring diagram (thank god I have a proper workshop manual)
Anyhow, checking the wording of the MOT tests, nothing specifically says if I need my passing/flashing button to work. Anyone?
The requirements are simple, and quite straightforward to replace or adjust, without the need of a mechanic.
HEADLIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS must be free of chips or cracks; the headlight must also work on main and dip beam, the main beam must shine directly ahead and the dip slightly lower and to the left.
INDICATOR LIGHTS must all flash at a steady rate and the warning lights function properly.
If a HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM is fitted, all 4 indicators must flash at a steady uniform rate.
Bikes must have a red REFLECTOR on the rear of the machine, either bolted on separately or as part of the tail light lens.
And in detail - it doesn't specifically say that a passing switch is required:
http://www.ukmot.com/bike/1-2.asp
1.2 Headlights
Information
This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are
. only used during daylight hours, and
. not used at times of seriously reduced visibility
If this situation occurs the vehicle presenter should be issued with an advisory notice recording the above and it should also be recorded on the carbon copy of the VT20.
A motor bicycle first used before 1 January 1931 does not need a headlamp.
A motor bicycle is only required to have a dipped-beam headlamp (but may also have a main beam) if it:
. was first used on or after 1st May 1995 and cannot exceed 30 mph / 50 kph with an engine capacity not exceeding 50cc. or
. was first used before 1 January 1972 and with an engine capacity of less than
50cc.
. any machine having a maximum speed not exceeding 50km/h/30mph
Method of Inspection
1. Check the headlamp emits a WHITE or YELLOW light
2. Check that the illumination of the
headlamp is not affected by the operation of any other lamp or the horn and does not flicker when tapped (see information column).
3. Check the condition and security of the headlamp.
Reason for rejection
1. The headlamp does not emit a light which is substantially WHITE or YELLOW in colour
2.
a. does not have at least one headlamp which illuminates when selected on:
(i) dipped beam
(ii) main beam
b. operation of the dip switch does not
(i) extinguish all main beam
headlamps and leave on at least one dipped beam headlamp, or
(ii) deflect the main beam/s to make them dipped beam/s.
c. either beam as selected is affected by the operation of another lamp or the horn, or which flickers when tapped lightly by hand (See info column)
3.
a. a headlamp missing or so damaged or deteriorated that its function is impaired. (See info column)
b, an insecure headlamp.
Twin headlamp systems
Information
On twin headlamp systems only one or both headlamp may be illuminated for either dipped or main beam. Each headlamp that can be illuminated on dipped beam must meet the requirement for dipped beam headlamps. Twin headlamps must be mounted either one above the other or symmetrically without regard to any side car and not more than 200mm apart measured from the edge of the reflecting surface. The tester should advise if both headlights should illuminate for either function and only one does so.
On machines without a battery or wtth an insufficiently charged battery, it willbe necessary to run the engine.
Method of Inspection
4. Check the condition operation and security of the switch.
Reason for rejection
4. A faulty or insecure switch.
HEADLIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS must be free of chips or cracks; the headlight must also work on main and dip beam, the main beam must shine directly ahead and the dip slightly lower and to the left.
INDICATOR LIGHTS must all flash at a steady rate and the warning lights function properly.
If a HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM is fitted, all 4 indicators must flash at a steady uniform rate.
Bikes must have a red REFLECTOR on the rear of the machine, either bolted on separately or as part of the tail light lens.
And in detail - it doesn't specifically say that a passing switch is required:
http://www.ukmot.com/bike/1-2.asp
1.2 Headlights
Information
This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are
. only used during daylight hours, and
. not used at times of seriously reduced visibility
If this situation occurs the vehicle presenter should be issued with an advisory notice recording the above and it should also be recorded on the carbon copy of the VT20.
A motor bicycle first used before 1 January 1931 does not need a headlamp.
A motor bicycle is only required to have a dipped-beam headlamp (but may also have a main beam) if it:
. was first used on or after 1st May 1995 and cannot exceed 30 mph / 50 kph with an engine capacity not exceeding 50cc. or
. was first used before 1 January 1972 and with an engine capacity of less than
50cc.
. any machine having a maximum speed not exceeding 50km/h/30mph
Method of Inspection
1. Check the headlamp emits a WHITE or YELLOW light
2. Check that the illumination of the
headlamp is not affected by the operation of any other lamp or the horn and does not flicker when tapped (see information column).
3. Check the condition and security of the headlamp.
Reason for rejection
1. The headlamp does not emit a light which is substantially WHITE or YELLOW in colour
2.
a. does not have at least one headlamp which illuminates when selected on:
(i) dipped beam
(ii) main beam
b. operation of the dip switch does not
(i) extinguish all main beam
headlamps and leave on at least one dipped beam headlamp, or
(ii) deflect the main beam/s to make them dipped beam/s.
c. either beam as selected is affected by the operation of another lamp or the horn, or which flickers when tapped lightly by hand (See info column)
3.
a. a headlamp missing or so damaged or deteriorated that its function is impaired. (See info column)
b, an insecure headlamp.
Twin headlamp systems
Information
On twin headlamp systems only one or both headlamp may be illuminated for either dipped or main beam. Each headlamp that can be illuminated on dipped beam must meet the requirement for dipped beam headlamps. Twin headlamps must be mounted either one above the other or symmetrically without regard to any side car and not more than 200mm apart measured from the edge of the reflecting surface. The tester should advise if both headlights should illuminate for either function and only one does so.
On machines without a battery or wtth an insufficiently charged battery, it willbe necessary to run the engine.
Method of Inspection
4. Check the condition operation and security of the switch.
Reason for rejection
4. A faulty or insecure switch.
defblade said:
Thunderbird_one said:
With all lights either car or bike, if it's there it needs to work.
My car passed with reversing lights out (garage did point it out, turned out to be switch on the gearbox) so this can not be true.My bike failed an MoT a few years back as the parking/side light didn't work. I'd taken it for the MoT with the fairing off and the light is on the fairing. The tester told me that even though it's not a legal requirement to have such a light, the fact that I've got a switch for it means it must work. I'd have expected the flash to be the same, even though it's not in the requirement posted above, neither is any mention of my parking light issue.
RizzoTheRat said:
My bike failed an MoT a few years back as the parking/side light didn't work. I'd taken it for the MoT with the fairing off and the light is on the fairing. The tester told me that even though it's not a legal requirement to have such a light, the fact that I've got a switch for it means it must work. I'd have expected the flash to be the same, even though it's not in the requirement posted above, neither is any mention of my parking light issue.
I think it failed that time because of this :1.1 Front & Rear position lamps
Information
This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are
. only used during daylight hours, and
. not used at times of seriously reduced visibility
If this situation occurs the machine presenter should be issued with an advisory notice recording the above and it should also be recorded on the carbon copy of the VT20.
Method of Inspection
1. With the front and rear position lamps switched on, check the lamps for (See information column).
a. presence
b. condition
c. security.
d. fitment and visibility
Reason for rejection
1. An obligatory lamp (see information column)
a. missing
b. so damaged or deteriorated that its function is impaired
c. an insecure lamp
d. is obscured or does not face the front or rear as appropriate
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