Vehicle horn not operational

[wazztie16]

I believe I already know the answer, but wondered if any resident (traffic, potentially) BIB can confirm for me...

Due to take a vehicle at work tomorrow, I've been informed by another driver that a few weeks ago the horn wasn't working... They don't know if its been fixed since then, but if it hasn't, I'm within my rights to refuse to drive it?

I know what our drivers can be like and I'm 70% thinking it won't have been fixed, so can anyone point me to law where it states it's illegal? I've found the MOT manual and seen it's a major defect, would that render it illegal?

Thanks

[LosingGrip]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...

Page 80.

Horn not working at all, missing or emits a sound
likely to be confused with an official siren (note 1).

“D” denotes a delayed prohibition. Meaning it could be stopped from being used on a road until it's fixed. A FPN could be issued as well (£50 I believe but can't be bothered to get my booklet from my bag).

[wazztie16]

LosingGrip said:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...

Page 80.

Horn not working at all, missing or emits a sound
likely to be confused with an official siren (note 1).

“D” denotes a delayed prohibition. Meaning it could be stopped from being used on a road until it's fixed. A FPN could be issued as well (£50 I believe but can't be bothered to get my booklet from my bag).

Thanks for that, good enough for me. I'll see if it's working or not then in the morning!

[vaud]

wazztie16 said:

I believe I already know the answer, but wondered if any resident (traffic, potentially) BIB can confirm for me...

Due to take a vehicle at work tomorrow, I've been informed by another driver that a few weeks ago the horn wasn't working... They don't know if its been fixed since then, but if it hasn't, I'm within my rights to refuse to drive it?

I know what our drivers can be like and I'm 70% thinking it won't have been fixed, so can anyone point me to law where it states it's illegal? I've found the MOT manual and seen it's a major defect, would that render it illegal?

Thanks

Given I can't remember the last time I used my horn (oo-er matron)... which fights do you want to pick?

Worn tyres, brakes, seat belts, yes, but a horn?

[wazztie16]

vaud said:

Given I can't remember the last time I used my horn (oo-er matron)... which fights do you want to pick?

Worn tyres, brakes, seat belts, yes, but a horn?

The fights I know I can win? My work are all for making sure things are legal when it suits them, but not as quick when the driver would be at fault... It's our (drivers') licence, not theirs (work), as they're quick to tell us.

[Jamescrs]

vaud said:

Given I can't remember the last time I used my horn (oo-er matron)... which fights do you want to pick?

Worn tyres, brakes, seat belts, yes, but a horn?

I have an old Porsche and I didnt know the horn didn't work until I was driving along and someone tried to swap lanes while I was at the side of them, clearly they hadn't looked and I had no way to alert them. I managed to accelerate ahead of them but it was a hairy moment.

[Wheatsheaf]

I had a Ford Escort once and the horn had stopped working. Rather foolishly I ignored it for months. Then one day someone pulled slowly into me in a queue of stationary traffic, which could easily have been avoided had I been able to use the horn. I don't like to awkward in life but these days I wouldn't use a car knowing the horn doesn't work.

[vaud]

wazztie16 said:

The fights I know I can win? My work are all for making sure things are legal when it suits them, but not as quick when the driver would be at fault... It's our (drivers') licence, not theirs (work), as they're quick to tell us.

I agree that it could also be a symptom of other corners cut.

I think you can report it anonymously to the traffic commissioner which might at least bring in some inspection.

If they are petty enough to not be on top of basic maintenance then I doubt their HR process would support you if you refused to drive it.

[Pica-Pica]

Wheatsheaf said:

I had a Ford Escort once and the horn had stopped working. Rather foolishly I ignored it for months. Then one day someone pulled slowly into me in a queue of stationary traffic, which could easily have been avoided had I been able to use the horn. I don't like to awkward in life but these days I wouldn't use a car knowing the horn doesn't work.

I remember on old insurance accident forms, there was a box to tick ‘did you use your horn to give a warning?’

[mattyprice4004]

I definitely wouldn't be driving that - if it was my own vehicle the choice is mine to make between risk and the 'pain in the arse' factor of fixing it - but I won't have that from an employer.
If they want you to drive their vehicle, the basic functions should work.

[SteveKTMer]

Really ? Horn not working and you're going to have a strop and act like a child ?

Tyres bald or no lights or not taxed, fair enough, but a horn ? Come on, nobody will know unless you tell them and when did the plod last stop you and ask you to prove your horn works ? Never. I don't think even the busiest junior plod would even think of that !

Strewth, what has PH come to ?

[vaud]

SteveKTMer said:

Really ? Horn not working and you're going to have a strop and act like a child ?

Tyres bald or no lights or not taxed, fair enough, but a horn ? Come on, nobody will know unless you tell them and when did the plod last stop you and ask you to prove your horn works ? Never. I don't think even the busiest junior plod would even think of that !

Strewth, what has PH come to ?

If they are petty enough to not be on top of basic maintenance, what else are they not repairing?

(though I agree refusing to drive is prob ably not the right way about it)

[Roderick Spode]

Our workplace enforces daily vehicle checks via a smartphone app prior to using a vehicle, one of said checks is the functionality of the horn.

Given that it's fitted and checked for a reason, and your workplace / colleague know it isn't working, I wouldn't be taking on something I knew wasn't working properly. Once you take the vehicle on the road, it's your responsibility.

[Bainbridge]

I rarely use my horn but do lots of "hovering". If I get a hunch that someone might stray into my path, I hover my thumb over the horn. The vast majority of the time it's a false alarm, but sometimes I do need to unleash a long blast.

My horn failed (probably seized through not being used) and I did drive while awaiting the replacement, but felt remarkably vulnerable.

[Ardennes92]

Mine gets used once a year at mot time, but I did get pulled once by bib about 300yds from home, told me to get it fixed; pulled into the drive and when pushed the horn worked, easy fix

[HJG]

I press the clutch and rev the engine. Has more effect.
Big block V8 helps.

[boyse7en]

piddy44 said:

wazztie16 said:

I believe I already know the answer, but wondered if any resident (traffic, potentially) BIB can confirm for me...

Due to take a vehicle at work tomorrow, I've been informed by another driver that a few weeks ago the horn wasn't working... They don't know if its been fixed since then, but if it hasn't, I'm within my rights to refuse to drive it?

I know what our drivers can be like and I'm 70% thinking it won't have been fixed, so can anyone point me to law where it states it's illegal? I've found the MOT manual and seen it's a major defect, would that render it illegal?

Thanks

Do you really hate your job or your boss that much? You're putting a target on yourself over a minor issue like a horn not working. Save your energy for something worthwhile.

Where do you draw the line on driving an illegal vehicle? Refusing to drive a car because the horn doesn't work may sound petty, but its neglect makes it sound like the employer is cutting corners and expecting its employees to take all the risk. If they are asking the OP to use a vehicle in a professional capacity they should make sure it is legal.

[LesXRN]

I worked with Bobbies in the past who, if you failed the attitude test, would check everything, right down to the washer fluid.
Besides, if they are not fixing the horn, what else can't they be bothered with.

[Panamax]

MOT is irrelevant.

The question is whether a car without a functioning horn is, or is not, roadworthy.
The answer is that a car without a horn is probably not roadworthy, so driving it can constitute an offence.

Would I pick an argument with my employer over it? No.

[Bigends]

LesXRN said:

I worked with Bobbies in the past who, if you failed the attitude test, would check everything, right down to the washer fluid.
Besides, if they are not fixing the horn, what else can't they be bothered with.

Always checked them as a matter of course - washers/wi[pers, handbrake and horn