Is it legal to drive with the headlight missing?

[steve_bmw]

Wife bumped my z4 on the drive and pulled the bumper off and broke the brackets on the headlight.
I need to order the repair kit from Bmw tomorrow.
Can I drive in the day with the headlight unit missing?
Probably not legal I'm guessing but under the circumstances would it be ok.
Cheers

[SteveR1979]

As long as you have no sharp edges and don't drive at night, I'd do it.

Day time MOT's let cars run with no lights at all...........

[steve_bmw]

Hi, no sharp edges just a big hole.

[PorkInsider]

SteveR1979 said:

Day time MOT's let cars run with no lights at all...........

There's no such thing as a day time MOT. The MOT test requires that if lights are fitted they must work, though..

Not sure what would apply regarding one light present and one missing but I can't see you having any problems driving it in daylight.

[steve_bmw]

Thanks guys, hopefully Bmw can get me the parts for Saturday.

[R8Steve]

PorkInsider said:

SteveR1979 said:

Day time MOT's let cars run with no lights at all...........

There's no such thing as a day time MOT. The MOT test requires that if lights are fitted they must work, though..

Not sure what would apply regarding one light present and one missing but I can't see you having any problems driving it in daylight.

Daytime MOT's do exist and are possible.

[threespires]

How much is the new headlamp?

[Puddenchucker]

R8Steve said:

PorkInsider said:

SteveR1979 said:

Day time MOT's let cars run with no lights at all...........

There's no such thing as a day time MOT. The MOT test requires that if lights are fitted they must work, though..

Not sure what would apply regarding one light present and one missing but I can't see you having any problems driving it in daylight.

Daytime MOT's do exist and are possible.

1.1 Front and Rear Position Lamps and Registration Plate Lamps

This inspection applies to all vehicles, except those which either have no front or 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 a VT32 (advisory notice) recording the above.

[steve_bmw]

threespires said:

How much is the new headlamp?

I think a new unit is around £500 as it's the xenon type.

[PorkInsider]

Puddenchucker said:

R8Steve said:

PorkInsider said:

SteveR1979 said:

Day time MOT's let cars run with no lights at all...........

There's no such thing as a day time MOT. The MOT test requires that if lights are fitted they must work, though..

Not sure what would apply regarding one light present and one missing but I can't see you having any problems driving it in daylight.

Daytime MOT's do exist and are possible.

1.1 Front and Rear Position Lamps and Registration Plate Lamps

This inspection applies to all vehicles, except those which either have no front or 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 a VT32 (advisory notice) recording the above.

Exactly.

An MOT is an MOT.

If you don't have lights you'll get a VT32 along with the certificate saying no lights are fitted and hence the advice regarding not using in the dark/poor visibility. In the same way that you'd get an advisory saying they couldn't check one of the seat belts due to a child seat being fitted, or any other notable point.

Edited by PorkInsider on Thursday 8th September 21:50

[R8Steve]

VT32 advisory notes don't necessarily mean something needs to be fixed though, for example, my race car says 'car extensively modified for competition use'

Here is vosas answer to the daylight mot question -

Thank you for your e-mail enquiry concerning daytime MOT's

The testing guidelines state that vehicles can be exempt from having lamps tested if they meet the following criteria:-

machines which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are:-
only used in daylight hours
not used in times of serious reduced visibility


The following items/lamps are not required to be tested in order for a MOT to pass a daylight MOT test as long as they meet the criteria above.
Front and Rear position lamps
Headlamps
Stop Lamps
Rear Reflectors
Direction Indicators

VOSA can only advise on MOT standards queries. For information on the legal requirements you will need to address your enquiry to the Department for Transport, as they deal with the Construction and Use Regulations and Road Law.

The Department for Transport can be telephoned on 0300 330 3000, or you can visit their website at www.dft.gov.uk for further contact information.

I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards,

Robert Evans
VOSA Contact Centre
Operations Directorate
Tel: [phone]

This does not particularly help the op of course as its only one headlight missing and he's not going for an mot.

[supersport]

Simply smash up (or tape up) the other side and possibly rear lights

[surveyor]

It's got an MOT, what's the big deal?

Surely it's more about other laws.

See a post from DWD

Dwight VanDriver said:

For your illumination:

Road Vehicle Lighting Regs 1989

23.—(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle unless the headlamps are in good working order and, in the case of a lamp, clean.

This does not apply to a a defective lamp on a vehicle in use on a road between sunrise and sunset, if any such lamp became defective during the journey which is in progress or if arrangements have been made to remedy the defect with all reasonable expedition.

dvd

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=634039

[Tom1312]

Hate to be "that" guy however, the leading edge of your bonnet looks fairly sharp.

[anonymous-user]

The front indicators are integral to the headlight on the z4, yes you have side repeaters but your still missing a indicator at the front... This is how they will screw you.

[steve_bmw]

I made it to work ok and BMW have the parts ready to collect in the morning so it will be sorted tomorrow.
cheers

[steve_bmw]

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

The front indicators are integral to the headlight on the z4, yes you have side repeaters but your still missing a indicator at the front... This is how they will screw you.

ill use hand signals to turn right.

[wibble cb]

Years ago I drove through a police check point with a one eyed Morris minor, I wasn't even stopped, I think so long as you are using it at night you would be ok, but if the indicator is also not there, that may be more of an issue!

[anonymous-user]

steve_bmw said:

ill use hand signals to turn right.

This is appropriate for when you have a indicator bulb out but with a missing headlight you will have no excuse as you will be missing a indicator, anyway sounds like your set on it so good luck

[Barkychoc]

You say there are no sharp edges - I think dibble may think otherwise on that bonnet leading edge where the light is missing