Are green static lights lawful or unlawful ?

[Nigel Worc's]

As the title really, just a matey chat thing.

I know you can have blue static lights on the front of vehicles, but someone I know is insisting you can't have green.

It seems a bit odd if true as some headlamps have a green tinge.

[mph1977]

as 'additional position lamps' / 'fairy lights' yes ... but not if they move or in installed instead of a required light

[Nigel Worc's]

Do you have any pointers to legislation ?

I can't find anything on google that confirms static green are ok as additional "fairy lights".

[TheEnd]

Details are here-

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regul...

The general jist of it is the rear is more closely controlled than the front, the front can't show red.

[Cat]

mph1977 said:

as 'additional position lamps' / 'fairy lights' yes ... but not if they move or in installed instead of a required light

Additional front position lamps cannot be green, they must be white (or yellow if in a lamp which can only show yellow light).

There is nothing in the lighting regs which prohibits the showing of a steady green lamp to the front of a vehicle provided it isn't in place of certain obligatory or optional lamps and it doesn't cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users.

Cat

Edited by Cat on Saturday 10th October 21:01

[handpaper]

Cat said:

Additional front position lamps cannot be green, they must be white (or yellow if in a lamp which can only show yellow light).

There is nothing in the lighting regs which prohibits the showing of a steady green lamp to the front of a vehicle provided it isn't in place of certain obligatory or optional lamps and it doesn't cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users.

Cat

Edited by Cat on Saturday 10th October 21:01

Not quite.
HGV trailers, particularly tankers, will sometimes show a green position light at the lower front corners of the trailer. I have also seen a forward facing brake light in the same position, which illuminates green when the brakes are used.

[Cat]

handpaper said:

Cat said:

Additional front position lamps cannot be green, they must be white (or yellow if in a lamp which can only show yellow light).

There is nothing in the lighting regs which prohibits the showing of a steady green lamp to the front of a vehicle provided it isn't in place of certain obligatory or optional lamps and it doesn't cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users.

Cat

Not quite.
HGV trailers, particularly tankers, will sometimes show a green position light at the lower front corners of the trailer. I have also seen a forward facing brake light in the same position, which illuminates green when the brakes are used.

What's not quite correct in what I posted? If a lamp on a HGV trailer is green then it isn't a front position lamp because the lighting regs specify that they must be white (or yellow). There is nothing to prevent an additional green lamp being fitted provided it doesn't show to the rear.

Cat

[FiF]

That green light which is also sometimes seen just after of the cab on tractor units and rigids is intended to show the status of any anti lock brake systems. It's also catered for in vehicle lighting regs. It's also permitted to flash, RVLR 1989 Regulation 13 para 2 e)

[mph1977]

handpaper said:

Not quite.
HGV trailers, particularly tankers, will sometimes show a green position light at the lower front corners of the trailer. I have also seen a forward facing brake light in the same position, which illuminates green when the brakes are used.

not a 'position light' ( obligatory or additional) , something to do with brake and ABS continuity IIRC

[mph1977]

Cat said:

Additional front position lamps cannot be green, they must be white (or yellow if in a lamp which can only show yellow light).

There is nothing in the lighting regs which prohibits the showing of a steady green lamp to the front of a vehicle provided it isn't in place of certain obligatory or optional lamps and it doesn't cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users.

Cat

Edited by Cat on Saturday 10th October 21:01

additional position lights are not covered by the lighting regs - changing a sidelight bulb for a blue or green on is illegal as that changes the obligatory position light ( i.e. sidelight)

[Cat]

mph1977 said:

additional position lights are not covered by the lighting regs

Are you sure? You might want to read part II of Schedule 2 of the lighting regs it's titled "Requirements relating to optional front position lamps".

Cat

[FiF]

Having said all that UNECE Reg 48 states front position lights shall be white, and there is no provision for optional additional lights, except end outline marker lights, white to front, red to rear.

Oh what a tangled Web...

[Drumroll]

The question should be why would you want to put any "lights" that do not show anything bit white to the front of a vehicle?

[Pebbles167]

As far as i know they must be white or yellow.

[No Bend]

Nigel Worc's said:

I know you can have blue static lights on the front of vehicles..

Really? Since when?

[Cat]

No Bend said:

Nigel Worc's said:

I know you can have blue static lights on the front of vehicles..

Really? Since when?

Since forever... provided they aren't certain specific lamps, such as headlamps, position lamps, indicators etc. (whose colour is specified in the lighting regs), don't cause undue dazzle or discomfort and aren't (and don't resemble) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp.

Cat

[HantsRat]

The thing that gets me is why would any want to?

Those horrible LED washer jet lights are just chavtastic!