Ex-Service Vehicle Liveries
Discussion
Hi All!
I am about to come into the ownership of a very recently used, ex-ambulance blood transportation vehicle (specifically an Octavia 4x4).
Currently, it has still got the Battonberg (Yellow and orange) and non-functional Light bar (they look clear but obviously LEDs) and the things saying ambulance etc. have all been removed.
What is the actual law about what can and can't stay?
And how can I make it still look ambulancy but remain legal?
I am about to come into the ownership of a very recently used, ex-ambulance blood transportation vehicle (specifically an Octavia 4x4).
Currently, it has still got the Battonberg (Yellow and orange) and non-functional Light bar (they look clear but obviously LEDs) and the things saying ambulance etc. have all been removed.
What is the actual law about what can and can't stay?
And how can I make it still look ambulancy but remain legal?
CorradoTDI said:
I'm just interested why you bought it?
take it the mileage is sky high but very cheap and has good service history etc?
Pretty much! Car fits my needs to perfection and it is hilariously cheap. 250k miles which doesn't feel huge for a 2.0TDI that will have been very well maintained. take it the mileage is sky high but very cheap and has good service history etc?
I just moved and now drive far longer distances and my current car just isn't comfortable enough but finances didn't allow replacing it until this came up!
Some Gump said:
What’s the aim? Charity banger rally type affair?
If so, I’d make it really obviously a joke / fun, so that there’s no confusion.
I’d also remove the light bar, you might know it’s non functional, but you wouldn’t want to get pulled for a check over, that’d be no fun.
It will be a daily! The light bar probably has to come off sadly, as cool as it looks, unless I can maybe cover it somehow to just be clearly ornamental.If so, I’d make it really obviously a joke / fun, so that there’s no confusion.
I’d also remove the light bar, you might know it’s non functional, but you wouldn’t want to get pulled for a check over, that’d be no fun.
I just like it being ambulancy but want to know the line on keeping original bits.
Case law for something being "fitted" to a vehicle (eg. blue lights) is that it would need something more than simple tools to be made operational again. Removing a controller or wiring harness from the car completely would be ok I think.
There is the matter of the offence of fitting "a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.", but I think a clear lightbar (even one which DOES produce a blue light) could be argued to not fall within that.
There is the matter of the offence of fitting "a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.", but I think a clear lightbar (even one which DOES produce a blue light) could be argued to not fall within that.
The markings are absolutely fine. You’re not going to be confused for a police car.
The light bar should be fine. The law talks about displaying blue lights, so as long as they are not used it should not be a problem, and as they are deactivated I don’t see how it can be an issue. Worst case scenario, you get a really arsey officer who is having a very bad day, and won’t accept that it is not illegal, and you get a £50 FPN.
TBH if you’re going high miles I’d be more worried about the impact of the light bar on fuel.
The light bar should be fine. The law talks about displaying blue lights, so as long as they are not used it should not be a problem, and as they are deactivated I don’t see how it can be an issue. Worst case scenario, you get a really arsey officer who is having a very bad day, and won’t accept that it is not illegal, and you get a £50 FPN.
TBH if you’re going high miles I’d be more worried about the impact of the light bar on fuel.
Gareth79 said:
Case law for something being "fitted" to a vehicle (eg. blue lights) is that it would need something more than simple tools to be made operational again. Removing a controller or wiring harness from the car completely would be ok I think.
There is the matter of the offence of fitting "a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.", but I think a clear lightbar (even one which DOES produce a blue light) could be argued to not fall within that.
but I think a clear lightbar (even one which DOES produce a blue light) could be argued to not fall within that. There is the matter of the offence of fitting "a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.", but I think a clear lightbar (even one which DOES produce a blue light) could be argued to not fall within that.
I think that you've just contradicted your own argument there.... how can you argue that it doesn't resemble exactly what it is.......
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