!!!UPDATED!!! Daylight MOT and lighting regs - Read this!!!

[neil748r]

Following on from the recent thread re daylight MOT and lighting regulations I've done a bit of net trawling and found the original documentation.

For the definitive answers please read this: The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations - 1989 (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm)

Takes a bit of reading but it's all there. Andy (Rushjob) has been absolutely spot-on with his previous posts on the subject.

As has been previously discussed (at length!) a daylight only MOT means nothing from a legal standpoint as the bike would be in contravention of "The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations - 1989".

Hope this will help dispel all the myths surrounding this subject.

Cheers, Neil.

[Edited on 3-9-2004 by neil748r]

[Lily]

Well I have had a quick look and didn't make much sense of it. Will have another look later when I have more time, but can iask anyone who has read it in detail to tell me if I am legal or not?

I ride my bike with track bodywork on and as such have no headlights or front indicators. I have rear/brake lights and although I have indicators on the back they are not connected. I only ever ride in daylight and bike is new enugh not to need an MOT as yet.

Am I riding illegally?

[Lily]

ok, apart from speeding, dodgy overtaking, black visor, illegal cans... am I illegal :D

[748mart]

Lily

Haven't read this but as you have indicators that do not work you are definately not legal.

[neil748r]

Totally illegal Lil!

Basically, all the lighting equipment as fitted to the bike when it left the factory needs to be on there. This includes the reflector on the back.

Having said that, you can swap all the stock stuff for aftermarket components as long as said components are "E" marked.

[Edited on 3-9-2004 by neil748r]

[keefer]

just to stoke up the fire then.
Good thread look at part 1 section 4 Exemptions Genral. Then part 3 paragraph a.
Ps some said that a MOT is not worth the paper its written on then why do the police give out vehicle rectification notices.

[Desmondo]

Basicaly, having a valid MOT doesn't make the bike 100% road legal.

[neil748r]

Keefer, good point!

I would suspect that that may only apply to vehicles that were not originally manufactured with the required lighting, not for a vehicle that has had its factory fitted lighting removed.

Doesn't make it clear though and would require some further clarification.

[neil748r]

I've just got off the phone with the Department of Transport and will shortly have some very interesting news to report.

They are prepared to answer my questions in writing (email) and as soon as I have their response I will of course post it here.

It should definitely be worth the wait!!!

Cheers, Neil.

[Lily]

ok, from another brief look it would appear that I should also have hazard lights ??

Or am I just interpreting this all wrong?

I can connect the indicators up, but as I have a very bad habit of not using them anyway i tend to leave them as the number plate goes on and off weekly!

I have ridden like this for two years now and although I sometimes get some odd look I have never been stopped or questioned about the bike, even riding in the police hotspot of North Wales on a regular basis.

Maybe there are some benefits to being a bird after all :) :bouncy:

[NBs996]

I wanted to agree with our very knowledgable Officer Rushjob on this one, BUT....
While Schedule 1, Table II says that a motorcycle must have a headlight, Part 1 section 4(3)(a) says that nothing in the regulation apply (i.e. Table II) if the vehicle doesn't have a position light, and it don't say anything about original equipment either. So take off your position light and you don't need to have a headlight!

So I would say not having a headlight doesn't contravene the The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 and therefor is perfectly ok!

But I'm no legal expert, so does anyone know of a test case??

[neil748r]

As I started this thread - thinking that the definitive answers had at long last been found - as soon as the issue of Part 1, 4,(3), (a) was raised I felt obligated to telephone the Department of Transport for clarification.

So far I have had a verbal response indicating that the only light you need is a brake light provided the vehicle will only be used between sunrise and sunset (as defined in the regulations).

I have now put it to the DoT in writting (email) and have been assured that written confirmation will be with me shortly.

The other possible issue is that if the lights aren't there then neither should the switchgear. I have put this to them also for written clarification.

As soon as I receive said confirmation I will post for all to see.

Thanks and be patient!

Neil.

[Edited on 3-9-2004 by neil748r]

[keefer]

WINNER
good work fella

[aws]

I have been through all this too as for a year I had race fairings and no lights nor indicators but rear view mirrors and the back seat / lights etc had not been changed - and the reply I got 2nd time around was that if the swith gear on the bike is still there then all said swith gear should all be in working order.

Cheesed me off no end as I had to purchase after market indicators in the shop before returning to the MOT bay.

Tim