Legal requirements on rear lights

[t_mannix]

hi, i would like to know what lights i must have on my rear of my car, it's a 1996 car, how many fog lights,indicators(2 i guess), brake lights, reversing lights and reflectors must it have, the law seems a bit strange on this one?

[Loosehead]

The general rule is , if they are fitted they must work. For example I once had my motorcycle converted for track use only, ie pattern fairing no lights at all. I called the police to ask whether I could also ride on the road in the day on the rare occasion it was necessary, they said that the law does not prescribe that lights be fitted for daytime use but any that are must work, so I just fitted a number plate screw and viola. This was confirmed to me by a friend who runs a dragcar with no lights and he was told the same thing, ie as long as it's taxed mot etc then it does not actually have to have lights at all. Anyway back to your original question, obviously most cars come with the full compliment of lights and to be legal they must work if fitted.

[t_mannix]

i mean what's actually legal, from a company called Demon tweeks, you can buy lights in parts, instead of like a whole set you pay for everything separately, and wanted to know what i need

[Skids]

You must have, at the least, two brake lights (one on each side), one reverse light, one fog light, two indicator lights (one on each side) and two parking/tail lights (one on each side).

[Ward-Minter]

skids is 100% right. Further on his point the fog light must be offside or center only.

Further further. You must have a reflector material aswell. Don't worry every car since about 1975 have a reflective cover to rear lights.

FFFurther you must have your rear number plate illuminated.

FFFFurther you must not show any white light to rear expect when gear is in reverse. Hence no cracked plastic to show white bulb etc or rear spot lights like the old Mini Coopers used to have

FFFFFFurther you must not show any blue lights (emergengy vehicles) nor green lights (doctors) Tecnically the boy racers with blue cosmetics lights or undercar lighting are breaking the law.

 

Hope this clarifies.

[t_mannix]

yes it does, thanks very much, for the record, i'm not a boy racer, just a poser :)