Brake light out

jb66

Premier wrote: »

Try taking your car to an MOT with a defective brake light, even just the one. It'll fail!

That means the car is not roadworthy.

Therefore to use it on a public highway is an offence.

There is a possible defence under The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 23(3)(c)

I'm aware it will fail but no way would any policeman/woman do anything. I disagree saying she would probably get a fine.

Premier_2

jb66 wrote: »

I'm aware it will fail but no way would any policeman/woman do anything. I disagree saying she would probably get a fine.

So you don't think the police will bother with anyone they become aware of who is using a vehicle on a public highway illegally?

Fixed penalty code: 50.14.058 Defective light

http://www.psni.police.uk/index/advice-and-legislation/roads_and_driving/advice_penalty_notices/fixed_penalty_offence_codes.htm

Inactive

jb66 wrote: »

I'm aware it will fail but no way would any policeman/woman do anything. I disagree saying she would probably get a fine.

Try driving out of a pub car park at night with a defective brake light.. :rolleyes:

jb66

Premier wrote: »

So you don't think the police will bother with anyone they become aware of who is using a vehicle on a public highway illegally?

Fixed penalty code: 50.14.058 Defective light

http://www.psni.police.uk/index/advice-and-legislation/roads_and_driving/advice_penalty_notices/fixed_penalty_offence_codes.htm

I believe they'd possibly stop you and let you know your brake light is out, do some checks and worst come to worst give you a producer, i've never heard of anyone thats met a policeman that strict that would issue a fine for a bulb.

Premier_2

jb66 wrote: »

I believe they'd possibly stop you and let you know your brake light is out, do some checks and worst come to worst give you a producer, i've never heard of anyone thats met a policeman that strict that would issue a fine for a bulb.

In the period 01/04/04 - 31/05/08, 1069 FPNs were issued relating to Vehicle Lighting offences in the Cambridgeshire Police Area alone.

http://www.cambs.police.uk/about/foi/disclosure/FPN%20and%20PNDs.pdf

True, these may not all relate to inoperative lights, but it does seem a lot for offences such as displaying a blue light, displaying a red light to the front of a vehicle, etc, you must accept

goldspanners

the worst the op could expect for 1 blown brake light bulb (still in place) and unaware of this would be a HORT1. asking to produce documents at local police station, a fine would be well out of order.

Premier_2

The best the OP could hope for from the rozzers around here is a VDRS

But I'm not sure how much an MOT station charges to approve the form once the defect has been rectified. If it's a full MOT cost, then choosing a £30 FPN would be more economical.

flang

jb66 wrote: »

I believe they'd possibly stop you and let you know your brake light is out, do some checks and worst come to worst give you a producer, i've never heard of anyone thats met a policeman that strict that would issue a fine for a bulb.

If the police can get another tick in the box and make some money out the good old motorist they WILL!
Do not give the police an excuse to pull you over. They WILL check the rest of your car and will ALWAYS try and find faults.

spugzbunny

hello again, yes I was aware that it was illegal to have a defective brake light, inc. a duff bulb. I knew that I was at risk of getting a fixed penalty notice but I wasn't sure what the exact law was. For example, I believe that you can drive a car with no MOT if you are driving to an MOT test centre with an apointment booked.

Thank you for your many and varied replies. I can now report that the bulb cost £2ish (for 2) and The fitting also cost £2ish. The fitting was remarkably easy as it turned out so now I know! I did not get pulled over by any over zealous highway police and no fixed penalty was given!

Goldspanners - it was indeed a 380! Sterling work!

Premier_2

spugzbunny wrote: »

hello again, yes I was aware that it was illegal to have a defective brake light, inc. a duff bulb. I knew that I was at risk of getting a fixed penalty notice but I wasn't sure what the exact law was. For example, I believe that you can drive a car with no MOT if you are driving to an MOT test centre with an apointment booked...

You can, but you'll still get done if you are pulled over by the police who then go onto inspect the vehicle and find it to be unroadworthy.