When to replace a bulb?

sevenhills

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

When it's blown.

And ASAP. Don't be one of those morons with half their lights out because it's 'someone else's problem'. Just change the bloody bulb yourself.

They wont let us.

Nodding_Donkey

sevenhills wrote: »

They wont let us.

Do they have a breakdown service?

If they do call them.

BeenThroughItAll

sevenhills wrote: »

They wont let us.

Then refuse to drive the vehicle until it's roadworthy and legal then, as is your right.

System

sevenhills wrote: »

My employer recently told us to go via our manager, for the small items such as replacing a bulb.
In the past we have been told to just take our vehicles to the repair shop. It got me thinking, how long is reasonable to wait before fixing something like a headlight bulb?
It was foggy this morning, but not seriously, so I just used my sidelights. But it would be the driver that got a ticket, not the owner of the fleet.

At the company I work at our lorries are not allowed out of the yard with even a blown side marker light bulb let alone a headlight bulb. So immediately is the answer.

All lorries also have a full bulb kit in them plus any tools needed so if a bulb blows when they're out on the road the driver is expected to replace the bulb.

Unless you can prove you did a daily check before using the vehicle then the liability falls on you.

Joe_Horner

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 prohibit use of a vehicle with any defective lights (regulation 23(1) and (2)) with an exception allowed for:

(c)a defective lamp, reflector, dim-dip device or headlamp levelling device on a vehicle in use on a road between sunrise and sunset, if any such lamp, reflector or device became defective during the journey which is in progress or if arrangements have been made to remedy the defect with all reasonable expedition

So, it has to be repaired with all reasonable expedition which, for a simple bulb replacement, would normally be before the next journey. It's also prohibited to use it during the hours of darkness until it's fixed - technically even if it failed during that journey.

Iceweasel

sevenhills wrote: »

It was foggy this morning, but not seriously, so I just used my sidelights. But it would be the driver that got a ticket, not the owner of the fleet.

All fog is serious!

Driving on sidelights is the same as having no lights on at all.

You would have been better to have had the one good headlight on rather than sidelights.

sevenhills

Iceweasel wrote: »

All fog is serious!

Driving on sidelights is the same as having no lights on at all.

You would have been better to have had the one good headlight on rather than sidelights.

As the Highway Code says, I could see "100m ahead of you", so I did not need headlights or fog lights.

BeenThroughItAll

sevenhills wrote: »

As the Highway Code says, I could see "100m ahead of you", so I did not need headlights or fog lights.

Oh, so you're one of those people.

"Sod everyone else, I'm within my rights not to bother."

sevenhills

Joe_Horner wrote: »

So, it has to be repaired with all reasonable expedition which, for a simple bulb replacement, would normally be before the next journey. It's also prohibited to use it during the hours of darkness until it's fixed - technically even if it failed during that journey.

I have sent my leader an email, we were asked to seek his permission for 'running repairs', I find an email gets action.

sevenhills

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Oh, so you're one of those people.

"Sod everyone else, I'm within my rights not to bother."

No, I prefer bikers and cyclists to be seen, and not blinded by a mass of headlights.

I like to follow the Highway Code, not just decide to follow everyone else and headlights at 4pm.