Is this a 'thing'?

1886

I was in my car on Wednesday night and twice spotted cars with rear number plate lights that were insanely bright

So bright that on a dual carriageway they were lighting up the tarmac behind the car by a few feet. The lights were so bright on both cars that they actually made it harder to read the registration, so doing the opposite of what lights are intended for

I found the lights quite distracting as they were so bright. I think I'd rather make my headlights brighter if anything. Has anybody else seen cars like this?

wgl2014

Yup LED bulbs which aren't really suitable but may appeal to what would have been Max Power readers a few years ago!

Jonesya

They're probably not legal - you're only meant to use approved bulbs which have the E mark, most led replacements aren't approved.

They have their uses though, I fitted one to the light inside the boot, lights it up like a floodlight, much better when you're loading and unloading stuff at night.

Jackmydad

Jonesya wrote: »

They're probably not legal - you're only meant to use approved bulbs which have the E mark, most led replacements aren't approved.

They have their uses though, I fitted one to the light inside the boot, lights it up like a floodlight, much better when you're loading and unloading stuff at night.

Now there's an idea! Thanks! The light in my boot is like a very poorly glowworm!

Crabman

LED replacements can affect the CANBUS system on some cars which detects defective bulbs. Some LEDs will have a resistor built in to combat this. Good idea to use one as a boot light though

Robisere

There is actually no mention in Road Traffic Regulations, of the luminosity or brilliance of rear registration lamps. Therefore the lamps mentioned may not be illegal. From my MOT testing days, I recall that they simply had to work if fitted, and should illuminate when sidelamps and headlamps are illuminated.

I know that it is an offence to have a rear fog lamp illuminated during good visibility, it is an offence to dazzle drivers behind your vehicle in this way. I wonder if the "dazzle" offence would apply that to rear No. plate lights?

As for LED lamps: my son has insulated and boarded out his Vauxhall Combi, and fitted a steel bulkhead. In order to allow him to work at night, he has fitted a few low-power LED lamps in the van roof and sides. It is not over-bright, but makes a big difference when he needs to load and unload in winter evenings. They are wired via a relay through the sidelights.

sevenhills

1886 wrote: »

I was in my car on Wednesday night and twice spotted cars with rear number plate lights that were insanely bright

I found the lights quite distracting as they were so bright. I think I'd rather make my headlights brighter if anything. Has anybody else seen cars like this?

How bright do you want them :mad:

AdrianC

Robisere wrote: »

There is actually no mention in Road Traffic Regulations, of the luminosity or brilliance of rear registration lamps. Therefore the lamps mentioned may not be illegal. From my MOT testing days, I recall that they simply had to work if fitted, and should illuminate when sidelamps and headlamps are illuminated.

They're unlikely to be e-Marked, which is required on any vehicle first registered since the 80s.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/15/made