Can I get a fine if the headlight bulb is not working

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Gloomendoom wrote: »

My mother got pulled over for having dead headlamp. She didn't get a fine but had to have the bulb fixed and then go to an MoT place to have the repair verified.

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/legal/vehicle-defect-rectification

I once saw woman driving a mk4 fiesta with No brakes lamps or tails lights or indicators, it was dead in the rear and about 8 o'clock on a winters evening.


When she stopped at asda I said "love your whole lighting system is out on the back brakes everything" she said "I know, MOT isn't due until next year though so I think I'm good till then", I didn't know whether to laugh or shake her in fury.

morallywrong

The police will most likely give you a warning first...its not MOT worthy in its current. Though its fine for day time driving, be careful at night if you have to drive...

highet

its obviously not an issue - I reckon now the dark nights and mornings are here approx. 1 in 5 cars I see coming towards me have only one headlight working!!! but as enforcement of road traffic laws round here seems to consist solely of sitting a van with a video camera at the side of the road to catch speeders having dodgy headlights isn't a problem at all

Carrot007

highet wrote: »

its obviously not an issue - I reckon now the dark nights and mornings are here approx. 1 in 5 cars I see coming towards me have only one headlight working!!! but as enforcement of road traffic laws round here seems to consist solely of sitting a van with a video camera at the side of the road to catch speeders having dodgy headlights isn't a problem at all

I'd say you are confusing the two issues.


Is a fine likey? No.


Is is a problem. Damn well yes. (including should it be encouraged? Hell no. Which you seem to be doing).

Jackmydad

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

I once saw woman driving a mk4 fiesta with No brakes lamps or tails lights or indicators, it was dead in the rear and about 8 o'clock on a winters evening.


When she stopped at asda I said "love your whole lighting system is out on the back brakes everything" she said "I know, MOT isn't due until next year though so I think I'm good till then", I didn't know whether to laugh or shake her in fury.

I've generally given up on telling people there's stuff wrong these days.
So many say something like "Yeah I know"
I'd still say something if it was a wheel hanging off or something really dangerous, but they don't seem bothered about having a bulb out.

System

highet wrote: »

its obviously not an issue

It most certainly will be an issue if the other bulb blows and the OP is going down a country road in the dark. Funny how I drive a truck with must be 100 bulbs between the unit and the trailer and when I leave the yard in a morning every single one works. If a bulb blows during the day there's a bulb kit and tools needed to change them in a lunch box. I also have a bulb kit in my car as well.

Joe_Horner

Paint over the side & tail lights and only use it during daylight. All good & legal then

Jackmydad

Tarambor wrote: »

It most certainly will be an issue if the other bulb blows and the OP is going down a country road in the dark. Funny how I drive a truck with must be 100 bulbs between the unit and the trailer and when I leave the yard in a morning every single one works. If a bulb blows during the day there's a bulb kit and tools needed to change them in a lunch box. I also have a bulb kit in my car as well.

Going back a bit, but a mate of mine was a lorry driver, and he said that back then the cops were always on the lookout for trucks with lights out. Is it still so?

sevenhills

burtons wrote: »

I've noticed the headlight bulb is not working on the passenger side so I'm wondering what will happen if the police stops me. I have bought a new bulb but I cannot replace it until the weekend as I've just found out you've got to remove the bumper and headlight just to replace the bulb.

You should be thinking will you cause an acidentbefore the weekend.
The Police are useless when it comes to making our roads safe.
I looked at the cars passing me last week, during darkness, 20% of the vehicles had a failed bulb and could be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

If you are stopped and given a Fixed Penalty Notice, it will cost you a minimum of £30 – far more than the price of a car light bulb. It can also ensure that you are driving safely, and that you are not putting other road users in jeopardy.

burtons

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

how big are your hands? if they're small you can do it and struggle to do it by feeling the prongs that retain the bulb in the holder of the lamp, but it can be done.

The gap between the fuse box and headlight is 30mm but the metal part on the bulb is wider than that so their is know way the bulb is coming out without removing the headlight.