Stopped by police need advise please. Vechile Defect Rectification Notice

Ed30reflex

Hi Guys, need some advise as I don’t feel to comfortable right now. 

I got stopped by police during work, they said it was due to my break light being out (after reading out my rights) long story short they have given me a Notice to get the break light changed and then signed and checked by a MOT tester what is fine, I agree I shouldn’t of driven with a break light out! What I am unsure about is during the process of taking my details, they requested my phone number and my email adress. 

Why would they need my email address more specifically and also my contact number. Please not that I am unable to email proof of confirmation to them and I must send my post or in person so don’t see the need for them taking my email, and want to no if they abused there power, if I should of said no, 

Please let me know so In future I can no my rights better, I just don’t see any need for them to have my email and reason to request me to provide it. I was stopped in a massive crowed outside my delivery pick up and didn’t want to make a scene so gave them the details but now feel a bit down that I didn’t ask why or say is this a legal requirement. I know from my own Experience that sometimes even honestly asking police about my rights they have gone down harder on me or just been rude as if I said anything back it’s a excuse for them to do more.

Aretnap

I'm fairly sure that the only information you are legally required to give them is your name and address, and the name and address of the vehicle owner (if different). Along with a requirement to produce your driving licence, insurance documents etc.

On the other hand, they have no obligation to give you a VDRN - they could just have given you a fixed penalty instead. So if you want the chance to get the brake light fixed rather than having to pay the fine, you have to comply with any requirements they attach to the VDRN. So if you don't want to give your Email address the alternative is to go on about your rights, pay the fine and go home and congratulate yourself on sticking it to the man. 

Grey_Critic

Think you are looking for problems. When you are stopped then tney ask fo your details, not been stopped for many years so email address never came into it. Get it fixed and signed off and move on. I do know that arguing your rights is a sure fire way of making your life difficult particularly if it is something as minor as a brakelight out.

MX5huggy

Without an email address they would not be able to send you the customer satisfaction survey that I’m sure is on it’s way. You can’t go to the toilet these days with “rating you experience”.

Mickey666

Surely the OP has more than one email address?
Everyone should have a 'spare' email address for using on things like ordering stuff online or even forums, for example.
If I was stopped by police and asked for my email address, I'd give them one of my spare gmail ones.  When the matter in hand has died down, just delete the email address.

interstellaflyer

Sounds a bit extreme doesn't it?  Being issued with a defect notice for a faulty brake light and requiring the car to be signed off by an MOT inspector, normal practice would be to advise getting it fixed ASAP

AdrianC

interstellaflyer said:

Sounds a bit extreme doesn't it?  Being issued with a defect notice for a faulty brake light and requiring the car to be signed off by an MOT inspector, normal practice would be to advise getting it fixed ASAP

"Getting it signed off by an MOT inspector" is part of the Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS) that's been in place for decades. Basically, it is "...and get it fixed...", but with some teeth behind it if the driver can't be bothered.

Get it fixed, show it's definitely been fixed, and that's it. Free to go.
Don't do that, get penalised.

I dunno about you, but I'm perfectly happy that that's a proportionate response to people driving around in vehicles with faults.

Mickey666

Agreed. 
Furthermore, if the OP was stopped again with a faulty light at least they would have proof that the previous fault had been fixed, so it would be clear they were unlucky rather than actively negligent.
I can't see the problem with the police requiring people to fix faults on their car - it is the law after all.

lemondrops69

I think its a very handy service the police offer, at least you found out it wasnt working, if they hadn't told you about it the vehicle would have failed its next MoT.

Anyway, I say well done lads, keep up the good work, we're all proud of you

[Deleted User]

Just tell them you don't have an email address...?

If it was me I'd have given them one I had thought up randomly on my catch-all domain. E.g. badcops@nodonuts.com

EssexExile

It's called the attitude test. If you pass you get off with a Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme (VDRS) at worst. If you fail they keep you there for hours, give you a ticket and look for anything else they can do you for - like bad spelling.

Always be nice to policemen, it cost nothing. Quite the reverse in fact.