Search Legislation

Advanced Search

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.

  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART I PRELIMINARY

    1. 1.Commencement, citation and revocations

    2. 2.Statement under section 43(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988

    3. 3.Interpretation

    4. 3A.Equivalent standards

    5. 4.Exemptions—General

    6. 4A.Exemptions—Vehicle Examiners

    7. 5.Exemptions—Temporarily imported vehicles and vehicles proceeding to a port for export

    8. 6.Exemptions—Vehicles towing or being towed

    9. 7.Exemptions—Military vehicles

    10. 8.Exemptions—Invalid carriages

    11. 9.Exemptions—Vehicles drawn or propelled by hand

    12. 9A.Exemptions—Tramcars

    13. 9B.Modifications in relation to vehicles approved under the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996

    14. 10.Provision as respects Trade Descriptions Act 1968

  3. PART II REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE FITTING OF LAMPS, REFLECTORS, REAR MARKINGS AND DEVICES

    1. 11.Colour of light shown by lamps and reflectors

    2. 12.Movement of lamps and reflectors

    3. 13.Lamps to show a steady light

    4. 14.Filament lamps

    5. 15.General requirements for electrical connections

    6. 16.Restrictions on fitting blue warning beacons, special warning lamps and similar devices

    7. 17.Obligatory warning beacons

    8. 17A.Signs on buses carrying children

    9. 18.Obligatory lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

    10. 19.Restrictions on the obscuration of certain obligatory lamps and reflectors

    11. 20.Optional lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

    12. 20A.Application of the ECE conspicuity requirements

    13. 21.Projecting trailers and vehicles carrying overhanging or projecting loads or equipment

    14. 22.Additional side marker lamps

  4. PART III REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MAINTENANCE AND USE OF LAMPS, REFLECTORS, REAR MARKINGS AND DEVICES

    1. 23.Maintenance of lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

    2. 23A.Review

    3. 24.Requirements about the use of front and rear position lamps, rear registration plate lamps, side marker lamps and end-outline marker lamps

    4. 25.Requirements about the use of headlamps and front fog lamps

    5. 26.Requirements about the use of warning beacons

    6. 27.Restrictions on the use of lamps other than those to which regulation 24 refers

  5. PART IV TESTING AND INSPECTION OF LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND REFLECTORS

    1. 28.Testing and inspection of lighting equipment and reflectors

  6. Signature

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      OBLIGATORY LAMPS, REFLECTORS, REAR MARKINGS AND DEVICES

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory front position lamps and to optional front position lamps to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 12.Other requirements– (a) Except in the case of a vehicle...

        2. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule– “approval mark” means– in relation to...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional front position lamps

        1. 1.In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used...

        2. 2.In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used...

        3. 3.In the case of any other vehicle any number of...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      1. PART I requirements relating to obligatory dim-dip devices and running lamps

        1. 1.A dim-dip device fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall cause...

        2. 2.Running lamps fitted to satisfy regulation 18 shall be in...

        3. 3.— The electrical connections to the obligatory dim-dip device shall...

        4. 4.The electrical connections to the obligatory running lamps shall be...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional dim-dip devices and running lamps

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory dipped-beam headlamps and to optional dipped-beam headlamps to the extent specified in part ii

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional dipped-beam headlamps

        1. 1.In the case of a vehicle with three or more...

        2. 2.In the case of any other vehicle, any number may...

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory main-beam headlamps and to optional main-beam headlamps to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 10.Electrical connections– (a) Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed...

        2. 12.Other requirements– (a) Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed...

        3. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule– “approval mark” means– a marking designated...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional main-beam headlamps

    6. SCHEDULE 6

      requirements relating to optional front fog lamps

      1. 12.Other requirements– Every front fog lamp shall be so constructed...

      2. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule “appproval mark” means either– a marking...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory direction indicators and to optional direction indicators to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 10.Electrical connections– (a) All indicators on one side of a...

        2. 11.Tell-tale– (a) One or more indicators on each side of...

        3. 12.Other requirements– (a) Every indicator (other than a semaphore arm,...

        4. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule “approval mark” means either– a marking...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional direction indicators

        1. 1.No vehicle shall be fitted with a total of more...

        2. 2.Any number of side indicators may be fitted to the...

        3. 3.The only other requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect...

      3. PART III

    8. 8

      Hazard warning signal devices

    9. SCHEDULE 9

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory side marker lamps and to optional side marker lamps to the extent specified in part ii

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional side marker lamps

    10. SCHEDULE 10

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory rear position lamps and to optional rear position lamps to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 12.Other requirements– (a) Except in the case of a motor...

        2. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule– “approval mark” means– in relation to...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional rear position lamps

    11. SCHEDULE 11

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory rear fog lamps and to optional rear fog lamps to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 12.Other requirements– Where two rear fog lamps are fitted to...

        2. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule “approval mark” means either– a marking...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional rear fog lamps

        1. 1.In the case of a motor vehicle first used before...

        2. 2.In the case of a motor vehicle first used on...

    12. SCHEDULE 12

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory stop lamps and to optional stop lamps to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 10.Electrical connections– (a) Every stop lamp fitted to–

        2. 12.Other requirements– Where two stop lamps are required to be...

        3. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule “approval mark” means– in relation to...

      2. PART II Rrequirements relating to optional stop lamps

    13. SCHEDULE 13

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory end-outline marker lamps and to optional end-outline marker lamps to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 12.Other requirements– The two lamps which emit white light towards...

        2. 13.Definitions– In this Schedule, “approval mark” means the aproval mark...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional end-outline marker lamps

    14. SCHEDULE 14

      1. PART I Requirements relating to Obligatory Reversing Lamps

      2. PART II requirements relating to optional reversing lamps

        1. 12.Definitions– In this Schedule “approval mark” means either– a marking...

    15. SCHEDULE 15

      requirements relating to obligatory rear registration plate lamps

      1. 12.Definitions– In this Schedule “approval mark” means– in relation to...

      2. 13.In this Schedule, references to a rear registration plate do...

    16. SCHEDULE 16

      requirement relating to obligatory and optional warning beacons

      1. 2.Position– Every warning beacon shall be so mounted on the...

      2. 3.Angles of visibility– The light shown from at least one...

      3. 11.Other requirements– The light shown by any one warning beacon...

    17. SCHEDULE 17

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory side retro reflectors and optional side retro reflectors to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 9.Definitions– (a) In this Schedule “approval mark” means either–

      2. PART II REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL SIDE RETRO REFLECTORS

    18. SCHEDULE 18

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory rear retro reflectors and optional rear retro reflectors to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 8.Other requirements– (a) Except in the case of a motor...

        2. 9.Definitions– In this Schedule– “approval mark” means either– a marking...

      2. PART II REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL REAR RETRO REFLECTORS

        1. 1.Any number may be fitted and the only requirements in...

        2. 2.But The colour of rear retro reflectors fitted to a...

        3. 3..The colour of rear retro reflectors fitted to—

    19. SCHEDULE 19

      1. PART I REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OBLIGATORY REAR MARKINGS AND OPTIONAL REAR MARKINGS TO THE EXTENT SPECIFIED IN PART II

        1. 7.Other requirements— A rear marking of a type shown in...

        2. 8.Definitions— In this Schedule— (a) “approval mark” means a marking...

      2. PART II REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL REAR MARKINGS

      3. PART III RE AR MARKINGS PRESCRIBED FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FIRST USED BEFORE 1 APRIL 1996 AND TRAILERS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1 OCTOBER 1995

      4. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ABOVE DIAGRAMS

        1. 1.A rear marking of a type shown in one of...

        2. 2.Any variation in a dimension (other than as to the...

        3. 3.Any variation in a dimension as to the height of...

        4. 4.Any variation in a dimension as to the angle of...

        5. 5.A rear marking of a type shown in diagrams 1...

        6. 6.The height of each half of the marking shown in...

        7. 7.All letters incorporated in a rear marking of a type...

      5. PART IV RE AR MARKINGS PRESCRIBED FOR MOTOR VEHICLES WHENEVER FIRST USED AND TRAILERS WHENEVER MANUFACTURED

    20. SCHEDULE 20

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory pedal retro reflectors and optional pedal retro reflectors to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 7.Definitions– In this Schedule “British Standard mark” means the specification...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional pedal retro reflectors

    21. SCHEDULE 21

      1. PART I Requirements relating to obligatory front retroreflectors and to optional front retro reflectors to the extent specified in part ii

        1. 8.Other requirements– (a) Where two front reflectors are required to...

        2. 9.Definitions– In this Schedule– “approval mark” means either– a marking...

      2. PART II Requirements relating to optional front retro reflectors

    22. SCHEDULE 21A

    23. 22

      Diagram showing where unlit parking is not permitted near a junction

    24. 23

      Example of marking showing the vertical downwards inclination of the dipped-beam headlamps

    25. SCHEDULE 24

      Requirements relating to daytime running lamps

  8. Explanatory Note

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Instrument

The Whole Instrument you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Instrument as a PDF

The Whole Instrument you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Instrument

The Whole Instrument you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources