Part IPreliminary

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and shall come into operation on 1st July 2000.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1995 Order” means the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;

“the Construction and Use Regulations” means the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999(4);

“the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations” means the Motor Vehicles (Designation of Approval Marks) Regulations 1979(5);

“agricultural vehicle” means a vehicle constructed or adapted for agriculture, grass cutting, forestry, land levelling, dredging or similar operations and primarily used for one or more of these purposes, and includes any trailer drawn by an agricultural vehicle;

“angles of visibility” means a requirement for a lamp or reflector fitted to a vehicle to have specified horizontal and vertical angles of visibility as a requirement that at least 50 per cent. of the apparent surface must be visible from any point within those angles when every door, tailgate, boot lid, engine cover, cab or other movable part of the vehicle is in the closed position;

“apparent surface” means for any given direction of observation, is the orthogonal projection of a light-emitting surface in a plane perpendicular to the direction of observation and touching that surface;

“articulated bus” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“articulated vehicle” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“breakdown vehicle” means a vehicle used to attend an accident or breakdown or to draw a broken down vehicle;

“bus” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“caravan” means a trailer which is constructed (and not merely adapted) for human habitation;

“cc” means cubic centimetre or centimetres;

“circuit-closed tell-tale” means a light showing that a device has been switched on;

“cm²” means square centimetre or centimetres;

“cm” means centimetre or centimetres;

“combat vehicle” means a vehicle of a type described at item 1, 2 or 3 in column 1 of Schedule 1 to the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order 1997(6);

“Community Directive 76/756/EEC, as last amended by Directive 89/278/EEC” means Council Directive 76/756/EEC of 27.7.76 (O.J. No. L262, 27.9.76, p. 1) as amended by Commission Directive 80/233/EEC of 21.11.79 (O.J. No. L51, 25.2.80, p. 8), Commission Directive 82/244/EEC of 17.3.82 (O.J. No. L109, 22.4.82, p. 31), Council Directive 83/276/EEC of 26.5.83 (O.J. No. L151, 9.6.83, p. 47), Commission Directive 84/8/EEC of 14.12.83 (O.J. No. L9, 12.1.84, p. 24) and Commission Directive 89/278/EEC of 23.3.89 (O.J. No. L109, 20.4.89, p. 38);

“Community Directive 76/756/EEC, as last amended by Directive 91/663/EEC” means Council Directive 76/756/EEC as last amended by Directive 89/278/EEC and further amended by Commission Directive 91/663/EEC (O.J. No. L366, 31.12.91, p. 17);

“cycle” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the 1995 Order;

“daytime hours” means the time between half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset;

“dim-dip device” means a device which is capable of causing a dipped-beam headlamp to operate at reduced intensity;

“dipped beam” means a beam of light emitted by a lamp which illuminates the road ahead of the vehicle without causing undue dazzle or discomfort to oncoming drivers or other road users;

“direction indicator” means a lamp on a vehicle used to indicate to other road users that the driver intends to change direction to the right or to the left;

“dual-carriageway road” means a dual-carriageway within the meaning given in Part IV of the Schedule to the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989(7);

“dual-purpose vehicle” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the Order of 1981;

“Education and Library Board” has the same meaning as in Article 3(1) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(8);

“emergency vehicle” means a motor vehicle of any of the following descriptions—

“end-outline marker lamp” means a lamp fitted near the outer edge of a vehicle in addition to the front and rear position lamps to indicate the presence of a wide vehicle;

“engineering plant” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(2) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“extreme outer edge” means, in relation to a side of a vehicle, the vertical plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and coinciding with its lateral outer edge, disregarding the projection of—

“front fog lamp” means a lamp used to improve the illumination of the road in front of a motor vehicle in conditions of seriously reduced visibility;

“front position lamp” means a lamp used to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when viewed from the front;

“first used” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 2(4) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“hazard warning signal device” means a device which is capable of causing all the direction indicators with which a vehicle, or a combination of vehicles, is fitted to operate simultaneously;

“headlamp” means a lamp used to illuminate the road in front of a vehicle and which is not a front fog lamp;

“headlamp levelling device” means either—

“home forces” means the naval, military or air forces of Her Majesty raised in the United Kingdom;

“home forces vehicle” means a vehicle owned by, or in the service of, the home forces and used for naval, military or air force purposes;

“horse-drawn” means, in relation to a vehicle, that the vehicle is drawn by a horse or other animal;

“hours of darkness” means the time between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise;

“illuminated area” means—

“industrial tractor” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“installation and performance requirements” means, in relation to any lamp, reflector, rear marking or device, the requirements specified in the Schedules to these Regulations relating to that lamp, reflector, rear marking or device;

“invalid carriage” means a mechanically propelled vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage of one person, being a person suffering from some physical defect or disability;

“kerbside weight” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“kg” means kilogram or kilograms;

“light-emitting surface” means, in relation to a lamp, that part of the exterior surface of the lens through which light is emitted when the lamp is lit, and in relation to a retro reflector that part of the exterior surface of the retro reflector from which light can be reflected;

“m” means metre or metres;

“main beam” means a beam of light emitted by a headlamp which illuminates the road over a long distance ahead of the vehicle;

“matched pair” means, in relation to lamps, a pair of lamps in respect of which—

“maximum distance from the side of the vehicle” means—

“maximum gross weight” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“maximum height above the ground” means the height above which no part of the illuminated area in the case of a lamp, or the reflecting area in the case of a retro reflector, extends when the vehicle is at its kerbside weight and when each tyre with which the vehicle is fitted is inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle;

“maximum speed” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“minimum height above the ground” means the height below which no part of the illuminated area in the case of a lamp, or the reflecting area in the case of a retro reflector, extends when the vehicle is at its kerbside weight and when each tyre with which the vehicle is fitted is inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle;

“mm” means millimetre or millimetres;

“motor bicycle combination” means a combination of a solo motor bicycle and a sidecar;

“motor tractor” has the same meaning as in Article 3(1) of the 1995 Order;

“motorway” means a road designated as a special road under Article 15 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993(10);

“movable platform” means a platform which is attached to, and may be moved by means of, an extendible boom;

“mph” means mile per hour or miles per hour;

“obligatory” means, in relation to a lamp, reflector, rear marking or device, a lamp, reflector, rear marking or device with which a vehicle, its load or equipment is required by these Regulations to be fitted;

“operational tell-tale” means a warning device readily visible or audible to the driver and showing whether a device that has been switched on is operating correctly or not;

“optional” means, in relation to a lamp, reflector, rear marking or device, a lamp, reflector, rear marking or device with which a vehicle, its load or equipment is not required by these Regulations to be fitted;

“overall length” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“overall width” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“pair” means, in relation to lamps, reflectors or rear markings a pair of lamps, reflectors or rear markings, including a matched pair, one on each side of the vehicle, in respect of which the following conditions are met—

In the case of an asymmetric vehicle, these conditions shall be deemed to be met if they are as near as practicable to being met;

“passenger vehicle” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“pedal retro reflector” means a retro reflector attached to or incorporated in the pedals of a cycle or motor bicycle;

“pedestrian-controlled vehicle” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“prescribed sign” means a sign which is of a type shown in Schedule 22 and complies with the requirements of that Schedule;

“rear fog lamp” means a lamp used to render a vehicle more readily visible from the rear in conditions of seriously reduced visibility;

“rear position lamp” means a lamp used to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when viewed from the rear;

“rear retro reflector” means a retro reflector used to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when viewed from the rear;

“rear registration plate lamp” means a lamp used to illuminate the rear registration plate;

“reflecting area” means, in relation to a retro reflector fitted to a vehicle, the area of the orthogonal projection on a vertical plane (touching the surface of the reflector)—

“reversing lamp” means a lamp used to illuminate the road to the rear of a vehicle for the purpose of reversing and to warn other road users that the vehicle is reversing or about to reverse;

“road clearance vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle used for dealing with frost, ice or snow on roads;

“running lamp” means a lamp (not being a front position lamp, an end-outline marker lamp, headlamp or front fog lamp) used to make the presence of a moving motor vehicle readily visible from the front;

“separation distance” means, in relation to two lamps or two retro reflectors, except where otherwise specified, the shortest distance between the orthogonal projections in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of the illuminated areas of the two lamps or the reflecting areas of the two reflectors;

“service braking system” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“side marker lamp” means a lamp fitted to the side of a vehicle or its load and used to render the vehicle more visible to other road users;

“side retro reflector” means a reflector fitted to the side of a vehicle or its load and used to render the vehicle more visible from the side;

“solo motor bicycle” means a motor bicycle without a sidecar;

“special equipment” means a movable platform fitted to a vehicle, the apparatus for moving the platform and any jacks fitted to the vehicle for stabilising it while the movable platform is in use;

“special warning lamp” means a lamp, fitted to the front or rear of a vehicle, capable of emitting a blue flashing light and not any other kind of light;

“stop lamp” means a lamp used to indicate to road users that the brakes of a vehicle or combination of vehicles are being applied;

“traffic sign” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the 1995 Order;

“trailer” means a vehicle constructed or adapted to be drawn by another vehicle;

“unladen weight” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“vehicle in the service of a visiting force or of a headquarters” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“visiting vehicle” means a vehicle brought temporarily into Northern Ireland by a person resident outside the United Kingdom;

“warning beacon” means a lamp that is capable of emitting a flashing or rotating beam of light throughout 360° in the horizontal plane;

“wheel” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations (see also paragraph (6));

“wheeled” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“work lamp” means a lamp used to illuminate a working area or the scene of an accident, breakdown or roadworks in the vicinity of the vehicle to which it is fitted;

“s trailer” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations.

“works truck” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations.

(2) Material designed primarily to reflect light is, when reflecting light, to be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as showing a light, and material capable of reflecting an image is not, when reflecting the image of a light, to be so treated.

(3) In these Regulations a reference to one lamp, except in the case of a dipped-beam headlamp, a main-beam headlamp and a front fog lamp, includes any combination of two or more lamps, whether identical or not, having the same function and emitting light of the same colour, if it comprises devices the aggregate illuminated area of which occupies 60 per cent. or more of the area of the smallest rectangle circumscribing those illuminated areas.

(4) In these Regulations a reference to two lamps includes—

(a)a single illuminated area which—

(i)is placed symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle,

(ii)extends on both sides to within 400 mm of the extreme outer edge of the vehicle,

(iii)is not less than 800 mm long, and

(iv)is illuminated by not less than two sources of light, and

(b)any number of illuminated areas which—

(i)are juxtaposed,

(ii)if on the same transverse plane have illuminated areas which occupy not less than 60 per cent. of the area of the smallest rectangle circumscribing their illuminated areas,

(iii)are placed symmetrically in relation to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle,

(iv)extend on both sides to within 400 mm of the extreme outer edge of the vehicle, do not have a total length of less than 80mmmm, and are illuminated by not less than two sources of light.

(5) Where a part fitted to a vehicle is required by these Regulations to be marked with a British Standard mark, the requirements shall not be regarded as met unless, in addition to being marked as required, the part complied with the relevant British Standard at the time when the part was first fitted to the vehicle.

(6) A reference in these Regulations to the number of wheels of a vehicle shall be construed in accordance with regulation 2 of the Construction and Use Regulations.

(7) A reference in a Schedule to there being no requirement in relation to a lamp, reflector, rear marking or device is without prejudice to any other provision in these Regulations affecting same.

Equivalent standards

3.—(1) Nothing in these Regulations shall render unlawful any act or omission which would have been lawful were—

(a)there to be substituted for any reference to a British Standard in these Regulations a reference to a corresponding standard; and

(b)regulation 2(5) to apply in relation to that corresponding standard and the markings relating to that corresponding standard as it applies to a British Standard.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, “corresponding standard”, in relation to a relevant British Standard Specification, means—

(a)a standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of any State within the European Economic Area;

(b)any international standard recognised for use as a standard by any State within the European Economic Area;

(c)a technical specification or code of practice which, whether mandatory or not, is recognised for use as a standard by a public authority of any State within the European Economic Area,

where the standard, code of practice, international standard or technical specification provides, in relation to lamps, retro reflectors and rear markings, a level of safety equivalent to that provided by that British Standard Specification and contains a requirement as respects the marking of such parts equivalent to that provided by that instrument.

Exceptions — general

4.—(1) Where a provision is applied by these Regulations to a motor vehicle first used on or after a specified date it does not apply to any vehicle manufactured at least six months before that date.

(2) Where an exception from, or a relaxation of, a provision is applied by these Regulations to a motor vehicle first used before a specified date it shall also apply to a motor vehicle first used on or after that date if it was manufactured at least six months before that date.

(3) Nothing in these Regulations shall require any lamp or reflector to be fitted between sunrise and sunset to—

(a)a vehicle not fitted with any front or rear position lamp;

(b)an incomplete vehicle proceeding to a works for completion;

(c)a cycle;

(d)a pedestrian-controlled vehicle;

(e)a horse-drawn vehicle;

(f)a vehicle drawn or propelled by hand; or

(g)a combat vehicle.

(4) Without prejudice to regulation 19, for the purposes of these regulations a lamp shall not be treated as being a lamp if it is—

(a)so painted over or masked that it is not capable of being immediately used or readily put to use; or

(b)an electric lamp which is not provided with any system of wiring by means of which that lamp is, or can readily be, connected with a source of electricity.

Exceptions — temporarily imported vehicles and vehicles proceeding to a port for export

5.  Part II of these Regulations does not apply to—

(a)any vehicle brought into Northern Ireland and originating from a base or centre in a country outside Northern Ireland from which the use of the vehicle on a journey is normally commenced, a period of 12 months not having elapsed since the vehicle in question was last brought into Northern Ireland;

(b)a visiting vehicle;

(c)any combination of two or more vehicles, one of which is drawing the other or others, if the combination included any vehicle of the type mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b); or

(d)a vehicle proceeding to a port for export, if in each case the vehicle or combination of vehicles complies in every respect with the requirements about lighting equipment and reflectors relating thereto contained in the Convention on Road Traffic concluded at Geneva on 19th September 1949(11) or the International Convention relating to Motor Traffic concluded at Paris on 24th April 1926(12).

Exceptions — vehicles towing or being towed

6.—(1) A motor vehicle first used before 24th January 1996 and a cycle or trailer manufactured before 24th January 1996 shall not be required by regulation 21 to be fitted with any rear position lamp, stop lamp, rear direction indicator, rear fog lamp or rear reflector whilst a trailer fitted with any such lamp or reflector is attached to its rear.

(2) A trailer manufactured before 24th January 1996 shall not be required by regulation 21 to be fitted with any front position lamp whilst being drawn by a passenger vehicle.

(3) A trailer shall not be required by regulation 21 to be fitted with any stop lamp whilst being drawn by a vehicle which is not required by regulation 21 to be fitted with any such lamp.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall apply respectively to rear fog lamps and direction indicators as it applies to stop lamps.

(5) A trailer manufactured before 24th January 1996 shall not be required by regulation 21 to be fitted with any stop lamp or direction indicator whilst being drawn by a motor vehicle fitted with one or two stop lamps and two or more direction indicators if the dimensions of the trailer are such that when the longitudinal axes of the drawing vehicle and the trailer lie in the same vertical plane such stop lamps and at least one direction indicator on each side of the vehicle are visible to an observer in that vertical plane from a point 6m behind the rear of the trailer whether it is loaded or not.

(6) Rear markings shall not be required to be fitted to any vehicle by regulation 21 if another vehicle in a combination of which it forms part would obscure any such marking.

(7) Where a broken-down vehicle is being drawn by another vehicle—

(a)regulations 21 and 26 shall not apply to the broken-down vehicle between sunrise and sunset, and

(b)between sunset and sunrise those regulations shall apply to the broken-down vehicle only in respect of rear position lamps and reflectors.

(8) The references in paragraphs (3) and (4) to a vehicle which is required to be fitted with a lamp shall be construed as if paragraph (1) did not have effect.

Exceptions — customs vehicles

7.—(1) A vehicle under the control of the Collector of Customs and Excise, Northern Ireland Collection, shall be exempt from the requirements of regulations 27 and 28 while it is on patrol within three miles of the land frontier of Northern Ireland, if the said Collector has certified that such exemption is necessary in the case of that vehicle for the purpose of enforcing the Customs Acts.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not affect any civil claim for injury or damage to person or property.

Exceptions — police vehicles

8.—(1) A vehicle under the control of the Chief Constable shall be exempt from the requirements of regulations 27 and 28 while it is on patrol within three miles of the land frontier of Northern Ireland, if a Superintendent of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has certified that such exemption is necessary in the case of that vehicle for the purpose of enforcing the law.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not affect any civil claim for injury or damage to person or property.

Exceptions — military vehicles

9.—(1) Regulation 21 does not apply to a home forces' vehicle or to a vehicle in the service of a visiting force or of a headquarters whilst being used—

(a)in connection with training which is certified in writing for the purposes of this regulation by a person duly authorised in that behalf to be training on a special occasion and of which not less than 48 hours notice has been given by that person to the Chief Constable; or

(b)on manoeuvres within such limits and during such period as may from time to time be specified by Order in Council under the Manoeuvres Act 1958(13).

(2) Where not less than 6 and not more than 12 vehicles being home forces' vehicles or vehicles of a visiting force or of a headquarters are proceeding together in a convoy on tactical or driving exercises which are authorised in writing by a person duly authorised in that behalf, and of which not less than 48 hours notice in writing has been given by that person to the Chief Constable and the interval between any two vehicles in such a convoy does not exceed 20m—

(a)front position lamps shall be required only on the vehicle leading the convoy; and

(b)rear position lamps shall be required only on the rearmost vehicle provided that every other vehicle in the convoy carries a bright light under the vehicle illuminating either a part of the vehicle or anything attached to the vehicle or the road surface beneath the vehicle in such a manner that the presence of the vehicle can be detected from the rear.

(3) No lamp is required to be fitted to any home forces' vehicle or any vehicle in the service of a visiting force or of a headquarters if the vehicle is constructed or adapted for combat and is such that compliance with these provisions is impracticable and it is fitted with two red rear position lamps and two red rear retro reflectors when on a road between sunset and sunrise. Such lamps and reflectors need not meet any of the requirements specified in Schedules 10 and 18.

(4) Part II of these Regulations does not apply to a vehicle in the service of a visiting force or of a headquarters if the vehicle complies in every respect with the requirements as to lighting equipment and reflectors thereto contained in a Convention referred to in regulation 5.

(5) A home forces' vehicle shall while used in conjunction with operations of the Royal Ulster Constabulary be exempt from the requirements of regulations 27 and 28 if an authorising officer has certified that such exemption is necessary in the case of that vehicle for the purpose of assistance in enforcing the law.

(6) Paragraph (5) shall not affect any civil claim for injury or damage to person or property.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation “authorising officer” means an officer of the home forces of a rank not lower than that of Captain Royal Navy, Colonel or Group Captain.

Exceptions — invalid carriages

10.  An invalid carriage having a maximum speed not exceeding 4 mph is required by these Regulations to be fitted with lamps and reflectors only when it is used on the carriageway of a road between sunset and sunrise otherwise than for the sole purpose of crossing it.

Exceptions — vehicles drawn or propelled by hand

11.  A vehicle drawn or propelled by hand which has an overall width, including any load, not exceeding 800 mm is required by these Regulations to be fitted with lamps and reflectors only when it is used on the carriageway of a road between sunset and sunrise other than—

(a)close to the near side or left-hand edge of the carriageway, or

(b)to cross the carriageway.

Provision as respects Trade Descriptions Act 1968

12.  Where by any provision in these Regulations any vehicle or any of its parts or equipment is required to be marked with a specification number or a mark of the British Standards Institution or any approval mark, nothing in that provision shall be taken to authorise any person to apply any such number or mark to the vehicle, part or equipment in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968(14).

Part IIRegulations governing the fitting of Lamps, Reflectors, Rear Markings and Devices

Colour of light shown by lamps and reflectors

13.—(1) A vehicle shall not be fitted with a lamp or retro reflective material which is capable of showing a red light to the front, except—

(a)a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(b)a side marker lamp or a side retro reflector;

(c)retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of—

(i)a cycle and any sidecar attached to it;

(ii)a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination; or

(iii)an invalid carriage; or

(d)a traffic sign.

(2) A vehicle shall not be fitted with a lamp or retro reflective material which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except—

(a)amber light from a direction indicator or side marker lamp;

(b)white light from a reversing lamp;

(c)white light from a work lamp;

(d)light to illuminate the interior of a vehicle;

(e)light from an illuminated rear registration plate;

(f)light for the purposes of illuminating a taxi meter;

(g)in the case of a bus, light for the purposes of illuminating a route indicator;

(h)blue light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to a police control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(i)white light from a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(j)green light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to an ambulance control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(k)blue light from a warning beacon or rear special warning lamp fitted to an emergency vehicle, or from any device fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;

(l)amber light from a warning beacon fitted to—

(i)a road clearance vehicle;

(ii)a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;

(iii)a breakdown vehicle;

(iv)a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;

(v)a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;

(vi)a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing, gritting, salting or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;

(vii)a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;

(viii)a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under Article 60 of the 1995 Order;

(ix)a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;

(x)a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;

(xi)a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;

(xii)a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;

(m)green light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with full, provisional or limited registration);

(n)yellow light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle for use at airports;

(o)light of any colour from a traffic sign which is attached to a vehicle;

(p)reflected light from amber pedal retro reflectors;

(q)reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of—

(i)a cycle and any sidecar attached to it;

(ii)a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or

(iii)an invalid carriage;

(r)reflected light from amber retro reflective material on a road clearance vehicle;

(s)reflected light from yellow retro reflective registration plates;

(t)reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a prescribed rear marking fitted in the appropriate manner to—

(i)a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7500 kg;

(ii)a motor vehicle first used before 1st July 1983 having an unladen weight exceeding 3000 kg;

(iii)a trailer having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg;

(iv)a trailer manufactured before lst July 1983 having an unladen weight exceeding 1000 kg;

(v)a trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles one of which is of a type mentioned in a previous item of this sub-paragraph;

(vi)a load carried by any vehicle;

(u)reflected light from orange retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance within the meaning of the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1992(15) or the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992(16);

(v)reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a prescribed sign and fitted to the rear of a bus;

(w)reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a bus in accordance with paragraph (4); or

(x)reflected light from orange or yellow retro reflective material fitted to the rear of a vehicle used for police purposes.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(t), a rear marking fitted to a vehicle is a prescribed rear marking fitted in the appropriate manner if the rear marking—

(a)is a rear marking of a description specified in the entry applicable to that vehicle in the right hand column of paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 19, and

(b)complies with paragraphs 2 to 7 of that Part of that Schedule.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(w), a sign (“the secondary sign”) is fitted to the rear of a bus in accordance with this paragraph if—

(a)a prescribed sign is also fitted to the rear of the bus;

(b)the total area of the retro reflective material incorporated in the secondary sign is no greater than the area of the prescribed sign; and

(c)the secondary sign satisfies the requirements specified—

(i)in the case of a bus which is owned or hired by an Education and Library Board or any person managing an education establishment attended by children under the age of 16 years, in paragraph (5) or (6); or

(ii)in any other case, in paragraph (6).

(5) The requirements referred to in paragraph (4)(c)(i) are that the secondary sign contains no words or other markings apart from words or markings identifying the Education and Library Board or the educational establishment.

(6) The requirements referred to in paragraph (4)(c)(ii) are that the secondary sign contains no words or other markings apart from words or other markings which—

(a)indicate that children are on board the bus when it is in motion or likely to be on board the bus or in its vicinity when it is stationary, and

(b)are calculated to reduce the risk of road accidents involving such children.

Movement of lamps and reflectors

14.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), a person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle to which, or to any load or equipment of which, there is fitted a lamp, reflector or marking which is capable of being moved by swivelling, deflecting or otherwise while the vehicle is in motion.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of—

(a)a headlamp which can be dipped only by the movement of the headlamp or its reflector;

(b)a headlamp which is capable of adjustment so as to compensate for the effect of the load carried by the vehicle;

(c)a lamp or reflector which can be deflected to the side by the movement of, although not necessarily through the same angle as, the front wheel or wheels of the vehicle when turned for the purpose of steering the vehicle;

(d)a headlamp or front fog lamp which can be wholly or partially retracted or concealed;

(e)a direction indicator fitted to a motor vehicle first used before 24th January 1996 ;

(f)a work lamp;

(g)a warning beacon;

(h)an amber pedal retro reflector; or

(i)retro reflective material or a retro reflector of any colour which is fitted so as to reflect light primarily to one or both sides of the vehicle and is attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of—

(i)a cycle and any sidecar attached thereto;

(ii)a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or

(iii)an invalid carriage.

Lamps to show a steady light

15.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), a vehicle shall not be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of—

(a)a direction indicator;

(b)a headlamp fitted to an emergency vehicle;

(c)a warning beacon or special warning lamp;

(d)a lamp or illuminated sign fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;

(e)a green warning lamp used as an anti-lock brake indicator; or

(f)lamps forming part of a traffic sign.

Filament lamps

16.  Where a motor vehicle first used on or after 24th January 1996 or any trailer manufactured on or after 24th January 1996 is equipped with any lamp of a type that is required by any Schedule to these Regulations to be marked with an approval mark, no filament lamp other than a filament lamp referred to in the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations in—

(a)regulation 4 and Schedule 2, items 2 or 2A, 8, 20, 37 or 37A; or

(b)regulation 5 and Schedule 4, item 18,

to those Regulations, shall be fitted to any such vehicle.

Signs on buses carrying children

17.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a bus when it is carrying a child to or from his school unless—

(a)a prescribed sign is fitted to the front of the bus and is plainly visible to road users ahead of the bus; and

(b)a prescribed sign is fitted to the rear of the bus and is plainly visible to road users behind the bus.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply—

(a)where a bus is on a bus service of a description specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 18 (bus services specified for the purposes of regulation 56(5)) to the Construction and Use Regulations; or

(b)where a bus is the property of an Education and Library Board and is painted in the distinctive livery of that Board.

(3) A prescribed sign shall be removed while any bus to which it has been fitted is being used for purposes other than carrying a child to or from his school.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)a reference to a bus carrying a child to or from his school is a reference to a bus carrying a child—

(i)to, or to a place within the vicinity of, his school on a day during term time before he has attended the school on that day; or

(ii)from, or from a place within the vicinity of, his school on a day during term time after he has finished attending the school on that day;

(b)“school” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(17); and

(c)a reference to a child is a reference to a child under the age of 16 years.

General requirements for electrical connections

18.—(1) Every motor vehicle first used on or after 24th January 1996 shall be so constructed that every position lamp, side marker lamp, end-outline marker lamp and rear registration plate lamp with which the vehicle is fitted is capable of being switched on and off by the operation of one switch and, save as provided in paragraph (2), not otherwise.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not prevent one or more position lamps from being capable of being switched on and off independently of any other lamp referred to in that paragraph.

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

19.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a vehicle shall not be fitted with—

(a)a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or

(b)a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an emergency vehicle.

Obligatory warning beacons

20.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on an unrestricted dual-carriageway road any motor vehicle with four or more wheels having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph unless it or any trailer drawn by it is fitted with at least one warning beacon which—

(a)complies with Schedule 16; and

(b)is showing an amber light.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to—

(a)any motor vehicle first used before lst January 1947; and

(b)any motor vehicle, or any trailer being drawn by it, to which paragraph (1) would otherwise apply, when that vehicle or trailer is on any carriageway of an unrestricted dual-carriageway road for the purpose only of crossing that carriageway in the quickest manner practicable in the circumstances.

Obligatory lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

21.—(1) Save as provided in the foregoing provisions of these Regulations and in paragraph (2), every vehicle of a class specified in a Table in Schedule 1 shall be fitted with lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices which—

(a)are of a type specified in column 1 of that Table, and

(b)comply with the relevant installation, alignment and performance requirements set out in the Schedule or Part of a Schedule shown against that type in column 2 of that Table.

(2) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) do not apply in respect of a lamp, reflector, rear marking or device of a type specified in column 1 of a Table in the case of a vehicle shown against it in column 3 of that Table.

(3) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) apply without prejudice to any additional requirements specified in regulations 23 and 24.

(4) The Schedules referred to in the Tables in Schedule 1 are Schedules 2 to 21.

Restrictions on the obscuration of certain obligatory lamps and reflectors

22.  Every vehicle shall be so constructed that at least part of the apparent surface of any—

(a)front and rear position lamp;

(b)front and rear direction indicator; and

(c)rear retro reflector;

which is required by these Regulations to be fitted to a vehicle is visible when the vehicle is viewed from any point directly in front of or behind the lamp or reflector, as appropriate, when every door, tailgate, boot lid, engine cover, cab or other movable part of the vehicle is in a fixed open position.

Optional lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

23.  Every optional lamp, reflector, rear marking or device fitted to a vehicle, being of a type specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, shall comply with the provisions shown in column 3.

Projecting trailers and vehicles carrying overhanging or projecting loads or equipment

24.—(1) A person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2)—

(a)any trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles which projects laterally beyond any preceding vehicle in the combination; or

(b)any vehicle or combination of vehicles which carries a load or equipment,

in either case under the conditions specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles complies with the requirements specified in that item in column 3.

(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a)as regards item 6 in the Table, in so far as it relates to obligatory stop lamps and direction indicators, all circumstances; and

(b)as regards items 1 to 5 in the Table, and item 6 in the Table, except in so far as it relates to obligatory stop lamps and direction indicators, the time between sunset and sunrise or, except in so far as it relates to obligatory reflectors, when visibility is seriously reduced between sunrise and sunset.

Additional side marker lamps

25.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), a person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road between sunset and sunrise, or in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset, any vehicle or combination of vehicles of a type specified in an item in column 2 of the Table unless each side of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is fitted with the side marker lamps specified in that item in column 3 and those lamps are kept lit.

(2) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) do not apply to—

(a)a combination of vehicles where any vehicle being drawn in that combination has broken down; or

(b)a vehicle (not being a combination of vehicles) having an appliance or apparatus or carrying a load of a kind specified in the Table to regulation 94(9) or in regulation 94(10) of the Construction and Use Regulations, if the conditions specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 (which provide for the special marking of projections from vehicles) of Schedule 15 to those Regulations are complied with in relation to the special appliance or apparatus or load as if the said conditions had been expressed in the said regulation 94 to apply in the case of every special appliance or apparatus or load of a kind specified in that regulation.

(3) Every side marker lamp fitted in accordance with this regulation shall comply with Part I of Schedule 9.

Part IIIRegulations Governing the Maintenance and Use of Lamps, Reflectors, Rear Markings and Devices

Maintenance of lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

26.—(1) A person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle unless every lamp, reflector, rear marking and device to which this paragraph applies is in good working order and, in the case of a lamp, clean.

(2) Save as provided in paragraph (3), paragraph (1) applies to—

(a)every—

(i)front position lamp,

(ii)rear position lamp,

(iii)headlamp,

(iv)rear registration plate lamp,

(v)side marker lamp,

(vi)end-outline marker lamp,

(vii)rear fog lamp,

(viii)retro reflector, and

(ix)rear marking of a type specified in Part III of Schedule 19, with which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted; and

(b)every—

(i)stop lamp,

(ii)direction indicator,

(iii)running lamp,

(iv)dim-dip device,

(v)headlamp levelling device, and

(vi)hazard warning signal device,

with which it is fitted.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to—

(a)a rear fog lamp on a vehicle which is part of a combination of vehicles any part of which is not required by these Regulations to be fitted with a rear fog lamp;

(b)a rear fog lamp on a motor vehicle drawing a trailer;

(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; or

(d)a lamp, reflector, dim-dip device, headlamp levelling device or rear marking on a combat vehicle in use on a road between sunrise and sunset.

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

27.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall—

(a)use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle which is in motion—

(i)between sunset and sunrise, or

(ii)in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset; or

(b)allow to remain at rest, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain at rest, on a road any vehicle between sunset and sunrise,

unless every front position lamp, rear position lamp, rear registration plate lamp, side marker lamp and end-outline marker lamp with which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted is kept lit and unobscured.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), where a solo motor bicycle is not fitted with a front position lamp, a person shall not use it, or cause or permit it to be used, on a road (other than when it is parked) between sunset and sunrise or in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset, unless a headlamp is kept lit and unobscured.

(3) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall allow to remain parked, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain parked between sunset and sunrise—

(a)a motor bicycle combination which is required to be fitted only with a front position lamp on the sidecar; or

(b)a trailer to the front of which no other vehicle is attached and which is not required to be fitted with front position lamps, unless a pair of front position lamps is fitted and kept lit and unobscured.

(4) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall allow to remain parked, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain parked between sunset and sunrise a solo motor bicycle which is not required to be fitted with a front position lamp, unless a front position lamp is fitted and kept lit and unobscured.

(5) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall not apply in respect of a vehicle of a class specified in paragraph (7) which is parked on a road on which a speed limit of 30 mph or less is in force and the vehicle is parked—

(a)in a parking place for which provision is authorised under Article 10(4) or designated under Article 15(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997(18), or which is set apart as a parking place under some other enactment or instrument and the vehicle is parked in a manner which does not contravene the provision of any enactment or instrument relating to the parking place; or

(b)in a lay-by—

(i)the limits of which are indicated by a traffic sign consisting of the road marking shown in diagram 1010 of Schedule 6 of the Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997(19); or

(ii)the surface of which is of a colour or texture which is different from that of the part of the carriageway of the road used primarily by through traffic; or

(iii)the limits of which are indicated by a continuous strip of surface of a different colour or texture from that of the surface of the remainder of the carriageway of the road; or

(c)elsewhere than in such a parking place or lay-by if—

(i)the vehicle is parked in one of the circumstances described in paragraph (8); and

(ii)no part of the vehicle is less than 15 m in from the junction of any part of the carriageway of any road with the carriageway of the road on which it is parked whether that junction is on the same side of the road as that on which the vehicle is parked or not.

(6) Paragraph (5)(c)(ii) shall be construed in accordance with the diagram in Schedule 23.

(7) The classes of vehicle referred to in paragraph (5) are—

(a)a motor vehicle being a goods vehicle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 1525 kg;

(b)a passenger vehicle other than a bus;

(c)an invalid carriage; and

(d)a motor cycle or a cycle in either case with or without a sidecar, not being—

(i)a vehicle to which a trailer is attached;

(ii)a vehicle which is required to be fitted with lamps by regulation 24; or

(iii)a vehicle carrying a load, if the load is required to be fitted with lamps by regulation 24.

(8) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (5)(c)(i) are that—

(a)the vehicle is parked on a road on which the driving of vehicles otherwise than in one direction is prohibited at all times and its left or near side is as close as may be and parallel to the left-hand edge of the carriageway or its right or off side is as close as may be and parallel to the right-hand edge of the carriageway; or

(b)the vehicle is parked on a road on which such a prohibition does not exist and its left or near side is as close as may be and parallel to the edge of the carriageway.

(9) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) do not apply in respect of—

(a)a solo motor bicycle or a cycle being pushed along the left-hand edge of a carriageway;

(b)a cycle waiting to proceed provided it is kept to the left-hand or near side edge of a carriageway; or

(c)a vehicle which is parked in an area on part of a highway on which roadworks are being carried out and which is bounded by amber lamps and other traffic signs so as to prevent the presence of the vehicle, its load or equipment being a danger to persons using the road.

Requirements about the use of headlamps and front fog lamps

28.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), a person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle which is fitted with obligatory dipped-beam headlamps unless every such lamp is kept lit—

(a)during the hours of darkness; and

(b)in seriously reduced visibility.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) do not apply—

(a)in the case of a motor vehicle fitted with one obligatory dipped-beam headlamp or a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination fitted with a pair of obligatory dipped-beam headlamps, if a main-beam headlamp or a front fog lamp is kept lit;

(b)in the case of a motor vehicle, other than a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination, fitted with a pair of obligatory dipped-beam headlamps, if—

(i)a pair of main-beam headlamps is kept lit; or

(ii)in seriously reduced visibility, a pair of front fog lamps which is so fitted that the outermost part of the illuminated area of each lamp in the air is not more than 400 mm from the outer edge of each vehicle is kept lit;

(c)to a vehicle being drawn by another vehicle;

(d)to a vehicle while being used to propel a snow plough; or

(e)to a vehicle which is parked.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation a headlamp shall not be regarded as lit if its intensity is reduced by a dim-dip device.

Requirements about the use of warning beacons

29.  A person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on an unrestricted dual-carriageway road a vehicle which is required to be fitted with at least one warning beacon by regulation 20 unless every such beacon is kept lit.

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

30.  A person shall not use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle on which any lamp, hazard warning signal device or warning beacon of a type specified in an item in column 2 of the Table is used in a manner specified in that item in column 3.

Revocation

31.  The regulations specified in Schedule 26 are hereby revoked.

Regulation 21

SCHEDULE 1Obligatory lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 2

Part IRequirements relting to Obligatory Front Position Lamps and to Optional Front Position Lamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

12.  Other requirements—

(a)except in the case of a vehicle covered by sub-paragraph (b), where two front position lamps are required to be fitted they shall form a pair, and

(b)in the case of a trailer manufactured before 24th January 1996 and a motor bicycle combination, where two front position lamps are required to be fitted they shall be fitted on each side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule-—

• “approval mark” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination, a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 50A of Schedule 2 to those Regulations, and

  (b)

  in relation to any other vehicle, either—

  (i)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 5 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations, or

  (ii)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 7 of Schedule 2 to those Regulations;

• “British Standard mark” means—

  (a)

  the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements for lighting equipment published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 3: 1986 namely “6102/3”; or

  (b)

  the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements for lighting equipment published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 3: 1986 as amended by AMD 5821 published on the 29th April 1988, namely “6102/3”.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Front Position Lamps

1.  In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 24th January 1996 which is not fitted with any obligatory front position lamp, not more than two may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I. Where two are fitted these shall be situated as close together as possible.

2.  In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 24th January 1996 which is fitted with one obligatory front position lamp, not more than one additional lamp may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I and shall be situated as close as possible to the obligatory front position lamp.

3.  In the case of any other vehicle the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that in paragraph 7 of Part I.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 3

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Dim-Dip Devices and Running Lamps

1.  A dim-dip device fitted to satisfy regulation 21 shall cause light to be emitted from the dipped-beam filament of each obligatory dipped-beam headlamp, each such light having, so far as is practicable, an intensity of between 10 and 20 per cent. of the intensity of the normal dipped beam.

2.  Running lamps fitted to satisfy regulation 21 shall be in the form of a matched pair of front lamps each of which—

(a)is fitted in a position in which an obligatory front position lamp may lawfully be fitted, and

(b)is capable of emitting white light to the front having an intensity of not less than 200 candelas, measured from directly in front of the centre of the lamp in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and of not more than 800 candelas in any direction.

3.  The electrical connections to the obligatory dim-dip device shall be such that the light output specified in paragraph 1 is automatically emitted whenever the following four conditions are satisfied, namely—

(a)the engine is running, or the key or devices which control the starting or stopping of the engine are in the normal position for when the vehicle is being driven;

(b)the obligatory main beam and dipped beam headlamps are switched off;

(c)any front fog lamp fitted to the vehicle is switched off; and

(d)the obligatory front position lamps are switched on.

4.  The electrical connections to the obligatory running lamps shall be such that the light output specified in paragraph 2 above is automatically emitted, whenever the conditions set out in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 3 are satisfied.

Part IIRequirements relating to Optional Dim-Dip Devices and Running Lamps

There is no requirement relating to an optional dim-dip device or an optional running lamp.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 4

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Dipped-Beam Headlamps and to Optional Dipped-Beam Headlamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

12.  Other requirements—

(a)every dipped-beam headlamp shall be so constructed that the direction of the beam of light emitted therefrom can be adjusted whilst the vehicle is stationary.

(b)every vehicle which—

(i)is fitted with dipped-beam headlamps bearing an approval mark,

(ii)has a maximum speed exceeding 25 mph, and

(iii)is first used on or after 24th January 1996,

shall be marked with a clearly legible and indelible marking, as illustrated in Schedule 24, close to either the headlamps or the manufacturer’s plate showing the setting recommended by the manufacturer for the downward inclination of the horizontal part of the cut-off of the beam pattern of the dipped-beam headlamps when the vehicle is at its kerbside weight and has a weight of 75 kg on the driver’s seat. That setting shall be a single figure—

(A)between 1 and 1.5 per cent. if the height of the centre of the headlamp is not more than 850 mm above the ground, and

(B)between 1 and 2 per cent. if the height of the centre of the headlamp is more than 850 mm above the ground.

(c)Every dipped-beam headlamp fitted to a vehicle first used on or after 24th January 1996 in accordance with this part of this Schedule shall be designed for a vehicle which is intended to be driven on the left-hand side of the road.

(d)Where two dipped-beam headlamps are required to be fitted they shall form a matched pair.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule—

• “approval mark” means either—

  (a)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 12 or 13 or 14 or 16 or, in the case of a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph, 27 or 28 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations, or

  (b)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 1A or 1B or 1C or 1E or 5A or 5B or 5C or 5E or 8C or 8D or 8E or 8F or 8G or 8H or 8K or 8L or 20C or 20D or 20E or 2OF or 2OG or 20H or 20K or 20 L or 31A or 31C or, in the case of a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph, 1H or 1I or 5H or 5I of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; and

• “British Standard mark” means the specification for sealed beam headlamps published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS AU 40: Part 4a: 1966 as amended by Amendment AMD 2188 published in December 1976, namely “B.S. AU40.”

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Dipped-Beam Headlamps

1.  In the case of a vehicle with three or more wheels having a maximum speed exceeding 25 mph first used on or after 24th January 1996, two and not more than two may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are—

(a)those specified in paragraphs 2(c), 4, 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I,

(b)that they are designed for a vehicle which is intended to be driven on the right-hand side of the road,

(c)that they form a matched pair, and

(d)that their electrical connections are such that not more than one pair of dipped-beam headlamps is capable of being illuminated at a time.

2.  In the case of any other vehicle, any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 2(c), 4, 7 and 12(a) of Part I.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 5

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Main-Beam Headlamps and to Optional Main-Beam Headlamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

12.  Other requirements—

(a)Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed that the direction of the beam of light emitted therefrom can be adjusted whilst the vehicle is stationary.

(b)Except in the case of a bus first used before 1st October 1969, where two main-beam headlamps are required to be fitted they shall form a matched pair.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule—

• “approval mark” means—

  (a)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 12 or 13 or 17 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations; or

  (b)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations as shown at item 1A or 1B or 1F or 5A or 5B or 5F or 8C or 8D or 8E or 8F or 8M or 8N or 20C or 20D or 20E or 20F or 20M or 20N or 31A or 31D of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; and

• “British Standard mark” means the specification for sealed beam headlamps published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS AU 40: Part 4a: 1966 as amended by Amendment AMD 2188 published in December 1976, namely “B.S. AU40.”

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Main-Beam Headlamps

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I and, in the case of a motor vehicle first used on or after 24th January 1996, paragraph 5 of Part I.

Regulation 23

SCHEDULE 6Requirements relating to optional front fog lamps

12.  Other requirements—

Every front fog lamp shall be so constructed that the direction of the beam of light emitted therefrom can be adjusted whilst the vehicle is stationary.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule “approval mark” means either—

(a)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 19 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations; or

(b)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 19 or 19A of Schedule 2 to those Regulations.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 7

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Direction Indicators and to Optional Direction Indicators to the Extent Specified in Part II

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Direction Indicators

1.  A vehicle shall not be fitted with a total of more than one front indicator nor more than two rear indicators, on each side.

2.  Any number of side indicators may be fitted to the side (excluding the front and rear) of a vehicle.

3.  The only other requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12(a) and 12(b) of Part I.

Part III

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 8Requirements relating to obligatory and optional hazard warning signal devices

Every hazard warning signal device shall—

(a)be operated by one switch;

(b)cause all the direction indicators with which a vehicle or a combination of vehicles is equipped to flash in phase;

(c)be provided with a circuit-closed tell-tale in the form of a flashing light which may operate in conjunction with any direction indicator tell-tale; and

(d)be able to function even if the device which controls the starting and stopping of the engine is in a position which makes it impossible to start the engine.

Regulations 21, 23 and 25

SCHEDULE 9

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Side Marker Lamps and to Optional Side Marker Lamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Side Marker Lamps

Any number may be fitted and the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that specified in paragraph 7 of Part I.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 10

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Rear Position Lamps and to Optional Rear Position Lamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

12.  Other requirements—

Except in the case of a motor vehicle first used before 24th January 1996, any other vehicle manufactured before 24th January 1996 and a motor bicycle combination, where two rear position lamps are required to be fitted they shall form a matched pair and where four rear position lamps are required to be fitted they shall form two matched pairs.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule “approval mark” means—

(a)in relation to a solo motor bicycle, a motor bicycle combination and a trailer drawn by a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination, a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 50A of Schedule 2 to those Regulations, and

(b)in relation to any other motor vehicle or any other trailer, either—

(i)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 6 or, if combined with a stop lamp, at item 8 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations, or

(ii)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 7A or, if combined with a stop lamp, at item 7C of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; and

• “British Standard mark” means—

  (a)

  the mark indicated in the specification for cycle rear lamps published by the British Standards Institution under the reference 3648: 1963 as amended by Amendment PD 6137 published in May 1967 and by AMD 4753 published in July 1985;

  (b)

  the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements for lighting equipment published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 3: 1986, namely “BS 6102/3”; or

  (c)

  the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements for lighting equipment published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 3: 1986 as amended by AMD 5821 published on the 29th April 1988, namely “6102/3”.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Rear Position Lamps

Any number may be fitted and the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that specified in paragraph 7 of Part I.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 11

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Rear Fog Lamps and to Optional Rear Fog Lamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

12.  Other requirements—

Where two rear fog lamps are fitted to any motor vehicle or trailer manufactured on or after 1st May 1980 and first used on or after 1st November 1980 they shall form a matched pair.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule “approval mark” means either—

(a)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 20 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations; or

(b)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 38 of Schedule 2 to those Regulations.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Rear Fog Lamps

1.  In the case of a motor vehicle first used before 1st November 1980 and any other vehicle manufactured before 1st May 1980, any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 2(d), 7 and 10 of Part I.

2.  In the case of a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st November 1980 and any other vehicle manufactured on or after 1st May 1980, not more than two may be fitted and the requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are all those specified in this Schedule.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 12

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Stop Lamps and to OptionalStop Lamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

12.  Other requirements—

Where two stop lamps are required to be fitted, they shall form a pair.

13.  Definitions—

In this Schedule “approval mark” means—

(a)in relation to a solo motor bicycle, a motor bicycle combination or a trailer drawn by a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination, a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 50A of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; and

(b)in relation to any other vehicle, either—

(i)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 7 or, if combined with a rear position lamp, at item 8 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations; or

(ii)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 7B or, if combined with a rear position lamp, at item 7C of Schedule 2 to those Regulations.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Stop Lamps

Any number may be fitted, and the requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are all those specified in Part I except—

(a)those specified in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3;

(b)in the case of a stop lamp fitted to a pedal cycle, those specified in paragraphs 5 and 8; and

(c)in the case of a stop lamp fitted to a motor vehicle not being a motor bicycle, first used on or after 24th January 1996 either centrally or in such a manner as to project light through the rear window the intensity of the light emitted to the rear of the vehicle shall be not less than 20 candelas and not more than 60 candelas when measured from directly behind the centre of the lamp in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 13

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory End-Outline Marker Lamps and to Optional End-Outline Marker Lamps to the Extent Specified in Part II

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional End-Outline Marker Lamps

Any number may be fitted, and the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that specified in paragraph 7 of Part I.

Regulation 23

SCHEDULE 14Requirements relating to optional reversing lamps

12.  Definitions—

In this Schedule “approval mark” means either—

(a)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 21 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations; or

(b)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 23 or 23A of Schedule 2 to those Regulations.

Regulation 21

SCHEDULE 15Requirements relating to obligatory rear registration plate lamps

12.  Definitions—

In this Schedule “approval mark” means—

(a)in relation to a solo motor bicycle, a motor bicycle combination and a trailer drawn by a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination, a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 50A of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; and

(b)in relation to any other motor vehicle and any other trailer, either—

(i)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 10 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations; or

(ii)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 4 of Schedule 2 to those Regulations.

Regulations 20 and 23

SCHEDULE 16Requirement relating to obligatory and optional warning beacons

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 17

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Side Retro Reflectors and Optional Side Retro Reflectors to the Extent Specified in Part II

9.  Definitions—

(a)In this Schedule “approval mark” means either—

(i)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 3 or 3B of Schedule 2 to those Regulations and which includes the marking 1 or 1A; or

(ii)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 4 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations and which includes the marking I; and

(b)In this Schedule references to “maximum distance from the front of the vehicle” and “maximum distance from the rear of the vehicle” are references to the maximum distance from that end of the vehicle (as determined by reference to the overall length of the vehicle exclusive of any special equipment) beyond which no part of the reflecting area of the side retro reflector extends.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Side Retro Reflectors

Any number may be fitted, and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are—

(a)those specified in paragraph 7 of Part I, except in the case of vehicles used for police purposes which may also be capable of reflecting one or more of the colours yellow, blue and white; and

(b)those specified in paragraph 8 of Part I.

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 18

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Rear Retro Reflectors and Optional Rear Retro Reflectors to the Extent Specified in Part II

9.  Definitions—

In this Schedule—

(a)“approval mark” means either—

(i)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 3 or 3A or 3B of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; or

(ii)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 4 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations;

(b)“British Standard mark” means either—

(i)the mark indicated in the specification for retro reflectors for vehicles, including cycles, published by the British Standards Institution under the reference B.S. AU 40: Part 2: 1965, namely “AU 40”; or

(ii)the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements of reflective devices published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 2: 1982, namely “BS 6102/2”; and

(c)“Italian approved marking” means—

a mark approved by the Italian Ministry of Transport, namely, one including two separate groups of symbols consisting of “IGM” or “DGM” and “C.I.” or “C.2.”.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Rear Retro Reflectors

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are—

(a)those specified in paragraphs 7 of Part I, except in the case of vehicles used for police purposes, which may also be capable of reflecting one or more of the colours yellow and orange; and

(b)those specified in paragraph 8(b) of Part I.

Regulations 13(3), 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 19

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Rear Markings and Optional Rear Markings to the Extent Specified in Part IIGeneral Requirements

7.  Other requirements—

• A rear marking of a type shown in a diagram in Part III of this Schedule shall comply with the requirements of that Part.

• The two parts of every rear marking of a type shown in diagrams 2, 3 and 5 in Part III and diagrams 2, 3, 6 and 7 in Part IV of this Schedule shall form a pair and the four parts of every rear marking of a type shown in diagrams 4 and 8 in Part IV of this Schedule shall form two pairs.

8.  Definitions—

In this Schedule—

(a)“approval mark” means a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 3 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 70 of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; and

(b)“British Standard mark” means the specification for rear markings for vehicles published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS AU 152: 1970, namely “BS AU 152”.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Rear Markings

Subject to regulation 14(2), any number of rear markings shown in Parts III and IV may be fitted to the rear of a vehicle.

Part IIIRear Markings Prescribed for Motor Vehicles First Used Before 24th January 1996 and Trailers Manufactured Before 24th January 1996

Additional Provisions Relating to the above Diagrams

1.  A rear marking of a type shown in one of the above diagrams shall have the dimensions shown in relation to that diagram.

2.  Any variation in a dimension (other than as to the height of a letter) specified in any of the above diagrams shall be treated as permitted for the purposes of this Schedule if the variation—

(a)in the case of a dimension so specified as 250 mm or as over 250 mm does not exceed 2.5 per cent. of that dimension;

(b)in the case of a dimension so specified as 40 mm or as over 40 mm but as under 250 mm does not exceed 5 per cent. of that dimension; or

(c)in the case of a dimension so specified as under 40 mm does not exceed 10 per cent. of that dimension.

3.  Any variation in a dimension as to the height of a letter specified in any of those diagrams shall be treated as permitted for the purposes of this Schedule if the variation —

(a)in the case of a dimension so specified as 105 mm does not exceed 2.5 per cent. of that dimension; or

(b)in the case of a dimension so specified as 70 mm does not exceed 5 per cent. of that dimension.

4.  Any variation in a dimension as to the angle of hatching specified in any of those diagrams shall be treated as permitted for the purposes of the Schedule if the variation does not exceed 5 degrees.

5.  A rear marking of a type shown in diagrams 1 or 4 above shall be constructed in the form of a single plate, and every rear marking shown in diagrams 2, 3 or 5 above shall be constructed in the form of two plates of equal size and shape.

6.  The height of each half of the marking shown in diagram 3 above may be reduced to a minimum of 140 mm provided the width is increased so that each half of the marking has a minimum area of 980 cm².

7.  All letters incorporated in a rear marking of a type shown in diagrams 4 or 5 above shall have the proportions and form of letters as shown in Schedule 25.

Part IVRear Markings Prescribed for Motor Vehicels Whenever First Used and Trailers Whenever Manufactured

Regulation 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 20

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Pedal Retro Reflectors and Optional Pedal Retro Reflectors to the Extent Specified in Part II

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Pedal Retro Reflectors

Any number may be fitted and the only requirement prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted is that specified in paragraph 6 of Part I.

SCHEDULE 21Regulations 21 and 23

Part IRequirements Relating to Obligatory Front Retro Reflectors and to Optional Front Retro Reflectors to the Extent Specified in Part II

8.  Other requirements—

(a)Where two front reflectors are required to be fitted they shall form a pair.

(b)Triangular shaped retro reflectors shall not be fitted to the front of any trailer.

9.  Definitions—

In this Schedule—

• “approval mark” means either—

  (a)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 3 or 3A or 3B of Schedule 2 to those Regulations; or

  (b)

  a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulation and shown at item 4 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations.

Part IIRequirements Relating to Optional Front Retro Reflectors

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are that specified in paragraph 8(b) of Part I and that the colour shall not be red.

Regulation 2(1)

SCHEDULE 22Prescribed sign for buses carrying children

Colour

Shaded areas — yellow retro reflective material

Border and silhoutette — black

Dimensions

Regulation 27(6)

SCHEDULE 23Diagram showing where unlit parking is not permitted near a junction

Schedule 4, Part 1, Paragraph 12

SCHEDULE 24Example of marking showing the vertical downwards inclination of the dipped-beam headlamps when the vehicle is at its kerbside weight and has a weight of 75 kg on the driver’s seat

Regulations 21 and 23

SCHEDULE 25Proportions and form of letters, numerals and other characters

Regulation 31

SCHEDULE 26Revocations

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations revoke and consolidate with amendments the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 and Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997. The amendments are as follows—

Regulation 13 and Schedules 17 and 18 allow vehicles used for police purposes to be fitted with certain markings, namely, yellow or orange retro-reflective material (in addition to red) to the rear of the vehicle and one or more of the colours yellow, blue and white (in addition to amber) to the side of the vehicle.

Regulation 27 and Schedule 23 make provision for vehicles parked no less than 15 metres from any junction of a road to be exempted from the requirement to keep all obligatory lamps lit. Previously this had been 10 metres.

These Regulations have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to European Parliament and Council Directive 98/34/EC of 22nd June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (O.J. No. L204, 21.7.98, p. 37).

Copies of this Directive can be obtained from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.