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The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made).

(Regulations 18 and 20)

SCHEDULE 17

PART IRequirements relating to obligatory side retro reflectors and optional side retro reflectors to the extent specified in part ii

1.  Number–

(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985:

On each side: two and as many more as are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 2(a)

(b) A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985:

On each side: Two

2.  Position–

(a) Longitudinal–

(i)A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985–

(A)Maximum distance from the front of the vehicle, including any drawbar, in respect of the foremost reflector on each side:

4 m

(B)Maximum distance from the rear of the vehicle in respect of the rearmost reflector on each side:

1 m

(C)Maximum separation distance between the reflecting areas of adjacent reflectors on the same side of the vehicle:

3 m or, if this is not practicable, 4 m

(ii)A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985–

(A)Maximum distance from the rear of the vehicle in respect of the rearmost reflector on each side:

1 m

(B)The other reflector on each side of the vehicle:

Towards the centre of the vehicle

(b) Lateral:

No requirement

(c) Vertical–

(i)Maximum height above the ground:

1500 mm

(ii)Minimum height above the ground:

350 mm

3.  Angles of visibility–

(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985–

(i)Horizontal:

45° to the left and to the right when viewed in a direction at right angles to the longutidinal axis of the vehicle

(ii)Vertical–

(A)Except in a case specified in sub-paragraph (B):

15° above and below the horizontal

(B)Where the highest part of the reflecting area is less than 750 mm above the ground:

15° above and 5° below the horizontal

(b) A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985:

Plainly visible to the side

4.  Alignment:

To the side

5.  Markings:

An approval mark

6.  Size of reflecting area:

No requirement

7.  Colour–

(a) Any vehicle not covered by sub-paragraph (b):

Amber or if within 1 m of the rear of the vehicle it may be red

(b) A solo motor bicycle, a motor bicycle combination, a pedal cycle with or without a sidecar or an invalid carriage:

No requirement

8.  Other requirements:

No side retro reflector shall be triangular

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 I or IA; 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 those specified in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part I.

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