Lighting regulations.

[Keith Clements]

James Miller
James Miller I don't really understand the overseas requirement to pass MOT. Here in the states we don't have that for old cars. I prefer just changing the front markers to double filament which is standard on a US cars and replacing the original small lens. The rear is already double for lights and brakes. Then go to a trailer supply and get the relay converter that converts separate signal and brake lights to a single double filament trailer light. If you have semiphores, wire them to a 3 position toggle switch. My Canadian Javelin is wired up that way and looks completely original. Everything works easy peasy!

Keith Clements
Keith Clements European regulations on direction indicators and trafficators differ between countries particularly with older cars. Since there is now no need to have older cars tested in the UK the situation has become even less clear. Since the 1960s flashing orange pimples on the four corners replaced the two arms that came out from the middle. Red flashing lamps are illegal.

Nick Webster With respect, a technical point - in the UK red flashing lights are not illegal on the rear if used on vehicles originally so fitted. In this case a single central brake light is permitted but not mandatory. Of course whether you trust a modern motorist to notice and understand what it all means is a different matter entirely....

Keith Clements Nick Webster If you import a car then red lights need to be changed, but I do not know if that applies to 'classic' cars, but it does to second hand.

Keith Clements
Keith Clements The relevant document is the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 Schedule 7, Section 7 (on which the MOT regulations are based in this case).

Indicator lights PRIOR to 1965 must be:
Front: White or Amber
Rear: Red or Amber
If seen from both Front and Rear: Amber

Vehicles post 1965, indicators must be Amber.

Additionally, Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) regulations would not permit other than Amber indicators on post '65 vehicles.

Note: Vehicles imported for up to a year and not registered in the UK (by US servicemen for example) are not covered by these regulations.

The fact that other arrangements are permitted in other EU states doesn't alter these regulations.

Many thanks to the VOSA officials

Keith Clements Further an SVA, now called an IVA individual vehicle approval, is not required for vehicles over 10 years old. So you can probably import and register a 10 year old car with red indicators, but it may still be illegal as it has to be over 55 years old to pass the Rvlr, even though it does not have to have an MOT.

Having had a car with blood orange rear lights fail an MOT and having been stopped by zealous young police when driving the Jup, I would recommend fitting indicators compliant with the latest regs rather than having to argue in court the technicalities. As Nick says, not being hit by other motorists is another good reason.

[Keith Clements]

Whilst doing this research I discovered any other colour light being shown is also illegal. So those with blue or violet, whether on, in or under car are not permitted . So do not pimp up your Jowett!