Reversing lights

[MikeyH]

Not my car, the wife’s, reversing lights not working due to a switch, can’t be sorted till next week. Garage tells me it’s not illegal to drive without them. Can’t find anything conclusive on the internet so asking the experts. Any of you have advice please.

 

[BeeEmm]

I believe that reversing lights must be fitted to vehicles from 1 September 2009. On cars, one or two is fine, but they must be working. GOV.UK is the place to look for legalisation.

 

[Pondrew]

Just tell her not to go backwards, then it will be fine.

I very much doubt ANYONE has ever been pulled or fined for reversing lights inoperative. Unless you back into a copper, of course!

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you both, I found the 2009 date on the mot list, but it said it wasn't implemented. :? My wife's car is a 2008 so hopefully all will be okay. Going in next week to have the little switch replaced so fingers crossed all will be sorted.

 

[smorris_12]

Years ago reversing lights weren't part of the MoT as there were cars without them (my grandfather's R reg Vauxhall Viva for one) and, AIUI, construction and use regs stated no white lights to show backwards and no red lights to show forward.

Always wondered if they ever bothered changing the rules.

 

[Pondrew]

Years ago reversing lights weren't part of the MoT as there were cars without them (my grandfather's R reg Vauxhall Viva for one) and, AIUI, construction and use regs stated no white lights to show backwards and no red lights to show forward.

Always wondered if they ever bothered changing the rules.

Reversing lights were introduced to 'see' when reversing. I think they were pioneered by motor racing; predominantly rallying. They were originally dirty great 4" 'spotlights' wired to the reverse linkage AFAIK.
60 years on and they do very little to help you see; just a warning for others (since the supermarket car park was invented presumably).

 

[Rockhopper]

MOT and Construction and Use regulations are very different pieces of legislation. Construction and Use regs basically say if something was fitted to the car when it left the factory then it must still be fitted and working.
So, no reversing lights is 100% illegal but in reality there is almost zero chance of you being prosecuted.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that penalties for breaches of the Construction and Use regs are potentially far more severe than for MOT offences.

 

[IRD]

Had my 2003 Z4 MOT’d in November with reversing lights not working. Was told that in older cars they didn’t check reversing lights so it wasn’t an issue and the car passed the test.

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you all for your advice, I will be using the car next week so hope I will be okay.