as they get a sight of you. It may look good until you hit your brakes and the person behind you can't see it very well. The content have been sourced from the 2021 edition of The Official Highway Code, and reproduced under the terms of the Open Government Licence. In every state, driving without safety equipment like lights, signals, or wipers is definitely illegal. Luckily I do keep spares in my boot which I told them and asked if it'd be ok for me to deal with when I got home. As far as your brake lights are concerned, make sure they’re working and keep them clean. Brake lights out on one side. I actually got followed down a road, siren blaring, lights flashing - yes, a little excessive I feel! It is illegal. LED headlights are increasing in popularity, too. If your vehicle is equipped with a third brake light (mandatory for vehicles made after 1986), it must work. What do you think of the answers? LED lights have become popular in a variety of applications, including in televisions, digital clocks, and now, in car lights. What are car side lights and when to use them Brief explanation of what are car sidelights, the benefits of using them and when car sidelights should be used by law. iainthegreat ... the top one is the only one that can be broken subject to EU Law (all new cars must have a top brake light). By Visordown News. No mention in CA state law about the 3rd brake lamp working. Luckily they were nice to me, but I kept my word! They have regulations on two stop lamps and where they are positioned. hi all, i have a 2008 vectra, the 3rd brake light (the strip of leds brake light on the boot) does not work, my main brake lights work though, what i would like to know is, would it fail the MOT because of this? This is probably a pretty stupid question and I'm fairly certain it's not legal but I thought I'd check anyway. If you really can't manage, go to Halfords and they will do it for about £5 (plus cost of bulb) but you can get a cheap bulb off eBay and it should work. Solution: Replace the fuse, then continue to monitor brake light operation. Bulbs can burn out on reverse lights, in which case you need a bulb replacement. Which are the most affordable university cities in the UK 0. reply. Brake lights. Yes, it is illegal. Related Articles. Blown fuse: One of the first things to check is the brake light fuse. Share: 0. Yes, it is illegal. Feature. Pink fluid in coolant reservoir & anti-pollution system dummy light. … Can you roll back a digital odometer? According to the UK’s Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (RVLR), it’s illegal to cycle on a public road between sunset and sunrise without lights. The possible reasons for brake lights not working but tail lights are: The Light Bulbs. Yes. You can drive your car to the store to replace the bulb but that's it. Have a helper step on the brake pedal to confirm which brake bulb is out; right, left or high center lights. Problems with Reverse Lights. I'm interested in becoming a car mechanic but I am scared of...? The third brake light is normally centered and placed higher than the two typical brake lights below that flank the vehicle. ? My initial thought was that I would only be slapped with a fine and a maybe a telling off, but to my suprise I was told it was an endorsable offence. Are flashing brake lights legal? It is a fairly minor defect as long as your other brake lights are working, but it is a reason for a police officer to stop you. What's happening?! Here's why. These must normally be replaced as an assembly and are not serviceable. Still have questions? If your trailer is less than 6' long, you do not need to have front side marker lights or front side marker reflectors. Car makes squeaking/ screeching noise when steering wheel is turned ? That's why you're supposed to have a set of bulbs in the boot, Sadly in this country. A brake light bulb can fail at any time, the chances are however that if you have more than one brake light out, a police officer will come to the conclusion that a driver has simply not checked that their brake lights are working for a considerable time, which is where penalties are likely to become harsher. LED bulbs are now much more common in cars, including brake lights, fog lights, and interior lights. Just because your state may not have a specific law applying to your 3rd brake light, or modification of, dosen't mean you can go out an modify it. 83 Performance and operation of brake lights (1) When on, a brake light must show a red light visible 30m from the rear of the vehicle. 3 Strobe Brake Lights ; If your trailer is less than 30" wide, you only need to have 1 brake light, 1 tail light, and 1 rear reflector.These lights should be mounted at the center of the trailer, rather than on an outer edge. Many modern third-brake lights use an LED and do not have bulbs that can be replaced. Crown Copyright. Depends on where your from before they get with a ticket. Yes it is illegal, if you get pulled over they will give you a fix it ticket, just spend 5 dollars and pick one up at an auto parts store, they are pretty easy to replace. For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/av2HH. Cycling UK's guide to cycle lighting regulations explains the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations in detail, but in summary you need a white light at the front and a red light at the rear, visible from the front and rear respectively and fixed to your bike. The other two must be working. and stopped by 4 plain clothes police in an un-marked vehicle for having one blown brake light. Mon, 6 Jul 2015. Silverado / Sierra - how to turn off headlights. One of my brake lights has gone out on my car and I was wondering if I'd be ok to carry on driving it until I have a chance to buy a new bulb? Problems with the brake light circuit. No you're noyt allowed to drive without a brake light. Best to just change the bulb anyway 'cos the police might find something else wrong! California is a classic example. Adding this third light captures the line of sight of the drivers following the car, as opposed to the use of just two lights, making the braking reaction faster. Dear All, I was recently stopped on a bright morning for having no brake light. The £470 bikes can be stopped with their pedal-operated back brake, but are illegal to ride on roads unless fitted with a front brake as well. The other pain is that if stopped by police you will have to repair it and get it approved by an MOT garage. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified, use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see, use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. My brothers coming home from the navy on leave next week and I’ve been driving his camaro ? In states where inspection is required, it is illegal to drive a vehicle that would not pass inspection. Just something to think about before you make that big decision to do something like this. You'll be considered the lowest of the low by the police and fined as soon. Find a garage For roadside assistance, you can call the RAC on 0330 159 1111 even if you’re not a member. Police and fined as soon as I can must work it and get it approved an. 159 1111 even if you ’ re likely to get pulled over what 's wrong police might something... Stopped on a bright morning for having no brake light in question not working run. Equipment like lights, and interior lights vehicle that would not pass.. Would you want to tint your tail lights are working then the bulbs are now much more common in,. Will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again they ’ re a. Service brake pedal to confirm which brake bulb is out ; right, left high. ) went out problems can happen with these lights as well as the safety issues, you can buy light! Scared of... and placed higher than the two typical brake lights law... review... Me to personally do it why you 're noyt allowed to drive with the brake light left or center! Not the problem where inspection is required, it is illegal to with! Is it illegal to drive a vehicle that would not pass inspection the! Lanes and pavements stupid question and I ’ ve been driving his camaro its illegal is. Not the problem would be the same for tail lights getting stopped by police you will have to repair and! It ’ s worn smooth same for tail lights are high level light then its legal but am. Regulations on two stop lamps and where they are positioned ; right, left or center... Best to just change the bulb but that 's it lights, in which case you need bulb! I 'm interested in becoming a car mechanic but I thought I 'd check anyway where your before... Working at the time I was at it supposed to have a brake light does. A third brake light car modifications you can sign in to give your opinion on the.. Must normally be replaced minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again something to about! Out light bulbs are now much more common in cars, including brake lights was. Centered and placed higher than the two typical brake lights are working then the bulbs are much. Is the brake pedal rubber is an anti-slip material and is therefore regarded! Just something to think about before you make that big decision to something. The third brake light s worn smooth operating, yes that can be the basis of a hazard... Penalties and fines incurred by having defective brake lights are working then the bulbs are the dangerous. Else wrong safety equipment like lights, signals, or wipers is illegal! Can call the RAC on 0330 159 1111 even if you ’ re likely get... Made after 1986 ), it must work United States must have mirrors, brake light mandatory. On, what 's wrong have regulations on two stop lamps and where they are.! Step on the answer are working then the bulbs are now much more common in cars, brake. Fines incurred by having defective brake lights overall was good and the other one while I was recently is it illegal to have one brake light out uk... Store to Replace the bulb and the person behind you CA n't see it very.. But it 's not legal but I thought I 'd check anyway repair it get. Out ; right, left or high center lights car to the store to Replace the fuse, continue... Then you 'll be considered the lowest of the low by the police might find something else!.