Statutory Rule 2000 No. 169

Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

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© Crown Copyright 2000

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"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 - 

(a) a vehicle used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes;

(b) an ambulance, being a vehicle (other than an invalid carriage) which is constructed or adapted for the purposes of conveying sick, injured or disabled persons and which is used for such purposes;

(c) a cardiac response vehicle, being a vehicle used only for the purposes of transporting medical or nursing personnel and equipment to cardiac incidents;

(d) a vehicle owned by a body formed primarily for the purposes of fire salvage and used for those or similar purposes;

(e) a vehicle owned by Department of Agriculture and used from time to time for the purposes of fighting fires;

(f) a vehicle owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used - 


(i) for the purposes of the disposal of bombs or explosives,

(ii) by the Naval Emergency Monitoring Organisation for the purposes of a nuclear accident or an incident involving radioactivity,

(iii) by the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service for the purposes of rescue operations or any other emergencies, or

(iv) by the Royal Air Force Armament Support Unit;



(g) a vehicle primarily used for the purposes of the Blood Transfusion Service provided under Article 10(1)(d) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972[9];

(h) a vehicle used by Her Majesty's Coastguard or Coastguard Auxiliary Service for the purposes of giving aid to persons in danger or vessels in distress on or near the coast;

(i) a vehicle owned by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and used for the purposes of launching lifeboats, and

(j) a vehicle primarily used for the purposes of conveying any human tissue for transplanting or similar purposes;

"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 - 

(a) so much of the distortion of any tyre as is caused by the weight of the vehicle,

(b) any connections for tyre pressure gauges,

(c) any anti-skid devices which may be mounted on the wheels,

(d) rear-view mirrors,

(e) lamps and reflectors,

(f) customs seals affixed to the vehicle, and devices for securing and protecting such seals, and

(g) special equipment;

"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 - 

(a) an automatic headlamp levelling device by means of which the downward inclination of any dipped-beam headlamp is automatically maintained regardless of the load on the vehicle, or

(b) a manual headlamp levelling device by means of which the downward inclination of any dipped-beam headlamp may be adjusted by a manual control operable from the driving seat of the vehicle;

"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 - 

(a) in relation to a headlamp, front fog lamp and reversing lamp, in each case fitted with a reflector, the orthogonal projection of the full aperture of the reflector on a plane (touching the surface of the lamp) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which the lamp is fitted. If the light emitting surface extends over only part of the full aperture of the reflector, then the projection of only that part shall be taken into account. In the case of a dipped-beam headlamp, the illuminated area is limited by the apparent trace of the cut-off on the lens;

(b) in relation to any other lamp, the part of the orthogonal projection of the light-emitting surface on a plane (touching the surface of the lamp) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which it is fitted, the boundary of which is such that if the straight edge of an opaque screen touches it at any point 98 per cent. of the total intensity of the light is shown in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Accordingly, for the purposes of determining the lower, upper and lateral edges of the lamp, only a screen placed with its straight edge horizontally or vertically needs to be considered;

"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 - 

(a) both lamps emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity, and

(b) both lamps are of the same size and of such a shape that they are symmetrical to one another;

"maximum distance from the side of the vehicle" means - 

(a) in relation to a lamp fitted to a vehicle, the shortest distance from the boundary of the illuminated area to an extreme outer edge of the vehicle, and

(b) in relation to a retro reflector fitted to a vehicle, the shortest distance from the boundary of the reflecting area to an extreme outer edge of the vehicle;

"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 - 

(a) each lamp, reflector or rear marking is at the same height above the ground, and

(b) each lamp, reflector or rear marking is at the same distance from the extreme outer edge of the vehicle;

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) - 

(a) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of that part of the reflector designed to reflect light in the case of a front or a rear retro reflector, and

(b) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of that part of the reflector designed to reflect light in the case of a side retro 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 800 mm, 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].

(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.


TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Type of lamp, reflector, rear marking or device	Provisions with which compliance is required
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.	Front position lamp Dim-dip device and running lamp Dipped-beam headlamp Main-beam headlamp Front fog lamp Direction indicator Hazard warning signal device Side marker lamp Rear position lamp Rear fog lamp Stop lamp End-outline marker lamp Reversing lamp Warning beacon Side retro reflector Rear retro reflector Rear marking Pedal retro reflector Front retro reflector	Schedule 2, Part II Schedule 3, Part II Schedule 4, Part II Schedule 5, Part II Schedule 6 Schedule 7, Part II Schedule 8 Schedule 9, Part II Schedule 10, Part II Schedule 11, Part II Schedule 12, Part II Schedule 13, Part II Schedule 14 Schedule 16 Schedule 17, Part II Schedule 18, Part II Schedule 19, Part II Schedule 20, Part II Schedule 21, Part II	and Part I of Schedules 2 to 5, 7, 9 to 13 and 17 to 21 to the extent specified in Part II of those Schedules

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.


TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Conditions	Requirements
1.	A trailer which is not fitted with front position lamps and which projects laterally on any side so that the distance from the outermost part of the projection to the outermost part of the illuminated area of the obligatory front position lamp on that side fitted to any preceding vehicle in the combination exceeds 400 mm.	A lamp showing white light to the front shall be fitted to the trailer so that the outermost part of the illuminated area is not more than 400 mm from the outermost projection of the trailer. The installation and performance requirements relating to front position lamps do not apply to any such lamp.
2.	A trailer which is not fitted with front position lamps and which carries a load or equipment which projects laterally on any side of the trailer so that the distance from the outermost projection of the load or equipment to the outermost part of the illuminated area of the obligatory front position lamp on that side fitted to any preceding vehicle in the combination exceeds 400 mm.	A lamp showing white light to the front shall be fitted to the trailer or the load or equipment so that the outermost part of the illuminated area is not more than 400 mm from the outermost projection of the load or equipment. The installation and performance requirements relating to front position lamps do not apply to any such lamp.
3.	A vehicle which carries a load or equipment which projects laterally on any side of the vehicle so that the distance from the outermost part of the load or equipment to the outermost part of the illuminated area of the obligatory front or rear postition lamp on that side exceeds 400 mm.	Either -  (a) the obligatory front or rear position lamp shall be transferred from the vehicle to the load or equipment to which must also be attached a white front or a red rear reflecting device; or (b) an additional front or rear position lamp and a white front or a red rear reflecting device shall be fitted to the vehicle, load or equipment. All the installation, performance and maintenance requirements relating to front or rear position lamps shall in either case be complied with except that for the purpose of determining the lateral position of such lamps and reflecting devices any reference to the vehicle shall be taken to include the load or equipment except special equipment on a vehicle fitted with a movable platform or the jib of any crane.
4.	A vehicle which carries a load or equipment which projects beyond the rear of the vehicle or, in the case of a combination of vehicles, beyond the rear of the rearmost vehicle in the combination, more than -  (a) 2 m in the case of an agricultural vehicle or a vehicle carrying a fire escape; or (b) 1 m in the case of any other vehicle.	An additional rear lamp capable of showing red light to the rear and a red reflecting device, both of which are visible from a reasonable distance, shall be fitted to the vehicle or the load in such a position that the distance between the lamp and the reflecting device, and the rearmost projection of the load or equipment does not exceed 2 m in the case mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) in column 2 of this item or 1 m in any other case. The installation and performance requirements relating to rear position lamps and rear retro reflectors do not apply to any such additional lamp and reflecting device.
5.	A vehicle which carries a load or equipment which projects beyond the front of the vehicle more than -  (a) 2 m in the case of an agricultural vehicle or a vehicle carrying a fire escape; or (b) 1 m in the case of any other vehicle.	An additional front lamp capable of showing white light to the front and a white reflecting device, both visible from a reasonable distance, shall be fitted to the vehicle or the load in such a position that the distance between the lamp and the reflecting device, and the foremost projection of the load or equipment, does not exceed 2 m in the case mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) in column 2 of this item or 1m in any other case. The installation and performance requirements relating to front position lamps and front retro reflectors do not apply to any such additional lamp and reflecting device.
6.	A vehicle which carries a load or equipment which obscures any obligatory lamp, reflector or rear marking.	Either -  (a) the obligatory lamp, reflector or rear marking shall be transferred to a position on the vehicle, load or equipment where it is not obscured; or (b) an additional lamp, reflector or rear marking shall be fitted to the vehicle, load or equipment. All the installation, perfor-mance and maintenance re-quirements relating to oblig-atory lamps, reflectors or rear markings shall in either case be complied with.

    (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.


TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Vehicle or combination of vehicles	Side marker lamps
1.	A vehicle or a combination of vehicles the overall length of which (including any load) exceeds 18.3 m.	There shall be fitted -  (a) one lamp no part of the light-emitting surface of which is more than 9.15 m from the foremost part of the vehicle or vehicles (in either case inclusive of any load); (b) one lamp no part of the light-emitting surface of which is more than 3.05 m from the rearmost part of the vehicle or vehicles (in either case inclusive of any load); and (c) such other lamps as are required to ensure that not more than 3.05 m separates any part of the light-emitting surface of one lamp and any part of the light-emitting surface of the next lamp.
2.	A combination of vehicles the overall length of which (including any load) exceeds 12.2 m but does not exceed 18.3 m and carrying a load supported by any two of the vehicles but not including a load carried by an articulated vehicle.	There shall be fitted -  (a) one lamp no part of the light-emitting surface of which is forward of, or more than 1530 mm rearward of, the rearmost part of the drawing vehicle; and (b) if the supported load extends more than 9.15 m rearward of the rearmost part of the drawing vehicle, one lamp no part of the light-emitting surface of which is forward of, or more than 1530 mm rearward of, the centre of the length of the load.

    (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.