Laws on exterior lights

[CovKid]

Does anyone know the rules and regs on exterior lighting? You see a lot of vehicles with extra markers etc but are there fixed rules on this? For instance, my tail lights aren't great (non-existant in slight fog) so where would I stand in fitting extra ones? What about additional sidelights?

I appreciate the obvious stuff like no blue lights, and only white at front and red at rear but how many can you have?

[kevtherev]

As many as you like.
I have a truck with a nightclub going on

green is safe and so is any other colour but flashing blue or orange is out.
I have an extra side light and it's bright enough to be a "day light"

check out SVC lights ( http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) for all T25 lighting.

[CovKid]

I understand the need for them to be symetrical and there would seem to be some stipulation that they should be EC approved but to be honest I'm wondering if the rear lights on a T25 wouldn't be better with custom lights that better lights the rear. LED naturally.

[bigherb]

You could fit halogen bulbs they make a big improvement.

Halogen on the left.

[CovKid]

Is that legal? How would anyone know whether you were braking?

[bigherb]

That is the brake lights and side lights on together!

You can see the sidelights better in this one, they are still 5w and 21w bulbs

[CovKid]

Yes can see where you're coming from but that would seem to be trying to get around the poor lighting pods/lenses and those give off a fair bit of heat as well as sapping battery power. They're also potentially slow to come on for braking and I've seen lighting pods melt before now. If you look at some of the standalome lighting units made now, most are LEDs, bright and a lot less power hungry. At the moment I use LED replacement bulbs but these are a compromise in my view and still don't get over the inadequacy of the pod/lens construction.

[Mocki]

as long as the overall light emmisions are equal to, or greater than the original design, anything you buy commercially* should be legal.

*not a boy racer shop

[Aberdeenbus]

Be prepared with some strong coffee

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the definative "The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989"

its a little dry but contains all the legal requirments for lighting and links to the subseqent amendments.


Cheers
Si