number plate light - legal requirement?

[sv650s 04]

is it a legal requirment to have a number plate light? The reason i ask this is that i was taking to a biker yesterday who had his bike mot'ed about a hour before and passed without having a numberplate light. So is it a legal requirment or just dead wieght?

[danf1234]

My understanding is it is a Legal requirement, unless you have a day time MOT.

[Holdup]

Im not sure if it is, but my old 50cc ped didnt have any form of numberplate light fitted

[Sid Squid]

Yes, it's a requirement.
It's an MOT failure if it's missing or not working. A clear section in the rear light that illuminates the plate is a common feature, a separate light isn't necessary if this is the case.

The MOT person* wasn't paying attention.

*how PC am I? :D

[barwel1992]

EDIT nope im wrong see above :D

[2hys]

mines passed two mots now with no plate light,

i do have a tailtidy, which locates the plate right under the tail light,

so it does illuminate the plate,

but does not have a clear section (standard sv t/lamp)

i think its down to the testers descresion

[7755matt]

Number plate is NOT an MOT requirement in any way shape or form

Edit: the only lights tested are here
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1s01000001.htm

It's required on classes 3,4,5 & 7 but not 1&2

[christopher]

It isn't an MOT requirement to have one. You can view The Motor Bicycle and Side Car M.O.T. Inspection Manual (http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1i00000101.htm) online, there is no mention of number plate lights. You cannot be failed for something which isn't in the manual. It will pass and chaces are you'll be advised of it not being there (or if it is there but doesn't work that it is inoperative).

However... you must have a number plate light fitted to your bike if it was first registered on or after 1 April 1986 for it to be legal. This comes under the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 which can be found here (http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/regulationsforpoweredtwoandt4564).

So while not an MOT requirement, to answer the original question it is a legal one if your bike was first registered on or after 1 April 1986.

[martin15s]

MOT is one thing, BUT Construction & Use lighting regs DO require one...

(iv) Rear Registration Plate Lamp - on motorcycles first used on or after 1 April
1986 must be approved to EC Directive* 76/760, 93/92 and Chapter 2 of 97/24 or
to ECE Regulation 4 or 50;

[kaivalagi]

Not complicated at all.......lol

Where are these regulations enforced though? It looks like it would only be enforced on inspection of a new model at manufacture?

edit: from the above link:
"European Whole Vehicle Type Approval is a system of assessment of technical requirements for powered two and three-wheeled vehicles (including lightweight, low powered four wheeled vehicles referred to as quadricycles). The assessment and testing is carried out by authorised Type Approval Authorities based in each European Union Member State, to harmonised technical requirements given in various separate Directives and in accordance with the procedures given in a framework Directive 92/61/EEC, recently repealed and replaced by 2002/24/EC. The type approval process also includes an assessment of the production and quality control procedures of the manufacturer and a follow-up procedure known as Conformity of Production to ensure that the original conditions for granting type approval are maintained during the production life of the vehicle."

Who will force you to put plate lighting back if removed?

[martin15s]

my ex colleagues - the boys and girls in blue - particularly traffic officers.

Having no number plate lamp is a simple reason for a stop and - well I'll leave the rest to you.

[kaivalagi]

Fair enough

Do tail tidy kits provide illumination of the rear plate on an SV? Just curious...:)

[barwel1992]

mine does but for £10 i just got some LED bolts that illuminate the plate

[martin15s]

I can only speak for the curvy where it MIGHT be possible to carefully remove a small section underneath and araldite in a clear section of proper clear lighting plastic - if in doubt fit something like barwell1992 suggests.
I have to say that I have been out of the game for a few years and can't remember if there is a particular regulation for the type of light fitted (there usually is).

[Hoody90]

I just got a couple of LED bolts through for my new tail tidy. Look decent quality for the price - £6 for the pair so got a spare. In my opinion putting a £3 light on is much less hassle than getting pulled!

[sv650s 04]

So you do need a number plate light then, even if there is a tail tidy on the bike and the rear lights and shining on the plate?

[Hoody90]

Not sure on that one tbh, I did think the rear light would be enough but seeing as there's a hole drilled for the light I may as well put one on.

[sv650s 04]

my tail tidy would have but when I made it I measured it ever so slightly to small so it wont fit on which is why I asked. Hey if I have to make another one I will.

[martin15s]

So you do need a number plate light then, even if there is a tail tidy on the bike and the rear lights and shining on the plate?

YES

[rekab74]

50cc mopeds are not required to have one for mot or the law anything larger classed as motorcycle is required to have one by law, as for the mot if its fitted it has to work but if its not fitted it wont fail

[christopher]

50cc mopeds are not required to have one for mot or the law anything larger classed as motorcycle is required to have one by law, as for the mot if its fitted it has to work but if its not fitted it wont fail
Nope that's incorrect, For the MOT even if there is one fitted it does't have to be functional. The number plate light is not checked on a motorcycle MOT so how can it fail for something that isn't being checking... it can't.

One has to be fitted and working to make the vehicle roadworthy under traffic laws, but it doesn't come under MOT inspections.