number plate light - legal requirement?

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?

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

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?

EDIT nope im wrong see above

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

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 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.

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.

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?