Is a number plate light a legal requirement?

Originally Posted by Furry Ginger One

So, would the lack of a rear number plate light warrant the MOT to be for daytime use only ?

Nope, daylight use MOT only comes in when there are no side lights fitted

Originally Posted by cbay

i believe it is no longer required but if you have one it has to be working!

Nope, doesnt matter, its just NOT testable, exactly the same applies to a fog light, or hazards, or ABS on some, they may be testable on cars, but not on bikes

[Stu]

Originally Posted by 7755matt

I am the definitive answer

Of course I believe you!


But "I'm right & you're wrong" doesn't tend to win many arguments

No you don't need one for the mot ( I just checked with a mate who is a tester ) but you do to be road legal

Only needed to be road legal if its not daylight or is in times of reduced visibility

[Red Herring]

A number plate light is not part of the MOT test but it is required to be fitted and working in order to be road legal on any motorcycle (post a date I can't remember but your SV certainly counts) that is subject to the lighting regulations. A motorcycle is subject to the lighting regulations if it has a front or rear position lamp fitted.

So if you just rip it off as some do when they fit a tail tidy then your bike will no longer be road legal, it should however still pass an MOT. I guess it depends which is important to you, most coppers wouldn't spot it missing if that helps any....

I had a missing number plate light on my old pointy as the person who owned the bike before me had fitted a tail tidy and not relocated the bulb. There was a clear plastic window above the number plate but no bulb there. Tester said normally he would not allow it through but as the tail light on the pointy is underneath the rear end it illuminated the plate (albeit in red light). I fitted a couple of led lights to illuminate the plate anyway.

Seems strange that it can be illegal but the tester has not right to refuse an MOT, but rules is rules and if that's wot they say ....

Mine passed in December without it working (come to think of it, I still haven't replaced the lamp)- tester said it's not part of the MOT.

D

[ophic]

My bike passed 2 MOTs with no number plate light. I checked that it was not part of the test before booking it.

However I've since got a new tail tidy and re-fitted the light, so I'm all legal.
I found the most annoying bit of the MOT to be the rear reflector, as it must be facing "squarely to the rear", so shouldn't just be stuck on the edge of an angled number plate. Dunno how strict most MOT testers would be about this though.

Bought mine with no number plate light but have since bought a little led number plate light that screws into the top of the number plate. Loads of them on evil bay,

[Stu]

Oh, I see my title has been changed
My thread title was correct, not the new one, because I was only interested in the definitive position from an actual MOT tester.
I also couldn't care less whether it was a legal requirement or not, only if it would pass an MOT or not. The 2 are not the same.
Oh well, at least the question was answered by then