Tail light for MOT

Sullivan6d · Post by **Sullivan6d** » Sep 27th, '07, 19:45

My bike is due for its first MOT. I have had a tail tidy on the back for a few years now but it doesn't have a light on it. The guy who fitted it for me said that I didn't need one and all I would need to do when it was due an MOT is to stick a reflector sticker on the number plate which would get it through.

Can anyone confirm this is ok or am I going to have to buy another tail tidy with a light?

Thanks

Shiv

tafflade · Post by **tafflade** » Sep 27th, '07, 20:00

do you mean the tail tidy doesn't have a reflector on it?

if you dont have lights then you'll be running with a daylight MOT.

if this is the case then a 50p stick on reflector is all you need, your MOT tester may stick one on for you, if it falls off as you ride away it would be awefully unlucky

my numberplate has one stuck to it btw, it looks like a bloomin fruit pastel

Sullivan6d · Post by **Sullivan6d** » Sep 27th, '07, 20:05

Ahhh right so if we're riding it in the dark then we'll need to have a light fitted onto it?

It think we may be thinking of selling it anyway so not sure if we'll bother with a light if we're selling it.

Thanks for the info

Shiv

Banditmax · Post by **Banditmax** » Sep 27th, '07, 20:33

Hmm have you got a brake light?

tafflade · Post by **tafflade** » Sep 27th, '07, 20:37

I'm confused now.

do you actually have any lights on the back?

is the problem that you dont have a white light illuminating the numberplate?

is the problem that you dont have a reflector on the back?

Sullivan6d · Post by **Sullivan6d** » Sep 27th, '07, 21:13

Yes I have a break light - I have an SV650S K4 so its quite a bright rear brake light.

The problem is I have neither at the mo - no light illuminating the number plate or a reflector. If I can get away with just putting a reflector in the number plate then that would be ideal. Not sure how much we will be riding it now as my OH is begrudginly learning to drive.

Main reason I ask is because the last time we had it serviced, on the service sheet he wrote we had to have a light put over the number plate for the MOT so just wanted to check what the bloke who originally sitted the tail-tidy was right.

Shiv

Banditmax · Post by **Banditmax** » Sep 27th, '07, 21:22

Yes you need a white light iluminating the number plate. And a reflector

jason · Post by **jason** » Sep 27th, '07, 22:28

I think your mistaken you dont need one for an MOT.

although you can get done for not having one by a copper (although you have to think he would have to be a grade 1 asshole, I cant remember the last time I had a number plate light on a bike and even the most pedantic copper has never bothered mentioning it).

tony · Post by **tony** » Sep 28th, '07, 11:52

reflector yes, on the centreline of the vehicle angles accordingly to reflect properly

numberplate illumination no, it is required for C&U regs, but not MOT

you can fail for incorrect layout, postioning, security of numberplate etc etc,

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » Sep 29th, '07, 17:46

I think you do need a number plate light for MOT. And you do need a reflector. If there isn't anywhere to put a reflector in the centre line due to platics shape then you can use two of those fruit pastal types in each bottom corner of the no plate.

tony · Post by **tony** » Sep 29th, '07, 18:59

there is no mention of number plate illumination in the MOT manual, so therefore its not required

deej · Post by **deej** » Sep 29th, '07, 22:01

i thought you needed a light for the number plate for mto so it highlights you to the cops when dark, be interesting to find out the true answer and if you need one for a daylight mot

tony · Post by **tony** » Sep 29th, '07, 22:13

MOT manual doesnt say you have to have one, so you dont

however under contstruction and use regs you have to have one so plod could do you

same as with a speedo, front mudguard etc etc

you dont need a speedo for MOT, but its illegal to not have one on the road

go figure??

deej · Post by **deej** » Sep 29th, '07, 22:29

just like you need a ball on the end of levers for a sva test but not for mot

the laws are an arse in this country and dont match each other at all

mykee · Post by **mykee** » Oct 1st, '07, 15:21

I was always under the impression that if you had a headlight, you then need a tail light with numberplate illumination; if you have no headlight, then no rear light is required (other than a brake light).
You would then be issued with a daytime use only mot.
Confusing laws bought in to cover old classic bikes that need mot's.

Mykee