smart1275gt
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 01:49 PM |
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Manually Operated Reverse Lamp? Legal?
Having a modded gear selector box on my car means I no longer have space for the reverse light switch, so thinking about a manual switch mounted near
the gear stick with a dash warning light. Would this fail the MOT or be illegal?
Cheers.
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graememk
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 01:50 PM |
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you dont need a reversing lamp, but if fitted i assume it must work
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 01:52 PM |
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Reversing light is not tested for MOT so even if fitted it does not have to work
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 02:06 PM |
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I believe that a manually operated reverse light is ok as long as you have a clearly visible warning light on the dash.
But don't quote me on that! 
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tks
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 03:27 PM |
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i think that its a safety device for warning that you are going reverse....
so i do think that if you have reverse you will need the light...and that it needs to be engaged automaticly...
Safety guys safety...
The above comments are always meant to be from the above persons perspective.
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chunkytfg
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 03:40 PM |
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Tell you what though a manually operated one could be fun if you have some chav behind you at the lights tyring to intimidate you.
Flick the reversing light on. then GIve it loads of revs as the lights change and see if they cack themselves
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Macbeast
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 03:42 PM |
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No, it's an optional light to let you see where you're going when in reverse.
But obviously you must not show a white light to the rear when going forwards so would be better to have it switched automatically or at least have a
warning light on the dashboard when switched manually - but with the number of cars going along with indicators still flashing after the last turn or
even with emergency lights flashing for mile after mile, warning lights don't seem to be very effective. 
- added after previous post - Oh Abby !!!
Be still my beating heart !!
[Edited on 16/3/08 by Macbeast]
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 03:49 PM |
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As above, there are no rules in SVA or MOT about reverse lights - they are purely for driver convenience.
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scotty g
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 03:50 PM |
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When i got my first car at 18 it didn't have a reverse light as it was an old Viva so i fitted one myself, it was a large spotlight that i
bolted onto the top of the rear bumper and it worked off of a switch on the dash and it was bally great.
I could scare the livng sh1t out of people too close behind me!
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Paul TigerB6
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 04:28 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by chunkytfg
Tell you what though a manually operated one could be fun if you have some chav behind you at the lights tyring to intimidate you.
Flick the reversing light on. then GIve it loads of revs as the lights change and see if they cack themselves
Now that would be an extremely childish thing to do!!!................ i like it!!
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blakep82
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 05:09 PM |
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the reverse lights on my old BMW 318 e30 never worked, but nevevr failed MOT, and my grandma had a MG 1100 with a reverse light switch on the dash,
was fine. don't know if it had a warning light or anything though
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 06:14 PM |
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Must have a warning light directly in driver line of vision --- Road Traffic Acts.
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smart1275gt
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| posted on 16/3/08 at 06:46 PM |
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Thanks for all your feedback, cheers people!
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DarrenW
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| posted on 17/3/08 at 04:13 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scotty g
When i got my first car at 18 it didn't have a reverse light as it was an old Viva so i fitted one myself, it was a large spotlight that i
bolted onto the top of the rear bumper and it worked off of a switch on the dash and it was bally great.
I could scare the livng sh1t out of people too close behind me!
Ditto here too on my first mini! i was forever forgetting to switch it off.
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chunkytfg
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| posted on 17/3/08 at 05:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Must have a warning light directly in driver line of vision --- Road Traffic Acts.
Which doesnt have any effect over the pass or fail of an MOT
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iank
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| posted on 17/3/08 at 05:41 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by chunkytfg
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Must have a warning light directly in driver line of vision --- Road Traffic Acts.
Which doesnt have any effect over the pass or fail of an MOT
Bit could get you a fine if an on the ball traffic cop spots you driving down the road with the reversing lamp on.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 17/3/08 at 06:29 PM |
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Strictly speaking it wouldn't be the Road Traffic Act, that deals with, well, traffic! Lighting issues would be covered in the Road Vehicle
Lighting Regulations (RVLR) which you can find on the web if you're really bored!
Spcifically here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_19.htm#nsch14requirementrelatingoptionalreversinglamp
quote:
Tell-tale-
(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st July 1954, provided that the electrical connections are such that the reversing lamp or lamps
cannot be illuminated other than automatically by the selection of the reverse gear of the vehicle:
--- No requirement
(b) Any other motor vehicle first used on or after 1st July 1954:
--- A circuit-closed tell-tale shall be fitted
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