I emailed VOSA and got a helpful guy called Mick. I simply thought id start this thread because some threads talk about when the fog light should be on/off some saying the manual is to be changed, stations not testing it etc... when it appears it may be down to the interpretation or should I minor wording!

I asked;

The Manual States for Rear fog lights;

Note 4
1) the Rear fog lamp may continue to operate until the position lamps are switched off and the rear fog light must then remain off until deliberately switched on again
or
2) .......

does this still need to be met.



There reply was;

Note 4 in section 28 gives 2 methods that are acceptable as well as the required standard, if the rear fog lamp operation of your vehicle meets the required standard then note 4 would not apply.

Mick

Technical Officer
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency | The Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN




and he's right the standard requirement referencing Note 4 says;

4. The rear fog lamp(s) must only illuminate when dipped beam, main beam or the front fog lamps are lit (see note 3 & 4)



...so by wiring the fog lamp to only illuminate with dipped, main or front fog lights, the rear fog light would never remain on with just position lamps and therefore not need to meet note 4 as it would never be on without dipped, main or fog lights.


Just thought I'd start a new thread with it clear, so everyone knows because the info on here was a little bit all over the shop to be honest and people saying test centres weren't testing it, when in fact they were testing to the manual hence I asked VOSA.

NIce one.......I think that puts an end to this one :-)

His answer complete misses the point though, which is this
" and the rear fog light must then remain off until deliberately switched on again"

So, it must only work with dipped or main headlights. Fine, but if I'm driving in fog, get home, switch my lights off (forgetting the fog light switch is still on) go to bed get up the next day don't drive the car til night time, forgetting my fog switch is still on, but I turn my dipped lights on, which without me realising puts my fog back on, that isn't me deliberately switching the fog on. That's the question that needs answered

The only this he's answered is the fog light must only work with dipped/main beam

quote:

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Originally posted by blakep82
His answer complete misses the point though, which is this
" and the rear fog light must then remain off until deliberately switched on again"

So, it must only work with dipped or main headlights. Fine, but if I'm driving in fog, get home, switch my lights off (forgetting the fog light switch is still on) go to bed get up the next day don't drive the car til night time, forgetting my fog switch is still on, but I turn my dipped lights on, which without me realising puts my fog back on, that isn't me deliberately switching the fog on. That's the question that needs answered

The only this he's answered is the fog light must only work with dipped/main beam

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I think your complicating matters here.
Regardless of what lights allow the rears fogs to illuminate (lets call them the trigger lights), the wording is that the fog should not remain on when the trigger lights are switched off and back on again.

The reposonce I got from VOSA stated that Note 4 only applied to mass produced vehicles. Therefore kitcars need only have a fog that switches on and off on a normal switch (and only when the stated trigger by the lights are activated) and if the fog is left in the on position, with the ingition or trigger lights switched off, it doesnt matter if the fog comes back on again also.

I await the revised manual with bated breath!

Which requires a warning light
I used the Sierra fog switch originally and then changed to an illuminated toggle running off the Sierra socket and relays
That way even if its left in the on position it won't activate until lights are on and I get the warning light