Companion Website

Police Law 11th Edition

14. Lights and Vehicles

Chapter 14

Required lighting equipment p 578

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 have been amended by the Road Vehicles Lighting and Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, SI 2009/3220.

As a result there should be added:

1. at the end of the first sentence of the second paragraph on p 579 (ie after 'rear markings'): 'and conspicuity markings.'
2. at the end of the list of devices on p 580: 'Conspicuity marking This means a device intended to increase the conspicuity of a vehicle, when viewed from the side or rear, by the reflection of light emanating from a light source not connected to the vehicle, the observer being situated near the source, ie high visibility 'conspicuity' marking tape.'

Rear retro reflectors p 587

In the last line of the last paragraph under this heading the figure '1,200 mm' has been amended to '1,500 mm'. [SI 2009/3220]

Rear markings p 588

A vehicle fitted with conspicuity markings to the rear where the fitting complies with the relevant ECE conspicuity requirements is exempt from the rear marking requirements. [SI 2009/3220]

Conspicuity markings p 589

Add this heading and the following text after the second paragraph on p 589.

'A goods vehicle which is-

1. a motor vehicle first used on or after 10 July 2011, or
2. a trailer manufactured on or after 10 July 2011,

must be fitted with conspicuity markings which comply with the relevant ECE conspicuity requirements (hereafter 'conspicuity markings').

This requirement does not apply to a goods vehicle which is-

1. a motor vehicle with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 7500 kg;
2. a trailer with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3500 kg;
3. an incomplete vehicle proceeding to a works for completion or to a place where it is to be stored or displayed for sale; or
4. a motor car or heavy motor car (as defined by the Construction and Use Regulations: p 422) intended to form part of an articulated vehicle.

A goods vehicle to which the above requirement applies is known as a 'relevant goods vehicle.'

If the overall length of a relevant goods vehicle does not exceed 6 m, conspicuity markings need not be fitted to the side of that vehicle.

If the overall width of a relevant goods vehicle does not exceed 2.1 m, conspicuity markings need not be fitted to the rear of that vehicle.' [SI 2009/3220]

General p 589

Add to the end of (8) in the list:

'But in respect of a vehicle which is used for the following purposes, the following colours are permitted:

Police	amber, yellow, blue, white
Fire and Rescue Authority	amber, yellow, red
Ambulance	amber, yellow, green, white
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency	amber, yellow, silver, white
Traffic Officer (see p 296)	amber, yellow, white'.

[SI 2009/3220]

Add to the end of (9):

'But, in respect of a vehicle used for police, fire and rescue authority, ambulance, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency or traffic officer purposes, the following colours are permitted: red, yellow or orange (or any combination).' [SI 2009/3220]

Add at the end of the list:

'(10) To the extent that a relevant goods vehicle is exempt from the requirement to be fitted with 'conspicuity markings' (see the above note) to the side or rear, (as the case may be).' [SI 2009/3220]

OPTIONAL LIGHTS p 589

Add after line 2 on p 590:

'A vehicle, other than:

1. a passenger vehicle (except a bus);
2. a trailer with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 750 kg,

which is not a relevant goods vehicle (see above) may be fitted with 'conspicuity markings.' [SI 2009/3220]

Red lights to the rear p 591

To the list of exceptions in the second sentence add:

'conspicuity markings' [SI 2009/3220]

Reversing lamps p 590

If a vehicle has an overall length in excess of 6 m and is a bus or a vehicle which is not a passenger vehicle four, two or one reversing lamp (s) may be fitted; if four are fitted to such a vehicle the configuration must be four to the rear or two to the rear and one on each side. If such side lamps are fitted:

1. it must not be possible for them to be illuminated unless the front and rear position lamps of the vehicle are illuminated; and
2. they must be switched on and off by the manual operation of one switch which has no other function; but
3. they must switch off automatically if the vehicle is moving forward at a speed of 10km/h or more. [SI 2009/3220]

Driving or parking without lights p 592

In the fourth line of the second paragraph under this heading substitute 'gross vehicle weight not exceeding 2500 kg' for 'not exceeding 1525 kg.' [SI 2009/3220]