The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

Restrictions on the use of lamps other than those to which regulation 24 refers E+W+S

27.  No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle on which any lamp, hazard warning signal device or warning beacon of a type specified in an item in column 2 of the Table below is used in a manner specified in that item in column 3.

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item No.	Type of lamp, hazard warning signal device or warning beacon	Manner of use prohibited
1	Headlamp	(a) Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road. (b) Used so as to be lit when a vehicle is parked.
2	Front fog lamp	(a) Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road. (b) Used so as to be lit at any time other than in conditions of seriously reduced visibility. (c) Used so as to be lit when a vehicle is parked.
3	Rear fog lamp	(a) Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to the driver of a following vehicle. (b) Used so as to be lit at any time other than in conditions of seriously reduced visibility. (c) Save in the case of an emergency vehicle, used so as to be lit when a vehicle is parked.
4	Reversing lamp	Used so as to be lit except for the purpose of reversing the vehicle.
5	Hazard warning signal device	Used other than– (i) to warn persons using the road of a temporary obstruction when the vehicle is at rest; or (ii) on a motorway or unrestricted dual-carriageway, to warn following drivers of a need to slow down due to a temporary obstruction ahead; or (iii) in the case of a bus, to summon assistance for the driver or any person acting as a conductor or inspector on the vehicle; [F1 or (iv) in the case of a bus to which prescribed signs are fitted as described in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of regulation 17A(1), when the vehicle is stationary and children under the age of 16 years are entering or leaving, or are about to enter or leave, or have just left the vehicle.]
6	Warning beacon emitting blue light and special warning lamp	Used so as to be lit except– (i) at the scene of an emergency; or (ii) when it is necessary or desirable either to indicate to persons using the road the urgency of the purpose for which the vehicle is being used, or to warn persons of the presence of the vehicle or a hazard on the road.
7	Warning beacon emitting amber light	Used so as to be lit except– (i) at the scene of an emergency; (ii) when it is necessary or desirable to warn persons of the presence of the vehicle; F2 ... (iii) in the case of a breakdown vehicle, while it is being used in connection with, and in the immediate vicinity of, an accident or breakdown, or while it is being used to draw a broken-down vehicle. (iv) [F3 in the case of an abnormal load escort vehicle, while it is being used in connection with the escort of another vehicle which has— (aa) an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 metres; (bb) an overall length (including any load) exceeding 18.65 metres, o (cc) been authorised by the Secretary of State under section 44 of the Act; and (v) in the case of a vehicle, used for escort purposes other than an abnormal load escort vehicle, while it is being used in connection with the escort of any vehicle and travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph.]
8	Warning beacon emitting green light	Used so as to be lit except whilst occupied by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with [F4 full or provisional] registration) and used for the purposes of an emergency.
9	Warning beacon emitting yellow light	Used so as to be lit on a road.
10	Work lamp	(a) Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to the driver of any vehicle. (b) Used so as to be lit except for the purpose of illuminating a working area, accident, breakdown or works in the vicinity of the vehicle.
11	Any other lamp	Used so as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 27 Table Item 5 added (1.10.1994) by The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2280), regs. 1(2), 9(2)

F2 Word in reg. 27 omitted (21.10.2005) by virtue of The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2559), regs. 1, 8(2)

F3 Words in reg. 27 added (21.10.2005) by The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2559), regs. 1, 8(2)

F4 Words in reg. 27 Table Item 8 substituted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes in accordance with art. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I. as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 76(b)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 27 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)