Are parking lights required at night?

Decker

Decker

Joined
Feb 4, 2016
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uk
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I know parking with the direction of traffic on a 30mph road or less in the uk does not require lights for a car but what about a motorhome?
I thought perhaps it may be ok if the motorhome home is under 3.5 ton but I am not sure if this applies
Can anyone help?
 
Hmmm, good question. I’m not sure about over 3.5t. ?
 
Hi.
Is there something that says "Within so many Yds/Ft/cementmixers? :unsure: ? " Lights have to be on. This may have applied in the 50 's ?:ROFLMAO: (Before cementmixers)
Tea Bag
 
Yes.
Vehicles not exceeding 2500kg can park within a 30 limit without lights. Outside a 30 limit all 4 sidelights should be on although you can often get away with a single parking light.
Vehicles over 2500kg require lights if parked on any road at night.

The coast road near us used to have a 40mph limit about once a year the police would have a purge and book dozens of cars for parking without lights.

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Lenny HB said:
Yes.
Vehicles not exceeding 2500kg can park within a 30 limit without lights. Outside a 30 limit all 4 sidelights should be on although you can often get away with a single parking light.
Vehicles over 2500kg require lights if parked on any road at night.

The coast road near us used to have a 40mph limit about once a year the police would have a purge and book dozens of cars for parking without lights.
Click to expand...
Yes that is my understanding but I guess many people take a chance that if there is not a problem it is not a big risk.
Just wondered if other funsters were happy to risk it.
 
I must admit that I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for such an offence and there are quite a few motorhomes parked on the road within few miles of us.

As we have a Police training college near us cars have been booked for.......

Not maintaining headlights in a clean condition

Not parking as close to the kerb as may reasonably be.

So it doesn’t seem to be a priority for the local Force.
 
3. Parking at night (248 to 252)

248
You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24

249
All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h).
Law RVLR reg 24

250
Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525 kg unladen weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are

  • at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow
  • in a recognised parking place or lay-by.
Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads,MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights.
Laws RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)

also https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/parking-in-laybys-on-main-roads.167875/
 
maison said:
I must admit that I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for such an offence and there are quite a few motorhomes parked on the road within few miles of us.

As we have a Police training college near us cars have been booked for.......

Not maintaining headlights in a clean condition

Not parking as close to the kerb as may reasonably be.

So it doesn’t seem to be a priority for the local Force.
Click to expand...
We have Police HQ and training centre near us,,they only come out at lunchtime to get their lunch at Sainsbury's across the road.Other than that they are never seen.BUSBY.?
 
I suppose it is one of those that it is ok until something goes wrong.
If someone ran in the back of your motorhome that was unlit who would be blamed and would your insurance be valid?

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Decker said:
I suppose it is one of those that it is ok until something goes wrong.
If someone ran in the back of your motorhome that was unlit who would be blamed and would your insurance be valid?
Click to expand...

If they can't see a great big vehicle with reflectors (even if unlit) the relevant question is whether they should be driving at all. Perhaps needing to go to Specsavers ASAP after they get discharged from hospital. As for insurance ... in the circumstances it's unlikely to be no-fault for either party.
 
As built, and supplied from the Fiat factory, the lights only function with the ignition on. How does that work, then? Always park off the highway and its peripherals?

J
 
Pilote87 said:
As built, and supplied from the Fiat factory, the lights only function with the ignition on. How does that work, then? Always park off the highway and its peripherals?

J
Click to expand...

You read the manual that comes with your van and discover that, if you turn the light switch on with the ignition off, you will get position lamps to front and rear ;)
 
Deneb said:
You read the manual that comes with your van and discover that, if you turn the light switch on with the ignition off, you will get position lamps to front and rear ;)
Click to expand...


Mine doesn't, The ludicrous FIAT blunderbuss strikes again, its just one of the many "quirks" of this piss poor design.

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All motorhomes, being passenger vehicles (M1SP) are exempt from having to display lights when parked within a 30mph speed limit in accordance with the general exemptions stated in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

I know this as a fact, because I dealt with a fatal collision several years ago where a car collided with the rear of a parked motorhome on a residential street. Relatives of the deceased complained that the motorhome should have been displaying lights. I was able to show to the satisfaction of the CPS and Coroner that it was correctly parked and exempt from having to display lights.

The relevant legislation, paraphrased and summarised in the Highway Code, is regulation 24:

Sorry about the formatting, I've copied and pasted it from the legislation and can't be bothered to reflow it. I've bolded the pertinent text.

Note that the weight restriction - paragraph 7(a) - only applies to goods vehicles and a motorhome is not a goods vehicle, being category M1SP (M1 = passenger vehicle, SP = special purpose).

Also, the exemption does not apply if a trailer is attached.

Requirements about the use of front and rear position lamps, rear registration plate lamps, side marker lamps and end outline marker lamps

24.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall–
(a)use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle which is in motion–
(i)between sunset and sunrise, or
(ii)in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset; or
(b)allow to remain at rest, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain at rest, on a road any vehicle between sunset and sunrise
unless every front position lamp, rear position lamp, rear registration plate lamp, side marker lamp and end-outline marker lamp with
which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted is kept lit and unobscured.
(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), where a solo motor bicycle is not fitted with a front position lamp, no person shall
use it, or cause or permit it to be used, on a road (other than when it is parked) between sunset and sunrise or in seriously reduced
visibility between sunrise and sunset, unless a headlamp is kept lit and unobscured.
(3) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall allow to remain parked, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain
parked between sunset and sunrise–
(a)a motor bicycle combination which is required to be fitted only with a front position lamp on the sidecar; or
(b)a trailer to the front of which no other vehicle is attached and which is not required to be fitted with front position lamps,
unless a pair of front position lamps is fitted and kept lit and unobscured.
(4) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall allow to remain parked, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain
parked between sunset and sunrise a solo motor bicycle which is not required to be fitted with a front position lamp, unless a front position lamp is fitted and kept lit and unobscured.
(5) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall not apply in respect of a vehicle of a class specified in paragraph (7) which is parked on
a road on which a speed limit of 30 mph or less is in force and the vehicle is parked–
(a)in a parking place for which provision is made under section 6, or which is authorised under section 32 or designated under
section 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or which is set apart as a parking place under some other enactment or
instrument and the vehicle is parked in a manner which does not contravene the provision of any enactment or instrument relating to the parking place; or
(b)in a lay-by–
(i)the limits of which are indicated by a traffic sign consisting of the road marking shown in diagram 1010 in Schedule 2 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981(18); or
(ii)the surface of which is of a colour or texture which is different from that of the part of the carriageway of the road used primarily
by through traffic; or
3
(iii)the limits of which are indicated by a continuous strip of surface of a different colour or texture from that of the surface of the
remainder of the carriageway of the road; or
(c)elsewhere than in such a parking place or lay-by if–
(i)the vehicle is parked in one of the circumstances described in paragraph (8); and
(ii)no part of the vehicle is less than 10 m from the junction of any part of the carriageway of any road with the carriageway of the
road on which it is parked whether that junction is on the same side of the road as that on which the vehicle is parked or not.
(6) Sub-paragraph (5)(c)(ii) shall be construed in accordance with the diagram in Schedule 22.
(7) The classes of vehicle referred to in paragraph (5) are–
(a)a motor vehicle being a goods vehicle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 1525 kg;
(b)a passenger vehicle other than a bus;
(c)an invalid carriage; and
(d)a motor cycle or a pedal cycle in either case with or without a sidecar;
not being–
(i)a vehicle to which a trailer is attached;
(ii)a vehicle which is required to be fitted with lamps by regulation 21; or (Vehicles carrying overhanging or projecting loads or equipment)
(iii)a vehicle carrying a load, if the load is required to be fitted with lamps by regulation 21.
(8) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (5)(c) are that–
(a)the vehicle is parked on a road on which the driving of vehicles otherwise than in one direction is prohibited at all times and its
left or near side is as close as may be and parallel to the left-hand edge of the carriageway or its right or off side is as close as may
be and parallel to the right-hand edge of the carriageway; or
(b)the vehicle is parked on a road on which such a prohibition does not exist and its left or near side is as close as may be and
parallel to the edge of the carriageway.
 
Pilote87 said:
As built, and supplied from the Fiat factory, the lights only function with the ignition on. How does that work, then? Always park off the highway and its peripherals?

J
Click to expand...

Does a parking light not come on when you use the indicator in either the left or right direction with the ignition off.

I had VAG cars years ago that did this ?
 
So if the speed limit is over 30 mph, i.e 40mph zone or over , side lights on if on road or in a laybye!
Do the lorries parked up have their lights on.
Could flatten a few batteries.
 
Silver-Fox said:
Does a parking light not come on when you use the indicator in either the left or right direction with the ignition off.

I had VAG cars years ago that did this ?
Click to expand...

Yep our transit mk8 does . Never used but useful if required as saves a bit of engine battery during the dark hours.

Maybe the cheap bike lights stuck on would be just as safe though and save the battery .

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Deneb said:
You read the manual that comes with your van and discover that, if you turn the light switch on with the ignition off, you will get position lamps to front and rear ;)
Click to expand...

The side / parking lights neither come on nor stay on whichever way I play with the ignition and light switches.

Silver-Fox said:
Does a parking light not come on when you use the indicator in either the left or right direction with the ignition off.
Click to expand...

Nope,

I seem to remember one or two of my vehicles in the past did something clever like you have each mentioned. That is called "progress", I suppose.

J
 
Pilote87 said:
Nope,

I seem to remember one or two of my vehicles in the past did something clever like you have each mentioned. That is called "progress", I suppose.
Click to expand...

If you can’t comply with road traffic regs as mentioned regarding parking.

Does that mean the vehicle doesn’t comply with construction and use.

Now there’s a can of worms ?
 
On my own motorhome, a 2007 Fiat Ducato there is provision on the ignition switch to turn it the "opposite" way to starting the engine which switches on the position lights. The key can then be removed.

However I'm pretty sure it's not universal as a friends 12 reg turned all the electrics off when you "reversed" the ignition key. Weird!

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I can't remember the details and I don't have it now but my 2008 Hymer (on Fiat) had a little hidden button on the ignition switch bezel that allowed a slightly different action with the switch to bring on parking lights. It's well hidden.

Edit: Just Googled it and this appeared on another Forum:

"Hi Dibble. I have a Fiat too. The way to leave the sidelights on is by holding in a little black button near the igniton, and then turning the key backwards. Typical Fiat ! "
 
Piece of useless info.

In Australia, it is an offence, punishable by transportation to the UK (only joking about that bit) to park facing traffic on the 'wrong' side of the road, DAY or NIGHT.
 
TerryL said:
On my own motorhome, a 2007 Fiat Ducato there is provision on the ignition switch to turn it the "opposite" way to starting the engine which switches on the position lights. The key can then be removed.

However I'm pretty sure it's not universal as a friends 12 reg turned all the electrics off when you "reversed" the ignition key. Weird!
Click to expand...
Same as my Peugeot 2005 Autocruise. Put key in ign. Turn opposite way, side lights come on and you remove key.
 
Deneb said:
All motorhomes, being passenger vehicles (M1SP) are exempt from having to display lights when parked within a 30mph speed limit in accordance with the general exemptions stated in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

I know this as a fact, because I dealt with a fatal collision several years ago where a car collided with the rear of a parked motorhome on a residential street. Relatives of the deceased complained that the motorhome should have been displaying lights. I was able to show to the satisfaction of the CPS and Coroner that it was correctly parked and exempt from having to display lights.

The relevant legislation, paraphrased and summarised in the Highway Code, is regulation 24:

Sorry about the formatting, I've copied and pasted it from the legislation and can't be bothered to reflow it. I've bolded the pertinent text.

Note that the weight restriction - paragraph 7(a) - only applies to goods vehicles and a motorhome is not a goods vehicle, being category M1SP (M1 = passenger vehicle, SP = special purpose).

Also, the exemption does not apply if a trailer is attached.

Requirements about the use of front and rear position lamps, rear registration plate lamps, side marker lamps and end outline marker lamps

24.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall–
(a)use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle which is in motion–
(i)between sunset and sunrise, or
(ii)in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset; or
(b)allow to remain at rest, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain at rest, on a road any vehicle between sunset and sunrise
unless every front position lamp, rear position lamp, rear registration plate lamp, side marker lamp and end-outline marker lamp with
which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted is kept lit and unobscured.
(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), where a solo motor bicycle is not fitted with a front position lamp, no person shall
use it, or cause or permit it to be used, on a road (other than when it is parked) between sunset and sunrise or in seriously reduced
visibility between sunrise and sunset, unless a headlamp is kept lit and unobscured.
(3) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall allow to remain parked, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain
parked between sunset and sunrise–
(a)a motor bicycle combination which is required to be fitted only with a front position lamp on the sidecar; or
(b)a trailer to the front of which no other vehicle is attached and which is not required to be fitted with front position lamps,
unless a pair of front position lamps is fitted and kept lit and unobscured.
(4) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall allow to remain parked, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain
parked between sunset and sunrise a solo motor bicycle which is not required to be fitted with a front position lamp, unless a front position lamp is fitted and kept lit and unobscured.
(5) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall not apply in respect of a vehicle of a class specified in paragraph (7) which is parked on
a road on which a speed limit of 30 mph or less is in force and the vehicle is parked–
(a)in a parking place for which provision is made under section 6, or which is authorised under section 32 or designated under
section 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or which is set apart as a parking place under some other enactment or
instrument and the vehicle is parked in a manner which does not contravene the provision of any enactment or instrument relating to the parking place; or
(b)in a lay-by–
(i)the limits of which are indicated by a traffic sign consisting of the road marking shown in diagram 1010 in Schedule 2 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981(18); or
(ii)the surface of which is of a colour or texture which is different from that of the part of the carriageway of the road used primarily
by through traffic; or
3
(iii)the limits of which are indicated by a continuous strip of surface of a different colour or texture from that of the surface of the
remainder of the carriageway of the road; or
(c)elsewhere than in such a parking place or lay-by if–
(i)the vehicle is parked in one of the circumstances described in paragraph (8); and
(ii)no part of the vehicle is less than 10 m from the junction of any part of the carriageway of any road with the carriageway of the
road on which it is parked whether that junction is on the same side of the road as that on which the vehicle is parked or not.
(6) Sub-paragraph (5)(c)(ii) shall be construed in accordance with the diagram in Schedule 22.
(7) The classes of vehicle referred to in paragraph (5) are–
(a)a motor vehicle being a goods vehicle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 1525 kg;
(b)a passenger vehicle other than a bus;
(c)an invalid carriage; and
(d)a motor cycle or a pedal cycle in either case with or without a sidecar;
not being–
(i)a vehicle to which a trailer is attached;
(ii)a vehicle which is required to be fitted with lamps by regulation 21; or (Vehicles carrying overhanging or projecting loads or equipment)
(iii)a vehicle carrying a load, if the load is required to be fitted with lamps by regulation 21.
(8) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (5)(c) are that–
(a)the vehicle is parked on a road on which the driving of vehicles otherwise than in one direction is prohibited at all times and its
left or near side is as close as may be and parallel to the left-hand edge of the carriageway or its right or off side is as close as may
be and parallel to the right-hand edge of the carriageway; or
(b)the vehicle is parked on a road on which such a prohibition does not exist and its left or near side is as close as may be and
parallel to the edge of the carriageway.
Click to expand...
So the answer is "no, you don't need lights when parking......"!
 
ambulancekidd said:
Mine doesn't, The ludicrous FIAT blunderbuss strikes again, its just one of the many "quirks" of this piss poor design.
Click to expand...

Similar situation with my old 54 reg Fiat Punto. Switch off ALL lights off.

Emmit said:
Piece of useless info.

In Australia, it is an offence, punishable by transportation to the UK (only joking about that bit) to park facing traffic on the 'wrong' side of the road, DAY or NIGHT.
Click to expand...

Bloody hell, are they going to send all the "whinging pommes" back?. :D2:reel:

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