Obscured High Level Brake Light.

[Jake Royd]

My MH has a high mounted cycle carrier.
I've just bought a Taylormade cycle cover, which is fantastic, but it totally obscures the high level brake light.
Is this legal?

I've been doing some research on this and have not found a definitive answer.
Many Googlings bring up MOT pass/fail , this is not the question. MOTwise if it's fitted it must work.
Lot's of discussion , even on Police forums and VOSA etc. but can't see definatives.

It's like likely that since the lamp does not indicate the width of the vehicle when brakes are applied, then it can be obscured legally but I would ask , does anybody know?

I know you will have opinions but it's an accurate legal fact i'm seeking, I may not have found it out there and somebody else can.

 

[David and Sally]

Reading the stuff on the internet I doubt you are going to get a definitive answer.

 

[JohnJan]

From this, it looks like if you have a high "optional" brake light then it should be visible

Police Community

Hi All, Can you offer a little advise, whats is the current standing on High Level brake lights (HLBL) or also known as 3rd brake light, normally placed in the top middle of your rear window. The question is drivers are now placing stickers which obscure (not block) the HLBL. with various words, ...

police.community

 

[autorouter]

If in doubt, you could stick some tape over it. It is an optional light, not an obligatory light. If it's masked, it is not regarded as a light at all.
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 4/4(a):
"(4) Without prejudice to regulation 16, for the purposes of these Regulations a lamp shall not be treated as being a lamp if it is–

(a)so painted over or masked that it is not capable of being immediately used or readily put to use"

 

[Jake Royd]

Yes, I've found the same slightly confusing information.
It isn't going to stop me carrying bikes , I just wondered.

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[tacr2man]

AS autorouter when carrying bikes mask it out that way it will not be a optional stop lamp as per RVLR
89 , Sched 12 Part 1 and fall foul of part1/p3 as otherwise the exemptions in Sch 12 Part11 dont cover it .

 

[Vipar]

The "3rd" brakelight is an "Optional Lamp" and it is not obligatory under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

 

[Geo]

If disconnected it would still pass an mot test.

 

[gus-lopez]

As long as the bike rack doesn't obscure either sides brake /side /indicator lights when viewed parallel from 3m behind.

If in doubt, you could stick some tape over it. It is an optional light, not an obligatory light. If it's masked, it is not regarded as a light at all.
Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 4/4(a):
"(4) Without prejudice to regulation 16, for the purposes of these Regulations a lamp shall not be treated as being a lamp if it is–

(a)so painted over or masked that it is not capable of being immediately used or readily put to use"

It is obligatory , under EU law. which takes precedence as offering 'greater safety'.
It is only legal in the UK by being an eu directive as UK C&U regulations expressly forbid more than one light on each side & no others.

If disconnected it would still pass an mot test.

Yes, but if connected it is a fail. How would you tell the difference ?

 

[Geo]

As long as the bike rack doesn't obscure either sides brake /side /indicator lights when viewed parallel from 3m behind.
It is obligatory , under EU law. which takes precedence as offering 'greater safety'.
It is only legal in the UK by being an eu directive as UK C&U regulations expressly forbid more than one light on each side & no others.

Yes, but if connected it is a fail. How would you tell the difference ?

Exactly The same way I tell a class 4 MH from a class 7 Living van

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