The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

(Regulations 18 and 20)

SCHEDULE 17E+W+S

PART IE+W+SRequirements relating to obligatory side retro reflectors and optional side retro reflectors to the extent specified in part ii

1.  Number–

(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985:

On each side: two and as many more as are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 2(a)

(b) A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985:

On each side: Two

2.  Position–

(a) Longitudinal–

(i)A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985–

(A)Maximum distance from the front of the vehicle, including any drawbar, in respect of the foremost reflector on each side:

4 m

(B)Maximum distance from the rear of the vehicle in respect of the rearmost reflector on each side:

1 m

(C)Maximum separation distance between the reflecting areas of adjacent reflectors on the same side of the vehicle:

3 m or, if this is not practicable, 4 m

(ii)A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985–

(A)Maximum distance from the rear of the vehicle in respect of the rearmost reflector on each side:

1 m

(B)The other reflector on each side of the vehicle:

Towards the centre of the vehicle

(b) Lateral:

No requirement

(c) Vertical–

(i)Maximum height above the ground:

1500 mm

(ii)Minimum height above the ground:

350 mm

3.  Angles of visibility–

(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985–

(i)Horizontal:

45° to the left and to the right when viewed in a direction at right angles to the longutidinal axis of the vehicle

(ii)Vertical–

(A)Except in a case specified in sub-paragraph (B):

15° above and below the horizontal

(B)Where the highest part of the reflecting area is less than 750 mm above the ground:

15° above and 5° below the horizontal

(b) A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985:

Plainly visible to the side

4.  Alignment:

To the side

5.  Markings:

An approval mark

6.  Size of reflecting area:

No requirement

7.  Colour–

(a) Any vehicle not covered by sub-paragraph (b):

Amber or if within 1 m of the rear of the vehicle it may be red

(b) A solo motor bicycle, a motor bicycle combination, a pedal cycle with or without a sidecar or an invalid carriage:

No requirement

8.  Other requirements:

No side retro reflector shall be triangular

Commencement Information

I1Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 1 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I2Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 2 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I3Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 3 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I4Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 4 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I5Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 5 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I6Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 6 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I7Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 7 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

I8Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 8 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

9.  Definitions–E+W+S

(a) In this Schedule “approval mark” means either–

(i)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 4 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 3 or 3B of Schedule 2 to those Regulations and which includes the marking I or IA; or

(ii)a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Designation of Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 4 of Schedule 4 to those Regulations and which includes the marking I; and

(b) In this Schedule references to “maximum distance from the front of the vehicle” and “maximum distance from the rear of the vehicle” are references to the maximum distance from that end of the vehicle (as determined by reference to the overall length of the vehicle exclusive of any special equipment) beyond which no part of the reflecting area of the side retro reflector extends.

Commencement Information

I9Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 9 in force at 1.11.1989, see reg. 1(1)

[F1PART IIE+W+SREQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL SIDE RETRO REFLECTORS

Textual Amendments

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part I. But, in respect of a vehicle to which paragraph 7(a) applies which is used for the purposes listed in column (1) of the Table, the permitted colours are those listed in column (2).

Table

Policeamber, yellow, blue, white or if within 1 m of the rear of the vehicle it may be red
[F2Scottish Fire and Rescue Service] or, in England and Wales, fire and rescue authorityamber, yellow, red

Ambulance

[F3The provision of a response to an emergency at the request of an NHS ambulance service but only in respect of a vehicle which is owned by the service or held by it under a lease or hire agreement]

amber, yellow, green, white or if within 1 m of the rear of the vehicle it may be red
[F4Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency]amber, yellow, silver, white or if within 1 m of the rear of the vehicle it may be red
Traffic officeramber, yellow, white or if within 1 m of the rear of the vehicle it may be red.]

Textual Amendments

F3Words in Sch. 17 Pt. 2 inserted (26.5.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(3)(d), Sch. 9 para. 13