Can someone help me we have some longer semi trailers at work hooked up the other day and on doing my checks noticed that a rear marker light was smashed on these trailers their is marker lights at the rear of the trailer just under the curtains on a rubber stalk. I think a forklift truck smashed it when loading the trailer the marker light is red on the rear and white facing the drivers cab. I was told that the trailer is legal to take out on the road by my manager but I somehow don’t think this is right if VOSA see a marker light out on this longer semi trailer I will get fined and points? What do you think on this one■■?
As a general rule, if a light is fitted it should work. But sometimes common sense prevails. If you were driving in daylight and it was booked in for a repair, personally I wouldn’t loose too much sleep over it.
I wouldn’t be happy driving it at night as it’s very obviously not working.
As it was damaged, it is not a good defence to say it was working when you did your checks (you’d get away with it for a blown bulb).
The fact it’s a LST is unimportant; the rules apply to all vehicles.
Highly unlikely you would be “done” for it. Though I must stress it is illegal and the only correct action is to refuse it.
Pete
If it’s a red and white (i.e. front and rear marker) thats on the side of the vehicle I’d probably carry on. I don’t think theres any requirement for the side of the trailer apart from amber markers but the rear one must be within a metre of the back and then every 3? metres (ready and waiting to be corrected by someone who knows for definate)
If it’s showing a white light at all to any direction other than the front then it’s an off the road job until fixed (or you just pull the bulb out - but don’t tell the TNuk mafia if you do)
Just found this so see if your trailer fits all the legal criteria
You need to remember this simple rule. If you get stopped and something is not right with the vehicle. You are the one who has to explain. Transport will not take any responsibility after all you are the driver.
I would not take it, that rear white is my marker for the arse of the tlr with the rest being amber
The first time I did my walk around checks on the longer trailers we have the rear stalk marker lights were not working. I later realised that they were in fact part of the reversing sensor system, and flashed as you approached an obstacle, lighting up constantly when you reached the set limit. Only the longer trailers have them, and assume it’s to remind the driver the distance to the dock is different.