Would these lights be legal, or not legal ?
And if not, why not ? (Strictly speaking of course)
The answer may be in here -
opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/uk … 80052_en_1
Not really ROG.
That’s a link to an Act (of Parliament) that simply says that the Secretary of State is empowered to make regulations.
The answer would lie in a specific, and particular regulation. Normally known as a Statutory Instrument.
Remember - I did say
(Strictly speaking of course)
I would say these would be legal as long as the replacement is eMarked correctly.
Both lamps have a built in reflector which is compulsory and cannot see a reason why an LED and a standard tail lamp shall not be used.
I wait to be edumacated. 
dambuster:
Normally known as a Statutory Instrument.
This any better:
opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm
?
Wheel Nut:
I would say these would be legal as long as the replacement is eMarked correctly.Both lamps have a built in reflector which is compulsory and cannot see a reason why an LED and a standard tail lamp shall not be used.
I wait to be edumacated.
i am no Electrician but i thought an LED requires a transformer to power the lights can you have the two systems running in parallel
delboytwo:
Wheel Nut:
I would say these would be legal as long as the replacement is eMarked correctly.Both lamps have a built in reflector which is compulsory and cannot see a reason why an LED and a standard tail lamp shall not be used.
I wait to be edumacated.
i am no Electrician but i thought an LED requires a transformer to power the lights can you have the two systems running in parallel
Dunno matey, but the side markers on our Schmitz trailers were led as were the front marker lamps but the rear lamp units needed bulbs.
I don’t know for certain, but I think they would be perfectly legal, provided they both operate correctly.
As far as I remember, a trailer needs - two rear facing triangular red reflectors
two rear facing red tail lights, close to the outside edges,
two rear facing red brake lights,
two rear facing orange indicators,
a red high intensity (fog) light.
side marker lights and reflectors
a white reversing light is optional I think, and must not be on when the vehicle is going forwards.
I doubt that the legislation would say that both light units have to look the same.
Its a visibility/safety thing, not a cosmetic/prettiness thing.
Those links probably do have the answer ROG, but as you supplied them, can you translate them into laymans terms, because I can’t figure out what they say unless I sit down for a couple of hours.
Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations S.I. No 1796 of 1989
Schedule 11
Section 12
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_16.htm#nsch11
- Other requirements-
Where two rear fog lamps are fitted to a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 or to a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985 they shall form a matched pair
It’s the same bit that says you can only have two (one pair) on newer (than 1979/80)
Elsewhere give the definition of “matched pair” to say they have to be the same colour/size/shape, but strangely not about the intensity or wattage.
delboytwo:
i am no Electrician but i thought an LED requires a transformer to power the lights can you have the two systems running in parallel
Not on a trailer they don’t, as the units are designed to work on 24V the same as the normal cluster, they’re completely interchangeable.
On the original question, I would say it’s legal. I don’t think there’s any requirement in law for the lights on the two sides of a vehicle to match.
Paul
dambuster:
Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations S.I. No 1796 of 1989
Schedule 11
Section 12The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
- Other requirements-
Where two rear fog lamps are fitted to a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 or to a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985 they shall form a matched pairIt’s the same bit that says you can only have two (one pair) on newer (than 1979/80)
Elsewhere give the definition of “matched pair” to say they have to be the same colour/size/shape, but strangely not about the intensity or wattage.
That suggests only the fog lights have to match, so if you disconnect the nearside led it would be legal, then again if it is a foreign truck what would the driver class as offside
Wheel Nut:
That suggests only the fog lights have to match, so if you disconnect the nearside led it would be legal, then again if it is a foreign truck what would the driver class as offside
It would be easier just to take the bulb out of the other one (or change it for a blown bulb).
These light units have a single waterproof multipin plug and socket, I think, so disconnecting one part wouldn’t be that easy.