14 replies to this topic

[Minigirlracer]

I got pulled over for the first ever time by the police on monday in my old polo (not the mini) and got told one of my rear lights was out. I didnt get fined thankfully, but now have 14 days to get it repaired, otherwise could end up going to court.
Now as nothing is ever straightforward, its not just a simple case of changing the bulb, its the entire bulb holder thats faulty and im in a panic as what if the garage cant fix it later on today - eek!

Anyone else had one of these green forms before where they got to be stamped and sent back to the police station.

Soooo annoyed as the mini is back on the road in perfect new working order on friday aswell, typical

[minimadjonesy]

don't worry about it, 14 days is plenty of time to get parts and get them fitted even if they do not have it it stock! could also try somewhere like eurocarparts and see if you can get it and fit it yourself!

[WiredbyWilson]

What is actually wrong with the bulb holder? Normally a bit of cleaning up and bending of the terminals sorts them out

[Minigirlracer]

Theres no power going to the rear light bulb. I've got another bulb holder and thats doing the same... Roll on when the mini is back so I dont have to drive this thing anymore!! l

[WiredbyWilson]

sounds like it's not the holder then - have you checked the fuses & or bulbs as think VW's have seperate lines for the lights in the fuse box.

which light isn't working?

[Ethel]

I'm not sure that's right. It's only an offence to drive with a light out if you know about it. I don't see that you are obliged to repair it, until, & unless, you use it again. It's also a cheek that you should pay to prove you aren't breaking the law.

Get to the scrappers - if push comes to shove you could solder wires straight to the bulb.

[Minigirlracer]

sounds like it's not the holder then - have you checked the fuses & or bulbs as think VW's have seperate lines for the lights in the fuse box.

which light isn't working?

Its the passenger side rear light. Havent got a haynes manual and theres only me at home so am a right damsel in distress haha... Havent checked any of the fuses yet as cant find any :S

[Ethel]

Does your front sidelight work on that side? what about the number plate light?

Most cars have a fuse for each side & number plate lamps are good at causing shorts 'n blowing fuses.


VVV ----------------------------------------- VVV

I guess they might have you on the technicality that after they pulled you over, you knew about the defect when they let you drive on with a light out. Though even that needn't be an offence if you couldn't reasonably do anything about it. My take would be that it's an offence to use it until you get it fixed regardless.

[Jim_Jam]

...Surely you have 14 days if your using it on the road? If it takes longer and you don't drive it untill fixed then no problem??

[davidv]

Always best to get the job done right to be fair.But i would just Re-wire the feed by docking of the front one as a temp job.Wires in the car not underside.Fuse inline to be safe.How many of us have fitted a top exhaust system on a Mini and bearnt out the plus feed to the bat.Repaired with hose pipe sheild.

[WiredbyWilson]

Always best to get the job done right to be fair.But i would just Re-wire the feed by docking of the front one as a temp job.Wires in the car not underside.Fuse inline to be safe.How many of us have fitted a top exhaust system on a Mini and bearnt out the plus feed to the bat.Repaired with hose pipe sheild.

I seriously doubt a re-wire is needed in this case.

Get a multimeter or test lamp and see if there i a feed in the plug to cluster. As you say there is no power can you just clarify how you diagnosed this.

Also you say it is the passengers light - are we talking sidelight, brake light??

[midridge2]

(I'm not sure that's right. It's only an offence to drive with a light out if you know about it.) I don't see that you are obliged to repair it, until, & unless, you use it again. It's also a cheek that you should pay to prove you aren't breaking the law.


thats as clear as mud.
its not an offence to drive with a light out if you dont know about it, does this apply to a bald tyre, out of date tax disc, insurance ran out etc, sorry officer i did not know my tax had ran out, thats ok i will let you off as you did not know.

i think you need to explain this a bit more ethel.

[Twincam]

Recently there has been a thing about the police stopping you if your tail lights are out (not sure if they're doing the same with the front but I should say they are) and invalidating your current MOT - you then have to change the bulb/whipp it down the station and produce your "new" MOT.

[stevede]

The green form you have will be a VDRS. (vehicle defect rectification scheme) Or it was when I was in GMP.

The idea is that instead of issuing a fixed penalty or summons you get 14 days to correct the problem, which let's be fair, once you know about it you should be wanting to fix it.

Prior to this the option was said Fine/FPN/Summons etc or the officer in question "advising". What often happened in the latter case was that 3 weeks later, you saw the same car & driver with the same fault you "advised" on.

With the VDRS you get 14 days but have to have the defect checked by an MOT station. (some charge for this, some don't) and then submit the completed form to the police.

It does say (or at least used to) that to continue to use the vehicle with the defect could still constitute an offence for which you could be prosecuted. It doesn't mean you can drive around with imunity for 14 days.

Look at the VDRS as a get out of jail free (ish) card. You get your car fixed & no FPN or points.

As for the not an offence to drive with a light out you didn't know about, if I stopped someone with a lamp out my first question was "when did you last check your lights"? No one ever answered "I checked them just before I set out on my journey" which negates the argument "I didn't know it was out officer".

[stevede]

(I'm not sure that's right. It's only an offence to drive with a light out if you know about it.) I don't see that you are obliged to repair it, until, & unless, you use it again. It's also a cheek that you should pay to prove you aren't breaking the law.


thats as clear as mud.
its not an offence to drive with a light out if you dont know about it, does this apply to a bald tyre, out of date tax disc, insurance ran out etc, sorry officer i did not know my tax had ran out, thats ok i will let you off as you did not know.

i think you need to explain this a bit more ethel.

The insurance, bald tyre etc are what's called "absolute offences" which means there is no defence. It is your responsibility to check the roadworthyness and legalality of the vehicle & driver before you use it.

The bulb is a bit different as it could realistically have blown during your journey. (as happened to me a few weeks ago). As per my other reply you are obliged to check the function of the lights before every journey. But then, how many of us do?