Is a broken third brake light an MoT fail?
Can you please advise whether the below legislation is still current with regards to the third brake or high brake light? This would be for a vehicle that was first registered in 2010 .
The 3rd brakelight is an 'optional lamp' and it is not obligatory under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (loads of cars still only have 2 after all). Only these two obligatory positional brake lights are required to be fitted and maintained.
More specifically I am querying whether a driver can be stopped and fined by the police in the event the third brake light is not working but the main two brake lights are.
The 3rd brakelight is an 'optional lamp' and it is not obligatory under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (loads of cars still only have 2 after all). Only these two obligatory positional brake lights are required to be fitted and maintained.
More specifically I am querying whether a driver can be stopped and fined by the police in the event the third brake light is not working but the main two brake lights are.
Asked on 30 January 2024 by T Khan
Answered by
David Ross
In respect of the MoT test, a high-level third brake light is considered optional but if one is fitted and connected it must work, so it is possible that the police could stop and fine a driver for a non-functioning third brake light as it does not meet the regulations.
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage GuideSimilar questions
Is the high level braking light part of the MoT test? I have read somewhere that if it is fitted it must work. Mine has stopped working and I cannot find out why. If I remove it completely as long as the...
Is the third brake light at the rear part of the MoT?
My third brake light is an LED strip of nine lights. Two of them are out, is this an MoT fail?
![2019 Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair 5dr [6 Speed]](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/5e2eb1de861b1ca5275f7517096d886f/87c61934747a8bd6c289485867bb79dd.jpg)
.jpg)
