Taxi Driver Online

Lights fitted to the roofs of non-Hackney cabs must meet strict criteria regarding size.

In Dundee, they must have white light on the front and red at the back.

There have been a few concerns raised recently in relation to the colour of lights on taxi roof signs and internal signs. Specifically in relation to blue lights that have made some taxis look like police vehicles from a distance.

The law in this area is a bit confusing and I have sought clarity from Police Scotland who raised one of the initial concerns.

The relevant legislation is the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 which legislates the colours of lights that can be fitted to vehicles, a link to the legislation is below.

In relation to blue lights Regulation 16(b) states :

No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle or a vehicle used for special forces purposes, shall be fitted with—

(a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or

(b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

The key word here is ‘resembles’. That gives a wide interpretation to the Police and all they need to show is there is a likelihood of confusion in the eyes of the public to prove the offence.

You should give careful consideration to the colour of lights that are displayed on taxi signs either on the roof or any internal signs that can be seen from outside of the vehicles.

The best advice I can give at the moment is avoid blue coloured lights and red lights.

But while it is acceptable to have the name of the taxi firm printed on the rear side of the light, simply having the word “Taxi” on it is a breach of conditions.

Although many taxis previously passed inspections with lights that said “Taxi” on the rear, a clampdown on the practice by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has seen some drivers given on-the-spot fines for lights that do not comply.

I once got told off by a police officer in Rutland because my taxi sign was white at the front and red at the back. Had to switch my meter off to make sure light not showing and told to get red backing removed which is difficult as it is painted onto the inside of most roof lights.

He would NOT accept that nearly every roof light in the uk was that colour

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE FITTING OF LAMPS, REFLECTORS, REAR MARKINGS AND DEVICES

Colour of light shown by lamps and reflectors

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(2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–

(a) amber light from a direction indicator or side marker lamp;

(b) white light from a reversing lamp;

(c) white light from a work lamp;

(d) light to illuminate the interior of a vehicle;

(e) light from an illuminated rear registration plate;

(f) light for the purposes of illuminating a taxi meter;

(g) in the case of a bus, light for the purposes of illuminating a route indicator;

(h) blue light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to a police control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(i) white light from a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(j) green light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to an ambulance control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;

(k) blue light from a warning beacon or rear special warning lamp fitted to an emergency vehicle, or from any device fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;

(l) amber light from a warning beacon fitted to–

(i) a road clearance vehicle;

(ii) a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;

(iii) a breakdown vehicle;

(iv) a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;

(v) a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;

(vi) a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;

(vii) a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;

(viii) a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;

(ix) a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;

(x) a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;

(xi) a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;

(xii) a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;

(m) green light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with full, provisional or limited registration);

(n) yellow light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle for use at airports;

(o) light of any colour from a traffic sign which is attached to a vehicle;

(p) reflected light from amber pedal retro reflectors;

(q) reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–

(i) a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;

(ii) a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or

(iii) an invalid carriage;

(r) reflected light from amber retro reflective material on a road clearance vehicle;

(s) reflected light from yellow retro reflective registration plates;

(t) reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a rear marking of a type specified in Part I Section B of Schedule 19 and fitted to–

(i) a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7500 kg;

(ii) a motor vehicle first used before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 3000 kg;

(iii) a trailer having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg;

(iv) a trailer manufactured before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 1000 kg;

(v) a trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles one of which is of a type mentioned in a previous item of this sub-paragraph;

(vi) a load carried by any vehicle; or

(u) reflected light from orange retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981(1) or the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 1986(2)

The question that comes to mind is,

Does it really f***ing matter?

The question that comes to mind is,

Does it really f***ing matter?

Well it does matter if anyone's being fined £100 for a rule that's unclear and no one seems able to clarify.

Can LA's in Scotland issue fines?

Can DVSA issue fines?

Thought both had to go via Courts.