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MOT Sections
Lights And Signals
MOT checks for lights and signals on motorcycles are divided into seven sections. Please click on a link below to skip to the section of interest.
front and rear position lamps :: headlamps :: stop lamps :: rear reflectors :: indicators :: headlamp aim :: audible warnings
Front and Rear Position Lamps on a Motorcycle
note: the front position light, or sidelight, is considered separate from the motorcycle’s headlight and at least 50% of all light sources within a lamp must function. If lamps are obscured by other parts of the bike they will fail.
- The front light must emit a white light unless it is within a yellow headlamp and the rear must always be red
- Both lights must illuminate immediately once the switch is pressed, be securely mounted and not flicker when tapped
- The switch must also be securely mounted and again, tapping shouldn’t affect the lights
- One switch must operate both lights
Daylight MOT
If a motorbike has no lights at all, or they are taped, painted or permanently disconnected so as to emit no light whatsoever you can still get an MOT pass but you will receive an advisory note stating that the bike should only be used during the hours of daylight and not during times of seriously reduced visibility.
Fog Lights
The motorcycle MOT does not cover rear fog lights or amber lights within the indicator lens of your bike.
Motorcycle Headlamps
- Your motorbike’s headlamp must emit either yellow or white light
- It must light immediately the switch is pressed
- It should not be adversely affected by any other lamp or the horn
- It must not flicker when tapped or when the switch is tapped
- Both headlight and switch must be securely attached to the motorcycle.
Twin headlights
Only one or both headlamps need to illuminate for either dipped or main beam and they must be mounted one on top of the other or symmetrically and no more than 200mm apart.
Mopeds
For the purposes of the MOT mopeds are only required to have a functioning dipped beam.
Pre-1931 Motorcycles
If your bike was built before 1 January 1931 it doesn’t need a headlight at all but if there is one it must function correctly.
Motorcycle Stop Lamps
- Your motorbike’s stop lamp must emit only a steady red light
- It must light immediately once the switch(es) is pressed and switch off when released
- It should not be adversely affected by any other lamp
- It must be securely attached to the bike and not flicker when tapped
- Both brakes must operate the stop lamp unless the the was manufactured with only one switch
Slow Vehicles & Mopeds
Bikes which cannot exceed 25mph do not have to have a stop lamp fitted nor do mopeds which were first registered before 1 April 1986 but if fitted they must function correctly.
Rear Reflectors on Motorcycles
- Your bike must be fitted with one unobscured red reflector
- It must be securely fitted and reflect squarely to the rear
- It must be positioned along the motorcycles longitudinal centre line
Extra Reflectors and Tape
Only one reflector is required for the MOT but your bike will not fail for having more. Unfortunately reflective tape is not considered satisfactory.
Motorcycle Indicators
- Indicators must be fitted to a motorcycle and emit only orange light
- They must flash on and off, not just dim and brighten
- They must flash between 60 and 120 times per minute
- They must be visible when riding or have a functioning idiot light
- They must be securely fitted and so must the switch
- They must not be adversely affected by the operation of another lamp or the horn
Motorcycles Registered Pre-1986
Any motorcycle first registered before 1st August 1986 does not need indicators to pass an MOT
Slow and Off-Road Vehicles
Bikes which cannot exceed 30mph or off-road bikes designed to carry just the rider do not need indicators but if fitted they must function correctly.
Motorcycle Headlamp Aim
note: a specialist piece of equipment is needed to correctly check the aim of your motorbikes headlight but if you follow the guidelines below we would be happy to make minor adjustments if necessary free of charge.
- A motorcycle headlight should point directly forward and slightly downwards
- The dipped beam must kick-up to the offside of the bike
Audible Warnings
- Your bike must be fitted with a working continuous tone horn or horns
- It must be loud enough to be heard by other road users
- It must not make a harsh or grating noise
- It must be easily operable whilst riding
front and rear position lamps :: headlamps :: stop lamps :: rear reflectors :: indicators :: headlamp aim :: audible warnings
Hi,
My MOT is coming up from my TGB Hawk 2010 Moped I was wondering if the body work on the ped matters whether or not it passes or fails its all secure and taped up i see no problem but there might be something i don’t know? please help thanks
Dave
Unfortunately ‘im not going to be able to say without you being more specific or me seeing it in person. If you believe it to be secure then pop it down 🙂 FTMC
Is it legal to have blue led strip lights underneath a motorbike? I brought them to give myself extra viability at night and they are able to be turned on and off with a switch, but would i be pulled over for having them? Ive been told by some its ok as long as its not at the front or rear of the bike?
Hi there, i am unfamilier with road law (which can differ sometimes to MOT law) on this subject and some quick research shows it to be a grey subject. As for the M.O.T extra lights fitted are not part of the test. Your best bet is to ask a police officer about the legality of it. FTMC
Hi there
Can you please look at the picture below, the bike has integrated light installed above the pipe which has indicators and stop signal integrated. The guy has also indicators on the side. Would my bike pass the test if I use the integrated turn signals only? In addition is the way the number plate is mounted legal?
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8660/dscf0196u.jpg
Thank you
Hi there, most setups of integral tail-light units are an M.O.T fail, this may be why hes got seperate indicators. If the indicators ALTERNATE with th the tail/brake light then that is a fail, however if the indicator IS NOT interacting with the stop/tail light then that is ok. The number plate location is a difficult one to say and id need to see it in person to give it a proper check. FTMC
My bike has a current full MOT – if I remove the headlight completely is it still legal to ride it in daytime only when visibility isn’t reduced?
Hi Tim, Providing ALL the lights have been removed or covered over then yes that would be fine. The exact wording in the Manual and therefore the wording used on the M.O.T certificate is
This inspection applies to: All machines. Except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, [inc headlight, taillight, indicators, stop light(s)] or have such lamps PERMANENTLY DISCONNECTED, painted over or masked that are
1. only used during daylight hours, and
2. not used during times of reduced visibility
If this situation occurs the machine presenter should be issued an advisory notice recording the above
This is more commonly known as a daytime M.O.T
hope this helps FTMC
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/48-96-120-LED-Strip-Car-Flexible-Waterproof-Linear-PVC-Light-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-/120890991666?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Night_Lights_Fairy_Lights&var=420072968089&hash=item1c25aa2432 : I was looking at getting a couple of thes led strips in amber(or as close as) to use as rear indicators on my hyosung 125(drilling each hole and popping them through along the rim of the tail) would this be legal?
these led do have that plastic coating which kind of acts as a diffuser
i have seen them on a youtube video exactly how i want them, but i dont think it was in england. pls help, i would love to be able to do this!
Hi there providing they are easily visible, secure and amber in colour then you should be fine. Its difficult to say a definate yes or no without seeing them “in person” FTMC
well its not the ”YES, OF CAUSE YOU CAN, GO AHEAD IT WILL LOOK GREAT” that i was hoping for but thank you. i will speak to a bike mechanic near me and see if i can get him to do my mot, it may up to his discretion. 😉
haha no worries Adam, we have to be careful about what we say say a definite yes or no too as it is matters of the law 🙂 hope it works out, sounds like it would look great FTMC
HI there, i have a ZX12R on a 06 plate, which is due an MOT soon, i’ve just realised that the pass light switch isn’t working but the main/ dip light switch does work is this an MOT fail? Cheers
Hi there, this isn’t classed as a fail. FTMC
Hi, I have put some additional driving lights on the front of my BMW. They are hard wired so they always come on. The are down by the mudguard (not the higher level lights I’ve seen on a GS). They are very bright! The normal headlight still works fine. Will this pass an MOT?
Thanks
Hi there, the extra lights are not included in the m.o.t test so they shouldn’t cause a fail. For the sake of others I would just make sure that they don’t point too high and dazzle other road users. FTMC
Hi, I’m building a K100 special. I’ve cut the rear frame down and would like to fit amber LED indicator bulbs within the frame stubs. They will be clearly visible from the rear but possibly not from 1/4 angles or side on. I will be fitting an idiot light on the dash but is there any rule (MOT or civil) that the light should be visible from anywhere but rearwards. Cheers!
Hi there, im not sure about the civil law regarding this and without actually seeing the bike in the “flesh” i wouldn’t be able to comment whether it would pass or fail, however i can quote the M.O.T regulation for you….
Statutory Indicators
The precise position and angle of visibility of direction indicators are not part of this inspection, but they must be on each side of the longitudinal axis of a solo machine.
Method of inspection
Operate the direction indicators on each side in turn and check the colour, flash rate and that it is not obscured…..
As you can see its a bit of a grey area, it may very well be that it is left to the discretion of the tester as to whether they are obscured or not as although it can not fail SPECIFICALLY for its position it can fail for being obscured. Just for reference too the manual states that an idiot light or “tell tale”, to give it its official name, is only needed if the front indicators are not visible from the seated riding position. Hope all this helps FTMC
Hi, I have a 1973 Kawasaki KE100. I need to take it for an MOT but the indicators only just come on dim. I replaced the battery for last years MOT and I have only done about 150 miles since. Do you think I need a new flasher relay?
Thanks
Hi there, unfortunately with that sort of problem its very difficult for us to diagnose, especially if it is a 6v system, as it could be any number of things causing the lights to go dim. We are a little more lenient with older electrics but that doesn’t count for every tester as a lot of items are left to the discretion of the tester. FTMC
hey there , im building a chopper and im wondering if I can mot the bike without indicators, as I havn,t planned to fit them,
Hi there, it would depend on when the motorcycle was first registered, before 1 August 1986 and indicators are not a requirement. After that date and they are a requirement. 1986 is around the C/D reg, double check your log book for the actual date of first registration. FTMC
Thanks for such a fast response! Am I allowed to have the rear reflector stuck to the number plate, or does it not matter where it is as long as it is facing to the rear?
I have a horn still (just in case) so I will just tape over the light once the rear fairing is back on!
Your help is much appreciated – thank you for clearing up what, to me, is quite a confusing bit of legislation!
Ben
So long as it is rear facing then you can put the reflector anywhere really. no problem at all that’s what we’re here for 🙂 FTMC
Hi FTMC,
I have a 2012 ZX6-R. It is used as a track bike so has no lights or mirrors, it is insured and taxed, and I wish to carry a pillion on a daytime journey (I have pillion insurance). If I remove the race tail fairing and put the standard tail (and connect the light) and a number plate, do I need to add any other lights? It will have a tail light permanently on, and also brake light, but no others. Or do I not need to connect the rear light unit at all? I am unsure as to whether all lights will be required if I connect some, but do not want to put the standard front fairings on. There is a rear facing reflector on the number plate.
Hope you can help!
Best regards, Ben
Hi there Ben, When it comes to the “daytime M.O.T” it is all or nothing with the lights. If you were to refit the standard tail unit then you would need to mask over the lights as without this they would fail for being fitted but not working. 2 things are still necessary for the daytime M.O.T. A continuous tone horn and rear facing reflector. The numberplate light is only an advisory if it is not working and therefore doesn’t come under the “daytime M.O.T” rules.
Hope this helps FTMC
Hi, I have a road legal crf motocross bike which only has a rear brake light switch, will it pass a M.O.T? or is a front brake light switch required?
Thanks
Jake
Hi jake, it would depend on how old it is. The inspection manual quotes…… “Machines first used before 1 April 1986 must have a stop lamp that operates from at least one brake control”….”Machines first used on or after 1 April 1986 must have a stop lamp that operates from both brake controls” Hope this helps FTMC
Hi ,I’m in the middle of doing up a Honda rebel 125 that’s been stood in a garage for years ,i’m nearly ready to take it for it’s MOT but i can’t get hold of a right hand side panel, the one that covers the battery ,will it fail if the battery isn’t covered ?
Thanks
Hi there, simply not being covered up is not a reason for failure, however it will need to be secure and any wiring that may attach to the panel secured too. thanks FTMC
Hi,
I’m currently replacing old parts on my 1999 Bandit 600, i’ve replaced the rear light with one that has built in indicators. I’m now wanting to replace my current front headlight and indicators with one that has them all built in. A friend told me that I should make sure the headlight has a beam pattern for the MOT, but the one i’m looking at doesn’t. Would the light definately fail if it has no beam pattern?
Cheers!
hi there, it would be hard to say without looking at it on a beam tester as to whether it would fail, you are welcome to pop down we can check the headlight for you. The taillight sounds like it is going to fail, in order to pass the indicators will need to flash SEPERATELY to the brake lights and tail lights. Most of these combo light units alternate between indicators and the other lights causing the brake/tailight to flash. The indicators can still be built in to the tail unit but have to have there own dedicated section of L.E.D’s rather than share with the brake/tail light.
Hi
I am restoring an 1984 Honda MTX50, but it has no side stand
does it need it for its mot or will it be ok
Thanks
hi there, there is no requirement for the stand on the m.o.t. If fitted it will need to be safe secure and return properly. hope this helps FTMC
Hi, I’m changing the head light on my 2001 Kawasaki VN800. The one fitted is not the orig, but the one i’m fitting is dipped beam only. Do I have to have a full beam to pass the MOT? If so, can I fit 2 spots eather side as full beams? Cheers.
Hi there, a main beam headlamp is required on a motorcycle of your age and size, many bikes have separate headlamps for main and dip so using the spots should in theory be ok. They would need to pass the requirements of the test still such as beam pattern and correct height. FTMC
A 1976 motorcycle I am thinking of importing from germany has been modified to have the indicators mounted out of the ends of the handlebars. There are no rear indicators. It has the equivalent german mot. Is this sufficient for a UK mot ?
Hey there, For U.K roads it will need to pass a U.K M.O.T, despite most of our regulations coming from the E.U! A couple of things you may find helpful in answering your question is 1. A vehicle first used before 1 August 1986 is exempt from needing indicators, HOWEVER, 2. If indicators are fitted they must meet the requirements of the inspection. As it is, it would fail. you would need to either remove the front indicators or fit rear indicators. Hope this helps FTMC
Hi there,
Im looking at a set of watsen design flushmount indicators but I am struggling to find out if they are legal on UK roads.They are like these shown in the video (be warned you will want it on mute as the background music is shocking!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzqh3I0FXbU
Hiya, providing the indicators can be easily seen standing in line with the front, (for the front indicators) and inline with the back (for the back indicators) then they are ok. if the tell tale or “idiot light” isn’t working then you will need to be able to see the front indicators from the riding position. hope this helps FTMC
Hi,
My bike fell over the other day and one of the indicator housings cracked. The silver reflector where the bulb sits in has cracked and the screw holes to secure the lens have snapped off. Will my bike pass an MOT if I duck tape a new lens to the housing? No white light would shine through?
Also my wingmirrors easily unscrew on the thread, would that be a fail?
Thanks.
Hi there, the way your describing the indicator would suggest it wouldn’t fail, you are correct in saying that showing a white light would cause a fail, in extreme cases where the reflecting part of the indicator is deteriorated it can cause a fail for not being bright/visable enough. This would be down to the tester to decide however. Hope this helps FTMC