Call us on 01664 49 44 44
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
Hey,
I’ve got a chopper with a custom hardtail frame. It’s registered 1999 but was built with no indicators, mirrors or reflectors.
Will this pass the MOT?
Thanks in advance!
Mirrors are no issue but if the bike has lights it will need both indicators and a reflector at the back. The alternative would be to go for a daytime only MOT, which would mean removing (or disabling) the lights. All you then need is a reflector at the rear and a horn.
Hi there,
I am looking for a new tail light and I see one that has “smoked glass” which is basically slightly tinted, but not particularly dark. Will this pass the MOT so long as the lights function correctly? Also, would you know if this is road legal police-wise?
Regards.
As long as it shows red when the light is on, it will be absolutely fine.
Hey. I’ve got a cbr900rr streetfighter and the R6 subframe i have on it is attached using 5mm thick steel brackets as opposed to being bolted in like the standard subframe would be. Reason being is the R6 subframe is wider than the Honda one so hence it not fitting like standard. Would this be ok or would I need something else made up for it instead?
As long as it’s secure, pretty much anything goes Rob. No problem 🙂
Hi, I currently have an all in one rear light / indicator unit, fitted by the previous owner, it bothers me that the indicators are so close together and as I ride a lot at night and in poor conditions wish to reinstate the separate indicators, can I leave the current indicators connected and have both flashing?
I’m afraid not. These units are no longer an MOT pass unfortunately. Our suggestion would be to take the power lines connecting the indicators within the unit and use those to power the new separate ones.
Hiya I’m in the process of building a chop and have removed the clocks and replaced them with a bicycle speedo, problem is I now have no idiot lights, could you tell me exactly which idiot lights I am required to have. Sorry if this has been asked before.
As long as you can see the indicators flashing from a normal seated position you don’t actually need the idiot lights for an MOT.
Hi, i am fitting an aftermarket dash to my streetfighter. What indication lights do i need to pass an MOT eg. high beam light, neutral light?
Thanks.
The important thing is that you can see the indicators functioning from a normal seated position. If not, you’ll need an idiot light for them, but that’s the only one.
I have an xjr1300 which is more of a race bike, the indicators let it down, can I remove these including the wiring and switch making it look like it never had them and still get it through an MOT.
I also own a 1960 motorcycle so used to riding without indicators, I wouldn’t advise removing indicators to someone who is a more modern rider
The only thing that bothers me is that VOSA seem to change the rules and wording of MOT’s slightly from year to year but once I’ve removed all traces of the indicators it won’t be easy to re fit them.
Hi John,
Any motorcycle first registered before 1st August 1986 does not need indicators to pass an MOT, everything else does.
This is a great website! QQ, i have a 1983 BMW, I’ve removed the indicators front and rear in the hope the bike is except for indicators being registered pre 86, however the handlebar controls have an integrated indicator switch i can’t remove… might this be a problem?
Thanks Mike, appreciate the comment 🙂
As long as the switch doesn’t affect any other electrics on the vehicle it won’t be an issue.
Cheers.
Hi there,
Really good site! Quick question regarding my 1981 GS550 build.
I am wanting to integrate the rear indicators into the back of the bike (instead of on stalks, and separate to the rear/brake light). My only problem is the clear space between them will only be about 15-18cm, is there any chance this would fail my M.O.T or be illegal as there won’t be enough distance between them?
I know I don’t technically need indicators at all due to the age of the bike, but it would be nice to have some, but don’t want them sticking out!
Thanks in advance
As long as they don’t interfere with the normal operation of the rear lamps there should be no problem.
I have new Honda MSX125/Grom and I would like to replace the factory fitted side reflectors with combo reflectors/side lights. Would this pass an MOT in the future ?
I would replace the front one with amber reflector/side light and rear one with red reflector/side light.
You can see the reflectors on this picture :-
http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roadandtrack/images/Kk/2013_RT_HondaGrom_D.jpg
And I plan to wire up with a off/on switch with these e-marked reflectors/side lights :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281301460136
Thanks
Scott
You only need one, red reflector at the rear of the bike to pass an MOT. Any others are optional.
Hi I came on here looking for info about headlight aim requirements which I have got thanks, but I may have another problem. I have a 04 yam r6 which had a pair of headlight lenses on each side each pair only having one bulb behind them. The original set up meant on dip beam only one pair lit up . Ive seen other bikes with this assymetrical lighting and I always think it looks stupid so I dismantled the lamps and fitted a pair of bi xenon projectors. They had to be fitted at the outer side of each lamp ( ie replacing the two outer lenses) as there wasnt enough room behind the inner lenses. I read in an old post that the two lights have to be no more than 200mm apart. Is this dimension to the inner edges of each lens or the centre? I cant see any reason at all why my lights should be a fail, having two seperate dip lights looks much better than looking like one isnt working but if the 200mm rule is to the centres then it may fail.
Sorry Andy but it is the centres 🙁
Hi. Do bikes need a charging system for the lights? Or can it be charged when not being used.
I was thinking of retro fitting a dynamo as going a stator kit way would be the expensive way. Thanks (KTM SXF 250 2008)
The MOT requirement is that the lights work for the test. So if they are charged and work it will pass. It is then your responsibility to ensure they continue to work when the vehicle is being used on a public highway.
Hi i have a 1988 Dr 125, when i turn on the indicators there is a couple of seconds delay before they come on, is this an mot failure.
Hi Karl. From the way you describe it, yes that’s probably a fail. A slight delay is acceptable but a couple of seconds is no good at all. Plus your indicators have to flash at a good speed. Is your battery in good condition and is it’s charge being maintained by the alternator? That’s the first thing I would check =)
once they have started they flash at a normal rate and change direction it is istant
Then it just depends on the length of the delay between the first flick of the indicator switch and the first flash. Unfortunately I can’t advise you any better than that without seeing it.
Hi i own a 1976 side car combo could you tell me if it requires a day time running light as at the moment the side light is wired as a parking light and only comes on when the ignition key is removed in the park position,also i would like to fit an old style claxon instead of puny horn it currently has is this legal.
Hi Ivan. The light will be fine as it is but an old style claxon horn would not be sufficient for MOT purposes. It can be an added extra, no problem, but there still has to be a functioning continuous tone horn.
Hi, do the indicators need to work while the engine is off? Forthe mot? They work and flash fine when the engine ia running. Also do I need a light on the dash telling me if I’m on dipped beam or main beam. Thanks.
No Mark, as long as they work while the engine is running that’s fine. The high beam idiot light on the dash is not an MOT requirement for motorcycles either =)
I bought a honda crf 450 x , it’s new & road regestered, it comes with no horn
If his is illegal how are they aloud to sell the bikes as road leagal off roader’s ?
I have no idea Lee. There was a similar issue with some of Suzuki’s fancy rear lights which simply did not meet the UK MOT requirements. All I can say is sometimes it happens. Things slip through… But as things stand, if you were to bring a bike to us without a working horn it would fail.
Have a 2011 motocross bike which is road legal and at present can carry two people. can I remove all lights inc indicators and get daytime mot. And also fit single seat and remove rear foot pegs.
As long as all lights (including the brake light!?!?) are removed or completely covered plus you have a rear reflector and a continuous tone horn everything should be dandy. You can also remove the rear seat, no problem. Leave the pegs if you wish. What you *can’t* have is a seat but no pegs…
Hi – very interesting read!
My set up includes:-
1) Twin H4 HIDs (manual switch 1st light on, 2nd light on timer 10 secs later; beam pattern is ok)
2) Brake light flasher (flashes for 2 seconds then solid; no repeat for 8 secs)
3) banjo bolt pressure switch replacing rear brake switch
about to fit
4) banjo bolt pressure switch to replace front brake switch
I understood the self levelling for HIDS only related to cars, and would also appreciate your comments on other items ref mot/legality
many thanks for an excellent resource 🙂
Your HID lights at the front should be fine as long as they are white or yellow but what’s the brake light flasher all about? To pass an MOT, and be road legal, a brake light, once applied, needs to come on immediately and be constant. No flashing and no interference from other sources.
Your hydraulic brake switches are fine as long as they work correctly (and immediately) and don’t leak fluid.
Hi There,
I was wanting to make a custom change to my bike in regards to a home made Angel Eye style headlight using LED’s in the ring shape which would have the small ring for low beam and an additional larger ring surrounding this for a high beam setting, my question is if the light leveling is correct would this pass the MOT?
I was also thinking of a winter project of adding under fairing Red LED’s to give a glow effect coming out of the bike this would be on a switch which is off while riding would this 1. be Legal 2. pass an Mot?
The LED lighting at the front would have to project white light and be bright enough plus there would need to be a clear beam pattern at the correct height. Generally though LEDS do none of those things as they don’t project light far enough…
The red LEDS, as they are red, could simply be classed as running lights. So no problem as long as they don’t point forwards.
Hi I have a Kaiser ks125 will it fail the mot if 4 fairings are missing and will it pass.without a windscreen visor
Possibly. Very difficult to be sure without seeing the bike though.