Trailer Board Lights Legal or Illegal

Posted on 05/07/2019 12:25 by KEITHN61

Hi

I have an old caravan that we are about to sell  but are having one last trip in it in the near future , and found there is a fault with the lights ( no indicators , brakes etc) .Rather than go to the expense of having someone looking into this am I ok to drive the caravan with a trailer board  fixed to the back of the Caravan ( I have one from when I had a trailer , and works fine) , hence why I think its the caravan lights and not the car )

Thanks in advance

Keith

Posted on 05/07/2019 19:25 by commeyras

I would normally not respond but OP has not said  that he would therefore use a trailer board.  He said that he would therefore drive in the day time and hope 'that Mr Policeman has had a good day' - could mean anything.  In my post I said either get lights fixed or use a trailer board!  If he is using a trailer board that's fine.

Posted on 06/07/2019 16:37 by Lutz

Note that for any lighting to be legal on a motor vehicle or trailer it must carry a type approval (E) mark.

Posted on 05/07/2019 15:22 by Navigateur

The trailer board would be legal provided it displays the appropriate lights to replicate those required by law on the trailer.

So if your caravan requires by law a rear fog light, that would need to be included (foggy weather or not!), similarly reversing light. Front and side marker lights will be difficult though, should these be required.

As you refer to an "old caravan" you could be lucky if it has only simple rear lights. Otherwise it's down to what sort of day the traffic policeman has had so far.

Posted on 07/07/2019 19:03 by lagerorwine

Wouldn't the trailer board need to be as wide as the caravan? Otherwise, the rear corners of the caravan aren't marked?

Yeah -'what traffic policemen' - but sods law says, they will be there when you don't want them.