License plate lights on motorbikes

[Jezzabelle]

A mate recently informed me that it isn't a requirement that you must have your rear number plate on a motorbike illuminated. I argued that statement to be crap, that by law it has to be illuminated.

True or false?

[Stoneville]

True - it is required
False - it's not required

[Lord Augastus]

True - it is required
False - it's not required

Dont do drugs kids ^

[Glassy]

the grumpy old man at the pits told me it had to be illuminated!

[Mo-Fo]

Cops told me it has to be illuminated. Also the minimum distance between rear indicator lights is 30cm (for those running FE's).

[Bigmandazz]

Also the minimum distance between rear indicator lights is 30cm (for those running FE's).

How does the new CBR1000rr pass the rear indicators ares definatley closer than 30 cms???

[Weetbix]

Another related question, it must be white light right?

[agrid]

The cops that pulled me over for not having an illuminated licence plate told me I had to have an illuminated licence plate.

[andy_b]

havnt had a working one on my hyo for a good 2 years and no issues there...

[OZY]

cops need to read your plate at night , you must have a WHITE LIGHT .. also why the hell would you want to ride without one , just gives the police a excuse to pull you over and then check on other stuff wrong with your bike ....

oz

[Herbie]

When I got yellow stickered Thursday I was told that my light on my FE was illegal. So in answer to your question, I believe that not only do you legally have to have one, it also has to meet certain requirements (I'm guessing for brightness/spread of light etc)

[Bigmandazz]

havnt had a working one on my hyo for a good 2 years and no issues there...

Same here with my bike. Only noticed it last year and chanegd it once then it had blown in a week so it has been as it is. If anyone including Police need to read it there lights seem to illuminate it and had no problems.

I guess its luck I know I should change it again. Maybe this time with LED so it will not blow with the vibration of the big whale tail fender.

[OZY]

havnt had a working one on my hyo for a good 2 years and no issues there...

the issue there andy is your just lucky you havent been seen and pulled over at night yet .... shouldnt give the cops a reason to pull you

oz

[Captain Starfish]

When I got yellow stickered Thursday I was told that my light on my FE was illegal. So in answer to your question, I believe that not only do you legally have to have one, it also has to meet certain requirements (I'm guessing for brightness/spread of light etc)

The light must be white.
The light must not be visible directly from behind the vehicle (ie you see the light reflected off the plate, but not the light itself).
The plate must be visible in the light and readable from a certain distance - I think it's 20m but don't quote me.

If they can see an LED you're screwed, if all they can see is a clearly illuminated plate then you have grounds to argue, but if they have a hard-on to bust you they'll tell you any shit they like and canary your bike, let you sort it out with the pits.

[Mo-Fo]

How does the new CBR1000rr pass the rear indicators ares definatley closer than 30 cms???

Well according to the cops 30cm is the minimum so I guess it doesn't. But bike manufacturers can't be expected to know every stupid law in every country and design their bikes to suit so you'd think that any reasonable cop wouldn't do you for it. Mine doesn't pass either but I've got a FE with the indicators starting at the very edges of a custom number plate. Mine aren't bright enough either as they have 'smoke' lenses so that's another no-no. I've got flush mounted fronts too but they didn't say anything about those...?

[Dave M109R]

Bang on the money there starfish

ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE STANDARDS) RULES 2002 - REG 84

ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE STANDARDS) RULES 2002 - REG 84
84 . Number plate lights
(1) At least one number plate light must be fitted to the rear of a vehicle.


(2) When on, the number plate light or lights must illuminate a number plate on the rear of the vehicle with white light, so the characters on the number plate can be read at night‑time 20 m from the rear of the vehicle.


(3) A number plate light —


(a) may be combined with another light;


(b) must not project white light to the rear of the vehicle except by reflection;


(c) must not obscure the characters on the number plate; and


(d) must be wired to come on, and stay on, when a parking light, headlight or tail light fitted to the vehicle is on.

[Captain Starfish]

Mo-Fo: Bike manufacturers, maybe not - but bike importers into Australia are expected to know every stupid law and Australian Design Rule and Vehicle Standard Regulation applicable to the vehicles they're importing. More, they cannot stamp compliance plates and license new models unless they meet the rules.

I'd suggest either the centres of the lights are just 300mm.

[BlueyM]

I put an LED red globe in my tail light. Wallopers told me I have to have a white light to light the numberplate.

So wot, they cry?

It was broad daylight when I was pulled over, the LED had been in for nearly two years, and I didn't get a ticket or a canary.

[Commander Keen]

Cops told me it has to be illuminated. Also the minimum distance between rear indicator lights is 30cm (for those running FE's).

Wrong.

Front is 30cm, rear is 17cm globe to globe.
Case in point vv

[Mo-Fo]

What?! you mean the cops don't know the regs? That just can't be...