Information

Method of Inspection

Reason for rejection

Headlamps are lamps used to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle, but are not fog lamps.
This inspection does not apply to:
vehicles used only during the hours of daylight, which are fitted with neither front nor rear position lamps, etc. (See 1.1)
This inspection applies to; all obligatory
headlamps fitted.

Note: Headlamps are not required on vehicles first used before 1 January 1931, but they may have one or more optional main or dipped beam headlamps.

1. Check that the vehicle is fitted with obligatory headlamps, as follows
a. a matched pair of main beam headlamps, and

b. a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps

Note: Main-beam and dipped-beam functions may be provided by a
single pair of headlamps.

2. Check the presence, condition, security and operation of the switch.

1. A missing obligatory headlamp.

Note: Class 3 vehicles may not require
two headlamps (matched pair).
2. A missing, faulty or insecure switch.

'Matched pair'

A "matched pair" is a pair of lamps which

. both emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity, and

. are both the same size and shape, so that they are symmetrical to one another.

Note: Pre 1st January 1931 Vehicles

For vehicles that are fitted with one or two optional headlamps;
. where one is fitted it must dip

. where two are fitted, either both must dip or one must dip and the other switches off.

3. Switch on each main-beam headlamp and check that
. all main beams are switched off by one switch (dip switch) which leaves a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps switched on,
or
the main beam headlamp reflectors are deflected by a driver's control, to make them dipped beams.

3a. A headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam or on main beam

b. Operation of the dip switch does not
. extinguish all main beam headlamps, and leave on at least one pair of dipped-beam headlamps, or

. deflect the main beams to make them dipped beams.

Class 3 Vehicle

Vehicles first used;
. before 1 January 1972, or

. on or after 1 January 1972 with

. an unladen weight of 400kg or less, and

. an overall width of 1300mm or less require only one headlamp.

4. Check that each obligatory headlamp
a. is in good working order.

b. is not damaged, dirty or deteriorated

Note: Any adverse effects due to headlamp lens damage or deterioration can also be assessed on checking beam aim (see 1.6). A repaired lens must be assessed on its merits

c. is secure

d. does not flicker or extinguish when tapped lightly by hand

e. if intended to be one of a matched
pair
. emits light of substantially the same colour as its counterpart
. is the same size
. is correctly positioned

Note: In a four-headlamp system
the outer pair of headlamps need not
emit the same colour light as the
inner pair.

Note: The measurement of the
precise position of headlamps is not
part of the inspection, but check
visually that the lamps are at about
- the same height, and
- the same distance inboard from the side of the vehicle

f. is of the correct colour either white or yellow.

4. An obligatory main or dipped beam headlamp
a. not in good working order

b. damaged, dirty or deteriorated to such an extent that

. the light output is well below that required to illuminate the road ahead, or
. the beam image is adversely affected

c. insecure

d. flickers or extinguishes when tapped lightly by hand

e. the headlamps provided to form a matched pair

. do not emit light of the same colour
. are not the same size
. are obviously not correctly positioned.

f. does not emit light that is either substantially white or yellow.

Headlamp aim

see 1.6 for the inspection of headlamp aim.

Issue date 30th June 2006