Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

When was it made compulsory to have brake lights on motorcycles in UK? And cars too.
In Denmark it came in 1956 unless for bikes below 120 kg.
Knud

I think it was probably 1st January 1986. I found they were required in August 1986 when I put the Red Hunter back on the road. It didn't need one in the late 1970s. There is an exemption for bikes first used before 1st January 1936 which would make them 50 years old on 1st January 1986, which is why I think it was that date.

Reading my 2005 copy of the MOT tester's manual suggests something slightly different:

- If the bike has no lights there is no requirement for a brake light.
- Bikes made before 1936 or cannot exceed 25mph also do not require brake lights.

Otherwise bikes first used before April 1986 need a brake light operated from at least
one control and those first used after April 1986 need a brake light operated from
both controls.

The brake light requirement in the UK was one of the few rules which were retrospective. So my (1937) Red Hunter didn't need a brake light in the late 1970s but it did by 1986. I managed without for a few years though, by saying at the MoT that the bike was 1934. The MoT certificate said "Approximate year of manufacture" and I took the view that 1934 was approximately 1937 ! I fitted a brake light during the 1990-91 rebuild.

i think the rear brake light was gray area in the UK in the 50 and 60 the MOT says one thing and the Law says another thing