DIRECTION INDICATORS

 

INFORMATION

 

DIRECTION INDICATORS

This inspection applies to all direction indicators fitted.

 

Exempt vehicles

 

Direction indicators are not required by regulations on vehicles first used before 1 January 1936. or unbodied three wheeled mopeds.

 

But, if any are fitted, they must be tested.

 

Vehicles first used on or after 24 January 1996

 

These must be fitted with one side repeater indicator on each side. Instead of a separate lamp, the side repeater might be part of the front direction indicator if it includes a wraparound lens.

 

Note: Three wheeled mopeds, light quadricycles, tricycles and quadricycles are not required to have side repeater lamps fitted.

 

Vehicles first used before 1 October 1968

 

Direction indicators may be incorporated with stop lamps, or combined with side or rear lamps.

 

HAZARD WARNING DEVICE

Hazard warning devices are not required on vehicles first used before 24 January 1996, but if one is fitted it must be tested.

 

The hazard warning lamp ‘tell tale’ may be a separate light or the same as the indicator ‘telltale. However, it must be a flashing light.

 

 

METHOD OF INSPECTION

 

DIRECTION INDICATORS

 

FLASHING TYPE

 

Operate the left and right direction indicators in turn and check.

  1. that all lamps are present and secure
  2. that all lamps are complete, in good working order and clean
  3. the flashing rate
  4. that all lamps on the same side of the vehicle flash simultaneously 

Note:

It may be necessary to run the engine when checking the flashing rate.

  1. that every direction indicator emits amber light except vehicles first used before 1 October 1968 where both front indicators may be white and both rear indicators red
  2. that their operation is separate from and not adversely affected by, the operation of any other lamp. This includes dual function lamps on foreign vehicles

Note: 

Where the angles of visibility for a front position lamp are not met, side marker lamps may be fitted, which may flash with the direction indicators and may also fulfil the function of a repeater indicator.

Check the selector switch for presence, security, condition and operation.

Check the driver’s ‘tell tale’ warning device for presence and operation.

Note:  

A ‘tell tale’ may be audible or visual, it is not required if one or more direction indicators on each side can be seen by the driver from the driving seat.

SEMAPHORE TYPE

 

  1. Operate the direction indicators and check the operation of each indicator that every direction indicator emits an amber light

Note:  

    1. semaphore arm must illuminate when in operation.  It may flash, but is not required to do so.

selector switch presence, security, condition and operation

  1. Check the correct operation of the ‘tell tale’.

Note:  

    1. ‘tell tale’ may be audible or visual.  A ‘tell tale’ is not required if one or more direction indicators on each side of the vehicle can be seen by the driver from the driving seat.

HAZARDS WARNING DEVICE

Check that the hazard warning device:

 

  • Is fitted (where required)
  • is working

 

  • operates using only one switch

 

  • switch for presence, security and operation

 

  • ‘tell-tale’ is working correctly

 

  • operates all the direction indicators simultaneously

 

 

REASON FOR REJECTION

                                                                                                                                                               Deficiency

Category

 

                DIRECTION INDICATORS                                                                                               

             

                FLASHING TYPE                                                                                                               

             

  1. A direction indicator    
    1. Missing, insecure, obviously incorrectly positioned or      MAJOR

does not face to the front, rear or side as appropriate 

    1. not securely attached   MINOR
    2. likely to become detached.      MAJOR
    3. incomplete not in good working order or not clean,           MAJOR

i.e., so damaged or deteriorated that its function is impaired.

                Note:                                                                                                                                     

An effective proprietary repair (e.g., lens repair tape, etc) must  be assessed on its merits considering security, colour, light output and durability.

    1. does not flash 60 to 120 times per minute   MINOR
    2. does not flash simultaneously with all other indicator         MAJOR lamps on the same side of the vehicle
    3. reduced light intensity with more than 50% of the light     MINOR

sources illuminating

    1. inoperative or less than 50% of the light sources   MAJOR

illuminating 

    1. obscured so that less than 50% of the lamp            MAJOR

illuminating surface is visible from the front or rear as appropriate 

    1. not visible from a reasonable distance due to         MAJOR

excessive damage, deterioration, or having products on the lens or light source 

    1. does not show light of the appropriate colour         MAJOR
    1. adversely affected by the operation of another lamp         MAJOR
  2. A selector switch missing, insecure, faulty, or not able to be     MAJOR operated from the normal driving position. 
  3. The driver’s ‘tell tale’ missing or inoperative.        MINOR

SEMAPHORE TYPE                                                                                                          

             

  1. A semaphore arm        
    1. a. does not extend or retract smoothly           MINOR
    2. does not show an amber light to the front and rear            MAJOR
    3. a selector switch missing, insecure or faulty           MAJOR
  2. The ‘tell-tale’ is missing or not working correctly.             MINOR

HAZARD WARNING DEVICE                                                                                          

             

1. A hazard warning device:                                                                                              

             

  1. Does not operate with the engine stopped and the MAJOR ignition switched off and on. 
  2. Not fitted MAJOR
  3. Switch missing or faulty           MAJOR
  4. Switch insecure            MINOR
  5. All the direction indicator lamps do not operate MINOR simultaneously when switched on by one switch.
  6. Tell-tale not fitted, is inoperative or cannot be seen by MINOR the driver.