4.3 Stop Lamps, High-Mounted Stop Lamps, Plate Lamps, Reflectors & Reversing Lamps

Inspect every rear function independently

A combination housing may contain rear position, stop, indicator, reversing, fog, and reflector functions. Test and assess each function on its own VIRM page.

Stop lamps

Required stop lamps must illuminate when the service brake is activated and must not operate when it is not activated. The light must be steady, substantially red, sufficiently bright, and visible as required. Required group M or N equipment depends on first-registration date; use the page rather than assuming every vehicle needs the same count.

Reject insecurity, significant moisture in a mandatory lamp, a breached lens, reduced reflector/output, unequal performance in a pair, or an overlay that reduces or distorts the light. At least 75% of an LED array must operate. For combined American-origin stop/indicator lamps, the indicator must override the stop function.

High-mounted stop lamp

A Class MA vehicle first registered or manufactured on or after 1 January 1990 must have a high-mounted stop lamp. It must be central and meet the page’s placement relationship to the rear window unless the stated no-visible-rear-window exception applies. At least one unobscured required unit must operate with the service brake, emit steady substantially red light, and satisfy the 75% array rule.

Do not replace this with a different date or a “single failed LED always fails” slogan. Count the array and apply the 75% threshold.

Registration-plate illumination and reflectors

Rear registration-plate lamps must illuminate the plate as specified without emitting prohibited light to the rear. Check security, condition, colour, operation, and whether an accessory or repair obstructs illumination. The number plate must remain legible under the relevant requirements; a working bulb aimed away from the plate is not adequate.

Rear reflectors are passive devices. Verify required count, position, substantially red reflected colour, security, cleanliness, and visibility. A lamp that glows red when powered does not replace a required reflector unless the unit includes an approved reflector function. Dark overlays and body changes can defeat reflection.

Reversing and other lighting

A reversing lamp must meet the permitted equipment, substantially white or amber colour, and operation rules. It must not operate in a way that misleads other road users—for example, remaining illuminated during normal forward travel. Apply page 4-14 to number, positioning, switching, and performance.

Page 4-15 catches other lamps not already covered. Identify whether the light is permitted for the vehicle and use, whether its colour/direction could confuse or dazzle, and whether flashing or alternating operation is reserved for authorised vehicles. Decorative lighting is not automatically acceptable merely because it is optional.

Inspection routine

1. Turn on rear position and plate lamps; identify each function.
2. Apply the service brake and check ordinary and high-mounted stop lamps.
3. Release the brake and confirm stop lamps extinguish.
4. Select reverse safely and observe reversing-lamp operation.
5. Inspect rear reflectors with an external light source.
6. Check lenses, moisture, arrays, overlays, visibility, and accessories.
7. Apply page 4-15 to any remaining lamp and verify modification rules.

Scenario

A 2018 Class MA vehicle has a high-mounted array with 8 of 12 sources working. Only 66.7% operate, below the 75% requirement, so it fails. A separate optional second high-mounted lamp does not excuse failure of the mandatory unobscured lamp.

Passive and active functions

Reflectors are checked by returning incident light, not by switching lamps on. Clean the lens and illuminate it from a suitable direction; an internal red reflector area can satisfy the function when designed and positioned correctly. A decorative red lens without effective retroreflection cannot.

For reversing lamps, secure the vehicle before selecting reverse and use assistance where visibility is limited. Check that the light corresponds to reverse selection and does not create confusing continuous rearward white light. For plate illumination, inspect the whole registration mark rather than the presence of a glowing bulb. Other-lighting questions often hinge on direction, colour or unauthorised flashing, so trace the control and intended use.

Final rear-lighting checkpoint

Repeat the inspection with boot, tailgate, movable plate bracket or rack in its normal road position. Wiring can fail at a hinge only when moved, and accessories can obscure an otherwise working lamp or reflector. Check symmetry and colour with the engine both off and running if voltage affects output. A customer’s claim that a removable rack will usually be absent does not replace the presented-vehicle assessment.