Lamps - Direction indicators and hazard warning lamps

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 ‘tell tale. 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. 

• that all lamps are present and secure 
• that all lamps are complete, in good working order and clean 
• the flashing rate 
• 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. 

• 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 
• 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. 

Direction indicators that function sequentially/dynamically are not to be considered a reason to fail. 

Semaphore type 

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

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

selector switch presence, security, condition and operation. 

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

Note: A ‘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.

Reasons for rejection

Direction indicators - Flashing type

		Deficiency Category
A direction indicator	*Missing, insecure, obviously incorrectly positioned or does not face to the front, rear or side as appropriate	MAJOR
	*not securely attached	MINOR
	*likely to become detached	MAJOR
	*incomplete not in good working order or not clean, i.e., so damaged or deteriorated that its function is impaired	MAJOR
	does not flash 60 to 120 times per minute	MINOR
	does not flash simultaneously with all other indicator lamps on the same side of the vehicle	MAJOR
	reduced light intensity with more than 50% of the light sources illuminating	MINOR
	inoperative or less than 50% of the light sources illuminating	MAJOR
	obscured so that less than 50% of the lamp illuminating surface is visible from the front or rear as appropriate	MAJOR
	not visible from a reasonable distance due to excessive damage, deterioration, or having products on the lens or light source	MAJOR
	does not show light of the appropriate colour	MAJOR
	adversely affected by the operation of another lamp	MAJOR
A selector switch missing, insecure, faulty, or not able to be operated from the normal driving position		MAJOR
The driver’s ‘tell tale’ missing or inoperative		MINOR

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

Direction indicators - Semaphore type

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

Hazard warning device

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