S.I. No. 189/1963 - Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963

37. (1) Every vehicle used in a public place shall be equipped only with such reflectors as comply with the following provisions of this article.

• (2) Every reflector with which a vehicle is equipped and which is visible from outside the vehicle shall be—

• (a) red, if facing to the rear,

• (b) amber, if facing to the side,

• (c) white, if facing to the front.

• (3) A reflector, not being an obligatory rear reflector or a projecting load reflector, with which a vehicle is equipped and which is visible from outside the vehicle shall not be such or so fitted or maintained as to render an obligatory rear reflector or projecting load reflector less discernible to other traffic or as to be capable of being confused with the reflector referred to in sub-article (2) of article 34 of these Regulations.

• (4) Reflectors facing to the side of a vehicle, other than reflectors fitted to the wheel of a vehicle, shall—

• (a) have an area of not less than 5 square inches,

• (b) be fitted so that no part of their reflecting surfaces is more than 5 feet or less than 2 feet from the ground,

• (c) be not less than 2 feet from the extreme rear or the extreme front of the vehicle (disregarding any tow-bar or towing gear).

• (5) Sub-article (2) of this article shall not prevent a cycle from carrying amber coloured reflectors which are attached to or form part of the pedals of the cycle, notwithstanding that any of such reflectors faces to the front or rear.

38 Advance warning device

38.

38. (1) There shall be kept in every goods vehicle exceeding 1½ tons in weight unladen, at all times when such vehicle is used in a public place, at least one advance warning device complying with the provisions of this article.

• (2)
• (a) The device shall consist of a sign in the shape of an equilateral triangle, apex upwards, fitted to a base so as to be capable of standing firmly in a vertical or nearly vertical position.

• (b) The design and dimensions of the sign shall be as set out in the diagram in the Second Schedule to these Regulations.

• (c) The red reflectorised surface of the sign shall be uniformly reflectorised so as to be clearly visibIe whether wet or dry at night time in clear weather for a distance of 325 feet when illuminated by the undipped head lamps of a vehicle.

• (d) The space within the red reflectorised triangle shall either—

• (i) be hollow, or

• (ii) consist of a flat, white, non-reflecting surface.

• (e) The base and the back of the sign shall have a non-reflecting surface.

• (f) The device shall be maintained in good order and shall be clean and in an efficient condition.

• (3) The driver or other person in charge of a vehicle required to carry an advance warning device under sub-article (1) of this article shall at any time while such vehicle is in use in a public place produce the device on request to a member of the Garda Síochána.

• (4) The device may be so constructed as to be capable of being folded and, when not being used on a roadway in accordance with bye-laws made under section 88 of the Act, may be folded or otherwise altered so that it may be conveniently carried on a vehicle, provided that it shall at all times be capable of being made ready for immediate use.

39 Restriction on use of reflectorised material.

39.

39. (1) A vehicle while used in a public place shall not be fitted with reflectorised material which reflects light visible from outside the vehicle unless the material complies with the following conditions:—

• (a) it shall not be capable of being confused with obligatory rear reflectors or a projecting load reflector or lamps duly lit which are required to be carried under these Regulations, or of rendering such reflectors or lamps less discernible or of otherwise misleading traffic;

• (b) the colour of the material shall be red if facing to the rear, amber if facing to the side, and white if facing to the front.

• (2) In this article "reflectorised material" means a material (not being a reflector) which is designed to reflect a large proportion of a light to the source from which it is emitted.

PART VI. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF LIGHTING.

40 Compliance by vehicles with this Part.

40.

40. (1) Every mechanically propelled vehicle and every trailer shall at all times while used in a public place comply with the provisions of articles 41 to 48 of these Regulations.

• (2) Every vehicle (other than a mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer) shall at all times while in use in a public place comply as respects lighting with the provisions of articles 41, 42, 45 and 48 of these Regulations.

41 Restrictions on lighting-colour.

41.

41. (1) (a) A vehicle shall not be equipped with lighting which when lit shows any light to the front of the vehicle except a white or yellow light.

• (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this sub-article shall not apply as respects direction indicators.

• (2)
• (a) A vehicle shall not be equipped with lighting which when lit shows any light to the rear of the vehicle except a red light.

• (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this sub-article shall not apply as respects:—

• (i) lighting used for the internal illumination of the vehicle;

• (ii) lighting used for the illumination of a taximeter;

• (iii) direction indicators;

• (iv) identification mark lighting;

• (v) reversing lamps;

• (vi) lighting used for the illumination of a notice on a large public service vehicle giving information as to the route or destination of the vehicle;

• (vii) lighting used on a vehicle being driven by a member of the Garda Síochána in the performance of his duties as such member;

• (viii) a lamp fitted to a goods vehicle and intended and used only for the purpose of facilitating unloading while the vehicle is stationary;

• (ix) a ploughing lamp fitted to a vehicle used for agricultural purposes and used only for the purpose of facilitating ploughing or other similar operations.

• (3)
• (a) For the purposes of sub-article (2) of this article "reversing lamps" means not more than two lamps fitted to a vehicle and designed to show, when lit, a white or yellow light to the rear of the vehicle and complying with the provisions of this sub-article.

• (b) The lamps shall be so constructed that they cannot be switched on otherwise than either—

• (i) automatically by the selection of the reverse gear of the vehicle, or

• (ii) by the operation of a control by the driver of the vehicle, being a control which serves no other purpose and which is accompanied by a device, visible to the driver at all times while he is in the driver's seat, to indicate when the lamp is lit.

• (c) Where two lamps are fitted, they shall be as nearly as possible of the same power, each lamp being of a power not exceeding 24 watts.

• (d) Where only one lamp is fitted, it shall be of a power not exceeding 24 watts.

42 Restrictions on flashing lights.

42.

42. No lamp (other than direction indicators) fitted to a vehicle shall show or be constructed or adapted so as to be capable of showing a flashing light unless such light is invisible to persons outside the vehicle.

43 Restrictions on lighting-movement.

43.

43. (1) Subject to sub-article (2) of this article and sub-article (2) of article 47 of these Regulations, there shall not be fitted to a mechanically propelled vehicle or trailer a lamp visible from outside the vehicle (other than a movable lamp or a lamp used for the internal illumination of the vehicle) such that the direction of a beam of light from such lamp may be altered by the driver or by a passenger in or on the vehicle.

• (2) The beam of light shown from not more than two lamps (other than side lamps, or fog lamps within the meaning of article 44 of these Regulations) capable of showing a light to the front of a mechanically propelled vehicle may be deflected to either side by the lateral movement of, although not necessarily through the same angle as, the front wheels of the vehicle.

• (3) In sub-article (1) of this article, "movable lamp" means a lamp fitted to a vehicle—

• (a) which is constructed so that it can be swivelled or otherwise moved by the driver or a passenger in the vehicle, and

• (b) which is fitted to a vehicle owned or used by a public utility undertaking and which is used for the purpose of illuminating works or equipment of such public utility undertaking.

44 Restrictions on height of front lamps.

44.

44. (1) Every lamp (other than a lamp referred to in sub-article (3) of this article) which is fitted to a mechanically propelled vehicle or trailer and which, when lit, shows a light to the front of the vehicle shall be so fitted that—

• (a) no part of its illuminated surface is more than 4 feet or, in the case of a goods vehicle registered before the 1st day of January, 1952, 4 feet and 6 inches from the ground, and

• (b) (except in the case of a fog lamp) no part of its illuminated surface is less than 1 foot and 8 inches from the ground.

• (2) In sub-article (1) of this article, "fog lamp" means a lamp fitted to a vehicle so as, when lit, to show a light to the front of the vehicle and intended for use only in fog or while snow is falling.

• (3) This article shall not apply as respects the following—

• (a) side lamps, position lamps or parking lamps within the meaning of sub-article (3) of article 50 of these Regulations,

• (b) lateral projecting load lamps,

• (c) lighting used for the internal illumination of the vehicle,

• (d) lighting used for the illumination of a taximeter,

• (e) direction indicators,

• (f) lighting used for the illumination of a notice on a large public service vehicle giving information as to the route or destination of the vehicle,

• (g) lighting used on a vehicle being driven by a member of the Garda Síochána in the performance of his duties as such member,

• (h) lighting used to illuminate advertising panels.

45 Optional direction indicators and stop lamps.

45.

45. (1) Where a vehicle which is not required by these Regulations to be equipped with direction indicators is equipped with direction indicators, the indicators shall comply as far as practicable, having regard to the construction of the vehicle, with the requirements of article 18 of these Regulations and in particular they shall—

• (a) be fitted in one or more pairs, one indicator of each pair (to indicate a change of direction to the left) being fitted to the left of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which it is fitted and the other (to indicate a change of direction to the right) being fitted to the right of such axis,

• (b) be fitted so that no part of their illuminated surfaces is less than 16 inches from the ground,

• (c) be fitted at the same height and equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle,

• (d) when in operation emit a flashing, diffused light, amber in colour,

• (e) be so constructed and fitted as not to mislead other traffic or persons controlling traffic.

• (2) Where a vehicle which is not required by these Regulations to be equipped with a stop lamp is so equipped with a stop lamp or stop lamps the lamp or lamps shall comply with the requirements of article 27 of these Regulations.

46 Requirements as to electric lighting

46.

46. (1) In the case of side lamps, head lamps, rear lamps and stop lamps with which a vehicle is required to be equipped under article 9 of these Regulations, the lamps (where the lighting is electric) shall be so designed and fitted, by the arrangement of the wiring or other adequate means, that—

• (a) in the event of the failure of a bulb in one side lamp, rear lamp or stop lamp (as the case may be), the other side lamp, rear lamp or stop lamp shall not thereby be extinguished;

• (b) in the event of the failure of a bulb in one of a pair of head lamps the other head lamp shall not thereby be extinguished.

• (2) Where a mechanically propelled cycle or invalid carriage is itself, or together with a side-car, fitted with a pair of position lamps, head lamps, rear lamps or stop lamps, the lamps (where the lighting is electric) shall be so designed and fitted, by the arrangement of the wiring or by other adequate means, that in the event of the failure of a bulb in one lamp of a pair the other lamp shall not thereby be extinguished.

• (3) Where these Regulations make provision as respects the wattage of any lamp, every electric bulb used in such a lamp shall have its wattage indelibly marked upon its glass or its metal cap in a readily legible manner.

47 Requirements as to dipping devices.

47.

47. (1) This article applies in respect of every lamp fitted to a mechanically propelled vehicle or trailer and capable of showing a light to the front of the vehicle, except—

• (a) direction indicators;

• (b) a lamp which is—

• (i) constructed so that its light is diffused, and

• (ii) which is fitted with an electric bulb the power of which does not exceed 7 watts or with a number of bulbs capable of being illuminated at the same time, the combined power of which does not exceed 7 watts;

• (c) a lamp so constructed, fitted and maintained that the beam of light from it is permanently deflected downwards to such an extent that it is at all times incapable of dazzling a person who is on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at a greater distance than 25 feet from the lamp, and whose eye-level is not less than 3 feet and 6 inches above that plane.

• (2) Every vehicle fitted with a lamp to which this article applies shall be fitted with a dipping device so constructed, fitted and maintained that it may be operated at ease by the driver and when so operated the beam of light from such lamp is—

• (a) deflected downwards and to the left, or

• (b) extinguished and a new beam from the same lamp brought into operation, or

• (c) extinguished and a beam from another lamp either brought into operation or deflected downwards and to the left,

so that such beam or the said other beam brought into operation or deflected is incapable of dazzling a person who is on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at a greater distance than 25 feet from the lamp from which such beam or such other beam is emitted, and whose eye-level is not less than 3 feet and 6 inches above that plane.

• (3)
• (a) Where the beams of light from head lamps are altered or replaced by the operation of a dipping device, the altered or new beams shall be such as to be capable of illuminating the road for a distance of 100 feet in front of the vehicle at night time in clear weather.

• (b) Paragraph (a) of this sub-article shall not apply to a head lamp fitted to a low-powered cycle.

48 Restriction on lighting which misleads or dazzles.

48.

48. (1) No lamp which, when lit, is capable of misleading other traffic, shall be fitted to a vehicle.

• (2)
• (a) This sub-article applies in respect of every lamp fitted to a vehicle and when lit showing a light visible outside the vehicle except—

• (i) stop lamps;

• (ii) direction indicators;

• (iii) a lamp within the meaning of sub-paragraph (viii) of paragraph (b) of sub-article (2) of article 41 of these Regulations;

• (iv) a ploughing lamp within the meaning of sub-paragraph (ix) of paragraph (b) of sub-article (2) of article 41 of these Regulations;

• (v) a movable lamp within the meaning of article 43 of these Regulations;

• (vi) a lamp to which article 47 of these Regulations applies.

• (b) Every lamp to which this sub-article applies shall be so fitted and constructed as to be incapable of dazzling a person who is on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at a greater distance than 25 feet from the lamp and whose eye-level is not less than 3 feet and 6 inches above that plane.

49 Requirements as to use of lighting.

49.

49. (1) (a) Where a mechanically propelled vehicle is parked in a public place, it shall not show a light to the front except from:—

• (i) side lamps, position lamps or parking lamps within the meaning of sub-article (3) of article 50 of these Regulations;

• (ii) lateral projecting load lamps;

• (iii) lamps for the internal illumination of the vehicle (including a lamp for the illumination of a taximeter);

• (iv) direction indicators;

• (v) movable lamps within the meaning of article 43 and used only for the purposes specified in that article;

• (vi) lamps illuminating a notice on a large public service vehicle giving information as to the route or destination of the vehicle; or

• (vii) lighting used to illuminate advertising panels.

• (b) Paragraph (a) of this sub-article shall not apply as respects:—

• (i) a vehicle stopped in the course of traffic, or

• (ii) a large public service vehicle stopped to set down or pick up passengers, or

• (iii) lamps used on the occasion of an emergency for police, fire brigade or rescue purposes or emergency work on a road.

• (2)
• (a) Head lamps shall be dipped in good time whenever, while the vehicle is being used in a public place and the head lamps are lit, failure to do so is likely to cause undue inconvenience to other traffic, and in particular—

• (i) where the vehicle is about to pass an oncoming vehicle, or

• (ii) where the vehicle is travelling close behind another vehicle (except while overtaking such vehicle).

• (b) Head lamps shall be dipped whenever, while the vehicle is being used in a public place and the head lamps are lit—

• (i) the vehicle is being driven on a road to which a speed limit under section 45 or section 46 of the Act applies, or

• (ii) the vehicle is being driven on a road to which a speed limit does not apply, and either—

• (I) conditions of visibility are good and the road is continuously lit, or

• (II) in conditions of dense fog or falling snow, or

• (iii) conditions of visibility are reasonably good during a period after the commencement and before the ending of lighting-up hours.

• (c) Subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this sub-article, head lamps on vehicles capable of exceeding 24 miles per hour shall not be dipped whenever the driver's field of vision would thereby be rendered so insufficient, having regard to the speed of the vehicle, as to be likely to cause danger.

• (3) Where a vehicle equipped with direction indicators is used in a public place, a direction indicator indicating a change of direction to the left shall be used only to indicate such a change of direction, and a direction indicator indicating a change of direction to the right shall be used only to indicate such a change of direction.

• (4) Where a vehicle equipped with reversing lamps within the meaning of article 41 of these Regulations is used in a public place, such lamps shall be used only while the vehicle is being reversed but at no time in such a way as to cause undue inconvenience to other traffic.

• (5) A lamp within the meaning of sub-paragraph (viii) of paragraph (b) of sub-article (2) of article 41 of these Regulations shall be used in a public place only for the special purpose specified in that sub-paragraph, but at no time in such a way as to cause undue inconvenience to other traffic.

• (6) A ploughing lamp within the meaning of sub-paragraph (ix) of paragraph (b) of sub-article (2) of article 41 of these Regulations shall be used only for the special purpose specified in that sub-paragraph and shall not be used while the vehicle is on a public road.

• (7) Where a vehicle equipped with a movable lamp within the meaning of article 43 of these Regulations is used in a public place, such lamp shall be used only when the vehicle is stationary and only for the special purpose specified in that article, but at no time in such a way as to cause undue inconvenience to other traffic.

• (8) Where a vehicle equipped with a fog lamp within the meaning of article 44 of these Regulations is used in a public place, such lamp shall be used only in fog or while snow is falling.

PART VII. EXEMPTIONS, ETC.

50 Use of lighting on parked vehicles.

50.

50. (1) The requirements of Parts II, III and IV of these Regulations that a vehicle shall during lighting-up hours show specified lamps duly lit shall not apply where the street lighting is such that the vehicle during the period in which it is parked is so clearly visible to traffic as to constitute no danger to such traffic and—

• (a) the vehicle is lawfully parked in a parking place specified by bye-laws or temporary rules made or deemed to have been made under section 90 of the Act, or

• (b) the vehicle, being a street service vehicle is lawfully standing for hire at an appointed stand for street service vehicles, or

• (c) the vehicle, being a licensed (horse-drawn) hackney carriage, is lawfully standing for hire at an appointed stand.

• (2) The requirements of Part III of these Regulations that a vehicle shall during lighting-up hours show specified lamps duly lit shall not apply where the vehicle, being a bicycle used without a side-car, is parked so as not to contravene any bye-laws made or deemed to have been made under section 86 or 88 of t he Act or any bye-Laws or temporary rules made or deemed to have been made under section 90 of the act.

• (3)
• (a) This sub-article applies to—

• (i) passenger vehicles (including cycles) having passenger accommodation for not more than eight persons,

• (ii) station wagons having passenger accommodation for not more than eight persons,

• (iii) goods vehicles not exceeding 20 feet in length and 6 feet and 6 inches in width and not being used with a trailer attached, and

• (vi) hand propelled vehicles.

• (b) The requirements of Parts II, III and IV of these Regulations that a vehicle shall during lighting-up hours show specified lamps duly lit shall not apply in the case of a vehicle to which this sub-article applies if and so long as the vehicle is properly parked in a street and either—

• (i) the street lighting is such that the vehicle during the period in which it is parked is so clearly visible to traffic as to constitute no danger to such traffic, or

• (ii) the vehicle being a mechanically propelled vehicle, shows duly lit one side lamp (or, in the case of a cycle or invalid carriage, one position lamp) and one rear lamp, each of such lamps being on the side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle nearest to the centre of the street (or in the case of a bicycle used with a side-car, or a tricycle or invalid carriage not exceeding 3 feet in width, fitted to such vehicle), or

• (iii) the vehicle, being a mechanically propelled vehicle, is equipped with a parking lamp duly lit.

• (c) in this sub-article—

"properly parked" means parked in such a position and in such circumstances as not to contravene any bye-laws made or deemed to have been made under section 86 or 88 of t he Act or any bye-laws or temporary rules made or deemed to have been made under section 90 of the Act or any provision of t he Act and in relation to sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (b) of this sub-article includes the requirement that the vehicle is parked parallel to the roadway and facing in the direction in which traffic on the side of the street on which the vehicle is parked is required to proceed;

"street" means a street in which public lighting is provided;

"parking lamp" means a lamp fitted to a parked vehicle and complying with the following requirements—

• (i) it shall show, when lit, a white or yellow light to the front of the vehicle and a red light to the rear;

• (ii) it shall, when lit, be visible at night time in clear weather for a distance of 500 feet from the front of the vehicle and 500 feet from the rear;

• (iii) it shall have an illuminated area to the front and an illuminated area to the rear of not less than 1 square inch in each case:

Provided that this sub-paragraph shall not apply to parking lamps constructed as part of a vehicle which was registered before the 1st day of July, 1964;

• (iv) it shall be fitted to the vehicle so that—

• (I) it is on the side of the vehicle nearest to the centre of the street;

• (II) no part of the vehicle extends laterally on that side more than 16 inches beyond the illuminated surface of the lamp;

• (III) no part of the illuminated surface of the lamp is less than 15 inches or more than 6 feet from the ground.

• (4) The requirements of Part IV of these Regulations that a vehicle of a class specified in article 30 or 31 shall show specified lamps duly lit shall not apply where—

• (a) the vehicle is parked in such a position, in such a condition and in such circumstances as not to be likely to cause danger to other persons using the place, and

• (b) it is parked on the verge of the roadway of a public road so that no part of the vehicle projects over the roadway.

51 Defence where vehicle parked in certain places.

51.

51. Where a person is charged with a contravention of a provision of these Regulations applying in relation to a vehicle or to the use of a vehicle, it shall be a good defence to show that the vehicle was at the material time parked—

• (a) in a public place, not being a public road or a road connecting two or more public roads, and

• (b) by, or with the permission of, the owner of such place, and

• (c) in such a position, in such condition and in such circumstances as not to be likely to cause danger to other persons using the place.

52 Exemptions and modifications for certain classes of vehicles.

52.

52. (1) The requirements of Part II of these Regulations that a vehicle or combination of vehicles be equipped with side lamps, rear lamps, head lamps, marker lamps and identification mark lighting shall not apply in the day time if the vehicle or combination is constructed or adapted and primarily used for work on land or in a factory or on a building site, or for similar work involving the use of the vehicle or combination elsewhere than on a road.

• (2)
• (a) This sub-article applies to—

• (i) any vehicle which is constructed primarily to draw another vehicle and not itself to carry any load other than its necessary equipment, and which is the property of a person engaged in agriculture and is used in a public place only for the haulage of the produce of, or of articles for the purposes of, agriculture;

• (ii) any mechanically propelled vehicle in the nature of an implement which is constructed or adapted and primarily used for work on land and which is the property of a person engaged in agriculture;

• (iii) any trailer drawn by a vehicle referred to in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph.

• (b) The requirements of Parts II and V of these Regulations shall not apply in the day time to a vehicle to which this sub-article applies.

• (3) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that a vehicle or combination of vehicles be fitted with direction indicators shall not apply in relation to a vehicle referred to in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (a) of the preceding sub-article, and registered before the 1st day of July, 1964, or to any trailer attached thereto.

• (4)
• (a) This sub-article applies to the rear lamps, stop lamps and obligatory rear reflectors with which a mechanically propelled vehicle or trailer attached thereto is required to be equipped.

• (b) Where a goods vehicle is being used to carry a load projecting to the rear in such manner that it is not possible to fit lamps or reflectors to which this sub-article applies (or any of them) to the vehicle in the manner prescribed in Part II or Part V of these Regulations so that such lamps or reflectors shall not be obscured by the load, such lamps or reflectors shall be fitted to the load instead of to the vehicle, but otherwise in accordance with these Regulations as if references to the extreme rear of the load were substituted in these Regulations for references to the extreme rear of the vehicle.

• (5) The requirements of Parts II and V of these Regulations in relation to rear lamps, stop lamps and obligatory rear reflectors shall, in the case of large public service vehicles having an exit at the rear, be subject to the following modifications:—

• (a) the lamps or reflectors on the left side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be so fitted that no part of the vehicle extends laterally on that side more than 2 feet and 6 inches beyond the illuminated surface of the lamp or beyond the reflecting surface of the reflector;

• (b) the requirement that the lamps and reflectors be equidistant from the longitudinal axis shall not apply.

• (6) The requirements of Parts II and V of these Regulations in relation to the position and visibility of rear lamps, stop lamps and obligatory rear reflectors shall not apply in the case of tipper trucks, or of lorries fitted with ramps for the loading and unloading of animals, while the vehicles are being loaded or unloaded, provided all practicable steps are taken to warn other traffic of the presence of the vehicle.

• (7) The requirements of Part II of these Regulations that rear lamps and obligatory rear reflectors of mechanically propelled vehicles shall be so fitted as to be not more than 2 feet and 6 inches from the extreme rear of the vehicle shall, in the case of fire brigade vehicles fitted with ladders or other similar devices, be modified by the substitution of "6 feet" for "2 feet and 6 inches".

• (8)
• (a) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that a vehicle fitted with direction indicators be equipped with a device to indicate to the driver that direction indicators are in operation shall not apply to mechanically propelled vehicles registered before the 1st day of July, 1964, and fitted with direction indicators before that date.

• (b) This sub-article shall cease to have effect on the 1st day of July, 1966.

• (9) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that direction indicators shall not be more than 6 feet above the ground shall not apply in the case of a mechanically propelled vehicle, specially designed for the carriage of petroleum spirit, registered before the 1st day of January, 1960, and fitted with direction indicators at a height not exceeding 8 feet.

• (10) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that a vehicle be fitted with identification mark lighting shall not apply in the case of works trucks or other similar vehicles not used during lighting-up hours on public roads.

• (11) The requirements of Parts II, V and VI of these Regulations shall not apply in relation to mechanically propelled vehicles which were registered before the 1st day of January, 1931 and which are used only in the day time for the purpose of rallies.

• (12) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that head lamps be capable of illuminating the road for a distance of 325 feet at night time in clear weather shall, in the case of a mechanically propelled vehicle which is incapable of exceeding 24 miles per hour on a dry level road under normal atmospheric conditions, be modified by the substitution of "100 feet" for "325 feet".

• (13) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that a vehicle be fitted with stop lamps shall not apply in the case of a mechanically propelled vehicle (or a trailer attached thereto) which is incapable of exceeding 24 miles per hour on a dry level road under normal atmospheric conditions.

• (14) The requirement of Part II of these Regulations that a mechanically propelled vehicle be fitted with head lamps, and that such vehicle (or a trailer attached thereto) be fitted with stop lamps and direction indicators shall not apply in the case of—

• (a) a mechanically propelled vehicle (or trailer attached thereto) which is incapable of exceeding 6 miles per hour on a dry level road under normal atmospheric conditions, or

• (b) a mobile crane, fork-lift truck or works truck (or trailer attached thereto) incapable of exceeding 12 miles per hour on a dry level road under normal atmospheric conditions, provided:

• (i) the driver is clearly visible on all sides and in a position to give signals by hand to other traffic, and

• (ii) the vehicle is not used during lighting-up hours except in an adequately lit public place.

• (15) The requirement of Part V of these Regulations that a pedal cycle be equipped with an obligatory rear reflector at all times shall not apply during the day time in the case of a vehicle designed for use by a child of seven years or under.

• (16) Any requirement of the these Regulations that a vehicle shall be equipped with lamps and reflectors and show one or more lamps duly lit shall not apply in the case of a vehicle used for road construction or repair—

• (a) in the day time, and

• (b) during lighting-up hours in a place which is closed to traffic and which is adequately lit.

• (17) The requirements of article 19 of these Regulations that identification mark lighting shall not show light directly to the rear and that such lighting shall illuminate the identification mark by means of reflection only shall not apply in the case of a large public service vehicle.

• (18)
• (a) The requirements of Parts II and VI of these Regulations shall not apply to a lamp which is carried on an ambulance, a fire brigade vehicle or a vehicle being used by a member of the Garda Síochána in the performance of his duties as such member and which complies with the provisions of this sub-article.

• (b) (i) The lamp shall where possible be fitted on the roof of the vehicle on a point on its longitudinal axis.

• (ii) No part of the illuminated surface of the lamp shall be less than 5 feet from the ground.

• (iii) The power of the lamp shall not exceed 50 watts.

• (iv) The area of the orthogonal projection on to any vertical plane of that part of the lamp through which light is shown shall be capable of lying wholly within a square having sides of 9 inches in length.

• (v) The light shown by the lamp shall be blue.

• (19)
• (a) The provisions of Parts II and V of these Regulations shall not apply to military tanks of the Defence Forces—

• (i) in the day time, and

• (ii) during lighting-up hours where such tanks travel in convoy and are accompanied to the front and rear of such convoy by vehicles which are fitted with lamps, duly lit, and reflectors in accordance with these Regulations.

• (b) The provisions of article 9 of these Regulations shall not apply in the day time to gun-tractors, armoured cars and other similar vehicles of the Defence Forces which are designed or adapted for combative purposes, or to mobile guns towed by such vehicles.

• (c) The requirements of article 9 of these Regulations that a vehicle be equipped with side lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, marker lamps and direction indicators shall not apply during lighting-up hours to any vehicle referred to in paragraph (b) of this sub-article where the vehicle is fitted with one rear lamp and one stop lamp, each fitted on, or to the right of, the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

• (d) The provisions of Parts II and V of these Regulations shall not apply to mobile guns being towed by any vehicle referred to in paragraph (b) of this sub-article where the combination of vehicles consisting of such gun and such vehicle travels in convoy and is accompanied, to the front and rear of such convoy, by vehicles which are fitted with lamps and reflectors in accordance with these Regulations.

• (20) The requirements of Part II of these Regulations relating to rear lamps, stop lamps and direction indicators shall not apply until the 1st day of July, 1964, to mechanically propelled vehicles registered before the 1st day of April, 1963, or to any trailer attached to such vehicle or constructed before the 1st day of April, 1963, where such vehicle or trailer carries the rear lamp which was required to be carried by such vehicle or trailer under Part x of the Road Traffic Act, 1933 , and the regulations under that Act in force immediately prior to the coming into operation of these Regulations.

• (21) The provisions of sub-article (5) of article 24 and paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub-article (3) of article 34 of these Regulations shall not apply to mechanically propelled cycles and invalid carriages registered before the 1st day of July, 1964.

• (22) The provisions of paragraph (c) of sub-article (5) of article 12, sub-article (6) of article 13 and paragraph (a) of sub-article (1) of article 35 shall apply, in the case of a tipper truck, a vehicle constructed primarily to draw another vehicle and not itself to carry any load other than its necessary equipment, or a vehicle in the nature of a self-propelled implement, subject to the substitution of "6 feet" for "4 feet" where red reflectors or devices (not being reflectors) having red reflectorised surfaces are fitted, during lighting-up hours, so that no part of their reflecting surfaces is more than 4 feet above the ground, and so that the reflector or device is plainly visible from the rear for a reasonable distance.

• (23) The provisions of Parts II and V of these Regulations shall not apply—

• (a) to any of the vehicles (or trailers attached thereto) mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 4 of Part I of the Schedule to the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 (No. 24 of 1952), where such vehicle is used in a public place only while traversing a road, for a distance not exceeding 100 yards, from one portion of a farm to another such portion, provided that, where any such vehicle is so used during lighting-up hours adequate precautions are taken to ensure that no danger is caused to other traffic,

• (b) during a ploughing competition or other agricultural demonstration, to vehicles taking part in such competition or demonstration in a public place other than a street or road.

• (24)
• (a) This sub-article applies to every electrically propelled vehicle—

• (i) the electrical motive power of which is derived from an electrical storage battery which is not connected to any source of power when the vehicle is in motion, and

• (ii) which does not exceed 2 tons in weight unladen, and

• (iii) which is incapable of exceeding 24 miles per hour on a dry level road under normal atmospheric conditions.

• (b) For the requirement of Part II of these Regulations that the vehicle be equipped with two or four head lamps, there shall, in the case of a vehicle to which this sub-article applies, be substituted the requirement that the vehicle be equipped with one head lamp which shall, subject to the provisions of Part II of these Regulations as respects a head lamp, be fitted on or to the right of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (except in the case of a vehicle registered before the 27th day of October, 1963).

53 Defence in case of racing vehicles.

53.

53. Where a person is charged with a contravention in the day time of articles 9, 22, 29 and 33 of these Regulations, it shall be a good defence to show that the vehicle was primarily constructed or adapted for the purpose of racing or trials and was either being used for such purpose or was travelling to or from the venue of a race or trial in which the vehicle had taken part or was intended to take part.

54 Defence in case of damaged equipment.

54.

54. (1) (a) Where a person is charged with a contravention in the day time of these Regulations, it shall be a good defence to show—

• (i) that the contravention arose from a defect in the lighting or reflectors which occurred on the day, and during the course of the journey, during which the contravention took place, or

• (ii) that the contravention arose from a defect in the lighting or reflectors and that before the contravention occurred steps had been taken to have the defect remedied with all reasonable expedition.

• (b) Paragraph (a) of this sub-article shall not apply in relation to stop lamps or direction indicators except in the case of parked vehicles.

• (2) Where a person is charged with a contravention during lighting-up hours of these Regulations, it shall be a good defence to show—

• (a) that the vehicle was parked in a lay-by or on the verge of a road in such a manner that no part of the vehicle or its load projected over any adjoining roadway, and

• (b) that the vehicle was parked in such a position and in such a condition and in such circumstances as not to be likely to cause danger or obstruction to other persons using the place, and

• (c) that the contravention arose from a defect in the lighting or reflectors which occurred while, or immediately before, the vehicle was so parked, and

• (d) that steps were taken to have the defect remedied at the earliest opportunity.

• (3) Where a person is charged with a contravention during lighting-up hours of these Regulations, it shall be a good defence to show—

• (a) that the vehicle was parked in consequence of a breakdown or accident, and

• (b) that the contravention arose from a defect in the lighting or reflectors resulting from such breakdown or accident, and

• (c) that all practicable steps were taken to warn other traffic of the position of the vehicle and to remove the vehicle as soon as possible from the roadway or to another position in the roadway so as to reduce the danger to other traffic.

• (4)
• (a) Where a person is charged with a contravention in the day time of these Regulations, it shall be a good defence to show—

• (i) that the contravention arose from a defect in the lighting or reflectors, and

• (ii) that the vehicle was being towed to a safe place or to a garage or other place for the purpose of having the defect remedied.

• (b) Where a person is charged with a contravention during lighting-up hours of these Regulations, it shall be a good defence to show—

• (i) that the contravention arose from a defect in the lighting or reflectors, and

• (ii) that the vehicle was, as soon as practicable after the defect became known, being towed to the nearest safe place so as to avoid danger to other traffic.

• (5) In this article a reference to a defect in lighting or reflectors includes a reference to a defect in their ancillary fittings.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

The obligatory rear reflector referred to in sub-article (2) of article 34.

SECOND SCHEDULE.

The advance warning sign referred to in article 38.

THIRD SCHEDULE.

Revocations.

Number.	Title.	Extent of Repeal.
S.R. & O. 1934 No. 166.	Lighting of Vehicles Regulations, 1934.	The whole regulations.
S.R. & O. 1935 No. 259.	Large Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 1935.	Articles 37 and 52.
S.R. & O. 1936 No. 269.	Small Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 1936.	Article 20.
S.I. No. 240 of 1948 .	Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (Construction, Equipment and Use) (Amendment) Order, 1948.	The whole order.
S.I. No. 334 of 1956 .	Lighting of Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations, 1956.	The whole regulations.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for

Local Government this twelfth day of October

One Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Three.

NEIL T. BLANEY,

Minister for Local Government.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations prescribe the lamps and reflectors with which vehicles are required to be fitted while being used in public places, and the circumstances and the manner in which lamps are to be used.

The Regulations prescribe that, with certain exceptions, mechanically propelled vehicles be fitted with the obligatory lamps and reflectors during the day time as well as during lighting-up hours. Vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles need be fitted with the obligatory lamps only during lighting-up hours but with certain exceptions will require to be fitted with obligatory reflectors at all times. Requirements as to the position and characteristics of obligatory and optional lamps and reflectors are laid down.

These Regulations replace the provisions of Part X of the Road Traffic Act, 1933 , and certain regulations under than Act.