Exhausts

Large or big bore exhausts re becoming quite common in the modified car enthusiast arena however the vast majority of these are illegal for use on the public roads. the fact that the vehicle can pass an MOT test with this type of system is irrelevant. The MOT test will only check that there are no exhaust gasses escaping from the system and that it complies with the emission legislation.

Big bore & sport exhaust systems have several purposes; they can improve engine power output but most are fitted to increase the sound emitted by the vehicle, giving it a throaty deep note mainly when accelerating or whilst being driven. This is an offence as it contravenes the type approval of the vehicle, the question you should ask yourself is would my vehicle have been fitted with this exhaust system from standard? (when it was made and rolled off the factory line?) The answer to that will more than likely be no.

The offence is altering or modifying an exhaust system from manufacturers specification with an increase in noise from the silencer. Contrary to popular belief there is no requirement to measure the sound level from the exhaust system by the officer, it only requires an opinion that the system is not standard and that it is noisier that a normal vehicle of the same specification.

It is NOT an offence to sell these systems but it is an offence to fit one on your vehicle and drive it on the public roads. With this offence there is no option but to be reported to court so if found guilty you will end up being fined and have to pay court costs too - even if you plead guilty

Tinted Windows

Tinted Windows are yet another "fashion accessory" which has become quite popular recently. Tinted windows are designed by manufacturers to allow a minimum required amount of light through them and it differs from the front windscreen to the front door glass windows The reasons for this are so that in poor or night time visibility drivers still have enough light coming through the glass to enable them to see properly.

Having heavily tinted windows will seriously reduce your view in certain weather conditions and most definately at night time.

The legal requirements allowed are 75% of light through the front windscreen and 70% of light through the front side door glasses. Any rear door glasses and rear window are not included in this requirement, they can be as heavily tinted as you like.

We do have instruments which can now measure the severity of a tinted window and if caught you would be subject to a ?60 fixed penalty notice and 3 points on your licence.

The comparison to use would be a standard vehicle with tinted windows (I use the Ford Mondeo police vehicle) and if the windows on your vehicle are darker than this it will probably be illegal. Tinted also includes mirror effect film for this offence.

Lighting Offences

- Blue Lights

The law states that ONLY emergency vehicles can display blue lights so if your vehicle has any LED or neon under vehicle lighting system which is emitting a blue light (note - the light does not have to flash - a solid light is also covered under this offence) that could also attract a ?30 fixed penalty notice and/or being reported to court. This offence would also include blue LED lights on windscreen washer jets and number plates.

- Fog Lights

For vehicles fitted with front for lights (rear's are also included in this offence) it is an offence to illuminate them unless visibility is seriously reduced - this is defined as driving rain, snow or fog and visiblity is less than 100 metres.

Fog lights cause dazzle to other drivers and can attract a ?30 fixed penalty notice - it is not a legitimate defence to say you didn't realise they were on! The position of a fog lamp and its beam pattern is totally different to that of a spot or driving lamp and these would normally only come on with main beam unlike a fog lamp which will illuminate on side lights.

- Other lights

It is an absolute offence to show a red light to the front of a vehicle (including a reflector) and a white light to the rear (unless reversing). Once again these offences are dealt with by ?30 fixed penalty notice offences. It does not matter if the lights are mounted inside or outside the vehicle just that the light can be seen from the outside. This would also include neon lights fitted under or on the side of the vehicle and red LED windscreen washer jets. Green lights can only be fitted on Mechanical Practioner's vehicles.

Section 59

New laws in respect of certain anti social driving offences can now be dealt with by section 59 of the police reform act. Basically what that means is that if you are seen driving in a careless or inconsiderate manner or drive on common land, a footpath or bridleway or any land which is not part of a road AND drive in a manner which is causing/has been causing or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public a warning can be issued to you. This warning is placed against the driver AND the vehicle and lasts for 12 months.

If the driver or the vehicle is then seen driving in ANY of those conditions again in the next 12 months then the vehicle can be seized and if not collected after paying for recovery and storage costs it will be crushed.

Please note that this relates to EITHER the driver with the section 59 OR the vehicle, so, if you drive your vehicle and a section 59 warning is issued to you (which will include your vehicle too) and then you drive your friends or parents vehicle in the same manner within 12 months and are spotted, the vehicle you are in at the time will be seized.

Driving Licences

Most of you will be aware that once you have passed your driving test you are on a probationary period for two years. This means that should you accumulate 6 penalty points within that period you will automatically revert back to provisional licence holder entitlement until you retake and pass your test again.

Some of the offences which will attract penalty points are excess speed, careless or dangerous driving, defective or illegal tyres, dangerous condition of vehicle and contravene red traffic/solid white line system.

Most of these will involve a ?60 fixed penalty notice and 3 penalty points on your driving licence although if you are reported to court both the fine and the penalty points can be increased at the discretion of the Magistrates and you will have court costs to pay too.

Some driving offences also carry prison sentences if you are found guilty - dangerous driving for example.

Insurance Companies

You must inform your insurance company of ANY modifications or changes to your vehicle whether you carry them out yourself or if it was like that when you purchase the vehicle. Failure to do so could seriously reduce any future claim you make and in a worst case scenario completely invalidate your insurance.

If you have a guide, or a article that you think will be of use to our visitors, then email it to info@maxxd.co.uk - And we'll publish it to the world!

If you would like to advertise on the MaxxDirectory and become a part of this rapidly growing network, please Contact Us or Submit your listing here.