# The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, Part I: Requirements relating to obligatory main-beam headlamps and to optional main-beam headlamps to the extent specified in part ii

Extent: E+W+S

1 Number–
(a) Any vehicle not covered by sub-paragraph (b), (c) or (d):
Two
(b) A solo motor bicycle and motor bicycle combination:
One
(c) A motor vehicle with three wheels, other than a motor bicycle combination, first used before 1st January 1972:
One
(d) A motor vehicle with three wheels, other than a motor bicycle combination, first used on or after 1st January 1972 and which has an unladen weight of not more than 400 kg and an overall width of not more than 1300 mm:
One
2 Position–
(a) Longitudinal:
No requirement
(b) Lateral–
(i) Where two main-beam headlamps are required to be fitted–
(A) Maximum distance from the side of the vehicle:
The outer edges of the illuminated areas must in no case be closer to the side of the vehicle than the outer edges of the illuminated areas of the obligatory dipped-beam headlamps.
(B) Maximum separation distance between a pair of main-beam headlamps:
No requirement
(ii) Where one main-beam headlamp is required to be fitted:
(i) On the centre-line of the motor vehicle (disregarding any sidecar forming part of a motor bicycle combination), or
(ii) At any distance from the side of the vehicle (disregarding any sidecar forming part of a motor bicycle combination) provided that a duplicate lamp is fitted on the other side so that together they form a matched pair. In such a case, both lamps shall be treated as obligatory lamps.
(c) Vertical:
No requirement
3 Angles of visibility:
No requirement
4 Alignment:
To the front
5 Markings–
(a) Any vehicle not covered by sub-paragaph (b), (c) or (d):
An approval mark or a British Standard mark
(b) A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986:
No requirement
(c) A three-wheeled motor vehicle, not being a motor bicycle combination, first used on or after 1st April 1986 and having a maximum speed not exceeding 50 mph:
No requirement
(d) A solo motor bicycle and a motor bicycle combination:
No requirement
6 Size of illuminated area:
No requirement
7 Colour:
White or yellow
8 Wattage–
(a) A motor vehicle, other than a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination, first used on or after 1st April 1986:
No requirement
(b) A motor vehicle, other than a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination, first used before 1st April 1986:
30 watts minimum
(c) A solo motor bicycle and a motor bicycle combination–
(i) having an engine not exceeding 250 cc:
15 watts minimum
(ii) having an engine exceeding 250 cc:
30 watts minimum
9 Intensity:
No requirement

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/5/part/I (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/road-vehicles-lighting-regulations-1989/schedule-5/part-I
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.