# The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Regulation 8: Illumination of upright signs and associated plates

Extent: E+W+S

(1) Paragraph (2) applies to an upright sign unless elsewhere in these Regulations in relation to a particular sign—
(a) requirements are imposed as to the illumination of the sign; or
(b) provision is made that the sign need not be illuminated.
(2) The upright sign must be—
(a) illuminated throughout the hours of darkness by internal or external lighting; or
(b) reflectorised.
(3) If provision is made elsewhere in these Regulations that an upright sign need not be illuminated, it may be illuminated in accordance with paragraph (5).
(4) Paragraph (5) also applies to an upright sign which must at certain times be illuminated under these Regulations during those times when it is not required to be illuminated.
(5) The upright sign may be—
(a) illuminated by internal or external lighting; or
(b) reflectorised.
(6) Where these Regulations provide for a choice of methods of illumination for an upright sign (including where at least one method must be used), more than one of those methods may be used.
(7) The same method used to illuminate an upright sign must be used to illuminate an associated plate (and where more than one method is used, all those methods must be used).
(8) The same source of lighting used to illuminate an upright sign may be used to illuminate an associated plate provided it is adequate to do so.
(9) If an upright sign is not illuminated, any associated plate must not be illuminated.
(10) Where retroreflecting material is used on any part of an upright sign or plate, all other parts, other than any parts coloured black, must also be reflectorised.
(11) In paragraph (10) “part” means any part which is uniformly coloured and bounded by differently coloured parts.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/part/1/regulation/8 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2016/part-1/regulation-8
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.