Interior lights on in trailer??

[stormox]

There is a post on BD in FB at the moment where over half the posters say it is LAW to to have the interior light on in your horse trailer when driving. I and some others disagree, I checked highway code and defra and its not mentioned.
What do people here think?

 

[Wheels]

I hope not, mine doesn't work

 

[Abi90]

I have no idea but I don’t see why it would be, it has no benefit to other road users

 

[holeymoley]

Strange. Nope, never had it on while travelling. Assumed it was a bit like car interior lights.

 

[lamlyn2012]

All new build lorries now have to be fitted with ambient interior lighting in the horse area. It is for the well being of horses when travelling at night as it stops the flashing light/strobe effect from outside sources which is a stress factor. I would imagine the same applies for new build trailers but if you haven't got them I wouldn't think it would be mandatory to have them fitted, but would be a good thing to have anyway if you travel a lot at night. Perhaps have a look under animal welfare if you haven't already.

 

[Leo Walker]

I dont know where I saw it, but I swear I saw somewhere that its law. I'm just about to rewire my trailer and I suspect I saw it when I was checking the laws for external lights.

 

[teddypops]

I think you have to have them, but they don’t have to be on. I’m sure I read that somewhere but don’t know where

 

[iknowmyvalue]

My trailer has one but it doesn't work anymore, and hasn't for a few years. Now I need some other work done on the trailer so I've asked them to have a look and try and fix it at the same time, but otherwise I wouldn't have bothered... I'm not sure whether it's a legal requirement but they are useful!

 

[PapaverFollis]

Given that you aren't supposed to show white light out if the rear of a vehicle I'm not sure this can be true? You could always shut the top doors I suppose. Or put a red light in. Seems odd to me and can only find reference to it on forums rather than any official stuff.

 

[Louby]

I was told that if theres a light fitted it must work and be on when travelling at night, cant remember who told me or where the information was originally found. I have just found this http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/traveling_general_advice.htm
It mentions the light should be on but no reference to any specific law.

 

[stormox]

Given that you aren't supposed to show white light out if the rear of a vehicle I'm not sure this can be true? You could always shut the top doors I suppose. Or put a red light in. Seems odd to me and can only find reference to it on forums rather than any official stuff.

I cant find anything about it in highway code. Wouldnt it be rather annoying for someone following a trailer to see a white light over the ramp? Like following a car with a foglight on when its not foggy?

 

[lamlyn2012]

Given that you aren't supposed to show white light out if the rear of a vehicle I'm not sure this can be true? You could always shut the top doors I suppose. Or put a red light in. Seems odd to me and can only find reference to it on forums rather than any official stuff.

It has to be ambient lighting. Ours is red.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I was told that if theres a light fitted it must work and be on when travelling at night, cant remember who told me or where the information was originally found. I have just found this http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/traveling_general_advice.htm
It mentions the light should be on but no reference to any specific law.

"Fitted with a functional internal light" doesnt mean that the light needs to be switched on while travelling though. Just means you have to have one that works if you need it to. Which makes sense.

 

[coss]

Agree with others that say it's supposed to be a functioning light by law, doesn't have to be on whilst travelling - was told by a bhs instructor in prep for my exams.