Penalty points for driving with no lights on one side?

lazyman · 15-03-2018 12:47am #1

Hi all,
I was driving my wife's car tonight and when I started it I realised the side and two main lights on the passenger side were not working, She doesn't normally drive in the dark so she didn't know, I put on the fogs to give me some light.
Anyway just my luck I was stopped by a garda who issued me with a ticket however much I asked for remorse and promised i will fix it in the morning and present at a garda station
Is there a fine and points for this or just a fine? The garda wasn't sure himself, I appreciate he is doing his job and I was technically in the wrong for driving with no lights but it was 11pm and was only out on a short journey.

GM228 · 15-03-2018 1:06am

Just a €60 FCPN, no points.

lazyman · 15-03-2018 1:12am

GM228 wrote: »

Just a €60 FCPN, no points.

Ok that's not as bad so thanks, reckon when I did it in the morning is it worth calling to the station to see will he quash it? I've a feeling it's a wiring issue as both bulbs went together. Thanks for the reply.

the_pen_turner · 15-03-2018 1:14am

this is why i always have a spare set in my van. if one blows i can change it . if i havnt noticed (very hard not too) and get pulled i have a decent chance of just getting a warning if i can change it there and then

lazyman · 15-03-2018 1:18am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

this is why i always have a spare set in my van. if one blows i can change it . if i havnt noticed (very hard not too) and get pulled i have a decent chance of just getting a warning if i can change it there and then

Ya I do too but it was 11pm and where I was when I left was too dark to change the bulbs especially on the battery side in a focus, I'll give it a go in the morning

15-03-2018 1:20am

You can chance your arm at the station, but hopefully the Garda won't bite.

JohnBoy26 · 15-03-2018 1:21am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

this is why i always have a spare set in my van. if one blows i can change it . if i havnt noticed (very hard not too) and get pulled i have a decent chance of just getting a warning if i can change it there and then

Not that easy to change in many cars.

the_pen_turner · 15-03-2018 1:23am

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Not that easy to change in many cars.

iv a berlingo. you can change a bulb in les than a minutes

Batzoo · 15-03-2018 1:30am

lazyman wrote: »

Hi all,
Is there a fine and points for this or just a fine? The garda wasn't sure himself,

Of course he knew, just was not wiling to engage or maybe its just a tactic that they train them for. If he does not know the offence and penalty, he should not really be given tickets for it!

But yep! Next time lidl or aldi have the 5 euro sets, pick up a couple and keep them in the car. Maybe enough to get some grace!

JohnBoy26 · 15-03-2018 1:48am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

iv a berlingo. you can change a bulb in les than a minutes

Try changing one in less than a minute a mk2 renault megane

the_pen_turner · 15-03-2018 1:55am

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Try changing one in less than a minute a mk2 renault megane

its crazy on some cars. bumpers, wheels, wheel arch liners bits of the engine .

GBX · 15-03-2018 10:29am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

its crazy on some cars. bumpers, wheels, wheel arch liners bits of the engine .

Would this be the reason so many one light cars are on the road?

Guy:Incognito · 15-03-2018 11:16am

GBX wrote: »

Would this be the reason so many one light cars are on the road?

No, it's laziness or people being so unaware that their cars can need attention between services or ncts that they just assume everything is fine.

Plus an attitude of "well yes, I'm" technically" in the wrong " and feel put upon.

A mk 2 Megane bulb isn't hard to do through the flap in the wheel arch once you know what you're doing.

JohnBoy26 · 15-03-2018 12:55pm

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

No, it's laziness or people being so unaware that their cars can need attention between services or ncts that they just assume everything is fine.

Plus an attitude of "well yes, I'm" technically" in the wrong " and feel put upon.

A mk 2 Megane bulb isn't hard to do through the flap in the wheel arch once you know what you're doing.

In the middle of night on the side of the road it isn't the easiest.

BronsonTB · 15-03-2018 1:39pm

The skill needed to change a bulb does vary with every car.

Bottom line, every vehicle should always have working lights.

if you can replace a blown light, then change it asap
If you can't, then get it done in a garage asap.

A bulb can go at any time, it's the length of time it takes people, in general to act on it, that's the issue.

Del2005 · 15-03-2018 1:49pm

Batzoo wrote: »

Of course he knew, just was not wiling to engage or maybe its just a tactic that they train them for. If he does not know the offence and penalty, he should not really be given tickets for it!

But yep! Next time lidl or aldi have the 5 euro sets, pick up a couple and keep them in the car. Maybe enough to get some grace!

The Garda just enters the details that car x had no light into PULSE the rest is automatic and even if the OP does fit the bulb should not be quashed. €60 is a cheap lesson to do your vehicle checks

purpleisafruit · 15-03-2018 1:56pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Try changing one in less than a minute a mk2 renault megane

Have it down to 5 minutes, though it does help that I have the hands of a small toddler!

_Brian · 15-03-2018 1:59pm

the_pen_turner wrote: »

iv a berlingo. you can change a bulb in les than a minutes

Many cars now require toos and the full headlamp to be removed, not a side of the road job for many.

Many newer cars warn of blown bulbs which is a handy feature.

the_pen_turner · 15-03-2018 2:01pm

_Brian wrote: »

Many cars now require toos and the full headlamp to be removed, not a side of the road job for many.

Many newer cars warn of blown bulbs which is a handy feature.

its crazy isnt it.
surely there should be some law to make it an easy job

biko · 15-03-2018 3:41pm

Au contraire
In my opinion car makers are making it more difficult to do stuff DIY on purpose.
I don't think they want normal folks messing with their delicate machinery.

Eventually there will just be one light for everything "take car to an expensive garage"

wonski · 15-03-2018 4:24pm

On that note I love the way Volvo dealt with the problem in s40 (not sure if the new generation is the same though)

You remove the whole reflector in 3 seconds by pulling the pin and can put it in the boot or bring it back home to change the bulb

Other manufacturers should learn from them!

wonski · 15-03-2018 4:28pm

the_pen_turner wrote: »

its crazy isnt it.
surely there should be some law to make it an easy job

There is a law in some countries to carry spare bulbs and you won't get anywhere until you change it if stopped.

Funny that they couldn't force the manufacturers to make it possible for any driver, regardless of how mechanically minded they are.

Kintarō Hattori · 15-03-2018 4:28pm

Have a Fiat 500 and you'd think it'd be easy to change bulbs being a basic car but alas it's not, you need to have the hands of a toddler.

GM228 · 15-03-2018 5:00pm

wonski wrote: »

On that note I love the way Volvo dealt with the problem in s40 (not sure if the new generation is the same though)

You remove the whole reflector in 3 seconds by pulling the pin and can put it in the boot or bring it back home to change the bulb Other manufacturers should learn from them!

I think Ford were the first to do this with the Mondeo. I have only ever seen it on Fords and Volvos.

wonski · 15-03-2018 5:05pm

GM228 wrote: »

I think Ford were the firat to do this with the Mondeo. I have only ever seen it on Fords and Volvos.

Ford and Volvos shared a lot of parts back then so that would explain it.

Shame other manufacturers didn't follow. Clever and simple solution giving access to all the bulbs and definitely the easiest to change.

AnMuinteoirOg · 15-03-2018 6:52pm

Batzoo wrote: »

Of course he knew, just was not wiling to engage or maybe its just a tactic that they train them for. If he does not know the offence and penalty, he should not really be given tickets for it!

But yep! Next time lidl or aldi have the 5 euro sets, pick up a couple and keep them in the car. Maybe enough to get some grace!

There are over 600 FCN offences...The Garda obviously isn't going to know on the spot the penalty for each and every one.

JohnBoy26 · 15-03-2018 6:58pm

AnMuinteoirOg wrote: »

There are over 600 FCN offences...The Garda obviously isn't going to know on the spot the penalty for each and every one.

To be fair for a simply thing like a blown bulb they should know what the penalty is.

JohnBoy26 · 15-03-2018 7:00pm

GM228 wrote: »

I think Ford were the first to do this with the Mondeo. I have only ever seen it on Fords and Volvos.

changing the bulbs on Some fords can be a bit of a pig of a job too.

AnMuinteoirOg · 15-03-2018 7:01pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

To be fair for a simply thing like a blown bulb they should know what the penalty is.

Not particularity.. All the Garda has to do is fill out all the details on the FCN Book and the FCN office does the rest

Hitman3000 · 15-03-2018 7:04pm

My wife has an 11 reg megane, to change a bulb in the headlight requires lifting the bonnet unscrewing to retaining nuts sliding the headlight forward removing the backplate and accessing the correct terminals. Now Mrs H ain't no fool but doing this is beyond her capabilities at the side of a road in the dark .

JohnBoy26 · 15-03-2018 7:11pm

Hitman3000 wrote: »

My wife has an 11 reg megane, to change a bulb in the headlight requires lifting the bonnet in screwing to retaining nuts sliding the headlight forward removing the backplate and accessing the correct terminals. Now Mrs H ain't no fool but doing this is beyond her capabilities at the side of a road in the dark .

It wouldn't be simple for anyone on a cold wet and windy night. Still it's easier than the mk2 megane I suppose.

Penalty points for driving with no lights on one side?

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