Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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 Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 11:57 am Post subject: Hazard Warning lights |
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I thought I would check the legality of fitting hazard warning lights to my MG TC. The car is 1949 and didn't even have direction indicators when new.!
I was surprised to learn that my plan to use a separate dashboard switch and warning light would not - strictly speaking - be lawful.
Apparently I would need to have dashboard mounted hazards switch with built in flashing red warning light.
There is no way that a modern hazard warning light switch would not compromise the appearance of my carefully laid out dashboard with its period correct dials and instruments, so I may have to forget the idea.
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2185
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Apparently I would need to have dashboard mounted hazards switch with built in flashing red warning light. |
There are toggle switches available with LEDs set into the end of the toggle....I have one on my Dellow, which, to comply with trials rules, has to have a white 'back up' light for reversing off sections in the dark.
The switch for it is on the dash, with a red LED in the end of the toggle, so I don't drive orff down the road, breaking the Lieu, by showing a 'white light to the rear!'
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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| alastairq wrote: | | Quote: | | Apparently I would need to have dashboard mounted hazards switch with built in flashing red warning light. |
There are toggle switches available with LEDs set into the end of the toggle....I have one on my Dellow, which, to comply with trials rules, has to have a white 'back up' light for reversing off sections in the dark.
The switch for it is on the dash, with a red LED in the end of the toggle, so I don't drive orff down the road, breaking the Lieu, by showing a 'white light to the rear!' |
My reversing light switch is on the gearbox so can only come on when reverse gear is selected. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2185
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, I gathered that, but we're on about hazard waring light switches, are we not?
There's these? A bit costly for my liking, but, hey ho...
https://www.holden.co.uk/p/hazard_warning_switch_kit_sfb300
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2185
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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I used one of these....which happened to be for my reversing light
https://www.holden.co.uk/p/toggle_switch_with_round_lever_and_led_indicator_red
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, too expensive. I was only going to do it if I could utilise my existing "spare" switch and use the indicators warning light...but neither would be legal apparently.
I suppose I could mount the toggle switch on a plate just below the dashboard.
That might just work!  |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2185
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Don;t do what my dear old mate did on his MGB GT! He decided to add hazard warning lights....Yup, he got all four flashing, but alternately, rather than in unison.
Caused much amusement on the first try-out.....Especially as he was a very talented diesel fitter by trade!
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| alastairq wrote: | Don;t do what my dear old mate did on his MGB GT! He decided to add hazard warning lights....Yup, he got all four flashing, but alternately, rather than in unison.
Caused much amusement on the first try-out.....Especially as he was a very talented diesel fitter by trade! |
That would be a giggle wouldn't it.? I wouldn't know how to do that even if I wanted to! |
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MikeEdwards
Joined: 25 May 2011
Posts: 2786
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Hazard Warning lights |
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| Ray White wrote: | I was surprised to learn that my plan to use a separate dashboard switch and warning light would not - strictly speaking - be lawful.
Apparently I would need to have dashboard mounted hazards switch with built in flashing red warning light.
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Can I ask where that came from? The MOT tester's manual doesn't mention it, for example, it just says
| MOT Testers Manual wrote: |
Hazard warning lamps must operate using only one switch and with the engine or ignition switch in both the on and off positions.
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I have the accessory kit for my Vauxhalls to add hazard lights into the system, I must admit I don't know whether that switch lights up or not.
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1976 Vauxhall HP Firenza, 1976 Vauxhall Sportshatch (x2), 1986 Audi coupe quattro, 2000 Audi TT |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4311
Location: South Cheshire
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent!
I have been misinformed.
From the regulations I now see no reason why I should not revert to my original plan and use the spare switch on the dash and the indicators light,,, unless there are technical reasons why it wouldn't work.?
Well done again, Dave. Thank you! |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4311
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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This is what my dad fabricated for his Morris Minor about 25 years ago, hazards have a separate switch and lamp, bottom left on the dash extension, a typical creation from my father who would always put practicality over aesthetics
This set up passed many mots.
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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The information I was given probably originates from Germany, where (true or false) there appears to be a catch 22. Apparently, hazard warning lights with modern illuminated dashboard switches are mandatory for all vehicles... but for historic vehicles to qualify as such, they must be largely original.
I am advised that the non authentic switch/light is sufficient to deny historic vehicle status, which as one can imagine, makes keeping the vehicle compliant with modern regulations virtually impossible.
As I say this may or may not be the case in reality and could well be a myth; much like E.U. straight bananas.  |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7428
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| ukdave2002 wrote: | This is what my dad fabricated for his Morris Minor about 25 years ago, hazards have a separate switch and lamp, bottom left on the dash extension, a typical creation from my father who would always put practicality over aesthetics
This set up passed many mots.
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That looks like the kind of thing I would have been happy with in the 1970s. As I recall, any modification that "improved" my Austin A30 was O.K. at the time. |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4311
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| From memory, the top right red lamp was ?brake lamps? he had a run of repro hydraulic brake lamp switches failing, so added a check lamp! |
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