Smashed Headlight...

[matt_avison15]

Hi guys,

I was leaving work this evening, and as I was giving way to someone in the car park where I work, the idiot somehow didn't see me and drove into the side of my car and smashed my drivers side headlight. I got what I thought was his insurance details after attempting to understand his English, but as I read what he had given me, it was a Europcar hire car. God knows what my insurance company are gonna say about that.
Anyway, after I calmed myself down, I figured out it was safe to drive home all of about 10 miles, the light still works, and has a bit of glass over the top of it, but not a lot.

Is it safe to drive to work tomorrow morning and then back home at 6pm while its not dark?

Any advise would be great before I phone my insurance company tomorrow morning.   

[jeynesey]

I personally wouldnt drive it but Im a bit of a scaremonger. I think technically your car isnt "road worthy" if your lights dont work correctly even if yo dont need them.

Could be wrong though

Nick

[Wayne]

I think the police could still fine you even if it works as they may class it as dangerous.

[Philpy]

Id drive it myself..... 

Not sure how it works, but you dont need lights at all to be road worthy. you can get a Day time only MOT.... Although all lights need to be removed or covered. Anyway I reckon I would drive it, and explain if you pulled by the old bill.

[Stronz]

Personally, I'd keep use to a minimum til it's fixed. I get wound up by road users who drive with one good headlight. It's no so much what you can see, but if other road users can see you.

You should be okay sticking to day time, but at the end of the day, if you getvpulled over, it comes down to how sympathetic mr plod is.

You got the other cars registration right?

Oh, and a great excuse to invest in some anni headlights now 

[AlanD]

Personally Id drive it. If its not going to be dark . . . even if it is jsut drive slower.

[Voodoo-Music]

You dont by law have to have headlights in your car as long as your only driving it during the day. My mate cant fail a car for mot for no headlights as long as the owner states it is never driven at night. He then puts a advisary on it to cover his back

I would get rid of the headlight if its sharp edged or a minimum of remove sharp glass and you SHOULD be fine but be careful on a misty or murky day as the polizai can be knobs if they want to

[ben1.8T]

Same as race bikes with no headlights can be driven in the daytime only. Typical bloody foreigner I would have kicked the crap out of him and waited for the old bill to turn up and verify his details. 

[matt_avison15]

I got his registration and stuff, although my excess is £600!

So i've gotta pay that then hope he claims liability.

They sent me a hire car, even though they said they would send something similar to my Golf. And what did I get....a Vauxhall Corsa...

I'll probably sell that the 1.4 and upgrade to a 1.8 or a 2.0. 

[Ridg]

You dont by law have to have headlights in your car as long as your only driving it during the day. My mate cant fail a car for mot for no headlights as long as the owner states it is never driven at night. He then puts a advisary on it to cover his back

so what happens when it's raining or foggy?  as you're legally required to use your headlights when visibility is reduced.

edit:

after a quick google i found the MOT requirements

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m3s01000201.htm;

Check that the vehicle is fitted with obligatory headlamps, as follows a.   a matched pair of main beam headlamps, and b.   a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps Note:  Main-beam and dipped- beam functions may be provided by a single pair of headlamps.

in contrast to the law for motorbikes;

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1s01000201.htm

This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are •    only used during daylight hours, and •    not used at times of seriously reduced visibility