Hefty Fines For Motorists Abroad

Headlight adaptors are compulsory for driving on the Continent. But an Auto Express investigation has revealed that more than half of the drivers heading for Europe can’t mount them properly! The findings have prompted a warning from the AA that drivers should avoid trying altogether, and hand the job over to a professional.

Adaptors have to be fitted to prevent foreign motorists from being dazzled by UK lights, which are designed to ‘kick up’ to the left to make signs easier to read on British roads. However, when driving on the right, these shine into oncoming drivers’ eyes.

If you are stopped by European police, you could be fined up to £710 if you don’t have the kit, or it’s fitted incorrectly. And insurers will only provide third party cover if you don’t have them and are involved in an accident.

Auto Express Editor-in-chief David Johns said: “It’s shocking to discover that so many motorists are risking fines and lives on the road because they can’t fit this compulsory safety kit properly. The industry needs to either simplify the instructions, which many complained were baffling, or make it clear that a professional needs to carry out the work.”

The AA’s technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said: “It’s too difficult for people to fit adaptors to modern lights. Lamp lenses frequently have no guides, and the bulbs themselves are often not set directly in line with the glass. So if you align the adaptor with the bulb as on the diagram, they will not be in the right place.”

She advised holidaymakers to have them fitted at a garage instead: “An MoT beam tester has to be used to ensure light kick-up is eliminated.”

13 August 2008