Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
MOT testers must accept approved LED replacement bulbs from 14 October
From 14 October, MOT testers must accept approved LED replacement bulbs fitted in compatible halogen headlamps.
The change applies to Class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales, including cars and many taxis and private-hire vehicles.
The rule covers specific ECE-approved replacement bulbs, not every LED conversion or a complete LED headlamp replacement.
The bulb’s approval sticker must be fixed to the vehicle and show required product details, including its category, approval number and manufacturer.
Testers will check that the sticker is present and appears valid, but will not need to verify its details in external records.
A missing, unreadable, tampered or clearly mismatched sticker means the lamp receives a major defect.
The change affects MOT checks only, and local taxi licensing rules still apply separately.
MOT testers must accept ECE-approved LED replacement bulbs in compatible halogen headlamp units from 14 October 2026.
The rule applies to Class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales.
The vehicle must display a secure approval sticker that testers can inspect.
Testers do not have to verify sticker details against external records.
Missing, unreadable, tampered or mismatched stickers result in a major defect.
- Who
- MOT testers and owners or operators of eligible vehicles.
- What
- Testers must accept approved LED replacement bulbs in compatible halogen headlamp units if the required sticker is present and valid.
- When
- From 14 October 2026.
- Where
- England, Scotland and Wales.
- Why
- The DVSA updated the MOT inspection rules to allow these approved replacement bulbs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The DVSA issued MOT Special Notice 05-26 setting out the change.
The revised MOT rule took effect.
- Eligible vehicle classes
- Class 3, 4, 5 and 7
- Covered locations
- England, Scotland and Wales
- Approval sticker
- Must show the bulb category, variant, rated voltage, ECE approval number and manufacturer
- Excluded vehicles and modifications
- Class 1 and 2 motorcycles, HID conversions in halogen units, and full LED headlamp replacements