Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Driving in Europe

Hi,
I am about to go off on a tour of the Alps. My Morgan has the centre brake light that sticks above the luggage rack.
Has anyone had an issue with the police if that brake light is partially obscured by the luggage on the rack?
Thanks for your advice
CM

No it is not a requirement it is an accessory.

Strictly speaking, the third brake light has been mandatory in Germany since 1998... at least for cars registered after that date. Older cars do not need to be retrofitted with a third brake light.
I haven't had any problems with the Morgan yet. Our case blocks the view of the third brake light. With a Morgan, people don't usually check the year of manufacture meticulously. But strictly speaking, if it's there, it has to be used. It's a borderline case if it's there but obscured.

Perhaps it depends on the country. I have encountered very strict police officers in France. We were filling up on the highway. A police officer noticed that there was a little water in my Morgan's front turn signal due to the pouring rain. He ordered me to buy a screwdriver at the gas station, unscrew the turn signal glass, and pour out the water.

Our current luggage does not obscure the centre brake light. In the days when we used a case that did obscure the light, I fitted an LED brake light to the case and created a Y shaped wiring harness that it plugged into. There is a connector near the centre brake light so you don't have have to make any changes to the wiring loom on the car.

Anything that makes the car safer is worth having in my view.


As an aside - whilst in the Alps, keep an eye out for banners displayed by professional photographers so that you can order their images - I have bought some super images over the years.

As I understand it, in France if light is fitted it must be visible,
However as Burgundtmog said, it is an accessory and it is easy to remove the light.
Personally I like to be seen so I also fit a led light to the case.
Enjoy the Alps - great Morgan roads there.

Just hired a car to drive around the narrow, steep, twisty roads of Kephalonia, Greece - wish me luck

Lovely Island Richard, we went there a few years ago with our two sons and their gfs. The roads weren't terrible and I don't think we had different coloured number plates on the cars, so you aren't immediately marked out as a target for the locals! I'm sure you won't need too much luck, anyway it's a hire car.

You should be fine. I traveled through the Netherlands, Germany to the Alps, down through Italy and beyond. Mine was a Sport so the brake light was on the rear deck. It was unfortunately covered due to luggage at times and while I was pulled over three times, never had an issue. Was pulled over in Germany, Luxemburg and Italy, but all three times they simply wanted to get a closer look at the car and were interested in my journey.

Wishing you safe travels!

Folks - Many thanks for your quick responses. I have the detachable brake light mentioned by Paul F - however attaching it securly to my luggage might present a challenge. I will likely take it with me and have a stab at fitting it if it becomes neccessary. Thanks all

Best method I have seen is to fix the light to a lightweight wooden batten which can be held in place by luggage straps.