Temporary Hazard Lights

[ndevans]

They are a required part of the tool kit in France.

[Bill_qaz]

I’ll definitely have them, I was a little reluctant to make modifications but safety first!
Especially living where we do, traffic can be a bit mad!

Its a self contained switch and flasher unit no real modifications just connected to original wiring and one permanent live.
Mines under glove box next to steering column so discrete if standard look is your thing

20220310_131723.jpg (1.63 MiB) Viewed 9973 times

I also carry a small magnetic based flashing beacon on parcel shelf, to use also as indicators are not large like modern cars. Cheap extra safety item under £10 but you need a a socket to plug into which i have fitted for phone charging and plug in tyre pump etc.
Fire extinguisher under passenger seat, no good in boot and a torch.
In my mind these things are like your insurance, good to know you have them but hope to never need them.
But don't let worry spoil your enjoyment of your new moggy.

[mrs.smith2012]

Thanks for the tips. I already have a beacon and fire extinguisher on my shopping list!

Like you say, you hope to never need them, but it’s better to have them. My husband feels better about the whole thing too!

[geoberni]

They are a required part of the tool kit in France.

Spain currently requires 2 Triangles (if a Spanish vehicle, only 1 for tourists), but the Spanish authorities are going one better from January.
Requiring an 'approved' type of rooftop beacon that also transmits your location to the rescue authorities via a built in non removable SIM.
But unlike the Triangle rule, and the HIVis Jacket rule, for some reason they can't mandate the beacons for foreign registered vehicles.

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/11/26/s ... t-in-2026/

[les]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

[mrs.smith2012]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

I suppose if you only plan to take it to the odd show you might get away with it, but I plan to use mine as a daily so some upgrades are beneficial I think

[geoberni]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

generally speaking, whatever was legal at the time the vehicle was constructed, remains legal.
The Locomotives on Highways Act 1896 did away with the requirement for the man in front with the Red Flag to warn horse and carriages
The celebration of that event is the origins of the London the Brighton Run, first held as "The Emancipation Run" in November 1896.

[Bill_qaz]

They are a required part of the tool kit in France.

You also are required in France to have a hiviz, accessible from the drivers seat and put it on when leaving the car

[Bill_qaz]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

Its not about legality for me, its about the driving has changed and not for the better since I passed my test in 1970.
The safety of vehicles has improved drastically and the standard of driving is worse. As now the many safety systems linked with in car destractions have imho developed driving with lack of concentration and not looking far enough ahead.
Hazard lights etc are to try and help these drivers notice you especially if you are unfortunate to break down.
Rant over

[ndevans]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

I suppose if you only plan to take it to the odd show you might get away with it, but I plan to use mine as a daily so some upgrades are beneficial I think

I really wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. Things like hazard lights, warning triangles, beacons, fire extinguishers etc just make life a bit easier in the event of a breakdown, but nothing will guarantee you safety.

What spurred me on to fitting hazards was breaking down on the M32 just out of Bristol city centre, right at the start of the motorway, just past the last slip road. It is only 2 lanes there, and I was right next to the wall of a bridge, and it was heavy rush hour traffic. Having a warning triangle was a real bonus.

[michael4]

In France having a hig Viz or 'gilet jaune' visible inside the car is no bad thing...but then...no politics here.

[mrs.smith2012]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

Its not about legality for me, its about the driving has changed and not for the better since I passed my test in 1970.
The safety of vehicles has improved drastically and the standard of driving is worse. As now the many safety systems linked with in car destractions have imho developed driving with lack of concentration and not looking far enough ahead.
Hazard lights etc are to try and help these drivers notice you especially if you are unfortunate to break down.
Rant over

I wasn’t driving in the 70s, but even in my 20 years of driving experience I can see how much cars have changed. They pretty much drive themselves nowadays! It’s going to be very strange going back to a car that I actually have to ‘drive’ but I’m excited (and a bit scared) about it! I think it will make me a better driver. I’m not a bad driver but I’ve probably got a bit lazy driving an automatic for 20 years

[Bill_qaz]

Thats what I find the most fun of a minor, back to basics driving and taking things at a slower pace. I never go on motorway and even avoid dual carriageways whenever possible. Admittedly mine is just a fun car for days out, not my everyday driver. Part of that is planning routes on as many of the smaller roads as possible and taking in the scenery along the way at a pace suited to the minor.
I hope you enjoy your new old car and get lots of smiles to the mile

[mrs.smith2012]

Thats what I find the most fun of a minor, back to basics driving and taking things at a slower pace. I never go on motorway and even avoid dual carriageways whenever possible. Admittedly mine is just a fun car for days out, not my everyday driver. Part of that is planning routes on as many of the smaller roads as possible and taking in the scenery along the way at a pace suited to the minor.
I hope you enjoy your new old car and get lots of smiles to the mile

Thanks! She’ll sort of be my daily but not my main car so I’ll only be doing local trips in her… May do the odd rally when I get brave lol. Can’t wait to bring her home! MOT is today so fingers crossed everyone!

[Mervin]

"They pretty much drive themselves nowadays! It’s going to be very strange going back to a car that I actually have to ‘drive’ "
This is just my opinion and no doubt there will be many who disagree.
I think, where possible, learner drivers and/or just passedtheir test drivers should be expected to drive an older car that has to be "driven"(as Mrs Smith writes), not necessarily a Minor, but something of the same vintage.
Again, my opinion, there are too many so-called driver assist functions in modern cars resulting in drivers becoming too complacent.
e.g., my Granddaughter passed her test a couple of years ago. She bought a 10 years old Ford KA and learned in a modern Ford Fiesta. I went out with her very soon after it was bought. We had to do an uphill start. She panicked because the Fiesta had hill start assist, the KA doesn't. Result - a hill start lesson from Granddad.
I'll don my coat and tin hat now!

[myoldjalopy]

"Hill start assist"? WTHF?

[mrs.smith2012]

I’m inclined to agree… in reality most young drivers are not going to be buying a brand new car.. my first car was a clapped out old Ford fiesta with no power steering and a choke… of course it was an automatic so didn’t have gears to content with but it was a bit of a jump from the brand new Nissan that I had passed my test in and took me a bit to get used to it.
My husband is playing it cool but I think he’s secretly rather pleased at the thought of driving a ‘proper car’ again with gears. He hasn’t driven our automatic in yonks… says it’s boring

[Mervin]

"Hill start assist"? WTHF? "
I believe it's standard on many newer cars. Particularly those (most) which have the electric parking/emergency brake in place of the good old, and simple, cable operated handbrake.

[mike1864]

Surprising how many motorists still heed one of those folding triangular hazard warning signs.

A few years back a friend put out a warning triangle to warn of his broken down car.
An approaching car duly ran over the triangle.
When confronted with my friend remonstrating over the destroyed triangle, the driver said it was actually my friend's fault "for putting it on the road."

[michael4]

Hill start assist? I remember this feature on a 1930s Hudson but it wasn't called that in them there days.