What changed
Until now, LED bulbs fitted into halogen headlamps were failed at MOT for "light source and lamp not compatible". DVSA says this was because testers had no practical way to tell whether a fitted LED bulb was approved.
The DVSA has now updated section 4.1.4 of the MOT inspection manual (MOT special notice 05-26, published 13 October 2026). From 14 October 2026:
- An LEDr bulb in a halogen headlamp may be accepted if it is ECE approved for use in that lamp.
- It must be backed by a manufacturer-issued approval sticker, supplied in the product packaging.
- The sticker must be permanently fixed to the vehicle (DVSA gives inside the engine bay as an example) and readily visible to the tester.
- The sticker must carry an anti-counterfeit feature such as a hologram, plus the LEDr category (for example H11 LEDr), rated voltage, ECE approval number and manufacturer's name.
- Testers will not remove lamp covers or bulbs to check. The sticker is the evidence.
The headlamp must be failed if an LEDr bulb is fitted and the sticker is missing, can't be read, looks tampered with, or clearly doesn't match the bulb.
Who it affects
The change applies to MOT classes:
- Class 3: three-wheeled vehicles
- Class 4: cars and other light passenger vehicles
- Class 5: larger passenger vehicles
- Class 7: goods vehicles (vans) over 3,000kg and up to 3,500kg
It only covers existing halogen headlamp units fitted with approved LED replacement bulbs. It does not change the rules for:
- Motorcycles (class 1 and 2), which aren't included
- HID (xenon) conversions of halogen headlamps, which still fail on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986
- Complete replacement headlamp units built with LED or HID light sources, which are assessed against the normal section 4 requirements for the type fitted
What drivers should do
- Check what's in your headlights. If you've fitted LED bulbs into halogen headlamps, find out whether they are ECE approved LEDr products.
- Find the sticker. Approved products come with a secure approval sticker. Fix it somewhere permanent and easy to see, such as inside the engine bay.
- Unapproved LED bulbs? Swap them back to halogen, or to an approved LEDr bulb with its sticker, before your MOT. Otherwise the headlamp will fail.
- Buying new bulbs? Look for ECE approval for your specific lamp type and make sure the sticker is in the box.
- Keep an eye on your MOT date so you have time to sort it before the test.
To see whether your car has had headlamp advisories or failures before, use GOV.UK's MOT history check. For the other 2026 MOT changes, see MOT rules 2026 explained.
Frequently asked questions
Are LED headlight bulbs now legal for the MOT?
Only ECE approved LED replacement bulbs, in compatible halogen headlamps, with the matching approval sticker visible on the vehicle. Other LED conversions still fail.
When did the change start?
14 October 2026, when the MOT inspection manual was updated.
Does it apply to motorbikes?
No. It covers classes 3, 4, 5 and 7 only.
What if I've lost the sticker?
The tester must fail the headlamp if the sticker is missing. The tester will not take the bulb out to check its markings.
Where should the sticker go?
Somewhere permanent and readily visible to the tester. DVSA's example is inside the engine bay.
Are HID or xenon conversion kits allowed now?
No. Converting halogen headlamps to HID is still a fail on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986.
My car came with LED headlights from the factory. Does this affect me?
No. This change is about LED bulbs retrofitted into halogen headlamps.
Never miss your MOT date
Motorbook is a free UK iPhone app that keeps your MOT, tax and insurance dates in one place and reminds you before they're due, so there's time to sort things like headlight bulbs before the test. It also has a fuel map with prices from the government's Fuel Finder data.
Sources
- DVSA, MOT special notice 05-26: approved LED replacement bulbs in halogen headlamps (13 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, section 4
- GOV.UK, MOT inspection manual updates
- DVSA bulletin, Regulations around LED replacement (LEDr) headlamps are changing (8 October 2026)
- The Independent via MSN, MOT rule change is rolled out across UK from today (14 October 2026)
Motorbook is independent and is not affiliated with GOV.UK or the DVSA.