Is it legal to fit Bullbars to a 4x4 in the U.K.?

Question

I have been told the goverment were going to introduce a ban but didn`t.

Answer 1

No, it's no longer legal to fit anything other than a safety FPS or 'frontal protection system' . Fortunately, the ban is NOT retrospective, so if it's already got one fitted, it's fine - and for the 'kangaroo' comment, it's a h**l of a lot cheaper to get kicked in the bullbar by a cow when they're being herded than for them to kick a f*** great hole in the radiator & headlights. Same goes for opening gates with them.

Answer 2

From 25th May 2007 for motor vehicles categorised as M1 (a passenger carrying vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and not more than 8 passengers) or N1 (a goods vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes) it will only be legal to manufacturer and sell bull bars that comply with EU Directive 2005/66/EC.

It will be illegal to manufacture and sell bull bars that do not conform to this legislation punishable by a maximum penalty, to be imposed within the UK, of 12 months imprisonment and/or a fine of £20,000.

Operators of vehicles already fitted with these devices will not be affected

Potential operator impact

A bull bar is a fashionable large metal tubular construction wrapped around the front of a vehicle usual made from either aluminium or steel. It is fitted primarily for its looks but also to mount accessories (spot lights & winches etc) and to protect the vehicle and occupants from frontal impact damage from animals etc. It can vary considerably in both shape and tube size.

The major driving force behind the introduction of the legislation is the, in excess of, 10,000 killed and 250,000 maimed and injured pedestrians and cyclists on European roads each year.

Operator impact

The latest, conforming to legislation, bull bars are made from plastic derivatives and are readily available for most popular types of vehicle. These current designs as well as continuing to offer mountings for accessories and vehicle and occupant protection can be made from energy-absorbing materials so providing enhanced protection for pedestrians' and cyclists over and above the standard product supplied with the vehicle. These new designs protect vulnerable groups by protecting them from hard and potentially sharp vehicle edges such as bonnets, radiators and engines and so, should, make the vehicle safer.

Yes and no, they have to be freindly to trees.

Answer 3

Yes. The ban did go through. You'll notice that new 4x4s haven't been sold with bull bars for years now.

Answer 4

If it isn't already, it should be. Originally developed in Australia to fend off kangaroos, it is a very passe fashion statement for people who live in Britain, where kangaroos are very rare indeed.

If you consider all of the safety features which have been added to cars recently, attaching a massive piece of ironmongery on the front wipes them all out.

If you hit a pedestrian at 30 mph, the impact of a car with bull bars is four times greater than that required to break bones. Considering the point of impact on an adult would be just above the knee, that person would probably be in a wheelchair for the rest of his/her life and your insurance premiums to pay for that care will be so expensive, you will be taking the bus in future.

Please do not attach this pointless piece of hardware to your car.

Answer 5

People have them for 'off-roading' purely to protect the front of the car. Personally I dislike them for a road vehicle, and as a result I have two in my garage, taken from my current vehicle and the previous one!!

They look ugly, and as they are designed for deflecting kangaroos off your windscreen can you imagine hitting a person with one?

Answer 6

in a word yes, for exceptions pop into your local nick for free advice.