UK. is it illegal to NOT have indicators on the road?

Well? Is it?

Only going by the fact that mu EXC passed the MOT without them then I'm saying no it's not. The only question could be that you would have to inform your insurance company about the mod as they would use it as an excuse not to pay if you were in a prang.

edit my post, it appears they are not legal but if fitted should work correctly

As Ash says if they are there they have to work but it isnt illegal not to have indicators. Mine were taken straight off the EXC for obvious reasons. That doesnt worry me one bit on the road sections we cover. What is weird is riding without mirrors and tryuing to get a worthwhile look behind without losing my tear offs on a 400cc single that only does about 70mph comfortably. It is nothing like riding without mirrors on track which has never worried me at all but on the EXC I live in fear of being taken from behind by a rough chav in a suped up Nova

I think them being legal may be something to do with a daytime only MOT, not sure though

I think it's down to the testers discretion as much as anything. My understanding recently has been that if they were fitted as standard (ie you have switchgear) then you need them & they must work.

Anything that's a 'road legal competition machine' (MOT Tester'd description not mine) can get away without them, so hence enduro bikes passing.

My XR has no indicators or wiring for them, also has no chain guard but that's ok as it has no rear foot rests for the same reason as it being a 'road legal competition machine'.

I can't see the op whilst typing this but if the question relates to a SD then it's a pretty good chance you'll need working indicators. Again may be worth asking a couple of different testers and go to the one who is happy to pass without them, if that is the case.

Lots of thread about this over the years on the KTMForum (.co.uk) as they are mostly supermotard riders and often don't have indies. My KTM 625 SMC Supermoto didn't have them and got an MOT at a friendly tester, but it had to have the switchgear removed or disabled, and the rules seem to change for different years of manufacture. Look at the forum and search for links to VOSA websites with up to date info.

...Bear in mind that it may not go down well with plod if you're on a roadbike with no indies, law or no law.

Thats exactly why I asked....I'm not worried about MOT testing, it's the fuzz I'm thinking of.

Slightly off topic but relevant. It may sound stupid but I think there's alot of car drivers who don't understand hand signals, on many occasions I've hand signalled left to turn into a junction, nothing behind etc, and the car waiting to leave the junction just sits there - I've even seen them cursing despite giving a clear signal.

I'll even back up the indicators on the SD/'Busa with a hand signal to aid cars leaving a junction (if clear behind me etc) - more seem to realise this presumably because it's backed up by the flashing indicator.

From the official MOT manual;

This inspection applies to: all machines except those which either have no front or rear position lamps or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are:
. only used during daylight hours, and
. not used at times of seriously reduced visibility

If this situation occurs the machine presenter should be issued with an advisory notice recording the above and it should also be recorded on the carbon copy of the VT20.

In other words if you have no indicators fitted or have them permanently disconnected there is no requirement to test them. It is therefore possible to get the MOT and legal to ride in the UK without indicators.

I hope that helps