Your vehicle lights

In the dark, your vehicle lights are the most important source of information both for you and for other road users. Use them with care and consideration.

Always

• keep your headlights clean
• use your headlights at night, dipped or full beam, as appropriate
• use dipped headlights at any time when the light is poor, even during the day, as this will make you more visible to others.

You should

• check all your lights before and during a long journey
• fix any lighting fault immediately, for your own safety and the safety of others. Carry spare bulbs where applicable
• remember that extra weight at the rear of your vehicle could cause your headlights to ‘aim high’ and dazzle other road users. Some models have headlight adjusters to deal with this.

Auxiliary driving lights

Auxiliary driving lights may be used to improve the view of the road ahead.

However, they must only be used in conjunction with the obligatory main-beam headlights and they must switch off at the same time as the main beams.

Only one pair of dipped-beam headlights may be fitted to a vehicle. Front fog lights MUST NOT be used to improve the view of the road ahead, except in seriously reduced visibility such as thick fog.

Junctions at night

Brake lights can dazzle. Unless it’s foggy, don’t keep your foot on the brake pedal while you’re waiting at a junction or queuing in traffic. Use your parking brake instead.