There’s a lot more to headlights and car lights than just illuminating the road ahead at night. Lights on your vehicle have lots of uses and it’s important you understand the different types. We’ll help you brush up on what they’re for and when to use them.
Knowing about different lights on your vehicle will help keep you and others safe. You should know which lights to use at night and in the rain or fog, so you can spot potential hazards, whatever the weather and visibility.
- Headlights: the most important lights on your vehicle. The two types are high beam (full beam) and low beam (dipped).
- Daytime running lights (DRLs): these are bright lights at the front of your vehicle. They turn on automatically
- Sidelights: these are dim lights inside the headlamp units
- Rear fog lights: these are single or double red lights at the back of your vehicle
- Front fog lights: these are small white lights, set low in the bumper area
What are Daytime Running Lights?
These are low-energy lights at the front of your vehicle. They make your vehicle more visible in the day and come on automatically. You’ll find them on every new car and WAV built since 2011.
They’re not suitable on their own if you’re driving in the dark. Once it gets dark, or dull, use your headlights together with your sidelights.
Always follow the rules of the road
Not using your vehicle lights correctly can lead to dangerous driving and putting yourself and others at risk. The Highway Code says you must use headlights when you can see less than 100 metres in front of you. So, you should turn your headlights on at night and in poor weather.
If you’re caught driving in the dark without headlights, you could face a penalty of £100 and three points on your licence. If the police decide this cannot be covered by a penalty, you could go to court, where the biggest fine is £5,000 and nine points on your licence.
Using your lights at night
Headlights are mainly for driving in the dark, but this can be subjective. When one person turns on their low beam, another might feel sidelights are still fine.
The key is to make sure you’re seen, and you can see the road. If you’re in doubt, turn on your headlights. A general rule of thumbs is to switch dipped headlights on about an hour before sunset. And keep them on for an hour after sunrise.
Read our tips on driving in the dark.
When to use your full beam headlights
If you’re driving in the dark on an unlit road, it’s a good idea to turn on your high beam (or ‘full beam’) headlights. Just make sure you turn them back down to low beam if another vehicle approaches, or you could dazzle the driver.
You always need to use your headlights when it’s dark
Using your lights when there’s fog
All vehicles have a rear fog light. The button has a lamp with a wiggly line in front of it. Some vehicles will also have front fog lights. Generally, the front fog light button will have the light pointing the same way as it does on the headlight switch.
When is it right to turn on your fog lights?
If you’ve never used your fog lights, you’re not alone. Rule 226 of the Highway Code says you should use your fog lights if you cannot see more than 100m beyond your vehicle.
One trick is to use the vehicle in front to measure this. If you’re struggling to see their rear lights, turn your fog lights on.
In most vehicles, you’ll need to turn your dipped headlights on before you press or twist the fog light switch. Remember, fog lights can dazzle other drivers and hide your brake lights, so only use these when you need to.
Using your lights in wet weather
In the UK we see our fair share of rain and storms. Both falling rain and spray from standing water can affect visibility.
The simple rule of thumb is to turn on your dipped (low beam) headlights in rainy weather. Sometimes if the spray is bad on a motorway, you might even need to use your rear fog lights.
Like above, if you cannot see the vehicle in front of you, the vehicle behind cannot see you. So, turn on your dipped headlights.
It’s important you use your lights correctly in tricky driving conditions, like wet weather
Using automatic lights
A lot of newer vehicles have automatic headlights. They conveniently use a sensor to automatically turn on the lights when it gets dark.
They vary in sensitivity, so it’s important to quickly check your lights are on if you feel it’s getting dark. The dashboard symbol will come on so you can tell when they’re switched on. And you can always override them and turn your lights on.
Automatic high beams
Traditionally, drivers have manually flicked headlights from bright high beams to low beams at the first sign of an oncoming vehicle, to not dazzle other drivers.
Many modern vehicles have automatic high beams which detect oncoming vehicles and automatically switch to a dipped beam. Then they switch back to a high beam after.
Using your lights when you go abroad
In many countries, it’s illegal to turn off your lights completely, so check online before you set off and make sure you follow the local rules.
UK headlamps are specifically designed for driving on the left-hand side of the road. This means when you’re driving on the right in other countries your headlamps will dazzle other drivers.
Before you leave, adapt your headlamps to make sure your vehicle is legal. The easiest way is to fit headlamp beam converter kits, which are easy to find. These self-adhesive adapters are cheap and take a few seconds to fit.
Flashing your headlights
You should only flash your headlights to warn another driver you’re there. Flashing your headlights to warn other motorists of a speed camera is against the law and could land you a £1,000 fine.
Car lights you would use to let others know you’re about to do something
Other types of vehicle lights have different uses. They’re usually there to let others know you’re going to do something, like switch lanes or slow down.
Here are some other lights your vehicle will have:
Brake lights
What are brake lights?
When you press the brake pedal two red warning lights turn on at the back of your vehicle. These warn people you’re slowing down or stopping. They’re brighter than tail lights or sidelights.
When you should use them
When you’re stationary, in traffic or at roadworks, for example. Keep the pedal pressed, so approaching vehicles know you’ve stopped or you’re slowing down.
Tail lights
What are tail lights?
They’re at the back of your vehicle. They’re red and there’s one on either side.
When you should use them
Turn them on to let others know you’re there and help them gauge how close or far you are.
Hazard warning lights
What are hazard lights?
These are warning lights to let others know you’ve broken down, or there’s a hazard ahead. You press a large button with a triangle in the middle, then all your indicators will continuously flash.
When you should use them
You should only use these when you’ve broken down in a dangerous location, or you’ve spotted a hazard ahead on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway. Never turn them on because you’ve parked in an unsafe or inconsiderate place.
Emergency brake lights
What are emergency brake lights?
These light at the back of your vehicle. They flash when you brake suddenly. It’s for safety and it’s becoming more common in new vehicles.
When you should use them
These automatically turn on when you brake heavily, to let people behind you know. Your vehicle’s hazard lights will also come on by themselves.
Indicator lights
What are indicator lights?
These are the lights at the front, rear, and sometimes sides and mirrors of your vehicle. They tell others when you’re planning to turn. They’re also called turn signals, indicators, signal lights or blinkers. They’re usually amber and you use the stalk on your steering wheel to turn them on.
When you should use them
Every time you’re planning to turn, in good time. That means not too early or too late, as others might think you’re turning sooner or later.
Make sure you use them on roundabouts, when you’re pulling away from being parked, changing lane and overtaking too. They turn off by themselves when you’ve finished turning.
There’s nothing that tells you they’ve stopped working, except other drivers letting you know. So, you’ll need to get someone else to help you check they’re coming on.
Reversing lights
What are reverse lights?
These are the lights that turn on when you start reversing. They come on to let others know what you’re doing.
When you should use them
When you put your vehicle into reverse gear, either one or two white lights will turn on automatically. If there are vehicles or pedestrians around, wait for them to pass first.
Parking lights
What are parking lights?
These are the sidelights in the corners of your vehicle. They also work as parking lights.
When you should use them
You can leave these on for long stints when you leave your vehicle, and it should not drain your battery. The Highway Code recommends you switch your parking lights on if you’re parked on any road in fog, and you cannot avoid this.
Number plate lights
What are number plate lights?
These are two small lights that light up your number plate at the back of your vehicle. They’re also called licence or registration plate lights.
When you should use them
These automatically turn on when it’s dark or in low-light conditions.
How to keep them working
If the mechanism or bulb stops working, your vehicle will fail its MOT. So, it’s important to get keep it working and get it checked.
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