Headlights and Hazard Lights

Which headlights do you use when driving in poor visibility in the day?

Dipped headlights

Driving at night on an unlit road - What headlights should you use if you're following another vehicle?

Use dipped headlights

• Following another vehicle with your headlights on full beam could dazzle the driver.

• Leave a safe distance and make sure that the light from your dipped beam falls short of the vehicle in front.

Driving on a clear night - Which headlights should you use if the national speed limit applies and there's a steady stream of oncoming traffic?

Use dipped headlights

• Use the full-beam headlights only when you can be sure that you won't dazzle other road users.

Driving at night with headlights on main beam and vehicle is overtaking you. When should you dip your headlights?

As soon as vehicle passes you

Which headlights do you use when driving on well-lit motorway?

Dipped headlights

Which headlights do you use when driving on a wet motorway and vehicles are throwing up surface spray?

Dipped headlights

When should you use your parking lights?

When parked on road at night & speed limits exceeds 30mph

• Park in direction of the traffic

• This will enable the other road users to see the reflectors on the rear of your vehicle

What do you do with your lights when parked on road when foggy?

Leave parking lights switched on

When would you use front fog lights?

When visibility is seriously reduced (falls below 100 meters / 328 feet)

Which headlights do you use when following other vehicles in fog

Use dipped headlights - unless when visibility is seriously reduced (falls below 100 meters / 328 feet), then use fog lights

Which headlights do you use when driving in tunnel?

Dipped headlights

When should you flash your headlights at other road users?

When letting them know that you're there – warning others of your presence

• Don’t use them to greet others, show impatience or give priority to other road users, because they could misunderstand your signal.

You're waiting in a traffic queue at night. How can you avoid dazzling drivers behind you?

Apply the parking brake and release your foot off the footbrake

• This will turn off the brake lights so that they can't dazzle the driver behind you.

You’re driving at night. What should you do if you’re dazzled by a vehicle behind you?

Set your mirror to the anti-dazzle position 

Why is it dangerous to leave rear fog lights switched on after fog clears?

They may be confused with brake lights

What is this instrument panel light?

Instrument-panel warning light showing headlights are on full beam

What is this instrument panel light?

Instrument-panel warning light showing front fog light are on

When should you use hazard warning lights?

When your vehicle has broken down and is causing an obstruction or on motorways to warn traffic behind you of danger ahead

Where should the Warning Triangle be placed?

At least 45m behind your vehicle