Inspect the lights before moving
Every prescribed lamp must be secure, undamaged and capable of performing its function. Clean lenses and check headlamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, indicators and the rear number-plate lamp. A lamp hidden by luggage or mud cannot provide the intended warning even if its bulb works.
Check the combination after connecting a trailer. The driver behind needs the rear vehicle’s lamps and reflectors to communicate position and braking; working lamps on the drawing vehicle do not compensate for a hidden or defective trailer display.
Night, poor visibility and motorcycles
On a motorcycle, the headlamp must be on while riding both day and night. For light and heavy vehicles, headlamps, rear lamps and the number-plate lamp are required between sunset and sunrise and whenever poor light or weather prevents people and vehicles being clearly seen at 150 m.
The manual lists limited lighting exceptions for a stationary or parked vehicle: where it is off the roadway, in a marked parking place, or within 12 m of an illuminated street lamp as specified. Do not turn a parking-light exception into permission to drive without headlamps. If visibility is poor, reduce speed as well as switching on lights.
Main beam, dipped beam and parking lamps
The manual specifies a main beam capable of revealing an object at least 100 m ahead and a dipped beam that reveals an object at least 45 m ahead. Main beam provides more reach, but must be dipped when it would dazzle an approaching road user or a driver ahead through mirrors.
Do not drive using parking lamps alone. They mark the vehicle’s presence but do not replace the required road illumination. When the useful view becomes shorter, choose a speed that lets you respond within what you can see rather than treating a lamp’s minimum design distance as a guaranteed stopping distance.
Rear lamps, stop lamps and number-plate lighting
Rear lamps show red so that other road users can recognise the back of the vehicle. The manual specifies the appropriate rear lamp arrangement for motorcycles/tricycles and a lamp on each side at the rear of light and heavy vehicles. A stop lamp must show a brighter red than the rear lamp and be visible in normal daylight from at least 30 m.
The rear number plate must be illuminated so that its characters can be read from 20 m by a person with normal eyesight. A working rear lamp beside the plate is not sufficient if it does not illuminate the characters. Braking should give the driver behind a clear warning, so repair a failed stop lamp before relying on that warning.
Fog lamps and adjustable spotlights
Use fog lamps only in poor visibility caused by snow, fog, mist, dust or smoke. They are not a routine substitute for dipped headlamps in clear weather. Switch them off when the qualifying conditions have passed.
An adjustable spotlight that can direct its beam in any direction is generally prohibited on an ordinary road vehicle. The manual’s exceptions are tied to purpose: official emergency or traffic work; a doctor’s or veterinarian’s professional duties; and breakdown or essential-service work at an incident or while inspecting overhead lines. Ownership of a powerful light does not create one of these exceptions.
Reflected light is different from a lamp
A retro-reflector returns light from another vehicle’s lamps. It does not generate light and cannot replace a required working lamp. A motorcycle needs the prescribed red rear reflector; light vehicles have two red rear reflectors, one on each side. Heavy vehicles likewise require red rear reflectors in the specified matching arrangement.
The manual requires yellow side reflectors on heavy vehicles or combinations longer than 7 m, spaced no more than 3.6 m apart. Approved reflective material can fulfil specified reflector requirements; decorative tape cannot simply be assumed to comply. Keep reflective surfaces clean and visible.
Worked situation
In daytime dust, vehicles become difficult to distinguish at 100 m. Switch on the required road lights, use fog lamps only while the qualifying visibility condition exists, and reduce speed. Parking lamps alone do not meet the driving requirement, and brighter lights do not make the dust transparent.