Side lights according to traffic rules: rules of use, fines and controversial issues in

Side lights are one of those car elements that often cause confusion even among experienced drivers. It seems to be a simple thing: two small light bulbs in front and behind, but the rules for their use in the traffic regulations are written in such a way that they are sometimes interpreted differently by traffic police inspectors and courts. In this article, we will look at not only the basic requirements for side lights, but also controversial issues that could cost you a fine or even deprivation of your license.

You'll know when the side lights are on are required, and when turning them on can become a violation, how they differ from low beams and daytime running lights (DRLs), and what to do if the inspector requires you to turn them off at night. We will also analyze the latest clarifications of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on controversial situations and give practical advice on how to avoid conflicts with the traffic police.

We will pay special attention to the technical nuances: what lamps can be used in the dimensions, how to regulate them correctly and what will happen if they burn unevenly or blink. At the end of the article there are answers to frequently asked questions and a table of fines for violations related to side lights.

What are side lights and why are they needed?

Side lights (or dimensions) are external lighting devices of a car, designed to indicate its size in the dark or when visibility is insufficient. Unlike headlights, they do not illuminate the road, but only signal to other road users about the presence of a vehicle.

According to the traffic rules (clause 1.2), side lights belong to external lighting devices, and their design is regulated GOST R 41.48-2004 (analogous to the international standard ECE R48). They should be:

• 🔴 Red color - on the back of the car;
• 🟡 or ⚪ Yellow/white — on the front (depending on the car model);
• 🔋 Low power consumption — so as not to drain the battery during long-term parking;
• 📏 Symmetrically located — at the corners of the body (variants for motorcycles and trailers are allowed).

The main function of side lights is preventing accidents due to an undetected vehicle at dusk, fog or on unlit sections of the road. For example, an undersized car parked on the side of the road can cause a collision, especially on busy roads.

Side lights vs low beam vs DRL: what's the difference

Many drivers confuse side lights with daytime running lights (DRLs) or low beam headlights. Let's look at the key differences:

Device	Color	Power (lumens)	When they turn on	Penalty for non-use
Side lights	Front: white/yellow Rear: red	5–20	In the dark, when stopped, in conditions of poor visibility	500–1000 ₽ (Article 12.20 of the Administrative Code)
Daytime running lights (DRL)	White	400–800	During the day instead of low beam	500 ₽ (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code)
Low beam headlights	White/yellow	1000–1500	During the day (alternative to DRL), at night, in tunnels	500 ₽ (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code)

Important nuance: Side lights do not replace low beams or DRLs during the day. According to paragraph 19.5 of the traffic rules, during the day, either DRLs, low beams, or fog lights must be turned on on a moving vehicle. The dimensions are not suitable for this - their light is too weak to make the car visible in the daytime.

However, at night, the side lights complement low or high beam. For example, when driving at night, you must turn on and headlights (near/far), and side lights. If you are driving only with traffic lights, this is a violation (fine 500 rubles under Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

When side lights are required by traffic regulations

Traffic regulations clearly regulate the cases when side lights must be turned on. Basic situations:

1. At night in a stationary car (clause 19.3 of traffic regulations). If you are stopped on the side of the road or in a parking lot without lighting, your side lights should be on. This also applies to short-term stops (for example, to drop off a passenger).
2. When driving in poor visibility conditions (fog, rain, snowfall) - together with low beam or fog lights (clause 19.1 of the traffic rules).
3. On trailers and towed vehicles — side lights must always work when the trailer is attached to the vehicle (clause 19.1).
4. In the tunnels — even if the tunnel is illuminated, the side lights turn on together with the low beam (clause 19.1).

Controversial point: Do I need to turn on the side lights during the day when stopping on the side of the road? Traffic regulations do not directly require this, but traffic police inspectors can interpret clause 19.3 broadly. Judicial practice here is ambiguous: some courts side with drivers, others support inspectors. To avoid disputes, it is better to turn on your parking lights even during the day if you are standing on an unlit roadside.

What does the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation say?

Resolution of the Plenum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation No. 20 dated June 25, 2019 states that side lights should be used “in the dark or in conditions of poor visibility." This means that during the day on a lit road, their inclusion is not necessary. However, if the inspector issues a fine, it can only be challenged in court.

Fines for violations related to side lights

Violations of the rules for the use of side lights are punishable under two articles of the Administrative Code:

• 📜 Article 12.20 — “Violation of the rules for using external lighting devices.” Penalty: 500 ₽ (or warning). It is used if you drive at night with only your side lights on, without turning on the headlights, or if you don’t turn on the side lights when stopping in the dark.
• 🚨 Article 12.5 part 1 — "Driving a vehicle with faulty lighting devices." Penalty: 500 ₽. It is used if the side lights do not work (the lamps are burnt out, the contacts are oxidized, etc.).

A more serious penalty is imposed if an accident occurs due to the side lights not being illuminated. In this case, the driver may be charged under Article 12.24 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (“Violation of traffic rules resulting in minor or moderate harm to health”), which entails a fine of up to 25 000 ₽ or deprivation of rights to 1–2 years.

⚠️ Attention: If your side lights are not on on one side (for example, only the right rear), the inspector may regard this as “non-compliance of the vehicle with safety requirements” (Article 12.5 Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) and issue a fine 1 000 ₽. To avoid this, check the operation of all lamps regularly!

Another pitfall - side light color. If you installed lamps of the wrong color (for example, blue or green), this qualifies as “non-standard lighting devices” (Article 12.5 Part 3 of the Administrative Code) with a fine 3 000 ₽ and confiscation of lamps. An exception is cars with factory optics of non-standard colors (for example, Porsche 911 with yellow turn signals).

Technical requirements for side lights: what you need to know

Side lights must comply not only with traffic regulations, but also with technical regulations. Here are the key points:

• 💡 Lamp type: Halogen, light-emitting diode (LED) and incandescent lamps are permitted. Xenon lamps in dimensions prohibited - they create too bright a light that blinds other drivers.
• 🔧 Adjustment: The side lights should shine strictly forward/backward, without deviation to the sides. If they "squint" to the side, this may result in a fine.
• 🔋 Voltage: Lamps must operate at a voltage of 12V (for passenger cars) or 24V (for trucks). If the parking lights are flickering or dim, check the alternator and battery.
• 🛠️ Replacement: When replacing lamps, use only certified replacements. For example, for Toyota Corolla lamps will do W5W or T10, and for Renault Duster — P21/5W (combined clearance + stop).

Pay special attention LED lamps. They are allowed, but only if:

1. Have a certificate of conformity GOST R;
2. Do not exceed the permissible brightness (for dimensions - up to 20 lumens);
3. Do not blink (flickering frequency is no more than 3 Hz).

If you install LED lamps yourself, check their compatibility with the car's on-board computer. On some models (for example, Audi A4 B8 or BMW E60) non-certified LEDs may cause errors on the instrument panel.

Make sure all lights are lit evenly|Check color (no blue/green tint)|Clean any dirt or snow from lights|Make sure lights are not flickering (especially LEDs)

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Controversial situations: when the inspector is wrong

Often, traffic police inspectors interpret the rules for the use of side lights too broadly, issuing fines where they should not be. Let's look at typical cases:

1. "Driving at night only with traffic lights" - if you were actually driving without your headlights on, the fine is legal. But if you had it turned on fog lights (which are brighter than side lights), the fine can be challenged by referring to clause 19.4 of the traffic rules.
2. “They didn’t turn on the side lights during the day in the parking lot.” — as already mentioned, traffic rules oblige you to turn on your lights only in the dark. During the day, this requirement does not apply, even if the inspector insists otherwise.
3. "The side lights are too bright" - if you have standard LED lamps (for example, on Hyundai Solaris or Kia Rio), their brightness cannot be the reason for the fine. It's another matter if you installed non-certified LEDs.

What to do if the inspector issued a fine unfairly?

1. Politely ask to see the traffic rule you violated.
2. Take a photograph of the situation (for example, the lighting of the road, if we are talking about daytime).
3. If the fine has already been issued, appeal it within 10 days through the portal Public services or district court. In your complaint, refer to the resolution of the Plenum of the RF Armed Forces No. 20 of 2019.

⚠️ Attention: If the inspector demands to turn off the side lights at night, citing the fact that they are “dazzled,” do not obey. According to traffic regulations, side lights are required in the dark, and turning them off at the request of the inspector may be considered a violation. In this case, politely offer to call the traffic police squad to clarify the situation.

How to check and repair side lights yourself

If the side lights do not work, do not rush to go to a car service center. Most problems can be fixed by yourself. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Checking lamps:
   • Open the hood or trunk (depending on the location of the lights).
   • Remove the lamp socket (usually it is unscrewed counterclockwise).
   • Check the filament - if it is broken, the lamp needs to be replaced.
2. Checking fuses:
   • Locate the fuse box (its location is indicated in the owner's manual).
   • Check the fuse for the side lights (usually F3, F7 or F10, but check the diagram).
   • If the fuse is blown, replace it with a similar one (do not install a bug!).

Wiring check:

• If the lamps and fuses are good, check the wires for breaks or oxidation.
• Clean the cartridge contacts with sandpaper or WD-40.

To replace lamps in side lights you will need:

• 🔧 Flat screwdriver (for removing the flashlight);
• 💡 New lamp (check the type in the instruction manual);
• 🧤 Gloves (so as not to leave greasy marks on the glass of the lantern).

On some vehicles (for example, Lada Vesta or Volkswagen Polo) To replace the rear marker light, you will have to remove the trunk trim. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a service center - the average cost of replacing a headlight bulb is 300–800 ₽.

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If the side lights still do not work after replacing the bulbs, the problem may be with the light relay or body control module (BCM). In this case, you cannot do without diagnostics at a service station.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about side lights

Is it possible to drive during the day with only side lights instead of DRLs?

No. According to paragraph 19.5 of the traffic rules, during the day, either daytime running lights (DRLs), low beam headlights, or fog lights must be turned on on a moving vehicle. Side lights are not suitable for this, since their brightness is insufficient to ensure visibility of the car during the day. The penalty for this violation is 500 ₽ (Article 12.20 of the Administrative Code).

Do I need to turn on the side lights on a trailer if it is not loaded?

Yes, definitely. Paragraph 19.1 of the traffic rules requires that the side lights on trailers and towed vehicles be turned on always, regardless of the time of day and workload. This is due to the fact that an empty trailer is less visible on the road. Penalty for non-compliance - 500 ₽.

Is it possible to use LED lamps in dimensions if they are brighter than standard ones?

It is possible, but only if they are certified and comply GOST R 41.48-2004. The main condition is that the brightness should not exceed 20 lumens for side lights. If the lamps are too bright (for example, like DRLs), the inspector may issue a fine for non-compliance of lighting devices with the requirements (Article 12.5 Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses - 3 000 ₽).

What should I do if one side light is dim or flashing?

This is a sign of a problem:

• If the lamp dimly lit — check the voltage in the on-board network (there may be a problem with the generator or battery).
• If the lamp flashing — most likely, the socket contacts have oxidized or the lamp itself is faulty (especially if it is LED). Clean the contacts and replace the lamp.
• If the problem persists, check the wiring for an open or short circuit.

You cannot drive with faulty side lights - fine 500 ₽ (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).

Can side lights be used as hazard lights?

No, this is prohibited. The hazard warning lights must work simultaneously with all direction indicators (clause 7.1 of the traffic rules). Side lights are not designed for this purpose and will not provide sufficient visibility of the vehicle in an emergency situation. There is no fine for using traffic lights instead of emergency lights, but this can become an aggravating circumstance in an accident.