The question is what headlights should be on at night, seems simple - but in practice it causes confusion even among experienced drivers. Some are sure that daytime running lights are enough (DRL), others include dimensions, others drive with low beams around the clock. Meanwhile, the wrong choice of lighting not only threatens a fine, but also increases the risk of an accident by 3 times, according to traffic police statistics for 2023.

In this article we will analyze the current requirements in detail. Traffic regulations 2026, exceptions for different types of vehicles, as well as nuances that are not discussed in driving schools. For example, did you know that in fog, even during the day you need to turn on fog lights, and not low beam? Or why driving with the headlights off in the dark can now lead to your license being revoked? Read on - and you will be sure that your car is visible on the road correctly.

Traffic regulations 2026: official requirements for lighting at night

The main document regulating the use of headlights is clause 19.1 of the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations. In 2026, it clearly states:

⚠️ Attention: At night and in poor visibility conditions All motor vehicles must have low or high beam headlights on. Using daytime running lights alone (DRL) or side lights at this time prohibited and is punishable by a fine.

By “darkness” we mean the period from the end of evening twilight to the beginning of morning twilight. The exact time is not fixed - it depends on the season and region. For example, in Moscow in December it gets dark already at 16:00, and in June it is light until 22:30. The main criterion: if you can’t clearly see the road at a distance of 300 meters, it’s time to turn on your headlights.

It is important to understand the difference between the concepts:

  • 🔦 Low beam - the main source of lighting, which must be turned on at night. Illuminates the road for 40–60 meters.
  • 💡 DRL (daytime running lights) - bright white lights in front, which do not replace low beam in the dark. Their task is to make the car visible during the day.
  • 🚗 Side lights — small red/white lights along the contour of the machine. They can only be turned on when parked at night.

Exception: if your car is equipped automatic light (system Auto Light), which itself switches DRL to close when it gets dark, you don't need to do it manually. But check if the light sensor is working - sometimes it works late.

📊 How do you usually drive at night?
I turn on the low beam manually
I use automatic light
I forget to turn it on, the reminder in the phone saves me
I trust DRL (and sometimes get fines)

Fines for improper use of headlights in 2026

Violation of the rules for using external lighting devices is classified as Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The amount of the fine depends on the severity of the offense:

Violation Fine (rub.) Additional punishment
Driving at night without low/high beams (only DRLs or side lights) 500 —
Driving with headlights off in a tunnel or in poor visibility 1 000 —
Using high beams in a populated area (dazzle) 500–1 000 May require you to turn off the high beam
Faulty headlights (do not light, broken, wrong color) 500 Prohibition on operation until elimination
Deliberately blinding with high beams (repeated violation) 2 500–5 000 Deprivation of rights for 4–6 months

They are especially severely punished for high beam dazzle. If the inspector records that you did not switch to the near side when passing oncoming, the fine will be 1,000 rubles. Repeated violation within a year will result in deprivation of rights. Moreover, it is simple to prove “intention”: if you do not react to repeated signals from oncoming drivers (flashing headlights), this is regarded as intentional blinding.

An interesting nuance: if one headlight is burned out, you cannot drive with it at night - this is equivalent to driving without lighting. The fine is 500 rubles, plus the inspector has the right to prohibit further movement until repairs are made. In this case, it is better to call a tow truck or replace the light bulb on the spot (if you have one with you).

💡

Always carry spare headlight bulbs in the glove compartment - especially if you have a car with halogen headlights (e.g. Renault Logan or Lada Granta). Replacing them takes 5 minutes and will save you from a fine.

When can you use DRLs and headlights instead of low beams?

Daytime running lights (DRL) and side lights are not a replacement for low beam in the dark, but there are a few exceptions when their use is permitted:

  1. Driving during daylight hours. DRLs have been mandatory for all vehicles since 2010 (according to GOST R 41.48-2004). They should turn on automatically when the engine starts.
  2. Parking at night on an unlit road. In this case you need to enable side lights only (clause 19.3 of the traffic rules). You can leave the low beam on, but it drains the battery.
  3. Towing. The lights on the towed vehicle should be illuminated, even if the towing vehicle has low beams on.

Important: if your car is not equipped DRL from the factory (for example, old models VAZ 2107 or GAZelle), you are required to drive with low beam headlights around the clock. Installing DRLs yourself is allowed, but they must comply with GOST in terms of brightness (400–800 candelas) and color (white only).

Common mistake: drivers get confused DRL with fog lights (PTF). The latter can only be used:

  • 🌫️ In conditions of insufficient visibility (fog, rain, snowfall) - together with low or high beam.
  • 🚗 On unlit sections of roads (outside the city) - instead of low beam.
  • 🔦 In the dark on roads without artificial lighting - only together with near/far.
What happens if you drive at night with PTF instead of the front one?

Fog lights shine low and wide, but do not illuminate the road at a sufficient distance. The inspector may regard this as a violation of clause 19.1 of the traffic rules (“insufficient road lighting”) and issue a fine of 500 rubles. In addition, you run the risk of not noticing a pedestrian or obstacle in advance.

Features for motorcycles, trucks and trailers

Lighting requirements differ for different types of vehicles. Let's look at the key points:

Motorcycles and mopeds:

  • 🏍️ Must drive with it turned on low beam headlights 24/7 (even during the day). DRLs are not a replacement for headlights.
  • 💡 On motorcycles without a side trailer (strollers) it is allowed to use one headlight (left or right) if the second one is faulty - but only to get to the repair site.

Trucks and buses:

  • 🚛 On intercity flights it is mandatory to turn on low beam + side lights (even during the day).
  • 🚌 Buses with passengers must have lights on at night all external lights, including interior lighting (according to GOST R 51709-2001).

Vehicles with trailer:

  • 🚗 Must work on trailer side lights and brake lights, even if it's not loaded.
  • 🔦 If the trailer covers the license plate of the tractor, it must have number plate illumination.

For owners campers and mobile homes an additional rule applies: if you are stopping for the night on the side of the road, turn on side lights (clause 19.3 of the traffic rules). If parking lasts more than 5 minutes, it is also recommended to place a warning triangle at a distance of 15 meters (outside the city) or 30 meters (on the highway).

Low beam headlights are on (or automatic mode is working correctly)|

All lamps are on (front, rear, side lights, brake lights)|

Fog lights off (unless foggy)|

Headlights are adjusted (do not blind oncoming traffic)|

There are spare bulbs in the trunk -->

How to properly adjust headlights so as not to blind oncoming people?

Even if you have the correct headlights on, they may blind other drivers due to incorrect adjustment. According to statistics, 40% of accidents at night occur due to glare. To avoid problems:

  1. Check the headlight angle. At a service station stand or independently (instructions below). Normal: the light beam should fall on the road, and not upward.
  2. Adjust the height. If there is a heavy load in the trunk, the headlights “lift up” and begin to shine into the eyes of oncoming traffic. In modern cars (for example, Volkswagen Passat B8) there is automatic correction, in the old ones there is a manual regulator on the panel.
  3. Use fog lights correctly. They must shine just down, illuminating the side of the road, not the oncoming lane.

How to adjust the headlights yourself:

  1. Drive up to a flat wall at a distance of 5 meters.
  2. Turn on the low beam. The upper limit of the light spot should be 5–10 cm below the height of the centers of the headlights.
  3. If the light "goes" to the left or right, turn the adjusting screws (they are located under the hood or on the back of the headlight).

On some vehicles (for example, Toyota Camry or Hyundai Solaris) adjustment is performed via the on-board computer. To do this:

1. Go to the menu Settings → Lighting → Headlight adjustment.

2. Select a mode With/without load.


3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjusting the headlights are still blinding, check the bulbs. LEDs that are too bright (e.g. H4 LED 6000K) may not comply with GOST. Only lamps with markings can be legally installed ECE R112 or ECE R113.

Common myths about headlights that you shouldn't believe

Drivers often share lighting "tips" that not only don't help, but can be dangerous. Let's look at the most common myths:

Myth 1: “DRLs are brighter than low beams, so they will be enough at night.”

❌ Reality: DRLs shine ahead 20-30 meters and are intended only to identify the car during the day. The low beam illuminates the road for 60 meters - this is critical for safety.

Myth 2: “If you’re driving on a well-lit street, you can turn off your headlights.”

❌ Reality: Traffic regulations require low beams to be on always in the dark, regardless of street lighting. Your car should be visible to other drivers, not just yourself.

Myth 3: “Fog lights can be turned on instead of low beams in the rain.”

❌ Reality: PTF can be used only together with low or high beam (Section 19.4 of the Traffic Regulations). Having only the fog lights on is equivalent to driving without lighting.

Myth 4: "Automatic lights always work on time."

❌ Reality: Light sensors can make mistakes. For example, in cloudy weather they sometimes do not turn on their headlights, although visibility is poor. Always check the lighting manually.

Myth 5: “If I have xenon, I don’t have to adjust the headlights.”

❌ Reality: Xenon lamps (D2S, D2R) shine brighter than halogen ones, and if they are not adjusted, they blind oncoming people more. Adjustment is required!

💡

The only legal way to drive at night without low beams is if your car is equipped with adaptive headlights (for example, Matrix LED in Audi A6), which automatically adjust to conditions. But even in this case, the system must be operational and turned on.

What to do if you are stopped by an inspector for your headlights?

If you are stopped for improper use of lighting, follow the algorithm:

  1. Don't argue on the road. Politely ask the inspector to show the violation (for example, measure the illumination of the device).
  2. Check if the automatic light is working. If the sensor is broken, indicate this in the protocol.
  3. If the fine is issued incorrectly:
    • Take a photo of your headlights being on (with the time stamp on the photo).
    • Write down the inspector's details and his badge number.
    • Appeal the fine via traffic police portal or court within 10 days.

An example of a successful appeal: if you were fined for having your headlights “off” at dusk, but the photo shows that the automatic lights were on (the DRLs were on), the fine will be cancelled. The main thing is to provide evidence.

If the headlight really didn't work, but you fixed it, you can avoid a fine by presenting a receipt from a car service center with the date of repair. The inspector may replace the fine with a warning.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about headlights

Is it possible to drive at night with one working headlight if the second one is burned out?

No. According to traffic regulations, both headlights must work synchronously. If one is burned out, you need to replace it immediately or go to the repair site with the lights turned on. fog lights (if they exist). The fine for one headlight is 500 rubles.

Is it necessary to turn on low beams in a tunnel during the day?

Yes, definitely. The tunnel is equivalent to conditions of insufficient visibility. Turn on low beam or fog lights (clause 19.1 of the traffic rules). For ignoring - a fine of 1,000 rubles.

Can LED bulbs be used instead of halogen bulbs?

Only if they are certified for your headlight model (marking ECE). Non-certified LED lamps (for example, Chinese "omnivores") blind oncoming people and are a violation. Fine - 500 rubles + requirement to return standard lamps.

What should I do if I forgot to turn on my headlights at night and got stopped?

Admit the violation and pay a fine of 500 rubles. If you have a clean record (no other fines for the year), the inspector may limit himself to a warning. To help you remember, set a reminder on your phone or use apps like Yandex.Navigator, which notify about the onset of darkness.

Do I need to turn on my lights when stopping on the side of the road during the day?

No, during the day it is enough to turn it on alarm, if you stopped due to a breakdown. Dimensions are only needed at night or in poor visibility conditions (Section 7.1 of the Traffic Regulations).