Night driving in urban conditions requires increased concentration from the driver and, of course, the correct lighting equipment. Many car enthusiasts, especially beginners, are often confused by the symbols on the instrument panel, not understanding which lighting mode is activated. Errors in choosing lighting devices not only create discomfort for other road users, but can also lead to fines from traffic police officers.
Proper use of light is a matter of safety. At night, visibility decreases sharply, and the driver’s task is to make his car visible, but at the same time not to blind the oncoming traffic. Let's look in detail at which icons are responsible for what and how to apply them in accordance with current traffic rules.
Modern cars are equipped with a complex lighting control system, where each mode is responsible for its own symbol on the panel. Understanding these symbols allows you to instantly react to changes in the road situation, for example, when entering a tunnel or leaving a lit area for an unlit section of the road.
Basic headlight icons and their purpose
The first thing a driver should know is the basic markings located on the light control unit or dashboard. Headlight badges are standardized and look the same on most vehicles, be it Volkswagen, Lada or Toyota. The main mode for driving in the city is low beam.
The low beam icon is a schematic representation of a headlight with its beams pointing downward. This key symbol, which should light up on the dashboard while driving at night. It is this mode that provides sufficient illumination of the side of the road and the road in front of the car, without raising the beam of light too high.
- 🔦 Low beam — the rays are directed downward, the main mode for the city.
- 🔦 High beam — the rays are straight, blue, for a route without oncoming cars.
- 🌫️ Fog lights — the rays are interrupted by a wavy line, for poor visibility.
High beam is indicated by a blue icon with straight beams. Its use in the city is strictly limited as it can blind oncoming drivers or those driving in front of you. Turning on the high beams is only permitted if there is no vehicle ahead at a sufficient distance.
It is also important to distinguish the side light icons. They are indicated by two green lanterns pointing in different directions. Dimensions do not illuminate the road, they only indicate the contours of the car. Driving with only the lights on at night is prohibited., since the driver does not see the road surface.
Rules for the use of light in populated areas
According to traffic rules, at night in populated areas it is necessary to drive with low beam headlights on. This requirement applies to all roads, regardless of the presence of street lighting. Even if the lights are bright, your headlights should be on to indicate the size of your vehicle.
However, there are nuances. If the road in the city is not lit, and there is traffic ahead or towards you, you must switch to low beam. Usage high beam within the city limits it is permissible only on wide avenues, where the possibility of dazzling other drivers is completely excluded, which is rare in dense buildings.
Drivers should be aware that the use of rear fog lights is prohibited in clear weather. Their brightness is significantly higher than that of conventional brake lights, which can disorient drivers of vehicles behind. They should only be turned on during fog, heavy rain or snowfall.
Particular attention should be paid to automatic lighting systems. Many modern cars have a mode Auto, which itself determines the level of illumination. However, you cannot completely rely on automation: the sensors may become dirty or not work correctly at dusk, so manual control is necessary.
Fog lights: when and how to turn them on
Fog lights (FTL) are a specialized lighting device designed for use in conditions of limited visibility. Their beam has a specific spectrum and beam shape, which allows it to “pierce” the fog without creating a wall of light in front of the driver, which occurs when light is reflected from water droplets.
The front fog lamp icon differs in the direction of the rays: the line of light intersects with a wavy vertical line. The rear fog lights have a similar icon, but the beams are directed to the right, and the color of the indicator on the panel is orange or yellow. Front PTFs can be used independently or in conjunction with low beams.
⚠️ Attention: The use of front fog lights without low or high beams at night outside of poor visibility conditions may be regarded by the inspector as a violation, although in traffic regulations this point is often interpreted in two ways. It is safer to turn them on in conjunction with the main light.
Rear fog lights can only be turned on in conjunction with low or high beam headlights. Their brightness is so great that on a clear night they blind drivers behind more than brake lights. Therefore, the rule says: there is fog - turn it on, visibility has improved - turn it off.
In urban environments, PTFs are often used as daytime running lights if the vehicle design allows them to be turned on separately. This is acceptable, but only during the day. At night in the city, PTFs do not replace low beams, since they do not illuminate the road in front of the car, but only make the car more visible.
Correspondence table of icons and operating modes
For ease of perception of information, we will summarize the basic designations and rules for their use in a single table. This will help you quickly find your way by looking at the instrument panel.
| Panel icon | Mode name | Indicator color | Main Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight with beams down | Low beam | Green | Traffic in the city, oncoming traffic |
| Direct beam headlight | High beam | Blue | Route, no oncoming cars |
| Headlight with wavy line (left) | Front PTF | Green | Fog, rain, snowfall |
| Headlight with wavy line (right) | Rear PTF | Orange | Heavy fog, snowstorm |
Memorizing the colors of the indicators is also useful. Green color usually means normal operation of the system (low beam, front PTF). Blue is a high beam warning that requires special attention. Orange or yellow color often indicates that devices are operating too brightly or that there is a malfunction.
Some vehicles have a separate automatic light switch indicator that may flash or remain amber. This means that the system works in the background, but the driver must be ready to take control.
Typical driver mistakes when controlling lights
One of the most common mistakes is driving with only the side lights on. Drivers often confuse them with low beams, especially on new cars with bright LED instrument panel lighting. As a result, the car is visible, but the road ahead remains black.
The second common mistake is “forgetful” high beams. The driver drives out onto the highway, turns on the high-speed driving, drives into the city, but forgets to switch gears. Oncoming drivers are forced to blink their headlights or look away, which creates an emergency situation. Always check your dashboard when entering a populated area.
- ❌ Driving with one working light (burnt out lamp).
- ❌ Using high beams in heavy traffic.
- ❌ Dirty headlights scattering light to the sides.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of unregulated light. Even if the correct one is enabled low beam, but the headlights “bulge” upward due to trunk overload or incorrect settings, this is equivalent to turning on the high beams for oncoming traffic. Monitor the position of the headlight range control.
Why do oncoming drivers flash their headlights?
Oncoming drivers may blink their headlights for two reasons. The first is a warning about a traffic police post or danger ahead. The second, more common in the city, is the request to switch the high beam to the low beam, as you are blinding them. The third reason is gratitude for the pass, but this happens less often and is accompanied by a raise of the hand.
Legal aspects and penalties
Violation of the rules for the use of external lighting devices is regulated by the Code of Administrative Offences. The absence of low beams in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility entails a fine. The size of the sanction may vary, but most often it is a warning or a monetary penalty.
A more serious violation is the installation and use of non-standard equipment. For example, xenon in headlights designed for incandescent lamps, or LEDs without appropriate markings. This is punishable by deprivation of rights for a period of 6 months to a year, since such headlights blind oncoming drivers.
⚠️ Attention: Installing high-brightness lamps (for example, +100%) in regular headlights may also be considered a violation if this results in a mismatch of the vehicle type. Be careful with light tuning.
When checking, traffic police officers first of all pay attention to the performance of all lamps, the cleanliness of the lenses and the conformity of the light beam. The presence of cracks in the headlights or their severe clouding is also grounds for a fine, as it reduces the effectiveness of the lighting.
Recommendations for setting up and caring for headlights
In order for headlights to work effectively, they need to be looked after. The plastic of the diffusers becomes cloudy over time under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and sand. Regular polishing of headlights restores their clarity and improves light output on the road.
It is also important to set the headlight angle correctly. Many cars have a manual override in the cabin that allows the beam to be lowered if the trunk is loaded. If you're constantly carrying heavy objects, be sure to adjust your headlights to avoid blinding others.
☑️ Checking the lights before night
When replacing lamps, try not to touch the glass bulb of halogen lamps with bare hands. Grease stains from fingers when heated lead to local overheating of the glass and rapid failure of the lamp. Use a cloth or gloves when installing.
Use headlight polish once every six months - this will improve road illumination by up to 30% without replacing lamps.
Timely replacement of burnt out lamps is the key to your safety. Having a set of spare lamps and fuses in the trunk is a rule of good manners and necessity. At night, one inoperative headlight makes the car less noticeable and disrupts the symmetry of the light beam.
Proper lighting is not only about complying with traffic rules, but also about ensuring that you are seen by other road users, which is critical to surviving on the road at night.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to drive during the day with headlights on in the city?
Yes, it is possible and necessary. Traffic regulations require that you turn on low beams or daytime running lights (DRLs) during daylight hours. This increases the visibility of the vehicle and reduces the risk of accidents.
What to do if one headlight burns out and there is no spare?
Driving with one working headlight is prohibited. If there is no spare lamp, you can temporarily use a lamp from another headlight (for example, move it from the left to the right), if the design allows quick access, or call a tow truck/help. You can’t drive “on dimensions”.
What is the difference between DRL and low beam?
Daytime running lights (DRLs) are lower bright and consume less energy and are intended only to indicate the vehicle during the day. The low beam illuminates the road. At night, DRLs are not enough; low beams are required.
Is there a fine for dirty headlights?
Formally, it is difficult to issue a fine for dirty headlights if they shine normally. However, if the pollution is so severe that light does not pass through (more than 50% of the surface), the inspector may find fault with the malfunction of the lighting devices and issue a fine.
Is it possible to turn on the high beams if the car in front is far away?
The high beam must be switched to low beam at least 150 meters before the oncoming car, and also if the vehicle ahead begins to disturb you with light through the rearview mirror. In the city, the distance should be even greater due to the density of buildings.