The question is what kind of lighting devices be sure to turn it on during the day by car, still causes controversy among drivers. Some are sure that it is enough daytime running lights (DRL), others include low beam headlights, and still others even travel with fog lights. Meanwhile, Traffic rules of the Russian Federation are clearly regulated this moment - and there is a fine for violating the rules.

Since 2010, Russia has had a regulation obliging drivers to use lighting devices. during daylight hours. The goal is to increase the visibility of vehicles and reduce the number of accidents. However, since then the rules have changed, new types of lighting have appeared (for example, LED-DRL), and traffic police inspectors have become stricter about their compliance. In this article we will analyze current requirements for 2026, nuances for different types of cars and common mistakes that lead to fines.

It is important to understand: the rules do not just “recommend”, but require turning on lights during the day. However, not all light sources are suitable - some of them can only be used in certain conditions. For example, fog lights allowed to turn on instead of DRL or low beam only if they are present in the vehicle design and compliance with technical standards.

📊 What lights do you turn on during the day in your car?
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Low beam headlights
Fog lights
I forget to turn it on
Other

1. What does the Traffic Regulations 2026 say: official wording

The main document regulating the use of lighting devices during the day is clause 19.5 of the Russian Traffic Regulations. In the current version (as of June 2026) it reads:

“During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must have low-beam headlights or daytime running lights on for the purpose of identifying them.”

Key points of this formulation:

  • 🔹 Mandatory: the rule applies to everything moving vehicles (including motorcycles, trucks, buses).
  • 🔹 Goal: not road lighting, but designation of the vehicle for other road users.
  • 🔹 Alternative: You can choose between low beam headlights or daytime running lights (DRL).

Please note: fog lights are not mentioned in this paragraph. Their use during the day is permitted only as a replacement for DRLs or low beams, but with important caveats (more on this in the next section).

There is also a clause in the traffic rules 19.4, which prohibits the use high beam in populated areas and during oncoming traffic. This rule applies around the clock, so you can’t turn on the high beams during the day even to “illuminate” the car.

2. Daytime running lights (DRL) vs low beam: which is better?

From a technical point of view, daytime running lights (DRL) is the best option for daytime driving. They consume less energy than low beam, and are specially designed to increase the visibility of the vehicle. However, not all cars are equipped with DRLs from the factory. Let's look at the pros and cons of each option:

Criterion Daytime running lights (DRL) Low beam headlights
Energy consumption Low (LED-DRL - up to 5 W) High (halogen lamps - 55 W each)
Service life Long lasting (LED up to 50,000 hours) Depends on the type of lamp (halogen - 500–1000 hours)
Visibility High (brightness 400–800 candela) Medium (depending on headlight adjustment)
Cost From 1,500 ₽ per set (if not installed from the factory) Included in the basic package
Legal nuances Must comply GOST R 41.48-2004 Always comply with traffic regulations

If your car not equipped with DRLs from the factory, they can be installed additionally. The main thing is to comply with the requirements:

  • 🔧 Installation must comply GOST R 41.48-2004 (height 25–150 cm from the road, distance between lights at least 60 cm).
  • 🔧 DRLs should automatically switch off when turned on low or high beam.
  • 🔧 It is prohibited to use as DRL side lights or fog lights, unless they are certified as DRLs.

If there are no DRLs and you do not plan to install them, there is only one option left - low beam headlights. This is legal, but less practical: the lamps burn out faster and the battery discharges more (important for short trips).

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If you have installed xenon or LED lamps in the low beam headlights, check their compliance Technical Regulations of the Customs Union 018/2011. Uncertified lamps may result in a fine of 500 ₽ (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

3. Is it possible to use fog lights (FTL) instead of DRLs?

This is the most controversial issue. According to paragraph 19.4 Traffic rules, fog lights can be used instead of low beam or DRL, but with important caveats:

🚨 Attention! Fog lights are allowed to be turned on during the day only in low visibility conditions (rain, snow, fog) or mountain roads. Under normal conditions, their use instead of DRLs does not comply with traffic regulations and may be considered a violation.

However, there is a nuance: if your car equipped with PTF from the factory and they certified as daytime running lights (which is extremely rare), they can be used legally. In other cases, the traffic police inspector may issue a fine for improper use of lighting devices.

What to do if the DRLs are broken and you need to drive?

  • ✅ Enable low beam headlights - it's always legal.
  • ⚠️ Use fog lights only in poor visibility (rain, fog).
  • ❌ Do not travel with side lights instead of DRL - this is a violation (Part 1 Art. 12.20 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
What happens if you drive during the day without your headlights on?

The fine for non-compliance with the rules for using lighting devices is 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). However, in practice, inspectors often limit themselves to warnings, especially if a violation is noticed for the first time. At the same time, in the event of an accident, the absence of headlights on during the day can be regarded as failure to ensure traffic safety, which aggravates the driver’s guilt.

4. Exceptions: when you can not turn on the headlights during the day

Traffic regulations provide for several cases when the driver not obliged turn on lights during daylight hours:

  1. Emergency services vehicles (ambulance, police, fire) when performing an urgent task. They use special light and sound signals.
  2. Vehicles with emergency lights (for example, when towing).
  3. Motorcycles without side trailer — a separate rule applies to them: you can drive without DRL if it’s on low beam (clause 19.5 of the traffic rules).
  4. Cars produced before 2010 — formally the rules for them have not changed, but in practice inspectors rarely pay attention to the absence of DRLs if the low beam is on.

There is also territorial nuances:

  • 🌆 B populated areas the requirements are stricter - inspectors check the lights more often when they are on.
  • 🛣️ On country roads control is weaker, but the risk of accidents is higher due to the speed limit.

Important: even if your car is exempt, It is recommended to turn on the DRL or low beam. This increases visibility and reduces the risk of accidents by 15–20% (according to NIIAT).

5. Fines for violation: what does the driver face?

For non-compliance with the rules for using lighting devices during the day, liability is provided for Part 1 of Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:

🚨 Attention! Penalty for driving during the day without turning on DRL or low beam amounts to 500 rubles. If the violation is recorded by an automatic recording camera, the fine will be sent by mail without a discount.

However, in practice, traffic police inspectors are often limited to warning, especially if:

  • 🔘 Violation noticed for the first time.
  • 🔘 The driver promptly turned on the headlights at the request of the inspector.
  • 🔘 The car is equipped automatic activation of DRL, but a technical problem occurred.

The situation is more complicated if the absence of lighting devices during the day has become one of the causes of accidents. In this case, the driver may be charged Part 2 of Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (failure to ensure traffic safety), which entails a fine 1,500 rubles.

To avoid fines, make sure your lighting devices are in good working order:

Do both low beam lamps light up (if you use them instead of DRLs)?

Do the daytime running lights (if equipped) work?

Have the bulbs in the fog lights burned out (if you plan to use them)?

Are the headlight lenses clean (dirt reduces visibility by 30–40%)?

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6. Practical advice: how to remember to turn on your headlights?

According to statistics, 30% of drivers at least once forgot to turn on the lights during the day. To avoid fines and increase safety, use these tips:

🔹 Set it to turn on automatically:

  • 🚗 Most modern cars (for example, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Solaris) have a function Auto Light or Daytime Running Lights (DRL).
  • 🔧 If your car is not equipped with this option, you can install DRL automatic relay (cost ~1,000 ₽).

🔹 Use reminders:

  • 📱 Install a reminder app on your phone (for example, "AutoAssistant" or "Daylights").
  • 🔊 Some DVRs (for example, Neoline X-Cop 9100) have a voice notification about the headlights not being turned on.

🔹 Check with habit:

  • 🔄 Fastened the seat belt → turned on the ignition → checked the headlights.
  • 🔄 If you are driving someone else’s car, first of all check how the DRLs are turned on.

🔹 Keep an eye on the lamps:

  • 💡 Change lamps in pairs - even if one burns out, the second one will soon fail.
  • 🔦 For halogen headlights use lamps with an increased resource (for example, Osram Ultra Life or Philips LongLife EcoVision).
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If you often forget to turn on the headlights, install reminder sticker next to the steering wheel or on the instrument panel. This is a simple but effective way to avoid a fine.

7. Frequent mistakes and myths about lighting devices during the day

There are many myths surrounding the rules for using headlights during the day. Let's look at the most common ones:

❌ Myth 1: "If I have my side lights on, that's enough."

🔍 Reality: Side lights do not replace DRL or low beam. Their brightness is too low for daytime, and the inspector has the right to fine you 500 rubles.

❌ Myth 2: "You can make DRLs out of foglights if you turn them on."

🔍 Reality: Fog lights do not meet DRL requirements GOST R 41.48-2004 (wrong brightness, glow angle). They can be used only in poor visibility.

❌ Myth 3: “If I have xenon, I don’t have to turn on the headlights during the day—and that’s how it’s visible.”

🔍 Reality: Xenon lamps in low beam must be included during the day, like any other. Moreover, their uncertified installation is itself a violation (Part 3 Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, fine 500 ₽).

❌ Myth 4: “In sunny weather, you don’t have to turn on the headlights - everything is visible.”

🔍 Reality: The rule applies regardless of the weather. DRLs or low beams are needed not for lighting, but for vehicle designations on the road.

❌ Myth 5: “If I’m driving through a yard, I don’t have to turn on the headlights.”

🔍 Reality: Yard areas belong to adjacent, but are no exception. However, in practice, inspectors rarely fine for this.

If you are in doubt whether to turn on the headlights or not, remember the main rule:

It's better to be safe than sorry. Having DRLs or low beams on will never cause a fine, but their absence can.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Do I need to turn on the headlights during the day on a trailer?

No, for trailers there is a requirement to turn on the lights during the day doesn't work. However, on the towing device itself (for example, towbar) must be in good working order side lights and brake lights.

❓ Is it possible to use LED strip instead of DRL?

No. According to GOST R 41.48-2004, DRLs must have certified design. Homemade solutions (including LED strips) do not meet the requirements and may result in a fine.

❓ How can I prove to the inspector that my DRLs are automatically turned on?

If the inspector claims that your headlights are not on, and you are sure of the opposite:

  1. Ask him visually check (sometimes DRLs are hard to see in bright sunshine).
  2. Show in instruction manual car clause on automatic activation of DRL.
  3. If there is DVR, show a recording where you can see the lights working.

In controversial cases, the inspector is obliged to draw up a protocol indicating specific violation (no DRL or low beam).

❓ Which lamps are better to choose for DRLs: LED or halogen?

For daytime running lights, the optimal choice is led lamps. Their advantages:

  • 🔹 Low power consumption (3–5 W versus 20–55 W for halogen).
  • 🔹 Long service life (up to 50,000 hours).
  • 🔹 Bright white light, clearly visible during the day.

Halogen lamps in DRLs are rare (usually in older car models).

❓ What should I do if the inspector demands to turn on the low beams, although my DRLs are on?

According to clause 19.5 Traffic rules, DRL and low beam are equivalent options. If the inspector insists on turning on the low beam when the DRLs are running, politely point out this point of the rules. If he issues a fine, appeal it through State Services portal or in court - practice shows that such decisions are canceled.