Remember the main rule: during the day you can drive around the city with DRLs or low beams, but high beams in a populated area are prohibited if they blind other drivers.
Cars are required to drive with their lights turned on during daylight hours. daytime running lights or low beam headlights, which is regulated by paragraph 19.1 of the Traffic Rules. This requirement applies to all vehicles regardless of weather conditions, visibility and time of year, ensuring increased visibility of the vehicle on the road to prevent accidents. Ignoring this rule entails an administrative fine, since switched off headlights make the car practically invisible to oncoming traffic, especially at intersections and at dusk.
Modern safety standards require that side lights on their own were not considered a sufficient source of light for driving, as they are intended solely to indicate the width of the vehicle at night when stopping or parking. The driver must clearly distinguish the functionality of various lighting devices and use them in accordance with the regulations, so as not to create emergency situations and not expose himself to the risk of penalties from the traffic police. Correct use of lights is a basic skill that is tested in driving school, but in practice is often ignored due to inattention.
Differences between low beam, high beam and DRL
Main difference daytime running lights (DRL) from the low beam lies in the brightness of the glow and the beam scattering angle. DRLs emit a brighter, forward-facing light that does not illuminate the road in front of the car, but makes it highly visible from up to 100 meters away, even on a bright sunny day. Low beam, on the contrary, is designed to illuminate the road surface and the side of the road, has a clear cut-off line and does not blind oncoming drivers, but during the day its effectiveness is lower due to its lower intensity.
Technical details
DRLs consume less energy and last longer since they do not have a filament, unlike halogen low beam lamps.
High beam used exclusively outside populated areas and only in conditions of poor visibility or complete absence of lighting. Its light beam is directed parallel to the road and rises up, illuminating the space hundreds of meters ahead, but when meeting another car it must be switched to the near one to avoid blinding. Using high beams in the city or in the presence of oncoming traffic is a gross violation of the rules and creates a direct threat to the lives of road users.
- 💡 DRL - only to indicate a car during the day, they do not illuminate the road.
- 💡 Low beam — universal, suitable for the city and the highway, lights the way.
- 💡 High beam — for dark sections of the highway without oncoming cars.
- 💡 Dimensions - only for parking or in combination with low beams at night.
Rules for the use of light in a populated area
Within city limits, drivers are required to turn on low beam or DRL at any time of the day. Using high beams in a populated area is strictly prohibited, unless the road is not illuminated and you are driving alone, which is extremely rare in city conditions. Lighting devices must be in good working order, clean and correctly adjusted so as not to create discomfort for other road users.
Particular attention should be paid headlight tinting and installation of non-standard light sources. The law prohibits the installation of red or flashing lights on the front of a vehicle, as this imitates special signals. Also, you cannot install additional fog lights above the standard level if they are not provided for by the design of the car, as this can lead to dazzling drivers of oncoming cars.
⚠️ Attention: Installing xenon lamps in headlights designed for halogen lamps leads to severe dazzle of oncoming drivers and is grounds for deprivation of rights for up to 6 months.
Traffic outside the city: highway and country roads
On suburban roads, the rules for using light become more flexible, but require increased attention from the driver. High beam can be used freely if there are no passing cars ahead at a distance of less than 150 meters and there is no oncoming traffic. This allows you to better see the condition of the roadway, the presence of animals or obstacles on the side of the road at a great distance.
When driving on unlit sections of roads at night, you must switch between low and high beams depending on the road situation. If you are overtaking a vehicle in front, you must switch to low beams in advance so as not to blind the driver through the side mirrors, and turn on high beams only after completing the maneuver and moving away to a safe distance.
| Motion condition | Required light | Note |
|---|---|---|
| City, day | DRL or low beam | A must for everyone |
| City, night | Middle | Long range is prohibited |
| Highway, night (no oncoming traffic) | Far | Maximum view |
| Highway, night (oncoming cars) | Middle | 150 meters before the meeting |
| Fog, snowfall | Middle + PTF | High beam is prohibited |
Fog lights: when to turn them on
Fog lights (PTF) have a specific spectrum and angle of light that “spreads” over the road, highlighting the markings and the side of the road under a layer of fog or snow. According to traffic regulations, they can be used independently in conditions of insufficient visibility (fog, rain, snowfall), as well as at night on unlit sections of roads together with low or high beams.
☑️ Checking readiness for the night
The use of rear fog lamps is only permitted in conditions of poor visibility. In clear weather, their brightness can irritate drivers following behind and mask the operation of the brake lights, so turning them on unnecessarily is not recommended. Front PTFs should also not be used on a clear night on illuminated streets, as they create unnecessary flare and do not serve a useful function.
Fines for improper use of lighting devices
Violation of the rules for the use of external lighting devices is qualified under Part 1 of Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Penalty for driving during daylight hours with the lights turned off DRL or low beam constitutes a warning or a fine of 500 rubles. Although the amount seems small, systematic violations can lead to increased attention from traffic police inspectors.
More serious consequences await drivers who have illegally modified their lights. Installing lamps that do not match the type of headlight (for example, xenon to halogen), or installing red lights at the front may not only result in a fine, but also deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 6 months to 1 year with confiscation of illegally installed devices. Judicial practice in such cases is clear: road safety is a priority over the driver’s desire to stand out.
⚠️ Attention: A traffic police officer has the right to demand that the light be turned on to check the correct operation. Failure to comply with the inspector's legal request may result in additional fines.
Frequently asked questions and technical nuances
Many drivers wonder whether it is necessary to turn on the lights in tunnels. The rules oblige to include low beam headlights when entering a tunnel, regardless of the presence of lighting there. This is necessary to adapt vision and indicate the dimensions of a car in a confined space. A light is also required when towing another vehicle to indicate hitch.
The main principle: if you doubt whether to turn on the light, turn it on. This will never be superfluous for your safety.
It is important to monitor the condition of the wiring and relays, especially in winter. Frequent switching of modes and temperature changes can lead to oxidation of contacts. Regularly checking the operation of all lamps, including turn signals and brake lights, should become a habit before each long trip. A faulty headlight is not only the risk of a fine, but also a real threat to life.
Is it possible to drive during the day with only dimensions?
No, driving with only the side lights on during daylight hours is prohibited by traffic regulations. The dimensions do not provide sufficient brightness for the car to be clearly visible on the road. It is necessary to turn on low beam headlights or daytime running lights.
What to do if a light bulb burns out while traveling?
If the low beam lamp burns out, driving is prohibited. You must stop in a safe place and replace the lamp with a spare one. If there is no spare, you can use a lamp from another headlight (if the design allows) or call a tow truck. Driving with only one headlight is dangerous and illegal.
Do I need to turn on the lights on a motorcycle?
Yes, motorcyclists are required to turn on low beam headlights or DRLs 24 hours a day while driving. For motorcycles, this rule is mandatory without exception, since their dimensions are much smaller, and visibility is critical to the survival of the driver.
Is there a fine for one working headlight?
Yes, operating a vehicle with faulty external lighting devices (except reflectors) is prohibited. This falls under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and entails a warning or a fine of 500 rubles. In addition, the inspector may prohibit further movement until the problem is resolved.