Traffic regulations about headlights and signals: when to turn on, how to use, fines

The use of lights and signals is one of the most controversial topics in traffic regulations. Even experienced drivers are often confused when to turn on low beam headlightsis it possible to travel with fog lights instead of daytime running lights, and how to properly use turn signals in difficult situations. Mistakes here are fraught not only with fines (from 500 to 3,000 rubles), but also a real threat of an accident due to incorrect visibility or incorrect interpretation of the maneuver by other road users.

In this article, we will analyze the current traffic regulations requirements for lighting devices and signals for 2026, including nuances that not everyone knows. For example, why alarm you can’t turn it on while towing on a flexible hitch, how to “blink” your headlights correctly on the highway, and in what cases high beam not just allowed, but required. We will also provide a table of fines and answers to frequently asked questions that drivers have when checking on the road.

1. Low beam headlights: when to turn on according to traffic regulations 2026

Since 2010, the rule has been in force in Russia mandatory use of low beam headlights or DRLs (daytime running lights) around the clock. This requirement is enshrined in clause 19.5 of the traffic rules and applies to all moving vehicles except bicycles and horse-drawn vehicles. However, there are nuances:

• 🔦 During the day: You can use either low beams, DRLs, or fog lights (if installed instead of DRLs).
• 🌃 At night (in the dark) and in conditions of poor visibility (rain, fog, snowfall): low or high beam required. DRL is not enough here!
• 🚗 In the tunnels: must be turned on regardless of the time of day low beam or fog lights (clause 19.1 of the traffic rules).

Important: if your car is equipped automatic light (system Auto Light), check its settings. Some models (eg Volkswagen Golf or Skoda Octavia) in the “Auto” mode they may not turn on the low beam during the day, limiting themselves to DRL - this is a violation! Manually switch to low beam if the system does not comply with traffic regulations.

⚠️ Attention: Traffic police inspectors often stop drivers with their lights off during the daytime, citing “prevention” reasons. Even if your DRLs are on, but they are barely visible (for example, due to dirt on the headlights), this may be considered a violation. Clean your optics regularly!

2. High beam: where it is allowed, where it is prohibited

High beam headlights should be used at night on unlit sections of roads, as well as in conditions of poor visibility (fog, heavy rain). However, there are strict restrictions:

• 🚫 Prohibited use high beams in populated areas if the road is illuminated by lanterns (Section 19.2 of the Traffic Regulations).
• 👁️ Be sure to switch to near, if you dazzle drivers of oncoming or passing cars (including through mirrors).
• 🚗 Allowed “blink” the high beams to warn about overtaking (Section 19.11 of the Traffic Regulations), but not as a constant signal.

In practice, many drivers abuse high beams on highways, not switching when oncoming traffic. This is not only a violation (a fine of 500 rubles Part 1 Art. 12.20 Code of Administrative Offenses), but also a real danger: blinding can lead to loss of control over the car. If you are blinded reduce speed and stop if necessary.

Situation	Long range allowed?	Penalty for violation
Night, unlit section of the highway	✅ Yes	—
Night, illuminated area in the city	❌ No	500 rub.
Fog or rain during the day	✅ Yes (if there is no glare)	—
Blinding the oncoming driver	❌ No	500–1,000 rub.

3. Fog lights and rear fog lights: rules of use

Fog lights (PTF) can be used instead of low beams during the day (Section 19.4 of the Traffic Regulations), but only if they are installed according to GOST (no higher than 400 mm from the road, dispersion angle no more than 45°). However, at night or in poor visibility conditions they must work together with low or high beam.

Rear fog lights (red) allowed to turn on only in low visibility conditions (fog, snowfall, rain). In normal rain or twilight, their use is prohibited - they blind drivers from behind! For violation - a fine of 500 rubles.

• 🌫️ When you can: visibility less than 300 m (fog, snow, rain).
• 🚫 When not: in the city at night with good visibility, in light rain.
• 🔧 Technical requirement: the rear fog lamp must be only one (left or right according to the manufacturer's choice).

⚠️ Attention: Many drivers mistakenly turn on their rear fog lights in normal rain, thinking that “it’s safer this way.” In fact, this creates a danger for those driving behind - the bright red light makes it difficult to judge the distance. Only use them in thick fog!

What happens if you drive with the rear fog lights on in the city at night?

A traffic police inspector can issue a fine of 500 rubles under Part 1 of Art. 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for failure to comply with the rules for the use of lighting devices. In addition, this increases the risk of an accident: the driver behind may misjudge the braking distance due to the bright light.

4. Hazard and turn signals: when and how to use

Emergency signal ("hazard light") should be turned on in the following cases (clause 7.1 of the traffic rules):

• 🚨 In case of an accident or a forced stop in places where stopping is prohibited.
• 🚗 When towing on a rigid coupling (on a flexible one - only for a towed vehicle!).
• 🚦 When boarding/disembarking children in a vehicle marked with the “Transportation of Children” sign.
• 🌫️ When driving in conditions of insufficient visibility (at the driver’s discretion).

It is forbidden to turn on the hazard lights while driving without a reason (for example, to “thank” another driver) - this misleads road users. The fine for such use is 500 rubles.

Turn signals must be submitted in advance (clause 8.2 of traffic regulations):

- In the city - 3–5 seconds before the maneuver.

- On the highway - in 5–7 seconds (due to high speeds).

- When rebuilding - do not turn off the signal until the maneuver is completed.

⚠️ Attention: If you did not turn on your turn signal when changing lanes and this led to an accident, the blame will be entirely on you - even if the other driver “failed to give way.” The courts always side with the one who gave the correct signals.

5. Fines for violating the rules for using lighting devices

Violations related to lighting devices are regulated Art. 12.20 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Amounts of fines in 2026:

Violation	Fine (rub.)	Additionally
Driving without low beams/DRLs during the day	500	You can pay with a 50% discount
Failure to switch from high to low when passing oncoming traffic	500–1 000	—
Using rear fog lights unnecessarily	500	—
Faulty headlights (one does not light up)	500	Operation may be prohibited
Dazzling drivers (including improperly adjusted headlights)	1 000–1 500	—

Important: if you have Headlights or brake lights do not light up, the inspector has the right prohibit further movement until the malfunction is eliminated (Section 2.3.1 of the Traffic Regulations). This also applies to broken headlight glasses and incorrect light adjustment (for example, after replacing lamps).

6. Frequently asked questions and controversial situations

Even knowing the traffic rules, drivers are faced with ambiguous situations. Let's look at the most common ones:

❓ Is it possible to drive with fog lights instead of low beams at night?

No. Fog lights allowed only together with low or high beam in the dark (Section 19.4 of the Traffic Regulations). If you drive at night only with PTF, this is a violation and a fine of 500 rubles.

❓ Do I need to turn on the low beams during daylight hours if my DRLs are on?

If the DRLs comply with GOST (brightness 400–800 candelas), they are sufficient. But if the inspector considers that the lights are poorly visible (for example, due to dirt), he may issue a fine. In controversial cases, it is better to turn on the near one.

❓ Is it possible to flash your headlights to let a pedestrian pass?

Traffic regulations do not directly prohibit this, but they do not allow it either. By clause 19.11, lights are used to warn of overtaking. In practice, inspectors rarely fine for “polite” blinking, but theoretically they can fine you 500 rubles for “unintended use of lighting devices.”

❓ What to do if the oncoming driver does not switch from high beam?

Reduce your speed and stop if necessary. You can briefly turn on the high beams in response (“blink”) to attract attention. If the blinding happens again, write down the car number and file a complaint with the traffic police (if recorded on a DVR, the fine for the violator is 1,000 rubles).

❓ Do I need to turn on the emergency lights when stopping on the side of the road?

If the stop is forced (breakdown, accident) or in a place where stopping is prohibited (for example, on the highway outside the pocket) - yes. If you just parked on the side of the road in a permitted place - no, the dimensions are enough (Section 19.7 of the Traffic Regulations).

7. Technical nuances: adjusting headlights, replacing lamps, tinting

The correct operation of lighting devices depends not only on their inclusion, but also on their technical condition:

• 🔧 Headlight adjustment: After replacing lamps or repairing the suspension, check the angle of the light. Unadjusted headlights blind oncoming drivers.
• 💡 Replacing lamps: Use only lamps approved for your model (for example, H7 or H4). Installing LEDs in halogen headlights is a violation (fine 500 rubles + requirement to return standard lamps).
• 🎨 Headlight tinting: Any film or coating that reduces light transmission is prohibited. The exception is factory tinting (for example, on some Audi or BMW).

If you have xenon headlights, be sure to check availability autocorrector and washer — without them, operation is prohibited (fine 500 rubles). For LED headlights (if they are not standard) it is required traffic police permit for design changes.

8. Light signals in other countries: what tourists need to know

If you are traveling abroad in your own car, please note the differences in the rules:

• 🇪🇺 Europe: In most countries (Germany, France) daytime running lights are required, but low beams are not required during the day. In Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway) low beams are required 24 hours a day.
• 🇺🇸 USA: rules vary by state. In most cases, you can drive without lights during the day, but in rain or fog they turn on the lights.
• 🇨🇳 China: Low beam is required day and night. For its absence, the fine is up to 200 yuan (~2,000 rubles).

Before traveling, check local traffic regulations or use international sign "DRL" (daytime running lights) if your car has one. Also make sure that headlight direction corresponds to the country (Europe and the USA have different standards - a masking sticker may be required for right-hand drive cars).