UK ONLY- What lights do i need to use when driving at night?

The Tank

Your listed selection is incorrect. You do not have the "choice" of the ones listed.

Your rear lights will come on automatically when you turn on the sidelights. You have no choice because that's the way they are wired up.

When driving at night you MUST use your side/tail lights AND Dipped headlights at all times UNLESS you are in road with 30mph limit and street lights. If the weather is clear then you may switch off your headlights, but I would not advise you to do that.

Night is defined in the Highway Code as being one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. To be safe you should take your cue from other vehicles - if you see that they're using lights then switch yours on.
Remember that the lights are to make it easy for other drivers to see you.
Do not assume that because you can see around it means that others can pick out your car.
The times around dusk and dawn are favourate times for accidents because unlit moving vehicles can become "invisible" against all sorts of backgrounds; especially High Streets with lit shop windows.

You cannot switch on your headlights without first switching on your side/tail lights because that's the way they're wired up in the car.
You can NOT use Full beam without first switching on your headlights because that's the way they're wired up in the car.

You may ONLY use Full beam when you are in a situation that will not dazzle other drivers. This means that if you are following something, or if you can see an oncoming vehicle, then you MUST use your Dipped headlights.

These days the roads are so crowded, even at night, that your opportunities to use Full beam are going to be very rare.

If you are in any doubt at all about it then use your Dipped Headlights whenever you drive at dusk, don't wait until "dark".

Front and rear Fog lights must ONLY be used when visibility is bad (typically less than 100 metres) and MUST be switch off as soon as visibility improves. These lights cause dazzle, especially to drivers behind, so they can be dangerous. The police often prosecute drivers for not switching their rear fog lights off.

The rules are clearly explained in the Highway Code (follow the link below).

Gem of Wisdom

DIPPED Full Head Lights (for driving at night in town and for when another car is heading towards you: I.e. Dipped lights the light switch turned all the way around (second click / position)

and make sure the Full Beam (Blue) Light is not showing in the dash, only use Full Beam (Blue light on in the dash / clocks) out of town and when no other cars are approching you or are directly in front of you or you will blind / dazzle them. Pulling / pushing the lights stalk back and fore changes the full lights from LOW / DIPPED to FULL Beam.

READ the MANUAL or
get someone to show you!!!!!

This is important!

By the way the first position / click brings on the rear AND front side lights .. therefore you cannot have just the rear as you suggest.

Side lights are for dull times or such as raining conditions during the day.

.... you worry me.... ask some one to show you!

BSMGUY

Side lights are used only for parking if you are in a 40mph zone.
You NEVER drive on FULL BEAM. Dipped headlights will come on when you turn the switch to that symbol. Those are your driving lights at night. When you are travelling along country/dual carriageways AT night and there is no oncoming vehicles then you flick your indicator stick either forward/backwards to put dipped headlights onto FULL BEAM. You will notice when that happens as the lighting output will increase and on your dashboard there will be a blue light appear. NEVER DRIVE WITH FULL BEAM WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES.
I suggest that you go out with an instructor for some night practice. Well worth it.

Good Luck

Lyndsay G

How on earth did you pass your test?????????

probablygraham

I'm shocked to know you have passed your test without knowing this. There is something seriously wrong with the test if you haven't been taught.

You use dipped headlights. That is normally the second position on the light switch. The rear lights automatically come on with the lights.
Full beam means you will blind other drivers.
Side lights are only for when it is not dark and when you are parked.

Sameerah K

Heres my advice,

If you keep the lights on full (Main) beam at night you will dazzle other drivers enough to obscure the vision - you don't want to do that. High beam (main beam, driving beam, full beam) headlamps provide a bright, centre-weighted distribution of light with no particular control of light directed towards other road users' eyes. As such, they are only suitable for use when alone on the road.

Use dipped (side) headlights and (rear) fog lights if visibility is reduced so you can be seen.

what's up

how about a toy car, it simple

Michael G

How exactl did ou pass the theory test or the practical if you don't know that? No offence but it is one of the basic things that you should have learned before getting anywhere near passing either of them!

During the night you need to use your headlights, guess what, your rear lights come on at the same time as you turn both your sidelights and headlights on, why you ask? Cos cars are designed that way. Your headlights should be on whether the street is well lit or not too!

ernie

dont bother with lights

Williaml2012

Head Lights?

thebairn2005

you missed out headlights!!! i drive wi ma side lights on, they are blue led upgraded bulbs..look the biz, polis hate them though....get them, 10 quid fae halfords

YAHOO

you should have your licience taken from you! you don't even have simple knowledge.

Giselle

LOL Ok..

Side lighs are for when its getting dark or its raining but not pitch black yet.

Rear lights - dunno whats thats for and I passed my test 5 years ago.

Full beam is for when its foggy or theres no other lights.

You should just use youre normal lights when driving at night.

What kinda car you got??

Full beam for night

Suzie

I had all my driving lessons test in the day so when I got my first car I didn't put correct lights on. People were flashing me and I had absolutly no idea why. You cover night driving if you do a pass plus, but that is not compulsory. My theory was mainly to do with fog lights. Normal lights meant nothing. If I was told dipped I'd understand. Night driving = dipped lights on occasions full deam (note they dazzle so do not use if other road users are coming towards you)

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