When do i use headlights

When driving metres or less behind another vehicle. When you overtake another vehicle, you may briefly flash high beam immediately before starting the overtaking manoeuvre.

Fog lights Front and rear fog lights must only be used in fog or rain, or when conditions such as smoke and dust limit your vision. It is a legal requirement that once conditions improve and you can see more clearly, the front and rear fog lights are switched off. If your vehicle is not fitted with fog lights, use your headlights during the day in these adverse conditions.

Daytime running lights DRL A daytime running light is a lighting device on the front of a vehicle or bicycle, automatically switched on when the vehicle is moving forward, emitting white, yellow, or amber light to increase the conspicuity of the vehicle during daylight conditions. Are daytime running lights actually beneficial?

Is it time to get your licence? NRMA driver training can help Book a lesson or You might also like. Adverse weather - Inclement weather such as snow, rain, fog and sleet can reduce visibility, making it hard to see and be seen.

Using your lights during these adverse conditions can keep you and your passengers safe when the weather turns bad. As you drive, keep an eye on the sky for changing weather conditions. In the spring and summer, thunderstorms can quickly roll in, making the sky dark as night. Winter can bring sudden snow squalls and blowing snow that can produce whiteouts and reduce your line of sight.

Because of the narrow lanes, visibility can be reduced which can lead to hazardous driving conditions. Like mountain roads, country roads and rural two-lane highways can be narrow with limited sight distances, so make sure others can see you by using your lights no matter what time of day it is. Using your headlights and taillights during these times can reduce the chance of a collision during this tenuous period. State laws — Some states such as California and Alabama have daytime headlight use laws.

The law mandates that if your windshield wipers are on, your headlights are required to be illuminated. The rationale is that if the weather is adverse enough for your wipers to be working, you should have your lights on for safety. Your vehicle is equipped with low beam and high beam headlights. Knowing when to use each type of light will help you get the best view of the road in a variety of situations.

Driving in fog, rain and heavy snow calls for the use of your low beam lights. The downward directed light is best for cutting through these low-visibility situations. You might think that your high beams would help improve your sight lines, but the light actually gets reflected back to you, causing a glare. When you travel at highway speeds at night, low beams may give you only a second or two to react to a hazard.

You're reading one of our "Beginner Driver's Guide" articles. Need to practice for your upcoming exam? Take our free sample driving test - no registration required! While high beams help keep you safe, they can also endanger other drivers if you use them incorrectly.

All states have laws requiring you to dim your high-beam headlights whenever there is a risk of blinding other drivers. State laws typically require you to dim high beams within to feet of approaching vehicles. You may find yourself driving on a dark city street, on an unfamiliar road, or in a construction zone.

When your vision is impaired, slow down. If there are no other vehicles nearby, turn on your high beams. Your high beams will also protect pedestrians and bicyclists who may be on the side of the road or crossing in front of you. In urban areas, state law typically requires you to dim high beams within to feet of approaching vehicles.