Review. Using low beam headlights in Europe and the CIS

Is it possible to drive without the lights on during the day?

It is forbidden. And the point here is not a lack of lamps or a malfunction of the head light. Traffic regulations directly prohibit driving at least without daytime running lights. However, let's consider all situations!

If you just forgot to turn it on

It is forbidden. Clauses 19.4 and 19.5 of the Rules collectively say that during daylight hours all vehicles must have the following on:

or DRL,
or low beam headlights,
or foglights as an alternative to the above.

So, during the daytime, your car should have at least some kind of light on the front.

If a light bulb burns out

In this case, you are also prohibited from driving, but here we are talking about a malfunction of the light device, and the traffic rules have a separate rule in this regard. So, if you drive without bulbs in your headlights during the day, or the bulbs are burned out, then this falls under the list of malfunctions for which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited.

Clause 3.3 of the List prescribes the following:

3.3. External lighting devices and reflectors do not work in the prescribed mode or are dirty.

But paragraph 2.3.1 of the Rules indicates that if a malfunction occurs along the way, referring to this List, the driver can drive to a parking lot or to a car service center.

If there are no headlights after an accident

If the headlight is completely missing, then in this case clause 3.1 of the List of Faults is violated, namely one of its conditions prohibits driving the car both day and night:

3.1. The number, type, color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices do not meet the requirements of the vehicle design.

Please note that a violation of the integrity or inoperability of the headlight also violates paragraph 3.3 of the List cited above.

Is it possible to drive without headlights at night?

Also no. Let's look at the differences in driving bans during the day and at night:

if during the day you can use DRLs, then in the dark only low or high beams can be turned on, fog lights also cannot be turned on without them,
During the day, if the headlight or bulb in it malfunctions, you can get to the parking lot or repair site, but at night you cannot, and there will be a fine for this.

The second point is regulated by paragraph 2.3.1 of the traffic rules, which states that in the dark, driving is prohibited if the headlight is not working, and it does not matter which headlight you are driving without - both headlights must work and be turned on.

Operation prohibited

The Road Traffic Regulations provide a clear description of how to operate your vehicle. “It is prohibited to drive if there is a malfunction of the service brake system, steering, coupling device (as part of a road train), unlit (missing) headlights and tail lights in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility, the windshield wiper is not working on the driver’s side during rain or snowfall. If other malfunctions occur along the way, the driver must eliminate them, and if this is not possible, then he can proceed to the place of parking or repair, taking the necessary precautions,” says paragraph 2.3.1. Traffic rules At the same time, the driver is obliged to inspect the car in a timely manner and be aware of all its technical problems. Excuses like “didn’t know” and “didn’t see” are not accepted by traffic police officers, who have the right to stop and inspect a car with one headlight. Inspectors can refer to the same paragraph of the rules, which states that “before leaving, it is necessary to check and ensure that the vehicle is in good technical condition on the way in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation.” And if previously it was allowed to drive with only one left headlight, then the existing version of the traffic rules does not specify any clarifications about how many light bulbs may not work.

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What's the fine?

Since most of the above standards refer us to the List of Faults, responsibility must be taken precisely for this. And it is provided for by the only punishment in the Code of Administrative Offenses for violation of any of the conditions and malfunctions prohibiting the operation of the vehicle.

Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code provides for a fine of 500 rubles or a warning for this. Penalties are imposed for the following violations of the use of light:

there is no headlight both at night and during the day,
The headlight bulb is burned out or missing.

Art. 12.20 of the Code also prescribes a fine of 500 rubles or a warning for violating the use of lighting devices. It is prescribed for the following violations:

you didn't turn on the DRL during the day,
you are driving without lights at night.

This penalty is imposed if the lighting devices are in working order.

Can you be fined for a non-working headlight?

If for some reason one of the low beam headlights in a car does not light up, this may also result in a fine . However, the interpretation of such a situation may differ slightly from the case described above. In this case, the driver did not violate the rules for operating lighting devices. A violation here is considered to be a malfunction of the headlight, as well as conditions prohibiting the operation of the car.

In case of technical malfunctions due to which the low beam is turned off, according to Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, Part 1, the violator will be punished with a fine of 500 rubles in connection with a non-working or dirty lighting device . In addition, pay attention to clause 2.3.1. Traffic regulations, which state that driving with faulty or missing lighting devices at night or in low visibility can be considered an offense.

If the headlight stops working while on the road

As we have already indicated above, traffic rules allow the possibility of driving to a parking lot or repair site if a malfunction occurs along the way. And before driving, the Rules oblige the driver to check the operation of the car for all the conditions of the List of Faults.

Therefore, if, when stopped by a traffic police inspector, you state that a condition entailing a violation arose along the way, and you proceed to the place where you can eliminate the deficiency, then it is unlawful to issue a fine.

But if you are driving without a headlight at night, then in any case the fine is legal, since in the dark it is forbidden to continue driving without low beam working in the established mode. In this case, according to the letter of the law in 2021, you are obliged to call a tow truck or have the car towed.

In addition, this provision with a fine for driving without low beams applies not only to the dark, but also to conditions of insufficient visibility: fog, rain, snow and other conditions with road visibility of less than 300 meters.

The headlights burned out at night: what to do if you need to continue driving?

Driving without lights at night is highly discouraged, due to the increased risk of getting into an accident. However, there are situations when you need to go somewhere, but the headlights do not turn on. The same thing can happen on the road.

What actions to take if the headlights are off? Turn on the hazard lights and stop the car at or behind the curb. Then you should check the operation of the fog lights and running lights. If these headlight elements work, then you should turn them all on and drive along the side of the road at low speed. They won't illuminate the road properly, but they will mark your car for other drivers. At the same time, it is worth remembering that driving with the lighting switched off at night is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles. If no lamps are lit, you should attach the flashlight to the hood, bumper, or give it to a passenger. We must not forget that an emergency stop sign must be placed on the rear window, which works on the principle of a reflector and reflects light from the headlights of driving cars. This will save you from a possible blow to the trunk and all the consequences of an accident.

To reduce the likelihood of a dangerous situation emanating from oncoming cars, you should position yourself behind another car or a slowly moving truck. However, if it is not possible to sit behind another car, and the road is full of dangers, then it is better to wait for a more favorable moment to drive. The last option is towing or calling a tow truck. If the headlights burn out during the day, traffic rules allow you to take the car to a service center or location. However, not at night. Such movement threatens with a fine, a broken car and threatens the life of the driver and passengers.

Preventive measures. You need to find out in advance how light bulbs are changed on a particular car. It's better to take the time to study the electrical circuit that provides the light. Fuses, relays and light bulbs are the main circuit elements that cause the absence of light. You should always have spare lamps, fuses and other electrical parts on hand. After all, the headlight is not such a large component of the car. But under certain conditions, it can create great inconvenience for the driver. Therefore, spare parts and knowledge should always be kept with you. It is worth remembering that the lighting circuit is quite simple and studying it does not require extensive knowledge of electrical engineering. After all, replacing a fuse or light bulb is simple: get to the location of the installed part, remove the broken one, and install a new one. This can be done both on the road and in the parking lot. You don't need a large set of tools for this. Before purchasing the necessary spare parts, you need to find out the type of parts already installed. To do this, you will have to independently determine the type of parts, since there will be no description in the instructions or passport. After all, headlight bulbs need a certain size and power, and buying the wrong parts will lead to a waste of money.

Bottom line. Malfunction of headlights in a car is a fairly common problem; light bulbs burn out very often. To avoid finding yourself on a night road with faulty headlights, you should inspect your car in a timely manner and always have new lamps and fuses in stock, which you can always replace on your own right on the side of the road.

Is it possible to drive without dimensions?

Only possible during the day. The rules do not directly prohibit driving without side lights in the daytime, but at night this is prohibited by paragraph 2.3.1 of the traffic rules.

Moreover, at night, traffic regulations require at least low beams to be turned on. And by design, on all cars it turns on only when the dimensions are turned on. Therefore, you won’t be able to travel without them. And if the latter are faulty, then in the dark you will be fined 500 rubles, and movement to the parking lot or repair site is prohibited.

Something else useful for you:

All about the fine for low beam: what size is it if the headlights are not turned on or do not work?
Is there a penalty for driving with a broken, broken or cracked windshield and what is it?
How much are fines for wheels and tires? All possible violations

What the law says

In the traffic rules, the concept of “headlight” in the singular is completely absent. For example, it clearly states that driving with the headlights off in poor visibility is prohibited.

Riding during the day

Recent changes to traffic regulations oblige cars to turn on lights when driving, even during the daytime. In the design of modern cars, daytime running lights (DRLs) are standardly installed for this purpose.

If they are absent, then it is quite legal to use lights that are intended for driving in fog, or low beam (clauses 19.4, 19.5 of the traffic rules).

Thus, owners of modern vehicles have the opportunity to use several lighting options. Drivers of older cars should more carefully monitor the condition of their headlight bulbs.

It’s better to figure out in advance how to change light bulbs, fuses, and relays on a specific car. After this, purchase spare parts and place them in the glove compartment.

If the light on a car burns out during daylight hours, then according to traffic rules the driver has the right to drive to a parking lot or a car store.

Driving at night

After dark, driving with one headlight or no light at all is strictly prohibited. It’s another matter if the high beam lamp has burned out, but the low beam is working. With low beam headlights, you can drive your car without any problems even at night. Moreover, on city illuminated streets and sections of the highway such movement is regulated by law.

It is these types of light bulbs that need to be treated with the most care. It is advisable to use other light sources when driving during the day.

It should be remembered that for driving with one headlight in the dark, in accordance with paragraph 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, a fine of 500 rubles is provided.

Can I install a headlight from another car?

If you don’t have a headlight at all after an accident or it’s faulty, then using another car is possible, but only in 2 cases:

another headlight from the same model as your car, including having the same markings and designed for the same light source (halogen, xenon, for example),
your car is no longer in production, but then the headlight from another car should also match the type of lamps used in your stock one.

If everything is very clear with the first option, then the second is permitted by paragraph 3.1 of the List of Faults as an exception.

If your car model is still in production (namely a model, not a generation or modification), then installing another headlight will be a change in the design, which is prohibited by the Rules. In particular, paragraph 7.18 indicates that operation is prohibited if changes are made to the design. And paragraph 6 of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union says what changes to the design are.

For this you can receive not only a fine, but also the cancellation of your car registration.