Checking the headlights before driving
If the option corresponds to when the headlight does not work at all, that is, it does not shine or does not shine as it should, then there is a clear violation of the “Basic provisions for the approval of vehicles...”. That is, the car should not have been on the road with such defects. This is indicated in clause 3.3 “List of malfunctions and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited”
External lighting devices and reflectors do not work in the prescribed mode or are dirty.
As a result, this fine will be issued under Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, Part 1 “Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions...”. Now let's figure out what kind of fine can be issued for faulty headlights (dimensions) or even if they are simply dirty.
Penalty for driving without daytime running lights
Now, regardless of the time of day and visibility conditions, the low beams must be turned on. The need to adopt such amendments to the traffic rules was due to the fact that a vehicle with its lights on is more visible to others, therefore the number of accidents due to simple inattention is reduced to a minimum. It should be noted that the expected trend was confirmed in practice and the number of accidents during the daytime decreased.
However, many drivers do not comply with generally accepted requirements. The reason for this state of affairs may be simple inattention, a technical malfunction or another reason. However, regardless of this, in case of an offense the driver may be punished. The penalty is determined by Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offences.
Fine for a non-working headlight (headlights, dimensions)
First, let's quote part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, it will clarify a lot for us:
Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the “Basic Provisions ... is prohibited ...”, entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of 500 rubles
If you continue to study Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, you may come across Part 3. It talks about the non-compliance of lighting devices with the prescribed requirements. If the headlights simply do not work, and have not been subjected to unacceptable modifications, then this does not apply to their inconsistencies, which means this part of the article cannot be applied. Here we can also say that Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses does not apply to Part 1 of Article 12.5. That is, they cannot detain the car or put it in the impound lot. The driver will be able to continue driving to repair the breakdown. In this case, the driver may be issued a second fine, but only after 24 hours.
Here it is also necessary to pay attention to the possibility of issuing a fine for dirty lighting fixtures. The degree of this contamination is identified in an unclear way and with the help of what instruments. So it will be difficult to argue about this with the traffic police officers in this case. However, this is relevant for the case when at night the car’s rear license plate illumination is dirty, and because of this license plate itself is not visible. In this case, a fine may also be issued for an unreadable license plate that is not visible from 20 meters. More details about this in the article “Fine for dirty numbers”.
Driving without low beams
Some motorists forget to turn on the low beams when they start driving their car. It also happens that both headlights are damaged due to an accident or faulty wiring. Driving on city roads and highways with headlights off is prohibited!
For driving with the low beams turned off, an official warning is provided by a traffic police officer or a monetary penalty of 500 rubles ( Administrative Code of the Russian Federation - Article 12.20 ).
If traffic inspectors notice a car without low beam headlights , daytime running lights or fog lights , such a vehicle will definitely be stopped . Is it possible to drive with fog lights without low beams?
Fog lights can be used instead of low beam headlights in accordance with paragraph 19.5 of the Traffic Regulations , i.e., including during daylight hours on all moving vehicles for the purpose of marking them.
The stop will also occur if the low beam was turned on in the visibility zone of the car by traffic police officers .
To avoid incurring an administrative fine, the driver should always check the low beam headlights and fog lights before driving .
There are traffic regulations requirements for daytime running lights, according to which it is necessary to check the functionality before each start of movement.
Driving with only the side lights on is prohibited ! It is allowed to drive with the lights on in conjunction with other lighting (low beam headlights, running lights, fog lights).
What other lighting-related problems are there:
- danger of xenon lamps;
- tinting of lighting devices.
How to avoid a fine for a broken headlight
The best option to avoid a fine is to do the following. Initially, communicate politely with government officials and keep yourself in control. Secondly, the driver must emphasize that he himself is surprised that the headlight does not work. Since the lamp apparently burned out during the trip. When the trip just started, the headlights or headlight were working... Thirdly, Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, Part 1 provides for a warning. Fourthly, if you have not been held administratively liable for 6 months, then be sure to say so. As a result, ask the inspector to take all factors into account and issue a warning about the violation, rather than issuing a fine. Here I would like to immediately say that you should not abuse such trust, since the driver himself should be primarily interested in eliminating the breakdown. His health and life depend on it. This is what we will talk about next.
Lack of light - fine
What will be the fine for not turning on the headlights (driving without) low beams during the day? Regardless of what violation the traffic police officer charges the motorist with, he can draw up a written warning or draw up a protocol .
If the inspector issues a written warning , administrative punishment is provided for the owner of the vehicle .
If the inspector draws up offense report of 500 rubles . The appeal is carried out within 10 calendar days by submitting an application to the traffic police authorities .
If the inspector refers to the list of faults ( clause 3.3 ), the motorist faces a written warning about the violation or a monetary penalty of 500 rubles . There is also a fine for high beams in the city; it must be switched in accordance with traffic rules.
Here you will find information about other fines for traffic violations.
Penalty for driving high beams in urban areas
The use of long-range lighting within city limits when the roadway is prohibited ( 19.1 Traffic Regulations ). If a vehicle is stopped on a lighted city road while the car was moving with the high beam headlights on, the owner will be fined an administrative fine of 500 rubles under Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia.
Penalty for driving with one low beam headlight
What will be the fine if one low beam headlight is not on? The penalty for driving with one low-beam headlight, fog light or daytime running light not working is the same as for driving with the lights turned off - an official warning / fine of 500 rubles ( 12.5.1 Code of Administrative Offenses ). for eliminating a malfunction during a stop .
Is it possible to continue driving with a non-working (not lit) headlight (tail light)
The situation with such a malfunction in practice and in law is very interesting. It seems that Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation “Detention of a Vehicle” does not provide for the detention of a car for such a malfunction. However, there is order 664, on the “Administrative Regulations...”. It contains very interesting recommendations for a police inspector. They are based precisely on the requirements for prohibiting the operation of a vehicle according to the “List of faults and conditions under which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited”
68. If it is revealed that the driver is driving a vehicle with unlit (missing) headlights and tail lights in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility, or the driver’s windshield wiper is inoperative during rain or snow <1>, the employee demands that the vehicle stop moving until it is fixed related faults or conditions. At the same time, parking the vehicle should not pose a threat to road safety. <1> Paragraph 2 of clause 2.3.1 of the Traffic Rules. The imposition of an administrative penalty does not relieve the driver from fulfilling the duty for which the administrative penalty was imposed <2>. <2> Part 4 of Article 4.1 of the Code. If the driver fails to comply with the employee’s legal request to stop moving the vehicle until the faults or conditions specified in paragraph one of this paragraph are eliminated, the employee initiates a case for an administrative offense provided for in Part 1 of Article 19.3 of the Code.
That is, the driver may well be “stuck” all night if he doesn’t fix the headlight and it’s dark outside. Indeed, in this case, conditions when rear lights are not needed will arise only during daylight hours. Thus, a malfunction of the headlight can lead to a whole chain of troubles.
Is it possible to pay a fine for a non-working headlight or clearance with a 50 percent discount?
Since 2021, drivers who violate traffic rules, but are ready to repent and pay a fine, have the opportunity to pay this same fine with a 50 percent discount. For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that such a discount can not be obtained for every fine, but only for “non-serious” forms of traffic violations. So Article 12.5 falls under the same option when the fine can still be paid with a discount of 50 percent, that is, half as much. To do this, you must pay the traffic police fine from the time it appears in the database, but no later than 20 days from the date of its commission. More details about this in the article “How to pay a fine with a 2-fold discount.”
Fine for not turning on low beams in 2020
- turning on high beams within the city. This problem is relevant at night, when drivers forget to turn off the high beam lights before entering the city. Therefore, a fine is also provided for such a movement;
- use of rear fog lights for purposes other than their intended purpose. Rear fog lights, according to traffic regulations, are recommended to be used only in poor visibility, for example, in heavy fog, rain, snowstorm, etc.
- driving with running lights at night. Due to their forgetfulness, some drivers make the mistake of forgetting to turn on the low beam during the onset of twilight, as well as at night, when the DRLs are on during the day.
In connection with the new law adopted in the traffic rules on low-beam headlights during the day and running lights, fog lights were equated to them. Based on this, it is allowed to turn on and use only fog lights during the day - this will not be considered a violation of traffic rules and, accordingly, there will be no fine for this. It turns out that during the day you need to drive with low beam headlights, DRLs or fog lights.
Summarizing the topic “Fine for non-working headlight(s)”
If a headlight or headlights on a car do not work, then several conclusions can be drawn at once. First of all, it's simply not safe. Especially in the dark, when only one headlight works. If the second one suddenly burns out, it can lead to an accident at high speed. This means it jeopardizes the health and life of the driver and passengers, if there are any in the car. One can only wonder why Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation does not provide for the detention of such vehicles in the dark. After all, this is dangerous not only for the driver and passengers of a vehicle with a malfunction, but also for the road users around it. Secondly, if the headlights or headlights do not work, then this simply threatens with administrative liability in the form of a warning or a fine. There is nothing good in this either, it is a waste of nerves, time, money. That is why try to monitor the serviceability of the headlights on your car.
Penalty for lack of low beam if one headlight is not on
Many accidents occur due to driver inattention. Turning on the headlights makes the car more visible, which reduces the risk of an accident. Many motorists ignore the requirement to turn on the lights when driving a vehicle, which is not recommended. Firstly, you can get a penalty for this, and secondly, it can lead to an accident . It should be noted that a seemingly simple solution actually led to a safer situation on the roads.
Interesting: Fine under the sign of parking and stopping is prohibited
The existing fines provided for non-functioning low beams can be received by any motorist. Trivial inattention or unwillingness to simply fix existing problems can not only lead to a fine, but also create an emergency situation.
Questions and answers on the topic “Fine for non-working headlight(s)”
Question: Can they issue a fine for the fact that 1 headlight on a car does not work? Answer: Yes, they can. This is a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.
Question: Can a car be detained for a parking fine if the headlight is not working? Answer: No, Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation does not provide for this, but they may force you to repair the headlight right on the spot or prohibit further movement.
Video about a fine for a non-working headlight
For those who do not like to read, we have prepared a video that fully reflects the essence of the article and talks about a possible fine for a non-working headlight.
