← General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders
Rule 113: When you must use lights
Legal requirement — says MUST
Lighting requirements (rules 113 to 116)
You MUST
- ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
- use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h), or 20mph (32km/h) in Wales, unless otherwise specified
- use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).
Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
Laws RVLR regs 3, 24 & 25 (In Scotland - RTRA sect 82 (as amended by NRSWA, para 59 of sched 8)), RR(20)O
Why the capitals matter. The Highway Code writes a rule in capitals — MUST or MUST NOT — when it is backed by law, so breaking it is a criminal offence. The rules that do not use capitals are advice.
5 theory test questions on this rule
From the DVSA revision question bank. These are not the questions asked in the real theory test. Each one shows the answer, the explanation, and our own note on why every other option is not it.
Car
- In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland what will the speed limit usually be where you can see street lights but no speed limit signs? Rules of the road
- You're driving in heavy traffic on a wet road. Which lights should you use if there's a lot of surface spray? Other types of vehicle
- Why should you switch your headlights on when it first starts to get dark? Alertness
- When must you use dipped headlights during the day? Vehicle handling