Night Driving & Visibility

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.

You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet).

You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.

You should also slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights.

Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 2500 kg laden weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they meet certain positioning conditions.

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced.

You MUST ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise.

Vehicles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow.

At night or in poor visibility, do not use tinted glasses, lenses or visors if they restrict your vision.