Shining a Light on Rule 113 : UK Vehicle Lighting Requirements

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Highway Code Rule 113

📖 Rule 113 Full Regulations & Explanation

Rule 113 ↗
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

Text shown in the rule image

Shining a Light on Rule 113 : UK Vehicle Lighting Requirements

Mandatory Lighting ( Sunset to Sunrise )

Sidelights and Rear Registration Plate Lights: These must be lit at all times between sunset and sunrise to ensure the vehicle is visible to others from all angles .

Using Headlights

Defining " Night " ( Hours of Darkness )

Legally , " Night " is the period starting half an hour after sunset and ending half an hour before sunrise .

Exceptions & Local Speed Limits

Mandatory Night - time Headlight Use

You must use headlights at night , unless you are driving on a road with active , lit street lighting .

Roads with Lit Street Lighting

Headlights are generally not mandatory on these roads , which are typically restricted to 30 mph ( 48 km / h ) .

Use Headlights in Reduced Visibility

Regardless of the time of day , headlights must be used whenever visibility is " seriously reduced " ( referencing Rule 226 ) .

Regional Variation : Wales

In Wales , roads with iit street lighting are restricted to 20 mph ( 32 km / h ) unless otherwise specified .

Legal Governance

These rules are enforced by RVLR regs 3 , 24 & 25 , and RTRA section 82 ( as amended ) in Scotland .