What are the UK Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations?

Created by Jonathan Fry, Modified on Wed, 16 Apr at 9:42 PM by Jonathan Fry

Key Points

UK vehicle lighting regulations, primarily from the 1989 Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, outline mandatory lights and usage rules for road safety.
Cars must have front position lamps, dipped-beam and main-beam headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning signals, rear position lamps, rear fog lamps, stop lamps, and rear registration plate lamps.
Lights must be used during darkness (half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise) and in poor visibility, with specific rules for fog lights and parking.
Research suggests dazzling lights and improper use can contribute to accidents, with 2016 data showing 5 fatal and 69 serious injury incidents linked to dazzling headlights.
The evidence leans toward ensuring lights do not dazzle other road users, with colour restrictions like no red lights forward and no white lights rearward, except for reversing.

When to Use Lights

During the hours of darkness, defined as from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, vehicles must have their front and rear position lamps and rear registration plate lamps lit. Headlights are required at night, except on roads with lit street lighting where the speed limit is 30 mph or less. Additionally, headlights should be used when visibility is seriously reduced, such as in fog or heavy rain, ensuring safety in low-visibility conditions.

Rules on Light Usage

Lights must not be used in a way that dazzles or causes discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders. When parked on a road with a speed limit over 30 mph, parking lights or sidelights must be used. Hazard warning lights can be used when the vehicle is stationary to warn of an obstruction or on motorways to alert drivers behind of a hazard ahead, but they must not be used as an excuse for illegal parking.

Colour and Additional Notes

There are strict colour restrictions: no red lights are allowed at the front, except for specific emergency vehicles, and no white lights at the rear, except for reversing lights. Daytime running lights are not mandatory but are common on newer vehicles, enhancing visibility. Modifications like underglow lights must comply with regulations to avoid distraction or confusion with emergency vehicles.

Survey Note: Comprehensive Overview of UK Vehicle Lighting Regulations

This note provides a detailed examination of the UK vehicle lighting regulations, drawing from official sources and supplementary materials to ensure a thorough understanding. The regulations, primarily governed by The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, have been amended over time, with notable updates in 2017 affecting testing requirements, effective from May 2018. This analysis covers mandatory lighting, usage rules, and additional considerations, aiming to reflect the current state as of April 16, 2025.

Mandatory Lights on Vehicles

The core of the regulations specifies obligatory lamps for various vehicle types, with a focus on standard motor vehicles (cars with three or more wheels). According to Schedule 1 of the 1989 regulations, the following lights are mandatory:

Vehicle Type	Obligatory Lamps	Exceptions
Motor vehicle (3+ wheels, not otherwise specified)	Front position lamp, Dim-dip device or running lamp, Dipped-beam headlamp, Main-beam headlamp, Direction indicator, Hazard warning signal device, Side marker lamp, Rear position lamp, Rear fog lamp, Stop lamp, End-outline marker lamp, Rear registration plate lamp	See exceptions for each lamp type, e.g., max speed 40 mph for dim-dip, max speed 15 mph for dipped-beam, etc.

For clarity, this translates to cars needing front position lamps (sidelights), dipped-beam and main-beam headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning signals, rear position lamps, rear fog lamps, stop lamps (brake lights), and rear registration plate lamps. Depending on the vehicle's size, side marker lamps and end-outline marker lamps may also be required, particularly for wider or longer vehicles.

Usage and Timing

The regulations detail when these lights must be used, aligning with the Highway Code for practical application. The hours of darkness are defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, during which front and rear position lamps and rear registration plate lamps must be lit. Headlights are mandatory at night, except on roads with lit street lighting where the speed limit is generally 30 mph (48 km/h), unless otherwise specified, as noted in Highway Code Rule 113 (Highway Code - Lighting requirements). This exception aims to balance visibility with energy use in well-lit urban areas.

In conditions of seriously reduced visibility, such as fog or heavy rain, headlights must be used, with fog lights permitted only when visibility drops below 100 meters, as per Highway Code Rule 236. This ensures safety in adverse weather, with drivers advised to switch off fog lights when visibility improves to avoid dazzling others.

Rules on Light Usage and Safety Considerations

Usage rules emphasize preventing dazzle and discomfort to other road users, a critical aspect given research findings. The RoSPA document highlights that in 2016, there were 5 fatal, 69 serious injury, and 209 slight injury accidents where dazzling headlights were a contributory factor (RoSPA - Vehicle Lighting). This underscores the importance of dipped headlights, especially in built-up areas or when overtaking, as per Highway Code Rule 115, to minimize glare.

When parked, vehicles on roads with speed limits over 30 mph must display parking lights or sidelights, as detailed in resources like the RAC Drive (Car lights and headlights: what they are and when to use them | RAC Drive). Hazard warning lights are permitted for stationary vehicles warning of obstructions or on motorways for hazards ahead, but their use while driving is restricted to motorways or unrestricted dual carriageways, ensuring they do not encourage illegal parking.

Colour Restrictions and Modifications

Colour restrictions are stringent to avoid confusion, particularly with emergency vehicles. Regulation 11 of the 1989 regulations prohibits red lights at the front and white lights at the rear, except for reversing lights, as confirmed in sources like Suffolk Constabulary's guidance (Car Modifications | Suffolk Constabulary). This ensures clear signalling, with front headlights required to be white or yellow and rear tail lights red, as noted in various guides (Underglow Car Neons & Headlights - What's Legal in the UK?).

Modifications, such as underglow lights, must comply with these regulations to prevent distraction. The 2017 amendment, effective from May 2018, introduced testing for additional lamps like daytime running lights, reversing lamps, and front fog lamps, reflecting EU Directive 2014/45/EU on roadworthiness tests (The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2017). While daytime running lights are not mandatory, their prevalence on newer vehicles enhances daytime visibility, as discussed in forums like Quora (Is it mandatory to keep your headlights on when driving in the United Kingdom? - Quora).

Research and Safety Implications

Research, as synthesized in the RoSPA document, suggests that proper lighting reduces accidents, with daytime running lights potentially decreasing multiple vehicle daytime accidents by up to 6%, based on a 2008 NHTSA study. However, the evidence leans toward careful use to avoid glare, with accident statistics emphasizing the need for compliance. This aligns with the Highway Code's emphasis on considerate driving, ensuring all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, are visible and safe.

Conclusion

This survey note encapsulates the UK vehicle lighting regulations, providing a strict superset of the direct answer by detailing mandatory lamps, usage rules, colour restrictions, and safety implications. It draws from official legislation, Highway Code rules, and supplementary research, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for all road users as of April 16, 2025.

Key Citations