Know the road rule: using headlights

In many daytime situations, driving with your vehicle’s headlights on can improve the likelihood of being seen by other road users. Roads and Maritime Services says your headlights must be on when:

• Driving between sunset and sunrise.
• At any other time when there is not enough daylight to be able to see a person wearing dark clothing at a distance of 100 metres.

Dazzling lightsDo not use or allow any light fitted to your vehicle to dazzle another road user. Avoid looking at the headlights of oncoming vehicles. If you are dazzled by glaring or high-beam lights, look to the left side of the road and drive to the left of your lane, slow down or pull over until your eyes recover.

High beamTo see further ahead, use your headlights on high beam on any road, even if there are street lights. You must dip your headlights to low beam:

• When a vehicle coming toward you is within 200 metres.
• When driving 200 metres or less behind another vehicle.

When you overtake another vehicle, you may briefly flash high beam immediately before starting the overtaking manoeuvre.

Fog lightsFront and rear fog lights must only be used in fog or rain, or when conditions such as smoke and dust limit your vision. It is a legal requirement that once conditions improve and you can see more clearly, the front and rear fog lights are switched off. If your vehicle is not fitted with fog lights, use your headlights during the day in these adverse conditions