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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Main beams, dipped beams and fog lamps

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

Main beams illuminate farther ahead, while dipped beams direct the light lower to reduce dazzling. The light setting must suit visibility and surrounding road users. More brightness is not always better: light reflected from fog can reduce what you see, and rear fog lamps can dazzle a following driver.

Know the switches and dashboard symbols while stationary. Parking lamps are not sufficient on their own while driving. Keep lamp lenses clean and make sure the lamps can operate.

Key idea: Main beams illuminate farther ahead, while dipped beams direct the light lower to reduce dazzling.

How to apply the rule

Use required headlamps, rear lamps and number-plate lighting between sunset and sunrise and when poor conditions make people and vehicles unclear at 150 metres. On a motorcycle, the headlamp must be lit while riding by day as well as night.

Dip main beams for approaching traffic and when following another vehicle. Use a speed suited to the distance you can see clearly, not simply the distance the beam might reach in ideal conditions. Fitted fog lamps may be used in poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke; switch them off when those conditions no longer apply.

Key idea: Dip the headlights before dazzling the driver through their mirrors.

Conditions and easily confused points

The manual’s beam-performance figures are at least 100 metres for main beam and 45 metres for dipped beam. These equipment figures are not a stopping-distance guarantee or permission to maintain the posted maximum in poor visibility.

Parking lamps, fog lamps and dipped headlights serve different purposes. Do not drive on parking lamps alone or treat fog lamps as a permanent styling feature.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

You are using main beam on a dark road and catch up with another car.

  1. Dip the headlights before dazzling the driver through their mirrors.
  2. Leave a suitable following distance.
  3. Keep the speed low enough for the visible road and changing conditions.

Quick recap

  • Dip the headlights before dazzling the driver through their mirrors.
  • Leave a suitable following distance.
  • Keep the speed low enough for the visible road and changing conditions.

Practice questions on main beams, dipped beams and fog lamps

1 When following another vehicle, what should you do with main beams?

  1. Dip them to avoid dazzling the driver
  2. Flash them every few seconds
  3. Keep them on continuously
Show the answer

Answer A: Dip them to avoid dazzling the driver

Dip main beams for approaching traffic and when following another vehicle. Do not drive using only parking lights. Fog lamps are for poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke, not for ordinary clear-weather driving.

Memory tip: Use the right lights without dazzling others.

All vehicle codes

2 May you drive with only parking lights illuminated?

  1. No, parking lights alone are not sufficient while driving
  2. Yes, in a suburb
  3. Yes, below 30 km/h
Show the answer

Answer A: No, parking lights alone are not sufficient while driving

Dip main beams for approaching traffic and when following another vehicle. Do not drive using only parking lights. Fog lamps are for poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke, not for ordinary clear-weather driving.

Memory tip: Use the right lights without dazzling others.

All vehicle codes

3 When may fitted fog lamps be used?

  1. Whenever you want the vehicle to look brighter
  2. In poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke
  3. Only in bright sunshine
Show the answer

Answer B: In poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke

Dip main beams for approaching traffic and when following another vehicle. Do not drive using only parking lights. Fog lamps are for poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke, not for ordinary clear-weather driving.

Memory tip: Use the right lights without dazzling others.

All vehicle codes

4 What should you do with main beams when oncoming traffic approaches?

  1. Dip them
  2. Turn all lights off
  3. Point them upwards
Show the answer

Answer A: Dip them

Dip main beams for approaching traffic and when following another vehicle. Do not drive using only parking lights. Fog lamps are for poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke, not for ordinary clear-weather driving.

Memory tip: Use the right lights without dazzling others.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Vehicle lights

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 20–22, sections 6.1–6.4, 6.9; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.