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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Vehicle lamps and number plates

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

A vehicle’s lights perform different jobs. Headlights illuminate the road; rear lamps show its presence; brighter red brake lamps warn that it is slowing; indicators communicate direction; the rear number-plate lamp makes registration characters visible. A working headlamp does not make the rest of the lighting system optional.

All fitted required lamps must be undamaged, unobscured, securely attached and capable of lighting. Before travelling, inspect lamps and ask for safe assistance to check lights you cannot see from the driving position.

Key idea: A vehicle’s lights perform different jobs.

How to apply the rule

Use headlamps, rear lamps and number-plate lamps at night and when conditions make vehicles and people unclear at 150 metres. Motorcycles need their headlamp lit whenever ridden, including daylight. Use dipped rather than main beam when main beam would dazzle another driver.

Brake lamps emit red light brighter than the rear lamps. The manual specifies daytime visibility at 30 metres for brake lamps and character visibility at 20 metres for the rear number-plate lamp. Keep plates clean, upright, visible and firmly attached. Motorcycles, tricycles and trailers carry a rear plate; other motor vehicles have front and rear plates as prescribed.

Key idea: Do not drive with the lights or plate hidden.

Conditions and easily confused points

Parking lamps alone are not sufficient for a vehicle in motion. Fog lamps have restricted use in fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke. Adjustable spotlights are restricted to specified vehicles and purposes; they are not a normal substitute for approved driving lights.

A number-plate cover that hides characters, or a load covering the lamps, defeats the function even if the fittings themselves are new.

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

Worked road situation

Your headlights work but a load obscures the rear lamps and registration plate.

  1. Do not drive with the lights or plate hidden.
  2. Reposition and secure the load so visibility and identification are restored.
  3. Recheck the complete lighting system and load security before leaving.

Quick recap

  • Do not drive with the lights or plate hidden.
  • Reposition and secure the load so visibility and identification are restored.
  • Recheck the complete lighting system and load security before leaving.

Practice questions on vehicle lamps and number plates

1 What do illuminated brake lamps tell a following driver?

  1. The driver is turning left
  2. The vehicle is accelerating
  3. The vehicle is slowing and may stop
Show the answer

Answer C: The vehicle is slowing and may stop

Headlights help you see; tail lamps, brake lamps and number-plate lamps help others see and identify your vehicle. Brake lamps emit red light and indicate slowing. Keep number plates visible and securely attached. Adjustable spotlights are restricted to specified vehicles and uses; they are not ordinary driving lights.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

2 What colour must a brake lamp emit?

  1. Green
  2. Blue
  3. Red
Show the answer

Answer C: Red

Headlights help you see; tail lamps, brake lamps and number-plate lamps help others see and identify your vehicle. Brake lamps emit red light and indicate slowing. Keep number plates visible and securely attached. Adjustable spotlights are restricted to specified vehicles and uses; they are not ordinary driving lights.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

3 How must a vehicle’s registration plates be fitted?

  1. Facing down toward the road
  2. Behind a tinted cover that hides the letters
  3. Securely, visibly and legibly
Show the answer

Answer C: Securely, visibly and legibly

Headlights help you see; tail lamps, brake lamps and number-plate lamps help others see and identify your vehicle. Brake lamps emit red light and indicate slowing. Keep number plates visible and securely attached. Adjustable spotlights are restricted to specified vehicles and uses; they are not ordinary driving lights.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

4 What does the rear number-plate lamp illuminate?

  1. The dashboard controls
  2. The road far ahead
  3. The registration plate
Show the answer

Answer C: The registration plate

Headlights help you see; tail lamps, brake lamps and number-plate lamps help others see and identify your vehicle. Brake lamps emit red light and indicate slowing. Keep number plates visible and securely attached. Adjustable spotlights are restricted to specified vehicles and uses; they are not ordinary driving lights.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

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 6.1–6.10; 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.