Rules in detail: Lights and lamps

Motorcycle lamps

What the rule says. You may not ride a motorcycle on a public road unless all lamps fitted to it are undamaged, properly secured and capable of being lit at all times. The motorcycle's headlamp must be lit at all times, both at night and during the day. A motorcycle or motor tricycle must also be fitted with a rear lamp that emits a red light to the rear.

In practice. A rider travelling at noon in bright sunshine must still ride with the headlamp on. Check each lamp before every ride, because a damaged or loose lamp breaks the rule even if it still works for now.

Key idea: A motorcycle's headlamp is lit at all times, day and night.

When car and truck lights must be on

What the rule says. All lamps on a light or heavy motor vehicle must be undamaged, unobscured, properly secured and capable of being lit at all times. The headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps must be lit between sunset and sunrise, and at any other time when poor light or bad weather means people and vehicles on the road cannot be clearly seen at a distance of 150 metres. These rules do not apply to a vehicle parked off the roadway, in a parking place marked by a road traffic sign, or within 12 metres of a lighted street lamp that lights the road where it is parked.

In practice. In heavy rain at midday, switch your lights on if you cannot clearly see others at 150 metres.

Key idea: Lights on from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is under 150 metres.

Main beam and dipped beam distances

What the rule says. A main-beam (bright) headlamp must be adjusted and kept so it lights the area ahead well enough for the driver or rider to see a person, vehicle or substantial object at least 100 metres away. A dipped beam must let the driver or rider see a person, vehicle or substantial object at least 45 metres ahead. You must dip your main beam for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.

Why it matters. Bright lights can dazzle other road users.

In practice. On a dark road, you come up behind a truck. Dip your lights while you follow it, and dip them again when a car approaches from the front.

Key idea: Main beam shows at least 100 metres, dipped beam at least 45 metres; dip for others.

Parking lamps

What the rule says. A vehicle may not be driven on a public road with only its parking lamps lit while the vehicle is in motion.

Why it matters. Parking lamps are not bright enough to light the road or make a moving vehicle clearly seen.

In practice. It is dusk and you are driving with only parking lamps on. This is not allowed. Switch on the headlamps, which, with the rear lamps and number plate lamps, must be lit between sunset and sunrise. Parking lamps are only meant for a vehicle that is standing still, so make a habit of switching to headlamps when you move off.

Key idea: Never drive with only parking lamps lit.

Rear lamps

What the rule says. A motorcycle or motor tricycle must be fitted with a rear lamp that emits a red light to the rear. A light motor vehicle must be fitted with lamps at the rear that emit a red light to the rear. A heavy motor vehicle must have at least one lamp on each side at the rear that emits a red light to the rear.

In practice. A heavy vehicle with a working rear lamp on only one side does not comply, because it needs at least one on each side. Check both sides before a long trip.

Key idea: Rear lamps are red; a heavy vehicle needs at least one on each side.

Stop lamps

What the rule says. A light motor vehicle or motorcycle must be fitted with stop lamps at the rear. A heavy motor vehicle must have at least one stop lamp on each side at the rear. When in use, a stop lamp must emit red light that is brighter than the light from the rear lamp, and must be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of 30 metres to a person of normal eyesight. An illuminated stop lamp tells others the vehicle is slowing down and may stop.

In practice. A stop lamp that is only as bright as the rear lamp does not comply.

Key idea: Stop lamps are red, brighter than rear lamps, and visible at 30 metres in sunlight.

Fog lamps

What the rule says. No vehicle may be driven on a public road while a fog lamp fitted to it is lit, except in conditions of poor visibility caused by snow, fog, mist, dust or smoke. The rule covers both front and rear fog lamps. Rain is not on the list.

Why it matters. Fog lamps are bright and can dazzle others when visibility is fine.

In practice. Driving through thick smoke across the road, you may use your fog lamps. On a clear night with no fog, you must switch them off.

Key idea: Fog lamps only in snow, fog, mist, dust or smoke.

Adjustable spot lamps

What the rule says. A motor vehicle may not be used on a public road if it has a spot lamp that can be adjusted so its beam points in any direction. There are exceptions. An adjustable spot lamp may be fitted and used for official purposes on an ambulance, rescue vehicle, fire-fighting vehicle, police vehicle or traffic control vehicle. It may be fitted to a vehicle owned by a medical practitioner or veterinarian and used for professional duties only. It may be fitted to a breakdown vehicle or a vehicle used for electricity or other essential public services, used only at the scene of an accident or breakdown or to examine overhead telephone, telegraph or power lines.

In practice. A private motorist may not fit one for extra light.

Key idea: Adjustable spot lamps are only for the listed official, professional and service uses.

Quick recap

• Motorcycle headlamp must be lit at all times, day and night
• Car and truck headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps on from sunset to sunrise and when you cannot see people and vehicles clearly at 150 metres
• Parked-vehicle exemptions include within 12 metres of a lit street lamp
• Main beam: see at least 100 metres; dipped beam: see at least 45 metres
• Stop lamp visible at 30 metres in normal sunlight and brighter than the rear lamp
• Never drive with only parking lamps lit
• Fog lamps only in snow, fog, mist, dust or smoke