Have you ever actually had to use fog lights?
Would you know where the switches are if you did?
Also, what on earth are sidelights?
All questions we aim to shine a light on, as well as some of the more basic ones. Even the most seasoned drivers could even do with a reminder from time to time.
Let's get to it.
Dipped headlights
By far the most common type of car light, these are brighter than sidelights (which we'll get onto in a bit), but not as bright as full-beam headlights.
They get their name because they're angled downwards, towards the road. The switch is usually found on your dashboard or on the left indicator stalk.
When to Use Dipped Headlights
At any time when it's dark. These are your default lights for night-time driving, your go-to.
The majority of cars have automatic dipped headlights, meaning the dipped headlights will turn on when it starts to get dark outside. But there will still be an option to turn that off and do things manually, if you prefer that.
Full Beam Headlights
As the name suggests, full-beam headlights these are the brightest set of car lights at your disposal.
They're angled higher than dipped headlights and are sometimes referred to as high beams. The switch to turn on your full beam lights is usually found near the switch for dipped headlights, though in many cars the dipped headlights will have to be on first before you can move up to full beam.
Flashing Your Headlights
It happens a lot.
Another driver might have right of way over you, but they flash their headlights to tell you to go first.
How kind, but the problem with that is you only have their word to go on. There could be another vehicle coming from another direction (say at a small roundabout) that they haven't spotted yet. So they're asking for trouble.
Just like using your horn, you should only flash your headlights to warn another road user of your presence.
Hazard Warning Lights
When a car's hazard warning lights are on, you'll know all about it, because the car will light up like a Christmas tree.
The hazard warning lights appear as blinking yellow lights at every corner of the car. Hazard lights actually use the same lights as your indicators, but both will be flashing at the same time, instead of say just one when you're turning a corner.
The main purpose of hazard lights is to warn other drivers of danger ahead, and the button on your dashboard will be marked with a red or white triangle.
When to Use Hazard Warning Lights
Use hazard warning lights when there's a . . . hazard.
That could either be in the form of you broken down at the side or the centre of the road, or to warn other drivers of an obstruction coming up ahead.
When you see hazard warning lights, think: emergency.
Fog Lights
Unlike full beam headlights (which are reflected by fog), fog lights are specially-designed to cut through the fog and mist.
You've got front and rear fog lights, with the button for each being slightly different.
In some cars, you might need to turn the dipped headlights on first before you can access the fog lights.
When to Use Fog Lights
When it's foggy, duh!
But just how foggy is too foggy?
Well, it's advised that you turn them on when you can't see further than 100 metres ahead. Both helping you see the road more clearly and letting others see you. Then once visibility has cleared, you should be sure to turn the fog lights back off.
Tail Lights
Located at the back ('tail') of your car, your tail lights turn on automatically at the same time as your headlights.
So whether you switch your headlights on manually or they come on automatically, your tail lights will activate by default.
Parking Lights
Otherwise known as sidelights, these are usually located in the headlamp unit in the front corners of your car.
They aren’t as bright as headlights, so parking lights are normally used to make drivers visible to traffic at times when it’s not dark enough to use headlights.
The switch to turn them on is commonly found on the dashboard or an indicator stalk.
When to Use Sidelights/Parking Lights
The Highway Code says you must put on parking lights when parked on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit that's above 30mph. In other words, they're designed to be left on for long periods of time, for which reason they don't tend to drain your battery.
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If the road has a speed limit of 30mph or under, you don’t need to use your sidelights, so long as:
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You’re facing the direction of traffic flow, close to the kerb, and at least 10 metres from the next junction
OR, your spot is a recognised lay-by or parking bay
What Are Daytime Running Lights?
Otherwise known as driving lights, daytime running lights (DRLs) have been mandatory on all newly-produced cars since 2011. Some drivers mistakenly think they refer to the front and rear light when they actually only operate at the front of your vehicle.
Brake Lights
No mystery here.
Brake lights are the car lights at the back near your tail lights, and they come on to let other drivers know that, yep – you're braking.
Yet for something so obvious, the consequences can be severe if one or both of your brake lights aren't working properly. Apart from any safety risks that it may cause, one or more faulty brake lights could see you pulled over by the police and issued with:
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A fixed penalty notice, including 3 points on your license and a £60 fine
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A Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice, with a 14-day order to fix the fault
In more serious cases, your car could even be taken off the road there and then. Ouch!
Indicators
If you've passed your Driving Test, we'd be seriously worried if you didn't already know all about these.
Quite simply, indicators do what they say they do: 'indicate' which way you intend on going, therefore avoiding confusion with other road users. They're activated by flicking the stalk on your steering wheel either down or up. Simples.
Using Your Lights in Wet Weather
It's no exaggeration to say that we see our fair share of rain and storms in the UK, and that can affect your ability to see and be seen on the roads.
Well, your lights are there to make life easier, and the best rule of thumb is turn on your dipped headlights during rainy weather.
(Of course, wet weather brings a whole host of other challenges as well, so see our general tips for driving in the rain.)
With Cars Changing Like Never Before, it’s No Surprise That Their Lights are Also Evolving.
Headlights themselves are actually split up into 3 types, and as manufacturers consider more and more the environmental affects of different lights, we're probably going to be seeing even more changes in the future.
Summary
So there you have it – a comprehensive look at every single car light. Car lights explained.
A good way to brighten up your understanding, preparing for the road ahead.
The more you know, the better you go.
FAQs
What lights to use at night while driving?
Dipped lights are the car lights to use at night (or during bad weather) and that won't dazzle other road users. Only move up to full-beam headlights to warn other road users or when driving in a poorly-lit area where not using them would be impractical.
What car lights are used for what?
The most important type of car lights are the headlights. These come in at either the dipped or full-beam levels, and you'd use dipped for normal driving at night. Full beam is mainly for letting other road users know you're there, or for driving in poorly lit areas. Then you've got both front and rear fog lights, which should be turned on when visibility ahead is reduced to less than 100 metres.