01243 870600
01243 870600
The lights on your vehicle are essential for road safety, helping the visibility of you and other road users. In this blog we discuss how to maintain your lights, and give you a reminder of how to use them safely on the road.
Maintenance advice
Clean your lights
Once a week wipe your lights front and back (and make sure your number plate is visible whilst you’re at it). Even with fully working lights a buildup of dirt and grime can decrease the visibility of your vehicle (and may even cause you to be stopped by the police).
Carry out regular lighting checks
Be honest, when was the last time you checked your lights and indicators? All your lights should be checked thoroughly every month and replaced as soon as you as you spot one which doesn’t work. As a reminder, here are the lights you need to check.
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Checked as part of MOT |
Not checked as part of MOT |
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Headlights: Main beam & Dipped |
Reverse lights |
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Sidelights: Front & Rear |
Front fog lights |
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Indicators: Front, Rear & Side |
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Brake lights |
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Rear Number plate light |
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Rear fog lights |
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Hazard light (check separate from indicators) |
Brake lights
Your brake lights are essential, and must be working if you’re out and about. Not only could you face a £60 fine and three points on your licence, you’re also putting yours and others safety at risk. To check your brake lights either enlist the help of someone else to stand behind your car as you brake, or check them in front of a reflective surface such as a window.
Lights when driving
Lights in the daytime
As a rule, if you need your wipers on you need your headlights on. Rain reduces visibility on the road, and although you may not need your headlights to see It will help other road users see you. In terms of fog lights the highway code states you should only use your fog lamps when the visibility drops below 100m.
Lights at nighttime
When driving at night your vehicle must have sufficient light to see clearly where you are going, and to ensure that you can be seen. However, you must take precautions not to dazzle other road users. This should be done by only using dipped beams in built up areas or when approaching other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders. Additionally, when overtaking you should keep your headlights dipped.
Driving in residential areas
You are not required to use your headlights in a 30mph or less zone, where the street lamps are more than 200 yards (approximately 180m) apart. All too often headlights are too bright, and can distract other drivers (especially if you drive a vehicle such as a larger 4x4 where lights are positioned slightly higher up). By only using your side/tail lights, and your headlights only when necessary, it makes it easier to spot pedestrians and other road users.
Your lights are essential for your safety, and if not properly maintained and used you could incur unwanted fines, penalty points or accidents. If this blog has made you realise your knowledge of the highway code is a bit rusty you can refresh your memory here. If you think you’ve got a circuit issue, or just need a bulb replaced we’re happy to help... Just give us a call and we’ll fit you in.
