The right way to use headlights
Good lighting habits don’t just help you see the road. They help everyone see you.
Headlights might seem straightforward, on at night and off during the day, yet the reality is more nuanced. NSW road rules set clear expectations around when and how to use your lights, covering everything from high beam use on open roads to the correct conditions for fog lights.
Getting it right is about more than compliance; it plays a direct role in improving safety, reducing glare for other drivers, and maintaining visibility in low light, poor weather, and smoky or dusty conditions.
When should your headlights be on?
The NSW Government says your headlights must be on when:
- Driving between sunset and sunrise.
- At any other time when there is not enough daylight to be able to see a person wearing dark clothing at a distance of 100 metres.
When should you use high beam?
To see further ahead, use your headlights on high beam on any road, even if there are street lights. You must dip your headlights to low beam:
- When a vehicle coming toward you is within 200 metres.
- When driving 200 metres or less behind another vehicle.
When you overtake another vehicle, you may briefly flash high beam immediately before starting the overtaking manoeuvre.
Some newer vehicles have a smart high beam function, which switches high beams off automatically when it detects other vehicles.
What should you do if you are dazzled by headlights?
Do not use or allow any light fitted to your vehicle to dazzle another road user. Avoid looking at the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
If you are dazzled by glaring or high-beam lights, look to the left side of the road and drive to the left of your lane, slow down or pull over until your eyes recover.
RELATED: Can I flash my headlights to warn motorists?
When should fog lights be used?
Front and rear fog lights must only be used in fog or rain, or when conditions such as smoke and dust limit your vision. It is a legal requirement that once conditions improve and you can see more clearly, the front and rear fog lights are switched off.
If your vehicle is not fitted with fog lights, use your headlights during the day in these adverse conditions.
What are daytime running lights (DRL)?
Many new cars come standard with daytime running lights (DRLs). These are static lights that illuminate when the car is under operation, making it easier to see – especially in the early morning/late afternoon, and on overcast or rainy days.
Way back in 2009, the NRMA presented a submission to the State Government calling for the use of low-beam headlights during the day until DRLs became standard.
The submission estimated that DRLs could prevent up to 11 per cent of non-pedestrian fatal crashes, 11 per cent of non-pedestrian non-fatal incidents and 12 per cent of all pedestrian impacts.
Sadly, they are still not a mandatory fixture in the Australian Design Rules for passenger cars.
