RecogniseNight or clear visibility below about 200 m
InterpretDriving lights required
Use dipped headlights unless main-beam headlights are lawful.
Free Workbook · 9 lessons
Vehicle lights & visibility
Position lights, dipped headlights, main-beam headlights, fog lights, signalling and the visibility rules that determine what to use.
Corrected Belgian rules, visual memory cards and a fixed 20-question English testRead the conditions, then choose the light
RecogniseAnother road user could be dazzled
InterpretMain-beam headlights must be dipped
Do not wait for the other driver to flash.
RecogniseFog/snow visibility below about 100 m, or heavy rain
InterpretRear fog light rule applies if fitted
Switch it off when those conditions end.
Part 1
Five light families, five different jobs
Choose a light by its purpose: being seen, seeing ahead, avoiding glare or warning traffic behind. More power always means a greater responsibility not to dazzle.
LightAlso calledPurposeMemory range
Position lightsSidelightsMake the vehicle visible; they do not light the road for driving.Visible from a substantial distance
Dipped headlightsDipped headlightsSee and be seen without dazzling.About 30 m teaching reference
Main-beam headlightsMain-beam headlightsLight the road far ahead.More than 100 m teaching reference
Front fog lights—Supplement or replace forward beams in permitted poor visibility.Wide, dipped beam
Rear fog lights—Warn following traffic in severely reduced visibility or heavy rain.Very bright red light
Part 2
Position lights: visibility, not illumination
Position lights identify a vehicle’s presence and width. Use the prescribed parking or position lights when a stationary vehicle cannot be seen clearly under the applicable night or poor-visibility rules.
Part 3
Dipped headlights: the default anti-glare choice
Dipped headlights help you see while protecting oncoming traffic from glare. Use them at night, in reduced visibility and whenever main-beam headlights would inconvenience another road user.
More useful light to the rightHelps reveal signs, the road edge and vulnerable road users.
Controlled light to the leftReduces glare for approaching traffic.
SituationCorrect response
Night in a built-up areaUse dipped headlights unless the precise conditions safely permit another prescribed beam.
Meeting an oncoming road userDip in time so they can continue safely.
Following within 50 mUse dipped headlights, except while overtaking.
Continuously well-lit roadUse dipped headlights when you can already see clearly for about 100 m.
TunnelUse dipped headlights and obey displayed tunnel instructions.
Part 4
Main-beam headlights: distance without dazzling
Main-beam headlights are for dark roads where longer illumination is necessary and no road user would be dazzled. Their use is determined by visibility and traffic—not simply by whether the road is inside or outside a built-up area.
Main-beam headlights may be suitableSwitch to dipped headlights
Dark or poorly lit road with no affected road userWhen an oncoming road user could be dazzled
Long-range visibility is genuinely neededWhen following another vehicle within 50 m
No continuous lighting provides clear sight for about 100 mWhen the carriageway is continuously and sufficiently lit
Part 5
Fog lights: conditions decide
Front and rear fog lights do different jobs. Front fog lights improve forward visibility; rear fog lights warn traffic behind and must not remain on outside the legally permitted conditions.
ConditionFront fog lightsRear fog lights
FogPermittedRequired when visibility is below about 100 m, if fitted
SnowfallPermittedRequired when visibility is below about 100 m, if fitted
Heavy rainPermittedRequired if fitted
Clear weatherNot permittedNot permitted
Part 6
Signals that communicate your next move
Lighting is also a language. Brake, reverse, indicator and hazard lights help other road users understand what the vehicle is doing or what danger lies ahead.
LightPurposeKey rule
Daytime running lightsImprove daytime conspicuityThey do not automatically illuminate the rear; know what your vehicle activates.
Brake lightsWarn that the vehicle is brakingThey must remain operational.
Reverse lightsShow that the vehicle is reversingWhite rear light; it must not inconvenience others.
Direction indicatorsAnnounce a turn or lane changeSignal every change clearly and in good time.
Hazard lightsWarn of obstruction, breakdown or immediate dangerDo not use them merely to thank another driver.
Part 7
Situation guide: choose the safest legal light
Work through three questions: Is it dark, or is visibility below about 200 m? Would main-beam headlights dazzle anyone? Is fog, snowfall or heavy rain severe enough to justify fog lights?
SituationPrimary choiceImportant check
Night, normal trafficDipped headlightsPosition lights alone are insufficient.
Dark road, no affected trafficMain-beam headlights may be usedDip immediately before anyone is dazzled.
Oncoming or closely followed vehicleDipped headlightsMain-beam headlights must be switched off.
Fog or snowfall below about 100 mDipped/front fog plus rear fogFront fog may replace or accompany the forward beam.
Heavy rainDipped/front fog plus rear fogRear fog is included by the Belgian rule.
TunnelDipped headlightsFollow lane-control and tunnel signs.
Part 8 · Myth versus rule
Classic exam traps, clearly corrected
Replace unreliable shortcuts with the precise Belgian rule. Read the red statement first, then lock in the green correction.
Misleading shortcut“Rear fog lights are prohibited in rain.”
Correct Belgian rule
Heavy rain is an expressly permitted and required condition when the vehicle is fitted with rear fog lights.
Misleading shortcut“Main-beam headlights are always forbidden in built-up areas.”
Correct Belgian rule
The decisive restrictions are glare, close following and sufficient continuous lighting.
Misleading shortcut“Front fog lights must always be used with dipped headlights.”
Correct Belgian rule
They may replace dipped or main-beam headlights, or operate with them, in the permitted conditions.
Misleading shortcut“Sidelights are enough when it gets dark.”
Correct Belgian rule
A moving motor vehicle needs dipped or main-beam headlights under the night and poor-visibility rule.
Misleading shortcut“Hazard lights are a thank-you signal.”
Correct Belgian rule
Hazard lights are reserved for danger, obstruction or breakdown warnings.
Exam memory
200 · 100 · 50 · no glare
Memory cueWhat it means
≈200 mRequired lights apply whenever you can no longer see clearly for about this distance.
≈100 mFog or snowfall below this visibility threshold requires rear fog lights on an equipped vehicle.
50 m followingSwitch from main-beam to dipped headlights when following within this distance, except while overtaking.
≈100 m lit roadMain-beam headlights are not used when continuous lighting already provides clear sight for about this distance.
No glareDip early enough for every affected road user to continue safely.
Heavy rainFront fog lights are permitted; rear fog lights are required if fitted.
Fixed assessment
20-question chapter test
Every question has five answer choices. Get an explanation immediately after each answer.
0/20 answered · Select an answer for immediate feedback.