Night: dipped headlights and reverse

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Passing oncoming traffic at night: switching to dipped beam, reversing safely and the lighting rules imposed in Belgium.

Cover, Night: dipped headlights and reverse

Lesson objectives

Understand when to turn on dipped headlights at night and in reduced visibility Master lighting obligations when meeting another vehicle at night Know the mandatory equipment for a load that extends beyond the rear

Dipped headlights: when to turn them on?

Article 30 : between dusk and dawn , as well as in any circumstance where it is no longer possible to see clearly up to approximately 200 metres , the motor vehicle uses dipped headlights or main beam headlights at the front , which may be used simultaneously, and red lights at the rear . Dipped headlights are therefore not the only ones permitted at the front: it is main beam headlights that are subject to restrictions, not dipped headlights.

Activation of dipped headlights at night

Dipped headlights

White lights at the front of a vehicle, normally used when it is dark or visibility is reduced. They illuminate the road without dazzling oncoming drivers.

Reduced visibility

Situation where the visibility distance is less than 200 m, due to night, fog, heavy rain or other weather conditions. Dipped headlights become mandatory.

At the exam

Remember well: 200 m is the key distance. As soon as you cannot see clearly for 200 m, turn on your dipped headlights, even in broad daylight if there is fog or heavy rain.

Meeting at night: lighting rules

At night, meeting another vehicle first obeys the rules of article 15 seen in the previous lesson, meet on the right, leave sufficient lateral distance, and give way when your own progress is hindered by an obstacle. There is no « priority uphill » rule: this rule does not exist in the Belgian code. Added to this is the lighting obligation of article 30.1, 1°, a) : main beam headlights must be switched off and replaced by dipped headlights when approaching a user coming in the opposite direction , at the distance necessary for them to continue their journey easily and safely, and in any case as soon as a driver switches their main beam headlights on and off successively and rapidly to indicate that they are dazzled. A headlight flash is therefore not a reprimand: it is an obligation to switch back to dipped headlights.

Two vehicles meeting at night

Load extending beyond: night obligations

Signalling of a load extending beyond the rear is required as soon as the extension exceeds one metre (art. 47.1 ). The device is a square panel of 0.50 m per side , with red and white retroreflective stripes of 75 mm arranged diagonally, fixed at the end of the load, perpendicular to the vehicle's axis and between 0.40 m and 1.60 m from the ground. Reminder of the framework: article 46.2.3 limits this extension to 1 m , increased to 3 m for only indivisible items of great length . The panel signals a lawful extension; it does not make it lawful.

dipped headlights at the front and red lights at the rear, as for any vehicle travelling at night (art. 30) ; a red light at the end of the load ; orange reflectors on the sides of the load (art. 47.2).

Frequent exam trap

Many candidates forget the orange reflectors. However, at the exam, the question often asks for all elements : dipped headlights + red light + reflectors. Do not tick a partial answer.

Scenario: load extending 2.5 m

You are transporting a trailer with a load extending 2.5 m at the rear. At dusk, you must: Turn on your dipped headlights (general obligation at night) Place a red light at the end of the load Attach orange reflectors to the sides of the load Keep the red and white panel (mandatory from 1 m extension) Omitting any of these elements = infringement.

Reflector

A reflective element in orange (or red depending on context) fixed to a vehicle or load to make it visible at night without its own light source. Reflects the light from headlights back to the driver.

Situation 0.50 m panel Red light at end Orange reflectors Extension of one metre or less No No No Extension greater than 1 m , during day Yes No No Extension greater than 1 m , at night or visibility below 200 m Yes Yes Yes And in all cases, the lights of the vehicle itself according to article 30.

Before setting off at night

Always check that your dipped headlights are working. Test them before you set off on the road. If you are transporting a load that extends beyond, also check that the red light and reflectors are properly fixed and visible.

Reversing at night: special attention

Reversing is a maneuver within the meaning of article 12.4 : you must give way to other road users and only proceed without risk of accident (art. 12.5). It therefore requires prior use of direction indicators if a lateral movement accompanies it (art. 13). Two points: reversing lights , like search lights and work projectors, must in no way inconvenience other drivers (art. 32.1); reversing on a motorway or a motor vehicle road is prohibited (art. 21.4, 3° and 22.2), just like a U-turn.

Key points to remember

Art. 30 : dipped beam or main beam headlights at the front, red lights at the rear, between dusk and dawn and whenever visibility falls below 200 m . Art. 30.1, 1°, a) : main beam headlights switched off when approaching a road user coming in the opposite direction, and in any case as soon as flashed . Art. 15 : pass on the right, sufficient lateral distance, and the one whose progress is hindered by an obstacle slows down and stops if necessary. No priority when going uphill. Load protruding more than one meter : square panel of 0.50 m with red and white retroreflective stripes; at night, add a red light at the end and orange reflectors on the sides (art. 47). Reversing : maneuver (art. 12.4); prohibited on motorways and motor vehicle roads; reversing lights must not inconvenience anyone (art. 32.1).

Congratulations!

First complete the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and multiple choice questions . You have completed this entire course. Congratulations, time for practice!

BelgianLicenses

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