According to the traffic rules, the operation of a car with switched off or missing lighting devices both in the city and outside the city is currently prohibited. This prohibition also applies to side lights that are not turned on at the rear. Therefore, if a traffic police officer finds you have such a violation, then you cannot avoid a fine.
Changes in traffic rules
Changes to the SDA, which relate to the use of lighting devices, were introduced back in 2010. Now, at any time of the day and under any visibility conditions on the road, the dipped beam should always be on. The need to adopt such an amendment to the SDA is due to the fact that a car with lights on on the road more visible to others, so the number of emergencies associated with inattention is minimized. And most importantly, the expected trend was confirmed in practice and the number of accidents on the roads in the daytime has significantly decreased.
However, most drivers do not comply with the legal requirements. The reason for this may be a banal inattention, a technical malfunction of the car or another reason. However, regardless of this, in case of violation, the driver faces punishment.
When can a driver be fined, and is it possible?
To avoid a fine for incorrect use of lighting fixtures, the driver must drive with headlights on at any time of the day. If this condition is not met, he will be punished with a fine. In addition, in case of violation of the rules for operating the car in the event of an accident, both participants will be recognized as the perpetrators. Even if only one person breaks the rules. The reason for making such a decision may be a failed headlight.
Penalties for improper use of dipped beam headlights can be for various reasons. The following describes the most e frequently occurring situations for which you can be fined:
- Use in the village high beam.
- Incorrect use of rear fog lights.
- The use of running lights in the evening.
- The dipped beam is not turned on during the day.
And now about everything in more detail:
- Use in the village high beam. When entering a built-up area or on a well-lit road, the driver must switch from high beam to low beam. Otherwise, he will be fined.
- Incorrect use of rear fog lights. They are additional lighting fixtures that can only be used in low visibility conditions. In any other scenario, it will be considered an offense with further sanctions.
- The use of running lights in the evening. In cars equipped with running lights, you need to turn on the dipped beam at night. At the same time, daytime running lights must be installed in accordance with all the requirements of GOST. In this case, we are talking about their territorial location. Light characteristics are also taken into account. The correct location of this type of headlights is able to provide high-quality illumination of the road and will not dazzle oncoming drivers.
- Dipped beam is turned off during the day. Most drivers, when driving during the day, forget about the need to turn on the low beam headlights. Some models have an electronic control system that automatically turns on the lights when the car is started.
Features of the use of regular daytime running lights
Vehicle Design Daytime Running Lights may not be available on all models. As for their self-installation, this can also lead to a fine. And even if such structural changes are not detected during inspection by a traffic police instructor, they will be detected during a scheduled technical inspection. To prevent these actions from being regarded as an offense, the driver will first need to obtain the appropriate permission from the authorities for the installation of daytime running lights. Those models of cars where the design provides for daytime running lights can drive without fear that they will be fined.
In addition, a standard lighting system is characterized by a different mode of operation - they turn on automatically when the engine is started. When the low beam headlights are activated, the standard daytime running lights contribute to a reduction in power and are already used as additional dimensions.
Please note that when the standard daytime running lights are on, they are not entitled to a fine for driving with the lights off.
Daytime running lights
Instead of daytime running lights, the driver can turn on the fog lights. Based on clause 19.4 in the traffic rules, they can be used in conditions of limited visibility. They can also be used at night on unlit roads or instead of low beam headlights as an alternative to daytime running lights. And this means that the operation of the car with the fog lights on during the day will not be regarded as an offense.
Punishment for unplugged lights
The fine for operating a car without dipped beam on for 2016 is 500 rubles. This rule is spelled out in article 12.20, which refers to the violation of the rules for the use of external lighting devices. It is also possible that the driver can get off with a verbal warning, but only on the condition that such inattention of the driver did not lead to an accident. Otherwise, the amount of the fine may increase.
Can I be fined for a broken headlight?
If for some reason one of the dipped beam headlights does not light up in the car, then this is also may result in a fine. At the same time, the interpretation of such a situation may differ slightly from the case described above. In this case, the driver did not violate the rules for the operation of lighting devices. A violation here is a malfunction of the headlight, as well as conditions prohibiting the operation of the car.
In case of technical malfunctions due to which the dipped beam is turned off, in accordance with Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, Part 1, the violator will be punished with a fine of 500 rubles in connection with non-working or dirty lighting device. In addition, pay attention to paragraph 2.3.1. SDA, which states that driving with faulty or missing lighting devices at night or with low visibility can be positioned as an offense.
What is the result
The fine for a burned-out dipped beam lamp or an inoperative headlight is not the highest. But, despite this, the driver is obliged to unquestioningly comply with any rule and drive according to the rules without violating them. After all, the included lighting devices make your car more visible on the road at any time of the day, so that the likelihood of creating emergency situations is reduced to a minimum.
Some motorists forget to turn on the dipped beam when they start driving. It also happens that both headlights are damaged due to an accident or faulty wiring. Driving on city roads and highways with the headlights off is prohibited!
For driving with the low beam turned off, an official warning made by a traffic police officer or a monetary penalty is provided 500 rubles (Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - Article 12.20).
If traffic inspectors notice automobile without headlights on,daytime running lights or fog lights, such a vehicle will definitely be stopped. Is it possible to drive on fog lights without dipped beam.
Fog lamps may be used instead of dipped beam headlights in accordance with paragraph 19.5 of the SDA, i.e., including during daylight hours on all moving vehicles in order to identify them.
Stop will happen and in the event that the dipped beam was turned on in the visibility zone of the car by the traffic police.
To avoid imposing an administrative fine on the driver, should Always check low beam headlights and fog lights before driving.
There are traffic rules for daytime running lights, according to which it is required to check the performance before each start of movement.
Riding with only side lights prohibited! Allowed movement with included dimensions together with other lighting(dipped headlights, running lights, foglights).
Driving with one faulty light fixture
One dipped beam lamp (headlight) does not burn or burnt out, will a fine be imposed in this case? There are times when a car one headlight bulb burned out, one fog light bulb or one daytime running light. If a traffic police inspector stops a person driving a car and imputes to him, there are several options for the development of the situation.
In the rules of the road ( point 2, part 3.1) there are explanations for such situations, but it is so contradictory that it can be interpreted in both directions (the driver and the inspector).
- On-site replacement. If the malfunction can be fixed within five minutes after stop, traffic police inspector not entitled to fine. It should be noted that if one bulb in the fog lamps has burned out or one lamp in the daytime running lights has burned out, the dipped beam can be turned on. Thus, the malfunction will also be eliminated and the car owner will be able to freely continue driving without imposing a fine;
- Driving to the place of troubleshooting. Correctly explaining traffic police inspector cause of movement with one lamp off can avoid punishment. If the light bulb burned out while driving and cannot be replaced on the spot, the person it is possible to drive the vehicle to the place of repair;
- Drawing up a protocol and imposing a fine.If the inspector starts to draw up a report, and the person driving the car I do not agree with the alleged violations of traffic rules, he does not have to sign the protocol. After all documents and papers are handed over to the driver, within 10 calendar days necessary appeal the protocol at the local traffic police.
It is forbidden to move with non-working dipped-beam headlights in the dark and in dark places, with one burning headlight during daylight hours - allowed until the place of troubleshooting.
At night, drive a car with one inoperative headlight, fog lamp or one daytime running light Can only taking precautions while driving.
Attention should also be paid to clause 3.3 in the list of malfunctions in which the movement of the car is prohibited. It refers to the prohibition of the movement of the car with the car lighting devices not working in the established mode. This item is also regulated Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Lack of light is a penalty
What is the penalty for not turning on the headlights (driving without) low beam during the day? Regardless of what violation the traffic police officer imputes to the motorist, he can make written warning or issue protocol.
When taken out by an inspector written warning, administrative punishment for the vehicle owner not provided.
If the inspector is protocol offenses, the driver will have to pay an administrative penalty 500 rubles. The appeal is made within 10 calendar days through submitting an application to the traffic police.
In the case where the inspector refers to the list of faults ( clause 3.3), the motorist is threatened written warning about violation or monetary punishment - 500 rubles. There is also a fine for high beam in the city, it must be switched in accordance with traffic rules.
Punishment for long-range lighting in the city
Using distant lighting within the city limits with proper lighting roadway forbidden(19.1 SDA). If the vehicle is stopped on an illuminated city road when the car was moving with the headlights on, an administrative fine will be imposed on the owner 500 rubles By 12.20 Administrative Code Russia.
Penalty for driving with one low beam headlight
What is the penalty if one low beam headlight is not on? The penalty for driving with one dipped beam headlamp, fog lamp or daytime running light inoperative is the same as driving with the lights off - official warning / fine 500 rubles (12.5.1 Administrative Code). At elimination of a malfunction during a stop, no penalty is provided.
Evidence of wrongdoing
According to the laws of the Russian Federation, traffic police officers must prove their case. A person is not required to prove his innocence (until proven guilty, a person is considered not guilty) - Presumption of innocence Article 1.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Traffic police officers must provide visual evidence. Such evidence is photography, video filming, witness's testimonies.
If there are no such materials, all irremovable doubts must be interpreted in favor of the person driving the vehicle. As practice shows, traffic police inspectors often violate the law when drawing up a protocol, misleading the driver.
It is also not uncommon for an inspector vaguely explain the situation to witnesses And asks to sign the protocol as a witness.
The judicial practice of the Russian Federation shows that in most cases judges take the side of the traffic police officers (there is no reason not to believe the words of the inspector) and do not take into account or ignore the evidence base by the person driving the vehicle testimonials, photography, video).
Punishment for driving with the dipped beam off or one dipped beam headlamp, fog lamp or daytime running lamp not working normally imposed if the car owner cannot fix the problem on the spot. In order not to prove to the traffic police officers and justices of the peace that they are right, before each start of movement, check the serviceability of the entire lighting system car. If a person does not agree with the accusations of the instructor, you need to directly write about it in the protocol.
Low beam headlights make the car more visible day and night. In many cases, this saves you from an accident. However, constantly working headlights lead to burnout of the bulbs, create an additional load on the battery, etc. Therefore, not every driver likes this. But if you know what the penalty for the non-included dipped beam is assigned by the traffic police, then there will be no desire to save on light bulbs.
What is considered a violation
There are many situations when it is necessary to use low beam:
The violation itself is expressed as follows:
- dipped beam not included;
- either side lights or high beams work instead.
What is the punishment
Fine
Most drivers are interested in the amount of the fine for driving without light during the day. Therefore, in the future, we will talk about these cases.
The amount of the sanction is 500 rub. (Article 12.20 of the administrative code).
However, if you do not appeal the decision and pay a fee within 20 days, then the amount is automatically reduced to 250 rub.
And, on the contrary, if you delay with payment for more than 70 days, then the amount may triple and reach 1500 rub. That is, the driver will be additionally issued a fine for delaying the main fine. You will get two protocols: for light (500 rubles) and for delay (1000 rubles).
Warning
When the motorist has no other violations, behaves correctly, acknowledged the fact of the violation, then the traffic police officer can issue a warning instead of a fine for driving without dipped beam.
Other sanctions
No other measures of influence on the driver are provided: neither the detention of the car, nor the parking lot, nor the suspension from driving, etc.
Substitute low beam
According to the rules of the road, you can drive with fog lights without dipped beam (clauses 19.4, 19.5 of the SDA). You can also use the daytime running light.
It will not be a violation if you turn on the dipped beam in combination with foglights and running lights.
But you should be aware that in some cars the head fog lights turn on in a single mode with the rear fog lights. This will already be a violation, since the rear ones are used only in unclear weather.
If the headlight does not work
When the driver has only one headlight on, then the traffic police officer will not impose a fine for driving without headlights on. But the driver faces a penalty for driving with a malfunction - a monetary sanction in the amount 500 rub. (part 1 of article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
If 2 headlights do not work, then there will be an addition of punishments (for light and for breakage).
Often, drivers attach their headlights (running, fog) abnormally. This will also be a reason for punishing the installation of non-constructive elements - 500 rub.
How is a violation recorded?
The issue of imposing a fine for not turning on the low beam is dealt with by the traffic police from detection to punishment.
As a rule, after a misconduct is detected on the spot, a decision on administrative responsibility is drawn up.
Not in all cases it is worth agreeing with the traffic police officer.
You can prove a violation of traffic rules for dipped headlights during the day if:
- there are witnesses to the crime;
- driving is recorded on video;
- The driver himself admits his guilt.
Therefore, if no evidence is presented, the driver can safely defend his truth. Such materials are easily challenged in court.
If the fact of violation is undeniable, one should strive to reduce everything to a warning. That is, do not conflict, talk about free driving, remind about the possibility of a warning, etc.
Why do you need headlights during the day
There are several reasons why you should turn on a light fixture:
- often a traffic police officer stops the driver because of the extinguished lights. And, in addition to a fine for driving without headlights, this becomes a reason to look for other violations;
- of course it's a safety issue. You are seen by both the other driver and the pedestrian, which will allow you to avoid many troubles on the road;
- when the light is on, the instrument panel in the cabin is also on. Such information is important to the motorist.
Cancellation of low beam use
Recently, changes have often been made to traffic rules, so many drivers have a question: do I need to turn on the headlights during the day in the city from 2018?
Indeed, the SDA has undergone a number of changes, but this has not affected the procedure for using lighting devices. Therefore, all this is from the category of rumors and assumptions.
So far, there are no prerequisites for this. The obligation to use headlights during the day has existed for 8 years. And from this only a positive effect.
Perhaps this will be removed. To do this, they will issue an official document that will contain information from what date it is possible not to turn on the dipped beam.
One of the next common traffic violations that drivers in Russia allow is the dipped headlights that are not turned on. Despite the fact that changes in traffic rules have been adopted for a long time, some car owners still make them, as a result of which they receive a fine for not turning on the headlights.
As a result of various situations, the dipped headlights may not be turned on, not only due to ignorance of traffic rules or simple forgetfulness, but also in cases of a non-working headlight. In all situations, the perpetrator will be punished with an administrative fine.
It is worth recalling that innovations regarding the inclusion of light lights, dipped beam or running lights during daylight hours were approved by the Government of the Russian Federation on November 20, 2010. Starting from this time, drivers must drive with the dipped beam on their cars at all times, both day and night. Rumor has it that since April 1, 2018, this rule has changed and now you can not turn on the headlights during the day, but this is not true, there are no amendments to the law about this, here is the latest official version.
The main reason for the adoption of the innovation is that cars with headlights on are more visible and attract more attention from both pedestrians and motorists themselves. The result was not long in coming - the number of accidents on the roads in some cases has significantly decreased. This adopted law in the SDA turned out to be effective, therefore, it requires compliance.
What is the penalty?
Before you get behind the wheel of a car and start driving, you need to check whether all the lighting devices are working, including the dipped beam, which must be turned on. You can’t drive without headlights on during the day, this is a violation and a fine is provided for this.
Based on Art. 12.20 of the Code of Offenses for the incorrect operation of the car's lighting devices, an administrative fine of 500 rubles is imposed on the driver, or, at best, the traffic police inspector can issue a warning.
In most cases, drivers who have committed this violation simply forget that they need to turn on their headlights during the day in the city. And due to the fact that the included low beam during the day is difficult to determine, such situations are very common on the roads.
In addition to the fine for not turning on the dipped beam, there are other similar violations. Fines for incorrect operation of lighting devices can be issued in the following cases:
- turning on high beams in the city. This problem is relevant at night, when before entering the city, drivers forget to turn off the far. Therefore, a fine is also provided for such a movement;
- improper use of the rear fog lamps. Rear fog lights, according to the traffic rules, are recommended to be used only in case of poor visibility, for example, in heavy fog, heavy rain, snow blizzard, etc.
- driving with running lights at night. Due to their forgetfulness, some drivers make a mistake when, with DRLs turned on during the day, they forget to turn on the dipped beam during the onset of twilight, as well as at night.
The statutory fine of 500 rubles is now not so significant, so some citizens believe that this can be neglected. It is worth noting here that in the event of an accident between two cars, when it turns out that the victim did not turn on the low beam, the traffic police inspectors can recognize both drivers as the culprits. In this case, the issue of compensation by the insurance company will arise, it will either refuse the insurance payment to the victim, or compensate only half of the amount for the damage received.
Can fog lights be used?
Based on clause 19.4 of the traffic rules, fog lights can be used in difficult weather conditions, when visibility is difficult for one reason or another. They can be switched on on the car both together with the dipped beam in the city or simultaneously with the high-beam and parking lights.
In connection with the adopted new law in the SDA on the dipped headlights during the day and running lights, fog lights were equated to them. Based on this, it is allowed to turn on and manage only fog lights during the day - this will not be considered a violation of traffic rules and, accordingly, there is no penalty for this. It turns out that during the day you need to drive with low beam headlights, DRLs or fog lights.
Penalty for a non-working headlight
On the roads, you can often find cars in which one headlight does not light up, it can be either a taillight lamp or a front low beam. In such cases, the offense will not be equated to a violation of the operation of lighting devices. The presence of a non-working headlight violates the rule of the list of requirements for the presence of a malfunction in the car in which movement is prohibited. Namely, paragraph 3.3 of the rules "on the presence of faulty lighting fixtures."
A similar penalty is provided for a non-working headlight - 500 rubles or a warning (Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Violations).
In addition, according to the rules of the traffic rules (clause 2.3.1), driving with incorrectly working lighting devices in the dark or without them and in their complete absence is equated to a violation. Which also further emphasizes that driving a car around the city in such cases is not allowed.
Conclusion
The fine for not turning on the low beam front lamps, and also if one of them burned out, is only 500 rubles. Considering that a car with a burning front light catches the eye better, this should by no means be neglected. It should also be borne in mind that if the headlight burned out, then it is forbidden to continue driving further.
UPD: This information is only a rumor, at the moment the dipped headlights obligatory for all drivers, both in populated and non-populated areas of Russia.
For driving a car in the daytime without lights on, a fine of 500 rubles is provided. However, things may change soon! There were rumors that they want to allow not turning on the headlights during the day from April 1, 2018 to September 30, but the law has not yet been adopted (as of early April).
The use of dipped beam, regardless of the time of day, became mandatory from November 20, 2010. The explanation is simple - a car with the headlights on becomes many times more noticeable on the road, which in turn reduces the accident rate. Despite this, there was news that in the daytime when driving in the village it will be possible not to turn on the lighting devices, but only until September 30. This is due to the increase in daylight hours, inspectors say.
A car with the lights on is more visible on the road, thereby reducing the number of accidents due to banal inattention to almost zero!
Requirements for the use of lighting devices are listed in paragraph 19 of the traffic rules of the Russian Federation. So, at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, the inclusion of headlights is mandatory! The dipped beam must also be turned on when driving in a tunnel. The rules of the road do not prohibit the use of fog lights instead of low beam or in conjunction with it, but only in conditions of poor visibility.
Do not abuse the high beam, especially if there are cars in the oncoming lane, as this can provoke an emergency!
Sanctions for ignoring the rules for using lighting devices are provided for in Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The violator will face a fine of 500 rubles, but there is a chance to get off with a verbal warning.
If during an accident it is established that an innocent person violated the rules for using light devices, then both drivers will be named the culprits of the incident!
What do car owners think?
The news that from April 1, 2018 it is not necessary to turn on the dipped headlights during the day, drivers perceived it differently.
Many people think that sunlight is enough to notice a moving car. There are those who are sure that the included headlights attract the attention of both drivers and pedestrians, so such amendments are not needed. Some argue that such an innovation is useless by the fact that in many civilized countries the lights are always on while driving, moreover, almost all cars in standard equipment have the option of turning on the headlights at the same time as starting the engine.
TOP violations related to the use of lighting devices
Prior to the entry into force of the amendments, the most common violation in the use of lighting devices was turning off the headlights during the daytime. In addition, drivers
- abuse the high beam;
- misused use "fog";
- turn on only side lights at night.
We repeat, the law on the abolition of the inclusion of dipped-beam headlights in the daytime has not yet been adopted, despite talk about it.
