Car light failure on the highway: How to avoid fines

A car must be equipped with a specific set of lights, which serve not only to illuminate the road but also to signal the vehicle's presence and maneuvers. In some situations, it's possible to drive with a breakdown, but on the highway, the situation is different .

The use of lights is regulated by Article 60 of the Highway Code , as well as the type required at any given time - including direction indicators ('blinkers'), hazard warning lights ('four-way flashers'), main beam, dipped beam, fog lights, reversing lights, brake lights or parking lights.

The following article discusses the conditions for using lights, which are mandatory when conditions make visibility insufficient—but not limited to those. This article, however, addresses lighting system failures, which are covered in Article 62 of the Highway Code.

On motorways in particular, a failure in the lights "requires the immediate immobilization of the vehicle outside the lane" , which also applies to lanes reserved for cars and motorcycles.

Exceptions are made for vehicles with "two dipped beam headlights or the left-hand dipped beam headlight, in this case together with two side lights" and the "left-hand side indicator and one of the brake lights, when required" at the rear. These vehicles may proceed to the nearest service area or exit.

Violations of this provision are punishable by a fine of 60 to 300 euros and seizure of the vehicle's identification document.

Other sanctionable situations

On roads other than motorways or reserved lanes, a vehicle may drive with faulty lights, but it must meet certain minimum requirements to avoid the same penalties.

The same applies if the car has hazard warning lights on. In this situation, you can only "drive for the time strictly necessary to a stop or parking spot."

A car with a faulty light must have, in order to be driven, "at least two dipped beams or the dipped beam on the left side, in this case together with two side lights, and also at the rear the left side indicator and one of the brake lights, when mandatory".

Any violation of these regulations is subject to fines ranging from €60 to €300, and the vehicle's registration may also be confiscated. Violations related to vehicle lights may constitute a serious offense , which may also result in the loss of two points on the driver's license and a driving ban of one month to one year.

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