Lights table: when each one is required
Between sunset and sunrise, and at any time in tunnels, every vehicle must use the lights required by the regulation. The tunnel rules include underpasses and stretches signed as tunnels (S-5) (art. 98.1).
| Light | When to use it | RGC article |
|---|---|---|
| Sidelights | Between sunset and sunrise, when visibility is noticeably reduced, and in tunnels, underpasses and stretches signed as tunnels. | art. 99.1 |
| Clearance lights | In addition to sidelights, in the same conditions, if the vehicle is wider than 2.10 m. | art. 99.1 |
| Dipped beam (dipped headlights) | For motor vehicles and mopeds, together with sidelights: at night on sufficiently lit roads and in poorly lit built-up areas; at any time in sufficiently lit tunnels. On interurban roads at night or in insufficiently lit tunnels, if main beam is unavailable, at 40 km/h or less without main beam, or if you could dazzle others. | art. 101.1, 101.2 |
| Main beam | For vehicles fitted with it, above 40 km/h at night outside built-up areas on insufficiently lit roads; also at that speed in insufficiently lit tunnels at any time. Unless dipped beam is required, especially to avoid dazzle; alone or with dipped beam. | art. 100.1 |
| Front fog light | May be used when fog, heavy rain, snowfall, smoke or dust noticeably reduces visibility, or on roads with a carriageway no wider than 6.50 m and many signposted bends. Not always compulsory: in reduced visibility use front fog lights, dipped beam or main beam. | art. 106.1, 106.2 |
| Rear fog light | Use the rear fog light only in especially unfavourable conditions: thick fog, very heavy rain, heavy snowfall or dense clouds of dust or smoke. | art. 106.2 |
| Hazard warning lights | Use hazard warning lights, if fitted, when stopped on a motorway or dual carriageway, or where visibility is noticeably reduced; together with sidelights where applicable. | art. 109.2.c |
| Number plate light | Lights the rear number plate whenever the sidelights or reduced-visibility conditions apply. | art. 103 |
Daytime lights
Motorcycles must use dipped beam during the day on every road (art. 104.a).
Every vehicle must use dipped beam during the day in a reversible lane, a temporary additional lane or a lane opened against the usual direction, and in the cases required by articles 41 and 42 (art. 104.b).
Rain, fog and snow: which fog light to use
If fog, heavy rain, snowfall, smoke, dust or similar conditions noticeably reduce visibility, lights are compulsory: use front fog lights, dipped beam or main beam (art. 106.1, 106.2).
Front fog lights may be used alone, with dipped beam or with main beam. They are permitted only in those conditions or on narrow roads with a carriageway no wider than 6.50 m and many bends marked by successive-bends signs (art. 106.2, 144).
Use the rear fog light only in especially unfavourable conditions: thick fog, very heavy rain, heavy snowfall or dense clouds of dust or smoke (art. 106.2).
Yes: in very heavy rain that noticeably reduces visibility, both the front fog lights and the rear fog light may be used, because the conditions are especially unfavourable (art. 106.2).
How to avoid dazzling other drivers
Switch from main beam to dipped beam as soon as you could dazzle users of the same or another road, especially oncoming drivers, even if they do not dip their lights. Do not restore main beam until you have passed them (art. 102.1).
Take the same care with vehicles ahead travelling in the same direction, to avoid dazzling drivers through their rear-view mirrors (art. 102.2).
If you are dazzled, slow down as much as necessary, even to a full stop (art. 102.3).
Do not use main beam when stopped or parked, or alternate main and dipped beam for purposes other than those provided for in the regulation (art. 100.2).
Light warnings may replace horn warnings, even in built-up areas, by flashing dipped beam, main beam or both alternately at very short intervals, without dazzling others (art. 109.3).
Stopped or broken-down vehicles
A vehicle immobilised on the carriageway or hard shoulder between sunset and sunrise, or with noticeably reduced visibility, keeps its sidelights and, where applicable, clearance lights on (art. 105.1).
When stopped or parked at night on an insufficiently lit through-road (travesía), use sidelights. Parking lights may replace them, or the sidelights on the carriageway side if parked in line (art. 105.2).
On urban roads that are not through-roads (travesías), a parked vehicle needs no sidelights if the lighting lets other road users see it from a sufficient distance (art. 105.3).
If the lights fail irreparably en route and you must drive with weaker lights, slow down so you can stop within the lit area (art. 107).
Use hazard warning lights, if fitted, when stopped on a motorway or dual carriageway, or where visibility is noticeably reduced; together with sidelights where applicable (art. 109.2.c).
What counts as an insufficiently lit road?
A road is insufficiently lit if, at some point on its carriageway and with normal vision, you cannot read a number plate at 10 m or distinguish a dark-painted vehicle at 50 m (art. 100.3).
Frequently asked questions
- When must I use dipped headlights in Spain?
- For motor vehicles and mopeds, together with sidelights: at night on sufficiently lit roads and in poorly lit built-up areas; at any time in sufficiently lit tunnels. On interurban roads at night or in insufficiently lit tunnels, if main beam is unavailable, at 40 km/h or less without main beam, or if you could dazzle others (art. 101.1, 101.2).
- Can I use main beam on a through-road (travesía)?
- The main-beam requirement is tied to driving at night outside built-up areas above 40 km/h on insufficiently lit roads. Inside built-up areas with poor lighting, dipped beam is required. Signs and the regulation text prevail (art. 100.1, 101.1).
- When should I use the rear fog light?
- Use the rear fog light only in especially unfavourable conditions: thick fog, very heavy rain, heavy snowfall or dense clouds of dust or smoke (art. 106.2).
- Can I use front and rear fog lights in very heavy rain?
- Yes: in very heavy rain that noticeably reduces visibility, both the front fog lights and the rear fog light may be used, because the conditions are especially unfavourable (art. 106.2).
- Who must use dipped headlights during the day?
- Motorcycles must use dipped beam during the day on every road (art. 104.a). Every vehicle must use dipped beam during the day in a reversible lane, a temporary additional lane or a lane opened against the usual direction, and in the cases required by articles 41 and 42 (art. 104.b).
- Which lights must a car show when stopped on the hard shoulder at night?
- A vehicle immobilised on the carriageway or hard shoulder between sunset and sunrise, or with noticeably reduced visibility, keeps its sidelights and, where applicable, clearance lights on (art. 105.1). Use hazard warning lights, if fitted, when stopped on a motorway or dual carriageway, or where visibility is noticeably reduced; together with sidelights where applicable (art. 109.2.c).
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