EnglishDfT issues headlight-glare guidance: check automatic lights, loading and beam aim
New guidance published on 23 October reminds drivers to override automatic lights when needed and avoid relying on daytime running lamps at night.
Drivers should be ready to take over from automatic lighting systems and check whether a loaded vehicle needs its headlights adjusted, according to new Department for Transport guidance published on 23 October. The advice brings together practical steps for reducing headlight glare and coping with it during night-time journeys.
The document reiterates the Highway Code requirement that lights must not dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including people walking, cycling or riding horses. Its publication is guidance on that responsibility, rather than an announcement of a new blanket ban on a particular headlight technology.
Automatic lights still need a driver’s attention
The DfT says drivers should learn how the vehicle’s lighting controls work before setting off, including any automatic functions. When passing other road users, full beam should already have dipped automatically or be dipped manually.
Daytime running lamps are another point to check. The guidance says they should not be the only lights used at night or in low light: drivers should make sure the vehicle has switched to headlights, or select them manually. Daytime running lamps are intended for daylight and have a different aim and brightness.
Loading can change where the beam falls
| What to check | Advice in the guidance |
|---|---|
| Passengers, luggage or a trailer | Consider whether the headlight level needs adjusting; use manual levelling if the vehicle does not do it automatically. |
| Dirty light lenses | Keep lenses clear of dirt and road salt that can affect the intended beam pattern. |
| Headlight alignment | Consider a beam-aim check before the first MOT if necessary; newer vehicles can also go out of adjustment. |
| Replacement bulbs | Do not fit non-approved bulbs or light sources that can alter the beam pattern. |
The document notes that headlight aim is checked at the MOT, typically after three years, but does not treat that test as a reason to ignore alignment beforehand. It also says front and rear fog lamps should be used only when visibility is significantly reduced and switched off when conditions improve.
If an oncoming vehicle dazzles you
The guidance advises avoiding a direct gaze into oncoming headlights. On British roads, it suggests keeping attention straight ahead or briefly towards the kerb or left road edge to maintain position, slowing down and being prepared to stop if conditions feel unsafe.
Clear glass is part of the response: keep the windscreen clean, use the demisting controls and make sure the wipers work properly. Motorcyclists are also advised to keep visors clean. Drivers should know how to dim the rear-view mirror or check that its automatic dimming function works.
These measures address both the light a vehicle sends towards others and the glare its driver experiences. The full DfT document contains further advice on seating position and vision; the central practical message is to check the vehicle’s settings and condition rather than assume an automatic system will always select the right lights.
Sources
- Minimising headlight glare and its effects — published 23 October 2026 — Department for Transport
- Full guidance: rules, vehicle checks and responding to glare — Department for Transport