Safe Nighttime Driving On UK Roads

When learning to drive in the UK you are not required to have lessons in nighttime driving. So for newly qualified drivers who come to drive at night for the first time the experience can often seem strange and unnerving.

The following guide is aimed at people who have recently passed their driving test but may prove useful to all drivers.

When driving at night on unlit roads what you can see is limited to the range of your headlights. To compensate for this lack of vision you should reduce your speed and you should never drive at a speed where you would be unable to stop within the distance your headlights show to be clear.

The lights on a car have two purposes: they help you see at night and they help other road users see you. You should turn your headlights on whenever light levels become low. You don't have to wait until the street lights come on. It is also recommended that if your car is dull colored you should turn your headlights on even earlier.

When traveling on unlit roads at night, when no other traffic can be seen ahead of you, you should turn your headlights on full beam. When you see a vehicle approaching you must turn the headlights to dip. Otherwise you will dazzle the driver ahead. Dip your headlights for pedestrians and cyclists also. Once the oncoming vehicle has passed turn your headlights to full beam.

If you need to overtake at night then you must exercise caution. Always beware of hidden bends and dips in the road. These can hide oncoming traffic. Switch your headlights to full beam as soon as you've driven past the car you are overtaking. If a driver overtakes you then assist them by keeping your headlights on full beam while they prepare to overtake you and dip them as the vehicle pulls level with you.

Be sure to maintain and keep clean your car lights. Dirty light covers will result in reduced visibility. You will find it harder to see the road and other road users will find it harder to see you.

When driving at night it is important to avoid dazzle. To do so:

Never stare at oncoming headlights. Look slightly to the left-hand side of the road. Slow down and, if you need to, stop if you cannot see.

Make sure your windscreen is clean. A clean windscreen will reduce dazzle.

Try and anticipate when your vision may be reduced by oncoming headlights.

Headlights reflected in a rear view mirror can cause dazzle. If this happens then adjust the mirror so that the dazzle is reduced.

If an oncoming vehicle fails to put their headlights in dip then avoid glare by watching the right edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.

Given the dangers of nighttime driving it is always a good idea for a learner driver to ask their driving schools for nighttime tuition.