Vehicle Lighting Rules (Dimlicht, Mist voor vs Mist achter)
Vehicle Lighting Under Dutch Law
- Dipped Headlights (Dimlicht):
- Mandatory from sunset to sunrise.
- Mandatory during daytime whenever visibility is restricted by rain, snowfall, or fog.
- Daytime Running Lights (DRL / Dagrijverlichting):
- Automatically illuminated when engine starts.
- Trap: DRL usually illuminates only the front headlights! In rain, fog, or tunnels, you must manually switch to dipped headlights so your rear taillights illuminate.
- High Beam (Groot licht):
- Permitted only at night outside or inside built-up areas on unlit roads.
- Prohibited when meeting oncoming traffic or closely following another vehicle.
The Classic CBR Exam Question: Fog Lights (Mistlampen)
- Front Fog Lights (Mistlampen voor):
- Permitted when visibility is seriously impaired by fog, snow, or rain (generally visibility less than 200 metres).
- Rear Fog Light (Mistachterlicht):
- Permitted ONLY when visibility is less than 50 metres due to FOG or SNOW.
- STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN RAIN: Using the rear fog light in rain (even heavy downpours) is illegal because the intense red glare reflects off wet road surfaces, dazzling drivers behind.
Essential Statutory Rules (RVV 1990)
- Dipped headlights (dimlicht): mandatory from sunset to sunrise and during daytime whenever visibility is obstructed.
- Daytime running lights (DRL): on during daylight, but often leaves rear lights unlit; switch to dipped beam in rain and tunnels.
- Front fog lights (mistlampen voor): permitted when visibility is seriously impaired by fog, snow, or rain (<200m).
- Rear fog light (mistachterlicht): permitted ONLY when visibility is less than 50 meters due to fog or snow. Strictly prohibited in rain!
Using rear fog lights in torrential rain is ILLEGAL under Article 34(2) RVV! The intense red beam reflects off road spray and blinds drivers behind you.
Check Your Understanding (4Questions)
Immediate CBR validation with instant answers and statutory RVV 1990 legal context. Scores persist in your module dashboard.
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