Are bright headlights legal?

As a motorist, it’s likely there are a few driving-related annoyances that irritate you when you’re behind the wheel - and bright headlights may be one of them. If you’ve ever been dazzled by another driver’s beam, you’re probably aware of how distracting this can be.

The truth is, being exposed to another car’s bright beam can be a distressing experience. The light may be so bright that it is practically blinding, leaving you in a potentially dangerous situation while you’re driving.

To find out more about this common road-related nuisance, and what you can do to feel more comfortable at the wheel if you’re confronted with bright headlights, keep reading.

Are bright headlights legal?

The term ‘dazzling headlights’ refers to headlights that are so bright that they create a blinding effect for oncoming traffic. Aside from making you feel uncomfortable, being in this position could cause you to lose sight of the road in front of you, which could be extremely dangerous for you, your passengers, and other motorists, even if it’s for a few seconds.

In fact, official government data reports that dazzling headlights are a factor in approximately 300 road accidents every year. What’s more, the Highway Code specifies that drivers must not “use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.”

What are dazzling headlights?

Despite the effect they can have on other road users, bright headlights are in fact legal, but there are growing concerns around the changing regulations regarding headlights. At the moment, all headlights are required to meet specific international standards - but the truth is, these regulations have not been updated since 1960, meaning they do not take newer technologies, such as LED and xenon bulbs, into account.

The good news is that headlights aim is assessed during a vehicle’s MOT inspection. The testing standards for this section of the inspection were improved in 2016. According to figures acquired by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency, six per cent of the 26.5 million Class 4 vehicles that underwent MOT testing in 2018 over the age of three years failed due to inaccuracies with headlight aim, equating to nearly 1.6 million vehicles.

Are they legal?

There’s an assumption among driver’s that newer headlight bulbs create more glare, but there are actually a number of reasons why you might feel like some cars’ lights are more dazzling than others. For example, a slight misalignment of a headlight could be to blame. It could even be down to a person’s individual vision and their perception of a car’s headlights. It’s important to note that what you may feel is the reason for being dazzled by another vehicle’s beam might not be the same for someone else.

Why are some cars' headlights so bright?

There’s an assumption among drivers that newer headlight bulbs create more glare, but there are actually a number of reasons why you might feel like some cars’ lights are more dazzling than others. For example, a slight misalignment of a headlight could be to blame. It could even be down to a person’s individual vision and perception of a car’s headlights. It’s important to note that what you may feel is the reason for being dazzled by another vehicle’s beam might not be the same for someone else.

If your car is having headlight problems and requires a bulb replacement, you can browse our full range of bulbs and HD bulbs here.

Are dazzling LED headlights legal?

Depending on what kind of LED bulb you fit your headlights with, they may or may not be legal. The two different types of LED bulbs are as follows: OE (Original Equipment) and Retrofit Bulbs. If you use the first OE type, they are completely road legal as are fitted by professionals. However, this type of bulb is not replaceable. So, if they fail, then the entire headlight needs to be replaced which often puts drivers off.

The Retrofit LED Bulbs, on the other hand, are not legal. Retrofitting is when you replace a normal bulb in a headlight with an LED version. As it stands, it is not an offence to replace internal bulbs with LED replacements. However, there is no legislation on external-facing LED bulb replacement, making it technically not road legal.

How can I avoid being dazzled by another driver's headlights?

There are a number of courses of action you can take if you feel constantly affected by the brightness of others’ headlights on the road.

Invest in some glasses

Especially if you wear glasses, talking to your optician is a great place to start. You should be able to add a special coating to your glasses which can make it easier to see when you’re faced with bright headlights.

Make sure your windscreen is clear

If your car’s windscreen is dirty on the inside or outside, you may find that any smudges or smears cause the light to refract. This can make it more difficult for you to see clearly, so it’s worth getting into the habit of making sure your windscreen is clean and clear at all times. Find out how to clean your windscreen here.

Adjust the rear view mirror

You may find that simply adjusting your rear view mirror helps reduce the glare from motorists approaching your car from behind.

Go for a vehicle with inbuilt rear view mirror technology

If you’re looking for a new car, you might find it useful to go for a model with inbuilt rear view mirror technology which has the ability to dim the mirror automatically. Alternatively, you could opt for a vehicle with darkened ‘sunset glass’ to help reduce the glare from bright headlights.

What can I do if my headlights are too bright?

You might not realise it, but the headlights on your vehicle may be too bright and cause issues for other road users. As the driver, it can be difficult to tell if you’re contributing to the problem, but there are a few things you can do to alter your lights to ensure you’re not dazzling your fellow motorists.

For example, it’s worth checking if your vehicle automatically levels its headlights based on the weight of the load you’re carrying. If they don’t adjust automatically, you could try manually changing them in line with the instructions found in your car’s manual. So, if you’re driving by yourself with a completely empty boot, your headlight settings will need to be different compared to when you’re driving with other people in the car and a boot full of heavy luggage.

You may also want to have the angle of your headlights looked at when you take your vehicle for its next service. The technician should be able to inspect your headlights and make sure the beam is positioned in the correct direction.

If you’re concerned about your vehicle’s headlights, Kwik Fit can help. Simply bring your car in for a service at your local centre and our team of experts will be able to carry out a thorough assessment of this part of your car.