Driving at night in France: What are the rules on headlights?

As winter approaches, gendarmes in France are warning drivers of the rules and safety advice for using vehicle headlights safely in different weather conditions.

The Gendarmerie du Cher has published a reminder of the different vehicle lights and their safety and recommended use when it comes to being seen and seeing others in the dark, or at times of poor visibility.

It says: “Use your lights correctly!”

The gendarmerie also added:

• Parking lights (or ‘side lights’): Allow you to be seen by other road users, but do not improve visibility. They should be switched on as soon as the light starts to fade. In town at night, they may be sufficient if visibility is good.

• Low beam headlights (or ‘dipped headlights’): Allow you to see up to 30 metres, and to be seen better by other road users. Must be used at all times at night, and during the day if it is raining, snowing or foggy. Replace high beam headlights when you meet another driver on an unlit road.

• Full beam headlights: Allow you to see at least 100 metres ahead. They should be used at night on unlit roads, but switched off when you meet another road user so as not to dazzle them. Many new cars will automatically dim these lights when needed, but on older cars you will still need to manually dim.

• Front fog lights: Must be used in addition to dipped headlights in heavy rain, snowfall or fog. They can also be used to illuminate narrow, winding roads.

• Rear fog lights: Must be used in fog or snowfall. Never to be used in rain only, as they will dazzle other road users.

The rules on vehicle lights are outlined in Articles R313-1 to R313-32-1 of the Code de la route (legal road code). 

Failure to have proper lights on your road vehicle can be punished by a third class offence fine (€68).

Police also have the authority to immobilise your vehicle at any time day or night if they judge that it is not sufficiently visible due to a lack of proper lighting.

Winter tyre rules

There are also rules for the type of tyres that drivers must use in France in winter, with anyone passing through some mountain departments required to have snow tyres, chains, or ‘socks’ (chaussettes à neige textiles). 

Only tyres with the 3PMSF icon on them are accepted. (The ‘pictogram 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake)’ is a small symbol that appears on tyres to show that they are certified as safe for winter conditions, and have passed tests to ensure performance in snow and ice.)

Drivers caught without the right equipment can be fined €135. If you have an accident and were found not to have complied with the law, your insurance company may also refuse a claim.