Driving at night
At night you see less, others see less of you and you are more likely to be tired. Driving safely in the dark means using your lights well, slowing down to match what your lights show you, and watching hard for people and animals.
Night driving is EDT lesson 12, and the RSA encourages learners to practise in the dark with their accompanying driver before the test.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can switch between dipped and main beam headlights at the right times.
- You can drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance your lights show to be clear.
- You can deal with dazzle from oncoming and following vehicles.
- You can spot pedestrians, cyclists and animals in the dark.
- You can recognise signs of tiredness and know what to do about them.
What you need to know and understand
- Lighting-up hours run from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
- On an unlit road, main beam lights up about 100 metres ahead and dipped beam about 30 metres, in good conditions.
- Dip your headlights for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.
- Use dipped headlights on lit roads in built-up areas.
- If dazzled, slow down and look towards the left verge. Stop if you need to.
- Do not sound your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am, except in a traffic emergency.
- Tiredness can cause micro sleeps, where you nod off for a few seconds without knowing.
Getting your lights right
- Before you set off, clean the headlights, rear lights, number plate and all windows.
- Use main beam on unlit roads when nobody is ahead of you or coming towards you.
- Dip as soon as you see oncoming headlights, or when you catch up with a vehicle in front.
- When you dip, slow down to suit the shorter view.
- In towns with good street lighting, use dipped headlights, not sidelights alone.
- When parked at the roadside, use sidelights or parking lights, not headlights.
Dazzle, pedestrians and animals
If oncoming lights dazzle you, slow down, look towards the left edge of the road and stop if you cannot see. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists on your side who may be hidden in the glare. If lights behind you dazzle you, switch the interior mirror to its night setting.
Pedestrians in dark clothing and unlit bicycles are very hard to see until you are close. On rural roads expect walkers on your side, often with no footpath. Animals such as deer, dogs, sheep and cattle can appear suddenly, especially near woods and farmland. Their eyes may reflect your lights. Slow down, do not swerve violently, and be ready to stop.
Tiredness at the wheel
The body is naturally sleepy late at night and in the early hours. Warning signs include yawning, heavy eyes, drifting in your lane, missing a turn or not remembering the last few kilometres. Opening the window or turning up the radio does not fix tiredness.
If you feel sleepy, stop somewhere safe and legal as soon as you can. A caffeine drink and a short nap can help for a short time, but the only real cure is sleep. Plan long journeys with breaks, and do not set off already tired.
Common mistakes
- Staying on main beam when another car approaches. Dip in good time.
- Driving at daytime speed on dipped beam. Slow down to match what you can see.
- Staring into oncoming headlights. Look towards the left verge.
- Following the tail lights of the car in front too closely. Keep your gap.
- Pushing on when tired. Stop and rest.
Test yourself: Driving at night
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
Loading questions…
Sources: Rules of the Road, lights and driving at night (Road Safety Authority, rsa.ie); RSA Essential Driver Training lesson outline, lesson 12 (rsa.ie); RSA advice on driver fatigue (rsa.ie). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the RSA.