What is the penalty for driving without dipped beam when at least one headlight is off

If the dipped beam headlight or any other light equipment does not work, you need to find out the cause and fix the problem. Such problems not only impair the safety of driving, but may also be a reason to impose a fine, as the traffic code does not allow you to drive with a non-functioning headlight in the dark.

Why can not work headlights on the car

It all depends on the nature of the malfunction, sometimes only on this sign you can quickly find the breakdown. It is worth noting at once that malfunctions for the headlights of dipped beam, high beam and clearance lights are approximately the same, so there is no point in considering each of the options separately. It is much easier to summarize all possible problems to simplify the work and check only what can be the cause of the malfunction of light devices.

There is a penalty for a non-functioning headlight.

The options are placed from the most common to the least common:

1. A blown bulb The low beam bulb has burned out or the coil in the combined light bulb responsible for both lighting options. In this case it is easiest to remove the element and check it by eye. Some models are difficult to access and will require the removal of additional components, such as the air filter housing or the battery. Inspection allows you to quickly identify the problem, but to fix it, you will need a lamp, it is best to carry a spare element just in case.
   Bulbs burn out most often.
2. Failure of the fuse - Another common problem. In most modern cars, there is a separate fuse for each headlight, so when it fails, only one lighting element stops working. But in older cars, there may be an option with one unit for both headlights. If access to the fuse box is difficult, you can determine its serviceability, if you know what else the desired element is responsible for. Usually it performs more than one function, which allows you to diagnose even without removing it.
   A blown fuse is easy to determine.
3. Relay to turn on low or high beam - Another link that often fails. Here it is important to know which relay is responsible for lighting, to check it visually (often after removal you can see soot or soot on the legs), and also listen if there is a click when you turn on the light with the steering wheel switch. If there is no sound, it is most likely the relay that has failed. This is a common reason why the dipped beam and high beam headlights stop working at the same time.
4. Headlight connectors could be loose from vibration or disconnected if they are not latched all the way in during installation. In this case, the bulb may work for a while, but then the contacts slowly come off and the light stops working. Also, the wiring can be damaged, which is more difficult to check. Another reason that occurs is that the ground wire is broken, usually it goes to the body, over time the contact deteriorates or the terminal comes off and the light stops working.
5. The control lever is a weak link in some car models. It is a kind of disease, due to which the light and other functions that are activated by the "dragonfly" periodically stop working. Here the reasons can be in the wear and tear of the tracks, design flaws or burned contacts due to the high load when turning on the light.
6. Problems with the relay unit can also be the cause of the malfunction. Often, over time, the minus or plus track in the relay unit burns out, which disrupts the power supply. The cause of malfunctions can be dampness if the module is not well protected from moisture.

Additional relays can be added to the system to relieve the load on the paddle switch and ensure stable operation of the lights.

What to do if the lights stop shining

If the problem occurred on the road, you should first try to solve the problem yourself.

1. If only the right or left headlight does not light up, check the bulb. To do this, you must carefully remove it and look at the coil, if it is intact - put the lighting element back in place.
2. Next, you need to inspect the fuse. If the filament is damaged or looks bad, it should be replaced with a new one. Ideally, carry a small stock to just replace the questionable element and see if it is the cause.
3. All connections and connectors in the headlights are checked, you can remove each one and then carefully put it back in place, making sure the plugs are snapped on. You should also inspect them: you can often see oxidation or fouling, which can deteriorate the contact and cause the headlight to not work.
4. If everything is okay, the relay is checked. You should listen when you turn on the light to see if it clicks. If not, you should try another relay, there are usually the same ones in the unit, you should remove the one that won't affect the car's work and put it in the right place. If the light works, you have to replace the relay.
   A diagram of the relay location is in the instruction manual.
5. It is difficult to check the wiring in the field, but if you have a test light or multimeter, you can quickly determine if the light connector is powered. A simpler solution is to apply the plus directly from the battery, if the light comes on, then there's a problem with the wiring.

It's also worth checking the temperature of the connectors, fuse and relay. If any of the elements is too hot, the problem is most likely in it.

If self-diagnostics did not give results, it is necessary to go to service station to have the cause looked for by professionals. For this purpose it is better to choose the nearest service station, move at low speed and turn on the emergency light alarm. For fixing the problem can take from 10 minutes to several hours, it all depends on how quickly the problem is identified and what you need to do to solve it.

Watch the video to find out how you can check the light bulb and fuse.

What may be the penalty for defective headlights

It is worth noting right away that According to the traffic rules, it is forbidden to drive vehicles with inoperative lights. This applies to all elements of lighting - from the parking light bulb to the license plate lights, so it is better from time to time to make sure that everything is in order.

The penalty for not working headlights is stipulated by article 12.5 of the Administrative Code. Violation provides the imposition of fine in the amount of 500 rubles Regardless of which bulb is not working. Of course, if both lights are no longer on, you can not continue driving in any case, for this may even deprive you of your license, as it creates the risk of an accident.

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Rating of H7 bulbs for dipped beam

 

How to avoid penalties

It is easier to carry spare bulbs and fuses, so you can fix the problem on the spot and not deal with traffic police inspectors. But there are some nuances, knowledge of which will allow you to avoid punishment and find the best solution to the problem:

1. If the same bulbs are installed on the dipped and high beam, you can simply rearrange them. The fact is that you can drive without high beam without any problems, as it is turned on at will on the highways and even with one bulb the light will be good. But the absence of dipped beam is a more serious situation, as it needs to be used at night all the time.
2. When the car has combined headlights and in one lamp there are spirals of dipped and high beam, it is more difficult to solve the problem. Most often it is the dipped beam that burns out due to intensive use. But sometimes the driving beam fails, and in this case it is better not to throw away the bulb, but leave it as a reserve, so that in case of breakage it can be used and one can easily reach home without fear of punishment.
3. When using dipped beam as daytime running lightswhich is often the case in older cars, for not working light bulb can be fined even during the day. In this case, you can drive with high beam lights, during the day it does not cause much discomfort and it can be safely used as a substitute for the running lights. The second option - the inclusion of fog lights, it is another legitimate alternative to the parking lights. Again, you can turn on fog lights at night and even with one headlight to ensure normal visibility.

It is better to use fog lights during the day, as you can drive at night without them.

In general, you should not argue with the traffic police inspector and calmly explain that the malfunction occurred recently. Again, if it is not about a light bulb or fuse, police officers are loyal to the violation and most often do not write a fine.

If you pay the fine within the first 20 days of its imposition, you can save 50% and spend 250 rubles instead of 500 rubles.

More often than not, finding a problem with one or both headlights is not too difficult. In most cases, the problems are the same, so you can fix them yourself. But if the breakdowns are serious, it is better to turn to the specialists at the service station.