Fine for a non-lit headlight or brake light in 2021: is it possible to drive with one low-beam lamp not working, as the traffic police punishes, if it burns out or breaks on the road?

Fine for driving without headlights at night

At night, drivers must turn on low or high beams in their cars.

High beams can be used on the highway to see the road in front of you, but you cannot:

in populated areas with lighting lamps along the road;
in front of another car that is moving in the opposite direction. According to the rules, high beams are turned off 150 meters before approaching, or earlier if the driver of an oncoming car blinks his headlights;
when driving behind another car, so as not to blind the driver through the rear view mirror.

If your car is equipped with spotlights or searchlights, they can also be used only outside the city, when there are no oncoming cars.

If the car is parked on the side of the road at night, the driver must turn on the headlights and may additionally use other headlights.

What is the fine if the headlights don't work?

Also 500 rubles. But according to a different rule of law. In this case, Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation also provides for either a warning or a monetary sanction for driving a car if there are conditions under which this is prohibited.

Thus, this norm of the Code of Administrative Offenses refers to the corresponding List of faults from the Appendix to the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation. And paragraph 3.3 of this regulatory legal act prohibits operating a car if the lights do not work.

This fine may be issued, in particular, in the following cases:

if your headlight bulb has burned out,
if the ignition unit in the xenon source is broken, which leads to the low beam not lighting up,
if there is no headlight at all,
if it blinks, the color of the emitted light has changed (except for red - in this case you can already lose your rights under Part 3 of Article 12.5),
any other malfunction that makes the light fixture unlit.

How to avoid a fine for driving without headlights

Turn on the light immediately. The easiest way to avoid paying a fine for headlights is to get into the habit of turning on the low beam automatically as soon as you start the engine. With your headlights on, the inspector will have no reason to fine you.

The headlights do not work - turn on the fog lights. Daytime running lights or front fog lights can be used instead of low beams. This is also legal.

If caught, fix the problem immediately. If the inspector stopped you for unlit or dirty headlights, try to agree that you will correct the violation on the spot - turn on the lights or wipe the headlights. According to the law, a traffic police officer has the right to limit himself to a warning and not issue a fine.

How much is the fine for not turning on the low beams?

500 rubles. This sanction in 2021 is established by Article 12.20 of the Administrative Code, which contains a general standard of liability for violations of the use of external lighting devices, emergency signs and alarms.

However, this provision does not necessarily provide for monetary punishment. There are 2 options:

or a warning
or a fine of 500 rubles.

What punishment will follow specifically in your case depends on the presence of mitigating and/or aggravating factors, as well as your statements to mitigate responsibility. We discussed this issue in more detail in a special article about administrative warnings.

Remember

During the day, use low beams, running lights or front fog lights. At night - low or high beam.
The high beam must be turned off on illuminated roads and when approaching other cars.
The front fog lights can always be used, the rear ones can only be used when visibility is poor.
The fine for not turning on headlights or incorrect use of lights on the road is 500 rubles.
This fine can be paid at a discount in the first 20 days.

All articles by the author: Ilya Novikov

When can a motorist receive a fine?

It is necessary to talk in more detail about the reasons for imposing a fine relating specifically to the low beam being on. A motorist may receive an administrative penalty if he drives his vehicle with the headlights off. This means that the low beam must be on for the whole day. Daytime or nighttime, it doesn’t matter. Inoperative headlights can result in both drivers being found to be at fault in the event of an accident .
In addition, there is a certain administrative penalty for this offense. There are several reasons that can lead to a fine for using low beams. It should be noted the most common cases in which a motorist can receive penalties:

Driving a vehicle in a populated area with high beams on . This means that the driver will receive penalties if, when entering a populated area, he does not switch the high beam to the low beam;
Incorrect use of the rear fog light . It should be remembered that the rear fog lamp is a lighting device that should be used by the driver in cases where there are rather difficult conditions associated with poor visibility. Using it in other cases may result in an administrative penalty;
The use of running lights when driving a car in the dark . It should be remembered that when darkness falls, the driver must use low beam. Daytime running lights must be installed in accordance with all existing rules and standards;
Driving a vehicle in the daytime with the low beams turned off . In general, this problem is almost always closely related to the inattention of motorists. The fact is that there are cases when motorists simply forget to turn on the low beams during the day. It is recommended not to forget about this, otherwise you may receive a fine for this offense.

Is it possible to continue driving with a non-working (not lit) headlight (tail light)

The situation with such a malfunction in practice and in law is very interesting. It seems that Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation “Detention of a Vehicle” does not provide for the detention of a car for such a malfunction. However, there is order 664, on the “Administrative Regulations...”. It contains very interesting recommendations for a police inspector. They are based precisely on the requirements for prohibiting the operation of a vehicle according to the “List of faults and conditions under which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited”

68. If it is revealed that the driver is driving a vehicle with unlit (missing) headlights and tail lights in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility, or the driver’s windshield wiper is inoperative during rain or snow <1>, the employee demands that the vehicle stop moving until it is fixed related faults or conditions. At the same time, parking the vehicle should not pose a threat to road safety. <1> Paragraph 2 of clause 2.3.1 of the Traffic Rules. The imposition of an administrative penalty does not relieve the driver from fulfilling the duty for which the administrative penalty was imposed <2>. <2> Part 4 of Article 4.1 of the Code. If the driver fails to comply with the employee’s legal request to stop moving the vehicle until the faults or conditions specified in paragraph one of this paragraph are eliminated, the employee initiates a case for an administrative offense provided for in Part 1 of Article 19.3 of the Code.

That is, the driver may well be “stuck” all night if he doesn’t fix the headlight and it’s dark outside. Indeed, in this case, conditions when rear lights are not needed will arise only during daylight hours. Thus, a malfunction of the headlight can lead to a whole chain of troubles.

What is the fine for a headlight that doesn't light up? Rules for driving with faulty lights

While headlights are an important part of any vehicle, they can fail over time.

This can happen suddenly and while driving, to which an attentive driver will immediately pay attention and take action.

And there are those who are too lazy to repair their car, or are indifferent to it. But driving with non-working lights can cause trouble on the road, and therefore it is not surprising that a driver can be punished for non-working lights.

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Headlights and lanterns: what you can be fined for

The first and most common way is to use low beam headlights while driving. As of the current year's legislation, motorists can use both low beams and side lights simultaneously at any time.

Low beam will be enough, then there will be no penalty for incorrect use of car lights. If the devices work properly, and the driver provides for the low beam to be turned on, there will definitely not be a fine for the light.

There are times when one headlight bulb, one fog light bulb, or one daytime running light burns out on a car. If a traffic police inspector stops a person driving a car and charges him with a traffic violation, there are several options for the development of the situation. Now, regardless of the time of day and visibility conditions, the low beams must be turned on.

It may seem that the amount of the fine is not very large. Just remember, if an accident occurs and you do not have your low beams on, you will be found to be at fault for the accident. In this case, you will not be able to get away with just a fine. We will have to resolve the issue with the insurance company regarding compensation for repair costs.

It is prohibited to drive on the roads in a vehicle with only one working headlight or if both lights are burnt out. Punishment for unrepaired headlight breakdowns is also provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses and is also equal to five hundred rubles.

The use of long-range lighting within city limits when the roadway is prohibited ( 19.1 Traffic Regulations ). If a vehicle is stopped on a lighted city road while the car was moving with the high beam headlights on, the owner will be fined an administrative fine of 500 rubles under Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia.

Driving without headlights can be simply a desire or a necessity for various reasons: an accident occurred and the light device was damaged, a lamp burned out, the head light simply became faulty. All these conditions create, in some cases, traffic violations. But what are these situations? In the article, we will look at when you can drive without low or high beams on, day and night in 2021, what the fine is for this, and when driving is allowed without other lighting devices, including dimensions.

Amount of penalty for violation

There are often cars on the roads that have one headlight that does not work. This can be either a rear headlight or a front headlight.

What is the fine for an unbelted child in 2021, see the article: fine for an unbelted child. Where stopping and parking of vehicles is prohibited, read here.

The reason may be different, but this is not so important. In such a situation, the offense is equivalent to the incorrect operation of lighting devices.

According to the traffic rules of the Russian Federation, the movement of vehicles in the dark period of the day with non-working headlights is strictly prohibited. In this case, a monetary penalty is applied to the driver.

But there are also some features of the punishment for non-working headlights:

Regarding the driver	Anyone who violates the procedure for using lighting devices cannot be punished by deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle or confiscation of transport with its removal to an impound lot.
The driver can continue driving	To eliminate malfunctions of car lighting, with the exception of disturbances at night when the lighting devices are completely inoperative
Repeated fine for non-working headlights (headlights)	Can only be issued 24 hours after the first fine is imposed
When a driver with faulty lighting gets into an accident	He is automatically recognized as the culprit in any case and the amount of the fine increases significantly
Penalty for malfunction of standard lighting	Can be issued with one headlight not working

Evidence of wrongdoing

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, traffic police officers are obliged to prove the guilt of the offender themselves.

The citizen himself does not have to justify his own innocence and until guilt is proven, he is considered innocent (presumption of innocence under Article 1.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

Traffic police officers are required to provide visual evidence as evidence of an offense.

These may include photography, video recording, and witness testimony. In the absence of such materials, all doubts are interpreted in favor of the driver.

Considering existing practice, it is obvious that many inspectors violate the law when drawing up a protocol, taking advantage of the driver’s insufficient knowledge of the laws.

There are often cases when individuals are brought in to sign the protocol as witnesses.

At the same time, the essence of the case is not explained to the witnesses involved, or the explanation is unclear.

The judicial practice of the Russian Federation indicates that priority when considering such cases is given to the testimony of traffic police officers.

The evidence provided by the subjects driving the transport (photo and video recording, witness testimony) is often not taken into account and ignored.

Photo: example of a complaint to the traffic police

For example, the right low-beam headlight does not light up during the day, but different lighting was used and witnesses can confirm this.

The judge will most likely be guided by the protocol, which makes no mention of substitute coverage.

But even such a clear violation of civil rights should not become a reason for the lack of opposition to illegal actions.

If the driver believes that he has been punished illegally, he has the right to appeal the decision of the traffic police. Namely, file a complaint against the traffic police decision to higher authorities or court.

What amount is determined to be paid?

When one of the low beam headlights is not lit, the traffic rules regarding faulty lighting devices are violated. In fact, there is no violation of traffic rules.

But the actions of a driver driving a car with a faulty headlight contradict the list of circumstances under which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited.

Clause 3.3 of the List of Vehicle Faults states that it is prohibited to operate the car if the external lighting devices are dirty or do not operate in the intended mode.

Among other things, clause 2.3.1 of the traffic rules prohibits the operation of a car with non-working headlights at night and in poor visibility conditions.
According to Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, for a non-working low beam headlight, punishment is applied in the form of a verbal warning or a fine of five hundred rubles.

It is important that if at the time of stopping the malfunction is eliminated, then no punishment is provided.

Is it possible to avoid paying a penalty?

Sometimes the low beam partially burns out while driving. In fact, the driver does not intentionally break the rules, the circumstances just happen.

Is it possible to somehow avoid collection in this case? You need to immediately understand that trying to explain to the inspector the unforeseen nature of the moment will lead nowhere.

Video: Your headlight (left) is not on. The traffic police officer acts in accordance with the law. When a traffic inspector stops a driver for faulty low beams, the situation may develop differently.

The traffic rules in this case can be interpreted in favor of either party. If the malfunction is corrected within five minutes after stopping, then the imposition of a fine is unlawful.

Let’s say the left low-beam headlight doesn’t light up, but after stopping, the driver promptly replaces the burnt-out light bulb.

A way out of the situation may be to apply the provisions of clause 19.4 of the traffic rules. In accordance with this standard, fog lights may be used in poor visibility conditions.

According to the new amendments, “foglights” are equal to low beam headlights and running lights.

That is, during the day you can turn on the fog lights instead of the low beam. No traffic rules will be violated and no fine will be imposed.

When one of the low beam headlights burns out during the day, driving is not prohibited. But the driver can only move to the point where the fault is eliminated. In this case, the hazard warning lights should be turned on.

Questions and answers on the topic “Fine for non-working headlight(s)”

Question: Can they issue a fine for the fact that 1 headlight on a car does not work? Answer: Yes, they can. This is a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.

Question: Can a car be detained for a parking fine if the headlight is not working? Answer: No, Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation does not provide for this, but they may force you to repair the headlight right on the spot or prohibit further movement.

Video about a fine for a non-working headlight
For those who do not like to read, we have prepared a video that fully reflects the essence of the article and talks about a possible fine for a non-working headlight.