Wanneer moet je je dimlichten aanzetten?

’s Nachts, altijd in tunnels, en zodra je overdag minder dan 200 meter ver ziet.

Wanneer is het achtermistlicht verplicht?

Bij mist of sneeuw die het zicht onder de 100 meter brengt, en bij felle regen.

Wanneer moet je je grootlichten doven?

Bij een naderende tegenligger, als je binnen 50 meter achter iemand rijdt, of als de straatverlichting tot ongeveer 100 meter zicht geeft.

Vehicle Lighting in Belgium: Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Lights

In summary: your low beams should be on when you can see less than 200 meters (and always at night and in tunnels), high beams are used only in the dark without blinding anyone, and the red rear fog light must be on in fog or snow when visibility is under 100 meters and in heavy rain. Unauthorized decorative lighting is prohibited while driving.

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime running lights automatically turn on when the engine starts and make your vehicle visible during the day. They turn off as soon as you switch on the low beams.

Low Beams

These are the standard lights that do not blind oncoming drivers. They are mandatory between dusk and dawn, always in tunnels, and during the day when visibility drops below 200 meters due to weather conditions.

High Beams

High beams (main beams) are used only in the dark when visibility is insufficient. You must turn them off immediately and switch to low beams:

As soon as an oncoming vehicle approaches.
When you are driving less than 50 meters behind a vehicle in front (except when overtaking).
When street lighting provides continuous visibility of about 100 meters.

High beams are never mandatory.

Fog Lights

Traffic in dense fog on the highway — Rear fog lights are mandatory when visibility is under 100 meters.

Rear fog lights (bright red lights) are mandatory in fog or snowfall that reduces visibility to less than 100 meters, and in heavy rain. In all other situations, they must be off, as they can blind the driver behind you.

Car with front fog lights on — Front fog lights may be used in fog but are never mandatory.

Front fog lights may be used in fog, snow, or heavy rain, but they are never mandatory in Belgium.

Parking Lights and Standby Lights

If your car is parked on a public road where street lighting is insufficient to see your vehicle from 100 meters away, you should turn on the parking lights. Within the built-up area, you may replace them with one parking light on the side of the roadway, provided that your car is parked parallel to the edge of the road and without a trailer.

Frequently Asked Questions

At night, always in tunnels, and whenever you can see less than 200 meters during the day.

In fog or snow that reduces visibility to under 100 meters, and in heavy rain.

When an oncoming vehicle approaches, if you are driving within 50 meters behind someone, or if the street lighting provides visibility up to about 100 meters.

Pass all questions about vehicle lighting

Misunderstandings about rear fog lights and dipped headlights in tunnels lead to many failures. Mathieu calmly explains each exception in clear language.

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Last updated: June 2026 · Content verified by Mathieu, instructor · Source: the Belgian Highway Code

Vehicle Lighting: Correct Use