When to use your headlights
You must turn on your vehicle's headlights:
- from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
- at any other time when you can't clearly see a person or vehicle 100 metres away.
When to dip your vehicle’s headlight
You must dip your vehicle’s headlight:
- when other vehicles are coming towards you, so you don’t blind the oncoming driver
- when following other vehicles
- when approaching an enforcement officer who is directing traffic
- when parked.
Dipping the headlight for an oncoming vehicle
Dipping the headlight when following another vehicle
At other times, use your high beam so you can see further.
Speed at night
You must ride at a safe speed. This means that:
- on a road with lanes, you must be able to stop in the length of clear road you can see in front of you
- on a road with no lanes, you must be able to stop in half the length of clear road you can see in front of you.
Wear the right gear
It’s important to wear clothing and equipment that help you be seen at night.
It's a good idea to wear reflective clothing or put reflective tape on your clothing.
It’s also a good idea to have reflectors and/or reflective tape on the side of your motorcycle.
Wearing the right gear
Wearing reflective vest
Safety tips for night riding
Riding at night is more dangerous than riding during the day. To improve your safety on the road at night:
- make sure your visor and the motorcycle’s lights are clean
- never wear dark or tinted glasses, visors or goggles
- watch for pedestrians and cyclists – they are harder to see at night
- stop and rest if you are sleepy
- don’t blind other drivers with your vehicle’s headlight – dip it when vehicles are coming towards you or when following another vehicle
- if you're blinded by the lights of oncoming vehicles:
- slow down or stop
- try to keep your eyes on the left side of the road, so you’re not looking directly at the light
- ride at a speed where you can see the road at least two seconds ahead
- use the lights of the vehicle ahead – tail lights bouncing up and down can alert you to bumps or rough patches.
Important
Wearing a scratched face-shield is dangerous, especially at night or when it's wet. It'll pick up reflective glare from oncoming vehicles. Replace a scratched face-shield immediately.
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Use markers to guide you when riding at night
Many roads have reflectors and guide posts to help you read the road at night. Here are some examples of these.
Left side of the road marker post
Right side of the road marker post indicating left-hand bend
Left side of bridge
Right side of bridge
Left side of road
Centre line
No passing
Fire hydrant
Important
Most road signs are highly reflective, your light shining on them at night may make you can see further than you really can. Make sure you ride more slowly and carefully at night, particularly on unfamiliar roads.
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