Are Daytime Running Lights Legal in the UK?

Conditional

Retrofitting daytime running lights is legal in the UK if they are fitted correctly: white light, a matched pair in the right position, dimming or switching off with the headlights, and not dazzling anyone.

Why?

Many newer cars have DRLs as standard, and retrofitting them is allowed provided they follow the lighting rules for that type of lamp. They must show white light, be fitted as a symmetrical pair at the correct height and spacing, and be wired so they behave properly with the rest of the lighting.

The usual requirement is that they dim significantly or switch off when the headlights or sidelights come on, so they do not add glare at night, and like any lamp they must not dazzle other road users. Cheap strip DRLs mounted crooked, too high or left on at full brightness at night are how this goes wrong.

Fitted as a correct white pair that behaves at night, retrofit DRLs are road-legal. Coloured, single, dazzling or wrongly wired ones are not.

What decides if it's legal

Daytime running lights must emit white light.
They must be fitted as a matched pair at the correct height and position.
They should dim or switch off when the headlights are on.
They must not dazzle other road users.

Does it depend on your car?

The colour, pairing and dimming rules are the same for every car. What varies is where they can be mounted on a particular front end while meeting the position and dazzle requirements.

Related legality guides

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Sources

This page is general guidance, not legal advice, on the rules in the UK for daytime running lights. The detail varies by exact vehicle and changes over time - confirm with your insurer and the latest DVSA and GOV.UK guidance before modifying.