Night driving

Roads that seem familiar during the day can feel very different at night. New hazards can appear, and it can be harder to spot road markings and warning signs.

Where should you practise this?

Start off in quieter, lower-speed suburbs without too much traffic. When you’re more confident, you can gradually build up to busier and more complex roads.

Get your lights sorted

• You must have your headlights on if you’re driving between 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. You must also have them on whenever you can’t see at least 100 metres down the road.
• When you’re following another car, keep your headlights on low (not full beam). This should also be done when a car is coming towards you on the other side of the road.
• You must also dip your lights if you’ve stopped on the side of the road.
• If someone shines their full beam lights at you, look to the white line on the left of the road. This way you’re not dazzled by the light and drawn towards the centreline.
• If you’re getting blinded by headlights in the rearview mirror, you can normally adjust it by flicking forward a knob underneath it.
• It’s recommended to dip your lights in fog, as the light can reflect back into your eyes, but this isn’t a legal requirement.

Hazards in the dark

• Keep an eye out for bike riders, animals and pedestrians. They’re all harder to see at night.
• Unfortunately, night is when there can be more drunk drivers on the road. Be ready to react if another driver does something dangerous.

Tips for night driving

• Check your windscreen is clean before you head out. It will help reduce the glare from headlights and streetlights.
• It’s harder to judge speeds when you’re learning to drive at night. It’s a good idea to increase your following distance to 4 seconds.
• You should also drive more slowly to give yourself time to react if you need to.
• Travel at a speed where you can stop within the distance that’s lit up by your headlights. Aim for half that distance if the road doesn’t have a centreline.
• Night driving is tiring. Take plenty of breaks and stop to stretch your legs if you need to.