Ive since had some further "guidance" on this subject, a mate has run it past another one of her Maj's finest, who specialises in Road traffic law...

Apparently, as my vehicle was registered on or after 7th Feb 2011, it is the law for my vehicle to be fitted with DRLs, but the law doesn't currently stipulate that I must use them - hence why there is a switch that allows me to turn them off.

I must however ensure they are in full working order all the time. Should I be stopped by the police, for whatever reason, and I dont have my DRLs on, I must be able to prove they are in full working order (by flicking the switch behind the fascia plate under the steering wheel and turning them on). If they aren't working properly, my vehicle could then be deemed to be running with defective lights and the appropriate action can be taken against me.

The advice went on to say that DRLs 'could potentially' be mistaken for fog lights but considering the registered age of my vehicle, when driving with them on, I 'should' be Ok.....

Still a little ambiguous I know...but i thought id post it anyway

Well my 12 plate Fabia SE does not have DRLs or the switch so is that illegal?

Well my 12 plate Fabia SE does not have DRLs or the switch so is that illegal?

I can answer this myself - it is not vehicles registered after February 2011 - the directive 2008/89/EC requires all passenger cars and small delivery vans first type approved on or after 7 February 2011 in the EU to come equipped with daytime running lights.

As i understand, but am happy to be corrected, It is not, 'if your vehicle was register on or after 7th Feb 2011 that you must have DRL's'.

It is if the New vehicle recieved EU approval on or after 7th Feb 2011.

That is a 'New Model of Vehicle' (new design) that was approved and Registered.

The Fabia 2 had EU appoval before then.

You can buy new cars now that have no DRL's.

From November all new 'EU Approved' cars will require to have TPMS as standard, but that will be on New Designs of cars.

?What lights do you have on your SE, i see that fog lights or cornering fog lights were an option.

george

EDIT,

sorry it took me that long to type, you had posted again yourself.

Edited 4 May, 201214 yr by sk4gw

?What lights do you have on your SE, i see that fog lights or cornering fog lights were an option.

george

EDIT,

sorry it took me that long to type, you had posted again yourself.

I have no options on the 25% off deal SE.

Are the DRLs light activated? Mine seem to come on when its dark (when I don't need them on), but werent on when it was light? Any ideas anyone?

No not light activated well I'm pretty sure their not, have you got the switch on ? They will dim a little when headlamp is switched on I think, or just stay off all together as they are drl and not fogs

The Sidelights come on with the Headlights.

What are the DRL's become the Sidelights, but less bright than when they are DRL's.

(It is also your Parking Light if you put down the Indicator Stalk & Leave the car like that.)

(Too bright for me as sidelights,

so i am still running with them Half Masked over & actually like them like that now.)

http://www.briskoda....mbarrishing-imo

Not been flashed once with them as they are.

george

The problem is intermitted working of drl's (lights in off position). Havent looked at the switch yet.

Are you meaning you have got the DRL's actually switched off so that they are off During the day.

(disabled by the switch behind the hatch.)

But when it is dark they are coming on of their own accord when you have no lights switched on? ie no sidelight or headlights switched on.

Do you mean you are going to look for a faulty switch,

or just to see if it is not fully at off ?

?? You do not have the Indicator stalk down with the key out of the ignition do you, and it is only one side that is on?

george

This is quite simple

If your DRL's are deactivated via the button under the panel in the dash, then they will only come on (dimly lit) when you put on your lights

They will not do this automatically

If your DRL's are activated they will be on all the time but will dim when lights are on

Well they seem to be working fine. Maybe I didn't look correctly when I thought they werent working before. I will keep an eye on them.

Get yours on

Spoke to master tech at the dealers asking about the redundant side light bulb in the main cluster. He said I can have it switched on if I like as fully functional but it is not possible (I am sure guys here with the soft will find a way ) to have both DRLs and (now deactivated but fully wired) side lights at the same time. I think it's a pity as the car would look better imho.

The problem with having the W5W incandescent bulbs in the main headlight cluster on at the same time as the LED DRL's will be that you'll convince even more people that you have your front fog lights on.

I'd prefer to have the LED lights working as fogs and have the main cluster one upgraded to a LED bulb.

Saw 62 plate Golf today, driving behind me of course , which was using fogs as cornering lights through all roundabouts. It was horribly distracting and completely useless for the driver of said Golf as it was mid day. This things should be banned!

I have cornering fogs on mine and like them

Perhaps you do. But when they come on and off constantly on runabouts during daytime it is really infuriating and distracting to other drivers. Believe it or not but fog lights are rather strong and you cannot not notice such light in your rear view mirror.

I cannot fathom why would they come on daytime on runabouts??? Merc and others have adaptive main beams which are great and this is where this tech should be used. Fogs are for low visibility and this where they should stay at...

They only come on when the headlights are on...so never in daylight

Well I got pulled by the cops the other night for driving with my fog lights on in the evening, you should have seen the coppers face when I explained I don't have fog lights and they were my side lights, he even looked at the switch and everything including asking me how I turned them off, looked even more confused when I explained I can't as they are DRL's in the day and sidelights at night. Said he'd never seen that before and let me on my way

Well I got pulled by the cops the other night for driving with my fog lights on in the evening, you should have seen the coppers face when I explained I don't have fog lights and they were my side lights, he even looked at the switch and everything including asking me how I turned them off, looked even more confused when I explained I can't as they are DRL's in the day and sidelights at night. Said he'd never seen that before and let me on my way

How refreshing to see that there are some Police who are pulling idiots/chavs for driving with Fog Lights on.

Here in Bradford its the norm!! Perhaps its a cultural thing.. bit like having no insurance!!

All they need now is to recognise the difference between a Fog Light and a DRL!!!

Perhaps you do. But when they come on and off constantly on runabouts during daytime it is really infuriating and distracting to other drivers. Believe it or not but fog lights are rather strong and you cannot not notice such light in your rear view mirror.

I cannot fathom why would they come on daytime on runabouts??? Merc and others have adaptive main beams which are great and this is where this tech should be used. Fogs are for low visibility and this where they should stay at...

Because the driver is clueless, its not the cars fault.

The Golf has DRL's so if visibility was as good as you say then there was no need to be running with dipped headlights on (and therefore cornering foglights) during the day.

Because the driver is clueless, its not the cars fault.

The Golf has DRL's so if visibility was as good as you say then there was no need to be running with dipped headlights on (and therefore cornering foglights) during the day.

Part of passing the Police advanced drivers course is to make sure your dipped headlamps are on if conditions are overcast during the daytime.

May be this will be updated now DRL's are becoming common place.

It 's worth bearing in mind that DRL's are not a substitute for dipped headlights in poor visibility, for one very good reason; with DRL's only you have no rear lights on.

Regards

Tony

It was VERY overcast in West Cumbria yesterday and visibility was greatly reduced.

Never mind, the usual large percentage of fools were happy to drive about with NO vehicle illumination. Some dark cars were literally invisible against the road. The sooner permanent (Volvo esque) lighting laws come in the better.