Being his model a late 2011, I just figured that the same rules in europe aplied in the UK concerning the DRL. Meaning that all cars manufactured after 02/2011 have to have DRL.

Manufactures have antecipated this months before.

The last manufactures doing this were either Korean or japonese

Being his model a late 2011, I just figured that the same rules in europe aplied in the UK concerning the DRL. Meaning that all cars manufactured after 02/2011 have to have DRL.

Manufactures have antecipated this months before.

The last manufactures doing this were either Korean or japonese

No, this is incorrect.

It is only cars that required type-approval after 02/2011 that had to have DRL's fitted. As the Octavia FL received type approval a long time before this date there is no requirement at all to fit DRL's.

In fact there are very few cars on the road right now that are required to have them - only brand new models of vehicles since 02/2011.

If this would have been mandatory, i wouldn't have to pay 99€ to buy a cable and VCDS to activate it. This should have been done from start by the dealer.

By the way, he didn't accept to activate it before the next check-up appointment (about 2000 miles). He was not verry concerned about legislation with this lazzy attitude

Lots of French cars are very old and dangerous. I can't imagine beeing arrested by a policeman for some DRL not switch ON, when others drivers don't have headlights at all or seatbelt :(

Skoda are still producing MY2012 Octavia's with DRL's fitted but not activated.

Maybe my words worn´t the best to explain, but what Stoofa said is what I said.

From what I see the rules aren´t applied over in the UK.

All new cars manufactured after 02/2011 have to have DRL activated.

Before this date new cars is an option by manufactures, like any car owner who decides to put aftermarket DRL.

From what has been said you have new models being sold without DRL activated.

Here, all new cars have DRL activated. Some have the option to turn them off but it´s a risk.

You would be suprised how easily you can be fined here.

If this would have been mandatory, i wouldn't have to pay 99€ to buy a cable and VCDS to activate it.

£78! Blimey, I thought we were being ripped over here. I got the "auto" switch for £30 (eBay) and the wire for about £5 (if that, from a dealer). VCDS coding was done as part of the initial coding (by Gizmo) not long after I got the car. (That's about 44€ all in.)

Mandatory on new models not new cars.

The Octavia MkII was in production prior to the legislation so although the facelift MkII has them fitted Skoda was not obliged to fit them.

Hence they aren't fitted to all Octavia's as standard (only the Elegence, L&K & vRS).

Ahem... and the 4x4...

And yes the greenline versoins that donnot have DRL on bumper (fog and drl bulb)

the main beam is activated and only the main beam, no sidelights or rear taillights on.

£78! Blimey, I thought we were being ripped over here. I got the "auto" switch for £30 (eBay) and the wire for about £5 (if that, from a dealer). VCDS coding was done as part of the initial coding (by Gizmo) not long after I got the car. (That's about 44€ all in.)

Hell, I'd pay that just to NOT have them.

Seriously though, I have to admit to their occasional use on my wife's grey car in overcast conditions on motorways where full headlights are not needed. Otherwise the Auto function stays off 'til just before the headlights are needed.

As for using more fuel, I would forsake the heating waiting for my girlfriend. Helps you learn Braille....

I've got a July Octavia L&K but in spite of trying to activate the daytime driving lights (which appear to be there- next to the fog lights), no joy .

No facility to activate via the Maxidot as others have pointed out but the alternative using the turn indicator , pulling back and up after switching on has no effect. AUTO lights are switched on.

Any ideas from members what I am doing wrong?

They probably need enabling first by the dealer or someone with VCDS?

Yes, they first need activating.

Once activated the option to turn them on/off will appear in Maxidot, the procedure using the indicator stalk will work too.

Not quite sure why Skoda are fitting DRL's but not activating them in the factory on the Octavia.