Driving lights are in the class of auxiliary headlights mainly designed to illuminate the road in clear weather conditions. They have a similar illumination pattern as headlights but which is more concentrated in a frontward bearing for superior illumination farther down the road and less to the sides. They are the more used type of auxiliary headlights and are thus a standard issue on any car.

They are usually installed on top of the bumper and aimed in an immediately forward direction with the top of the beam perfectly level for long distance illumination. In most global road regulations it is required by law that driving lights be wired to or triggered by the headlights high beam circuit. They, in some versions, illuminate the immediate surface of the road both forward and a bit of the road’s width just enough to cover the driver’s lane. They have a low flat beam in order to shine light on the road ahead but not too bright to become a hazard for oncoming traffic on the opposite lane. Common courtesy and etiquette deems it that drivers should dim their lights as oncoming traffic approaches. In clear road conditions though many drivers commonly let their lights shine full-bore although this is up to the individual motorist.

Driving lights come in various shapes and forms, either small or large, round or as a pentagon. They can also be custom-made to the owner’s wishes. However, in the actual lighting the standard form is a clear lens. In some instances there can be a wide variety of fluting or plain glass or a combination of flutes and plain glass in a single lamp. They come in both the left and right driver (LHD and RHD) modes where there can be a quick halt of upward light on the side in the direction of oncoming traffic while the more intense beam may be aimed slightly to one side and away from oncoming traffic.

A good pair of these auxiliary headlights can be regarded as fundamental for the safety of any night driver. Their good maintenance could even mean the difference between life and death for drivers and pedestrians. Unfortunately this reality is not always held in high regard by regulatory authorities the world over but instead a working pair of headlights is considered sufficient.

They, in some versions, illuminate the immediate surface of the road both forward and a bit of the road’s width just enough to cover the driver’s lane. They have a low flat beam in order to shine light on the road ahead but not too bright to become a hazard for oncoming traffic on the opposite lane. Common courtesy and etiquette deems it that drivers should dim their lights as oncoming traffic approaches. In clear road conditions though many drivers commonly let their lights shine full-bore although this is up to the individual motorist.