UK Driving Theory Practice Exam

When is it necessary to switch to dipped headlights while driving?

1. When driving in urban areas

2. When surface spray occurs

3. Only at night

4. When other vehicles have high beams on

The correct answer is: When surface spray occurs

Switching to dipped headlights is crucial in specific conditions to enhance visibility and safety. One of the main scenarios requiring dipped headlights is during surface spray, which occurs when rain or moisture raises water from the road surface, creating a mist around your vehicle. This reduced visibility means that dipped headlights help illuminate the road better and make your vehicle more visible to others. While driving in urban areas can typically involve using dipped headlights, it is not always mandatory unless visibility is limited. At night, it’s a common practice to use dipped headlights, but there are exceptions, like when sufficient street lighting is present, making high beams unnecessary. Dipped headlights are also important when other vehicles are using their high beams, as switching to dipped helps avoid blinding oncoming traffic and improves overall road safety.