Question about Daytime Running Lights and Driving Test

efoley · 09-04-2024 05:34PM #1

Hello, One of my Daytime Running Lights is not working (152 car). Will this be a problem for the driving test? All other lights in perfect working order. Thank you.

kirving · 09-04-2024 06:14PM

Good question - I can't seem to find anything on the RSA website specifically referring to DRL's or Headlights - just Brake and Indicator lights.

Not mentioning DRLs or lights on the test, giving how confusing some cars can be in this regard, a fairly major gap in my personal opinion, but I think you'll be fine. Good luck in the test!

prawnsambo · 09-04-2024 07:12PM

DRLs have been mandatory in Ireland since 2014. They're also an NCT fail if they're not working. I'd err on the side of caution and get it fixed if you can in time.

kirving · 09-04-2024 08:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121998366#Comment_121998366

The test manual just says that the car must have a valid NCT though, and doesn't mention headlights/taillights as far as I can see.

But yeah, ideally it's sorted if the OP has enough time, but on balance if the OP's test is tomorrow I wouldn't go cancelling it.

prawnsambo · 09-04-2024 08:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121998591#Comment_121998591

Yeah, the car has to be safe for the test. That's why they also check brake lights and indicators, because the NCT is just a snapshot. Do they want to check DRLs as well for the same reason? They being now compulsory.

If there's no time, so be it.

djan · 10-04-2024 11:10AM

If unable to get it sorted, set the light manually to dipped being always on so less chance of it being noticed when doing the walk around.

coylemj · 10-04-2024 02:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122000427#Comment_122000427

Isn't DRL and 'dipped being always on' the same thing? So if OP has a faulty/busted bulb, your suggestion won't affect anything.

djan · 10-04-2024 02:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122001361#Comment_122001361

Can only speak for the cars I've had but they functioned the same with DRLs only coming on if lights were set to Auto and it was bright enough. If set to manually on, dipped lights would come on regardless of external conditions. In my case the DRLs were separate lights usually LEDs and dips were halogen or xenons.

WildWater · 10-04-2024 02:33PM

There is a tale, somewhere in the bowels of this forum, of a tester refusing to do a test because the green line on the insurance cert wasn't green enough due to fading.

If at all possible, I'd be getting it sorted.

GTTDI GOD · 10-04-2024 06:16PM

As long as your brake lights and indicators are working correctly, you’ll be fine

prawnsambo · 10-04-2024 06:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122002231#Comment_122002231

Source for this?

GTTDI GOD · 10-04-2024 07:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122002292#Comment_122002292

I’m a driving instructor, the only lights they check is the indicators and brakes.

efoley · 17-04-2024 10:11AM

Hi all, thanks sincerely for the replies. We did get the DRL replaced and my son passed the test. Would love to know what would have happened otherwise, but the more I looked at the DRL the more obvious it was, so I erred on the safe side. Thanks a million for the advice here.

18-04-2024 12:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121998779#Comment_121998779

They’re not mandatory for drivers only car manufacturers. I did my test in a 2012 Auris that didn’t have DRL’s and it didn’t matter at all, I always put dipped headlights on if in a car that doesn’t have them myself though.

DRL’s are also not part of the lights you must have on your car (such as indicators, front and rear lights, brake lights and at least one white reversing light and reflectors). So working or not shouldn’t affect a driving test.

They’re a modern invention to improve road safety but they are not mandatory for all cars and only cars manufactured and registered post 2014 must have them. I don’t know if it’s as simple as this but I imagine you could pull the fuse out if one was not working correctly just to avoid any potential issues with the test.

18-04-2024 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122001418#Comment_122001418

but that’s because it is illegal to drive your car without a correctly displayed disc. The green strip fading from the sun is technically (even if it’s stupid) illegal.

Broken DRL’s are not. Manufacturing a car now without DRL’s is illegal. Driving one is not illegal.

prawnsambo · 18-04-2024 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122034102#Comment_122034102

Yes, I know. Which is why I said 'now'. I probably should have added "for cars manufactured from 2014 onwards" to satisfy the pedants.

18-04-2024 02:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122034427#Comment_122034427

I’m not being pedantic, you said the tester may not conduct a test because they are mandatory lighting on 2014+ cars but that’s not the case. In fact the only mandatory lighting a car must have is

Front and rear lights, brake lights, reversing lights front, rear & side indicators and rear reflectors. If the roads were policed correctly you’d be pulled over for a missing headlight but not DRL.

It’s like refusing someone a driving test because the car wasn’t fitted with fog lights. Your argument is the lights are compulsory/mandatory, which is only true for manufacturers. They are not compulsory for drivers. I could go disconnect my DRL’s right now and no one can do anything about it.

prawnsambo · 18-04-2024 03:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122034627#Comment_122034627

you said the tester may not conduct a test because they are mandatory lighting on 2014+ cars

You might want to read my post again. Because I didn't say that. I asked the question, I didn't make a statement other than them being compulsory on cars now and being an NCT fail.