Is It A Legal Requirement To Use Daylight Running Lights?

[ianess]

I am not a fan of them but know they must be legally fitted. My car has an on/off switch for them. Am I breaking the law if I do not use them?

[woofgang]

My car is a 2011 model and doesn’t have them

[hc4361]

Cars built before the legislation came in to force could still be sold without the lights. New cars aren't usually registered until they are first sold and may have been built many months before.

[anotheoldgit]

I think they are dangerous when a car is conning towards you with its headlights on and it happens to go over a speed bump, it can be mistaken that they are flashing you that they are giving way for you to turn in front of them.

[Baldric]

I think the majority of DRLs turn off when the headlights are switched on, mine certainly do.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/daytime-running-lights/daytime-running-lights
///DRL activate automatically when the engine is started and remain on unless the headlamps are switched on///

[Buenchico]

I'm confused as to why Ianess would want to disable a safety feature anyway. I never touch the headlight switch in my elderly (2006) Saab. It's always in the 'on' position. My car's headlights come on as soon as I insert the key and go off as soon as I take it out. Anything which makes my car easier to see has got to be a boon.

[Hopkirk]

I notice that a lot of people with daytime running lights don't realise that they are only on the front. They continue to rely on them after dark, not realising they are invisible from behind.

[Grandpappy]

No! But and there's always a but,they are part of the new MOT and a car can fail if all DRL's are not working properly; whether you use them or not.