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[geoffr70]

Hello, am I right in thinking it's now law for new cars to have DRLs? Why is this, safety? Like a biker having their lights on? Can they easily be turned off by way of a switch, or is it made harder to turn them off? What about MOT issues? Can you tell I don't like them yet!

If you were to have a crash and you had them disabled I wonder how that might affect your insurance? Each to their own but I think they're a pointless chav mod. I mean between us we've managed billions of journeys upto now.

Not thinking of getting a new car, just thinking out aloud.

[mantahatch]

I think it is something like all new models from 2012 must have them. If the car was designed and built before 2012 but is still a current model for sale it does not have to have them. Bit like the MK6 Astra came to market about 2010 and is still current and for sale. So by law it does not have to have them but they are an option I believe.

I am of the opinion that if I cant beat them then join them.

[aaronjb]

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/dft-information-sheets/daytime-running-lights.pdf

[Del Boy]

Cars that began production from 2011 have to DRL's, and there's no way to turn them off, the Corsa D Facelift for example cannot have the DRL's turned off via a switch. A BMW 5 Series produced in 2010 has the option to turn the lights off, whereas a 2012 BMW 3 Series cannot. If the car was designed before 2011 they don't have to have them. If this makes sense  .

[geoffr70]

Thanks peeps. My understanding from reading Aaron's link is pretty much that they are a safety feature and if you turn them off and then have a crash you'll be in the doo doo. It might just be better for people to change their driving behaviour on crowded roads than have these things fitted. I'm surprised they're allowing them though as even by their own admission, when in use they would increase emmissions and fuel use slightly (end of the world arghhhh!!!!) 

[martin42]

i hate them,when cars coming towards you and they have these right by the front indicator,you cant see that person indicating until they are right near you,ban them!!!!

[aaronjb]

i hate them,when cars coming towards you and they have these right by the front indicator,you cant see that person indicating until they are right near you,ban them!!!!

Worse than that (for me) is the Mk4 Golf with the indicator within the headlight cluster.. totally invisible when the lights are on!

[Marks DTM Calib]

I think it is something like all new models from 2012 must have them. If the car was designed and built before 2012 but is still a current model for sale it does not have to have them. Bit like the MK6 Astra came to market about 2010 and is still current and for sale. So by law it does not have to have them but they are an option I believe.

I am of the opinion that if I cant beat them then join them.

Mk6 Astra had them as standard from launch and they can not be turned off.

[Auto Addict]

You can turn them off on my 2011 Insignia.

[Del Boy]

You can turn them off on my 2011 Insignia.

Because it was designed & released before 2011, some cars did have them before that date obviously and they can't be turned off.

[2woody]

we're a part of Europe and Europe says that we must have them, so there is no alternative.

It's not that HMG has a legal way out.

It's safe I guess in parts of Europe where they have very little daylight in the winter. But utterly pointless to being dangerous here.

[mantahatch]

I think it is something like all new models from 2012 must have them. If the car was designed and built before 2012 but is still a current model for sale it does not have to have them. Bit like the MK6 Astra came to market about 2010 and is still current and for sale. So by law it does not have to have them but they are an option I believe.

I am of the opinion that if I cant beat them then join them.

Mk6 Astra had them as standard from launch and they can not be turned off.

Plenty round this way with no DRLs, I will have to assume they all have broken lamps.