I checked. 'Hours of darkness' = half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise: cars must use HEADLIGHTS.
From sunset, cars must use sidelights at least, and bicycles must have lights.
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For eveybodys information and please pass it on
In the UK and has been so for a least 20 years the lighting up time in from sunset to sunrise.
Yes and no ... "lighting up time" doesn't really exist. There are two different periods defined in the Highway Code:
4. Lighting requirements (113 to 116)
113
You MUST
- ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
- use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
- use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).
Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).
Laws RVLR regs 3, 24, & 25, (In Scotland - RTRA 1984 sect 82 (as amended by NRSWA, para 59 of sched
)
Perhaps the most overlooked part of this is that SIDELIGHTS ONLY is legal on roads with street lighting.