When the nights start drawing in, journeys you know well can suddenly feel different. Your usual drive home might now happen in fading light, while glare and changing weather can make driving at dusk take a little more care.
The clocks go back on Sunday 25th October, moving back one hour at 2am. But darker journeys can catch you out well before then, so it’s worth getting ready for autumn evenings now.
Headlights, wet roads and reduced visibility all need a little more attention at this time of year. It’s also worth checking your dashcam before you leave.
This guide covers simple autumn driving tips, including visibility checks, when to use your headlights and what to check if you’re borrowing a car for an evening journey.
Why driving at dusk feels different in autumn
Dusk isn’t quite daylight and it isn’t fully dark. The light can change quickly, so your eyes have to adjust as you move between fading daylight, glare and darker stretches of road.
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can also be harder to spot in low light. Wet roads may add to the glare from headlights and street lighting, while low autumn sun can make it harder to see clearly.
Even a familiar commute can feel different when darkness arrives earlier. Driving after the clocks go back can make that change particularly noticeable because your usual evening journey may suddenly happen in much lower light.
When driving in low light, slow down if you can’t see clearly and leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead. Give yourself time at junctions, crossings and roundabouts rather than rushing to make a decision.
When should you turn your headlights on at dusk?
You don’t need to wait until it’s completely dark to use your headlights. As the light starts to fade, driving with dipped headlights can help you see the road and make your car easier for other road users to see.
The Highway Code says you must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. As a general guide, that means when you can’t see for more than 100 metres.
You don’t need to measure the distance. If you can’t clearly see far down the road, reduce your speed and make sure your lights help you see and be seen.
Full beam should only be used when it helps you see without dazzling other road users. Dip your headlights when another vehicle approaches and when you’re following someone else.
Fog lights are for seriously reduced visibility. Remember to switch them off when conditions improve so they don’t dazzle other drivers.
Autumn driving tips for darker evenings
The most useful autumn driving tips are often straightforward. Start with the things that affect how well you can see and react.
- Keep your windscreen clean inside and out. Smears and dirt can make glare worse when light hits the glass.
- Top up your screenwash. Road spray, dirt and fallen leaves can quickly affect how clearly you can see.
- Check your wipers. Wipers that smear or judder can make poor visibility harder to deal with.
- Slow down on wet or leafy roads. Standing water and fallen leaves can reduce grip.
- Watch for low sun. Use your sun visor and reduce your speed if glare makes it difficult to see.
- Be careful with tinted lenses. Sunglasses may help with daytime glare, but don’t use tinted glasses, lenses or visors at night or in poor visibility if they restrict your vision.
- Leave more space. Fading light and wet roads can make distances harder to judge.
- Allow extra time. Leaving a little earlier can take the pressure off if conditions change.
These checks are worth doing throughout the season, not just when the clocks change. Making them part of your autumn road safety routine can help you prepare for earlier sunsets and changing conditions.
Dashcam and visibility checks before you set off
A few dashcam and visibility checks before you leave can help you spot simple problems before you’re on the road.
Start with your lights. Check that your headlights, brake lights and indicators are working, then make sure your lights, mirrors and number plates are clean.
Clear any condensation from the windscreen before moving. These basic car visibility checks are especially useful before an evening journey when you’ll have less daylight to work with.
If you use a dashcam, clean the lens and check that it’s recording. After the clocks change, make sure the time and date are still correct.
Your dashcam should be positioned so it doesn’t block your view of the road. Secure any loose items in the car too, so they can’t move around while you’re driving.
A dashcam can provide useful footage if something happens, but it isn’t a substitute for careful driving.
Do you need special insurance for night driving?
No. In most everyday situations, you don’t need a separate type of night driving insurance just because you’re driving after dark.
What matters is having valid insurance for the driver, car, journey and time you’ll be driving. If you’re using your own car and you’re unsure about any restrictions, check your policy before setting off.
If you’re borrowing somebody else’s car, make sure you’re insured to drive that specific vehicle before the journey begins. Temporary car insurance for evening journeys may be an option if you only need the car for a short time.
Learners also need suitable cover when practising at dusk or after dark. If you’re practising after school or work, make sure your learner cover is in place for the journey before you start driving.
With our temporary car insurance, eligible drivers can arrange short-term cover from 1 hour to 30 days, subject to policy terms.
What should you check before driving a borrowed car after dark?
Having permission to borrow a car doesn’t automatically mean you’re insured to drive it. Before you leave, make sure you have suitable cover for that specific vehicle and check that the policy starts before your journey.
If you’re unsure about the requirements, check if you’re eligible for temporary cover before making plans to drive.
Take a few minutes to get familiar with the car too. Check the lights, mirrors, tyres, screenwash and wipers. Make sure you know where the headlight, fog light, demister and windscreen controls are.
Adjust the seat and mirrors before moving. If you haven’t driven the car before, getting comfortable with the controls is particularly useful when driving in the dark.
For a short evening journey, cover for just a few hours may suit the time you need the borrowed car, subject to eligibility and policy terms.
A quick dusk driving checklist
Before an autumn evening journey, run through these dusk driving tips:
- Turn on dipped headlights before visibility becomes poor.
- Clean your windscreen, mirrors and lights.
- Check your wipers and screenwash.
- Slow down if the light, weather or road surface changes.
- Leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead.
- Look carefully for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
- Avoid tinted lenses at night or in poor visibility if they restrict your vision.
- Check that your dashcam is clean, recording and correctly positioned.
- Make sure you’re insured before driving, particularly if you’re borrowing a car.
- Give yourself extra time for evening journeys.
You don’t need to wait for the clock to change to start these checks. They’re useful whenever you expect part of your journey to take place in fading light or darkness.
Before you set off this autumn
Driving at dusk can feel different at this time of year, even when you know the road well. Clean glass, working lights and wipers can make it easier to see what’s happening around you.
Slow down when visibility changes and give yourself enough time for the journey. If you use a dashcam, include it in your checks before you leave.
If you’re borrowing a car, make sure the right insurance is in place before you drive.
Borrowing a car for an autumn evening journey? Get a temporary car insurance quote with Dayinsure before you set off.
FAQs
What are the best tips for driving at dusk?
Use dipped headlights as the light fades and keep your windscreen and lights clean. Slow down when visibility changes and leave more space.
Look carefully for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who may be harder to see in fading light.
When should I put my headlights on in autumn?
Use your headlights when visibility is reduced. The Highway Code says you must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you can’t see for more than 100 metres.
You don’t need to wait until it’s completely dark if visibility is already getting worse.
Do I need night driving insurance?
You don’t usually need separate insurance simply because you’re driving at night. The important thing is having valid insurance for the driver, vehicle, journey and time you’re driving.
If you’re borrowing a car, make sure suitable cover is in place before you set off.
Can temporary car insurance cover night driving?
Temporary car insurance may cover an evening or night journey as long as the policy is valid for the car, driver and time of travel.
With Dayinsure, our temporary car insurance can provide cover from 1 hour to 30 days, subject to eligibility and policy terms.
What should I check before driving after the clocks go back?
Check your headlights, brake lights and indicators before leaving. Make sure your wipers and screenwash are ready too, and clean your mirrors and windscreen.
If you use a dashcam, check that it’s clean, recording and showing the correct time and date.
Can a dashcam help with an accident at dusk?
A dashcam can provide useful footage if something happens, but it should never block your view or distract you.
Before driving, check that the lens is clean, the dashcam is positioned safely and it’s recording correctly.
