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The law on headlights surprises drivers: Fines increase and penalties with points on the driver's license. Find out how to avoid violations and understand everything about the new rules in force!
Millions of Brazilians use their cars every day to get to work, school or other appointments. However, it is essential to always be aware of traffic laws to avoid fines, points on your driver's license and even more serious complications. Recently, an important update to the legislation came into effect: Law No. 14.071/2020, which changed the Brazilian Traffic Code and introduced new rules regarding the mandatory use of headlights on highways. This change requires drivers to pay extra attention, as failure to comply may result in fines and penalties. In this article, we will detail the requirements of the headlight law, how it works, and the best practices for avoiding traffic violations.
What has changed with the headlight law that has fined drivers across Brazil?
To better understand how the fine works under the headlight law, it is first necessary to remember that, since law 13.290 in July 2016, drivers have become accustomed to turning on their headlights when entering a highway.
At the time, the law determined the mandatory use of low beam headlights in highways. If there is non-compliance, the driver could receive a fine under the medium severity headlight law of R$130 and four more points on the license.
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However, in 2020, the law underwent a change due to the standard 14.071/2020, which came into effect in April 2021 and remains in force. According to investigations by the Quatro Rodas website, the new headlight law determines the use of low beams during the day on single-lane highways.
Thus, Drivers who do not use low beams, only on single-lane highways, may be fined, that is, on roads with more lanes and some physical separation between the opposite directions, the driver will not need to turn on the headlights.
In which cases should the headlight law not be applied?
For example, on highways such as Dutra, Castello Branco, Imigrantes, Ayrton Senna, Bandeirantes and Anhanguera, drivers do not need to use low beam headlights. On rural roads, often used to access farms, ranches and country estates, the use of headlights during the day is still mandatory to avoid a fine under the headlight law that deducts points from the driver's license.
However, at night, the law requires the mandatory use of low beam headlights on all roads and by all types of vehicles. In addition, the law also determines that cars with daytime running lights (DRL) do not need to use headlights during the day, even on single-lane roads.
DRLs are characterized by LED lights with strong intensity that turn on automatically when the car is turned on. Since 2021, Contran has determined that all new models must leave the factory with daytime running lights (DRL). Thus, since 2023, all vehicles manufactured in the country are required to have this equipment.
New traffic law that can suspend driver's license
In addition to this fine under the headlight law, Brazilians must now be aware of another law that can result in a fine of R$3.
The new Bill (PL) aims to toughen penalties for drivers who make dangerous overtaking maneuvers. These overtaking maneuvers, if the bill is approved, will be classified as very serious infractions. The proposed penalty includes a significant fine of R$3, in addition to a 12-month suspension of the offender's driver's license.
These measures are considered essential to increase road safety and reduce the number of accidents caused by reckless maneuvers. The proposal is still under analysis and must be approved by the relevant committees before being voted on in plenary. The reason for the severity of the proposed penalties is the direct relationship between dangerous overtaking and fatal accidents.
Nobody talks about improving the roads, but just talking about fines is easier.