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Audit and expert opinion

Light test

In October, TÜV NORD is offering a free light test for cars and motorbikes. You can have your lights checked without an appointment and receive a sticker if the test is successful.

Lichttest von einer Frau in TÜV NORD Kleidung in einer Werkstatt

Without an appointment, without registration: Simply visit your TÜV NORD centre during normal opening hours for a free light test.

Nationwide Lighting Weeks

Properly functioning lighting is necessary to recognise dangers in good time and to be seen yourself.

It is also important that the headlights are optimally adjusted so that oncoming traffic is not unnecessarily dazzled. This is of course particularly important in the darker months of the year.

What is checked during the light test?

During a light test, various aspects of the vehicle lighting are checked to ensure safety on the road.

Headlight settings

The headlight settings are mainly checked. This includes checking whether the headlights are set too high or too low. Headlights that are set too high can dazzle oncoming traffic, while headlights that are set too low can restrict the visibility of the vehicle on dark roads and impair the driver's field of vision. Using a light box with angle gauges, specialist workshops can determine the headlight angle and readjust them if necessary.

Functionality of all exterior lights

In addition to adjusting the headlights, the operation of all exterior lights is also checked. These include

  • High beam and low beam,
  • Fog lights,
  • marker and parking lights,
  • brake and tail lights,
  • indicators,
  • hazard warning lights and
  • rear fog light.

These are checked for functionality and sufficient luminosity. Furthermore, all lights are checked for possible damage to the glass that could impair their functionality.

 

Prüfingenieurin bei der Scheinwerferprüfung an einem Fahrzeug an der TÜV NORD Station

Where can you get your headlights tested?

In October, car drivers can visit all TÜV NORD stations to have a light test carried out on their vehicle free of charge - regardless of the main inspection.

You don't even need to make an appointment. Simply drop by during normal opening hours!

If everything is in order, you will receive the coveted sticker for your windscreen, which you can use to show other road users that your vehicle's lights are working safely.

Checklist: Check the lighting on the vehicle yourself

How to check the lighting on your vehicle yourself

  • Brake light
    Reverse close to a light-coloured wall and then step on the brake. Check the red light on the wall, which should be visible on each side of the car and in the centre (usually slightly higher). This is easily recognisable via the vehicle's rear-view mirrors.
  • Reversing lights, tail lights and rear fog light
    Engage reverse gear. Two white light points should appear on the wall, depending on the equipment. Check the tail lights with the parking lights switched on. When the rear fog light is activated, one or two bright red spots (depending on the equipment) should also be visible.
  • Parking, low beam and high beam
    Turn the vehicle around and position it with the front facing the wall a few metres away. This allows you to easily check the function of the parking lights, dipped beam and main beam (appears higher on the wall).
  • Daytime running lights and fog lights
    If the car is very close to the wall and the sun is not too bright, you can also recognise the automatically switched-on daytime running lights on newer cars. The fog lights can only be activated if at least the parking lights or dipped headlights are switched on - depending on the car's gearstick. Their light points usually appear below the main headlights.

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