When are you allowed to use your high beams?

Using high beams is primarily intended to enhance visibility in low-light conditions, especially when there is minimal ambient light. High beams are particularly effective on country roads where there are few streetlights, allowing drivers to see further down the road. The correct context for using high beams is when no oncoming vehicles are present; this ensures that you do not blind other drivers and it optimizes your own visibility.

In urban areas, due to the presence of streetlights and frequent traffic, high beams would generally be unnecessary and could impair the vision of other drivers. Heavy traffic also warrants the use of low beams to avoid blinding other drivers or causing accidents. Similarly, using high beams during the daytime is not practical, as the natural light already provides sufficient visibility for driving.