19.24. At what distance from an oncoming vehicle must you switch from high beam to low beam headlights at night?
UAНа якій відстані до зустрічного транспортного засобу необхідно переключити дальнє світло на ближнє в темний час доби?
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns driving safety at night and the proper use of lighting devices. High beam improves the driver's visibility, but it can blind other road users, and even brief blinding often leads to loss of orientation, mistakes in lane selection, and delayed reactions to danger. That is why the traffic rules set a minimum distance at which you must switch to low beam.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of external lighting devices, specifically the requirements of point 19.2. The regulation specifies a minimum of 250 meters to the oncoming vehicle, and also requires switching earlier if there is a risk of blinding (including drivers moving in the same direction), or if the oncoming driver signals by flashing their headlights. This is an important point for the theoretical exam: 250 meters is the minimum allowable distance, not a "recommended" one.
Explaining the options, 50 m and 150 m are too short: at such distances, the oncoming driver already experiences a strong dazzling effect, which contradicts the requirements of point 19.2 and safety logic. 350 m as a number is not fixed in the rules, so it cannot be the correct answer for this exam question, although in real conditions it is sometimes worth switching even earlier than the minimum. A practical tip for learning: practice estimating distance in advance and switch to low beam as soon as the headlights of an oncoming car appear in your field of vision, without waiting for a "signal" in response.
Clause 19.2
“High beams should be switched to low beams at least 250 m before an oncoming vehicle, as well as when the high beams may dazzle other drivers, including those traveling in the same direction. The lights must also be switched at a greater distance if the driver of the oncoming vehicle signals the need by periodically flashing their headlights.”
This clause directly establishes the minimum distance (250 m) at which a driver is required to switch from high beams to low beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle, and also prohibits dazzling other drivers.
Clause 1.10 (term ‘Nighttime’)
“Nighttime — the period from sunset to sunrise.”
This term clarifies what is meant by the condition “at night” in the question, although the specific requirement of 250 m is established by clause 19.2.
Therefore, the correct answer is "At a distance of no less than 250 m," given that, according to the definition in clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules, the obligation to switch from high beams to low beams is set at least 250 m before an oncoming vehicle (and earlier if necessary to avoid dazzling).
At night, the driver often uses high beams to better see the road. However, high beams have a strong blinding effect on other road users, especially on the driver coming from the opposite direction. That is why the rules set a clear requirement for when you must timely switch to low beams.
According to paragraph 19.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, high beams must be switched to low beams at least 250 meters before an oncoming vehicle. The logic is simple: at this distance, the light from your headlights can already interfere with the oncoming driver, and even brief blinding increases the risk of leaving your lane or reacting too late to danger.
In practice, it looks like this: you are driving at night with your high beams on and see the headlights of an approaching car in the distance. You do not need to wait until the oncoming car gets close or until the driver “flashes” their headlights in response. Your action should be timely: switch to low beams before you get within 250 meters of them. If the oncoming driver signals by flashing their headlights, it means you are still blinding them, and in that case, you should switch even earlier, that is, at a greater distance.
It is important to understand: the 250 meters in the rule is the minimum threshold. It is specifically a safety requirement to avoid blinding, and if necessary, you should switch your lights even earlier, depending on road conditions and the reactions of other drivers.
Therefore, the correct answer is "At a distance of not less than 250 m," since paragraph 19.2 of the Traffic Rules requires switching from high to low beams at least 250 meters before an oncoming vehicle to avoid blinding the driver and to ensure road safety.