Hazard lights, daytime running lights, headlights: when to use them in Quebec

What the Code requires, and why a lit-up dashboard doesn’t mean your tail lights are on.

Short answer: at night, or when weather conditions require it, you must turn on your vehicle’s headlights and integrated lights (s. 424). Daytime running lights are not enough: the SAAQ warns they don’t necessarily turn on the tail lights. Hazard lights may be used only for safety reasons (s. 377), and they are required if, out of necessity, you drive slowly enough to hold up traffic (s. 331).

When must headlights be on?

The Code de la sécurité routière (Quebec’s Highway Safety Code) requires drivers to turn on the headlights and integrated lights of their vehicle at night or when atmospheric conditions require it (s. 424). The section gives no clock time; the SAAQ advises turning on your headlights as soon as it starts to get dark (leaflet “La nuit, adaptez votre conduite”).

When visibility is reduced by darkness, fog, rain or other precipitation, the Code also requires you to slow down (s. 330).

Choosing between high beams and low beams (the 150-metre rule) has its own page: High beams or low beams: the 150 m rule.

Daytime running lights: the tail-light trap

Daytime running lights are often low-intensity and come on automatically (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 1, “Les feux de jour”).
The SAAQ warns that dashboard lighting or daytime running lights don’t necessarily turn on the tail lights. In the evening you could be driving with the front lit and the back dark. Turn your headlights on yourself (leaflet “La nuit, adaptez votre conduite”).
The SAAQ manual recommends using low beams even in daytime to be more visible, and when rain, snow or fog reduce visibility, and in tunnels (ch. 1, “Les feux de croisement”).
The “Soyez visibles” (“Be visible”) sign tells drivers to turn on their headlights and red rear position lights to drive through a tunnel (Guide de la route, ch. 3).

Hazard lights: required, allowed or prohibited?

The turn signals also serve as the hazard lights (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 1, “Les phares et les feux”). They work whatever the position of the ignition key (ch. 1, “Les feux de détresse”).

Situation	Hazard lights
Out of necessity, you drive so slowly that you may hold up normal traffic	Required (s. 331)
At night, vehicle stopped on the roadway out of necessity	Hazard lights or position lights on, or lamps, reflectors or flares visible from at least 150 m (s. 385)
Breakdown, emergency, other safety reason	Allowed (s. 377)
Any other reason	Prohibited: safety reasons only (s. 377)

The SAAQ manuals give examples of when to use them:

breakdown: pull onto the shoulder or as far right as possible and turn on the hazard lights; on a bridge or a highway, stay in the vehicle until help arrives (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 5, “En cas de panne”);
your headlights go out while driving: stay in your lane and turn on the hazard lights right away (ch. 5, “Les phares s’éteignent”);
very thick fog: stop in a safe place and turn on the hazard lights rather than leaving the high beams on, which could make others think you are still on the road (ch. 5, “La brume ou le brouillard”);
first to arrive at a crash: warn other road users with your hazard lights (Guide de la route, ch. 5, “Sur la scène de l’accident”).

Fog lights and other lights

Fog lights: optional, but if fitted they must be at the front, at the same height, never higher than the white headlights (s. 222). The SAAQ recommends not driving with fog lights alone when headlights are required, at night for example (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 5, “La brume ou le brouillard”).
Reversing lights: they must stay off when moving forward (s. 223).
White lights facing backward: you may not drive with lit white lights shining to the rear, unless authorized by the Minister (ss. 423 and 224).
Flashing or rotating lights: reserved for vehicles the law names (emergency vehicles, certain vehicles with yellow lights, funeral vehicles); an ordinary car may not be equipped with them (ss. 226 to 227.1 and 239).

Key points for the test

Headlights and integrated lights on at night and when the weather requires it (s. 424).
Daytime running lights on does not mean tail lights on.
Hazard lights: safety reasons only; required if you must drive slowly out of necessity.
Forced stop on the roadway at night: hazard lights or position lights.

Test yourself on this topic
Original questions with an explanation and a source, “Highway Safety Code” section.
Practise for free

Official sources

Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 222, 223, 224, 226 to 227.1, 239, 330, 331, 377, 385, 423 and 424
SAAQ, “La nuit, adaptez votre conduite” (leaflet C-6614-2, 2023, French)
SAAQ, Conduire un véhicule de promenade (2022 ed., French), ch. 1, “Les phares et les feux”, “Les feux de jour”, “Les feux de croisement”, “Les feux de détresse”; ch. 5, “La brume ou le brouillard”, “Les phares s’éteignent”, “En cas de panne”
SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 3, “Soyez visibles” sign; ch. 4, “Signaler ses intentions et sa présence”; ch. 5, “Sur la scène de l’accident”

General information page, current as of 2026-10-29. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.