New 2021 Canadian Lighting Standards

Canada has new vehicle lighting standards that will help with traffic safety

GO Performance is helping customers learn and understand these guidelines.

Here are excerpts of the law(s) taken from the Transport Canada Government Website: https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/safety-standards-vehicles-tires-child-car-seats/using-your-vehicle-lights-see-be-seen

Here is the PDF: Canada-using_vehicle_lights.pdf

Using your vehicle lights to see and be seen

Vehicles driven in the dark without lights, or “phantom vehicles,” are a serious safety risk. Some drivers think a lit-up dashboard means their lights are on, which may not be true. It’s also important to use proper lighting in bad weather.

Transport Canada is introducing a new lighting standard to help vehicles and drivers see, and be seen.

New lighting standard

As of September 2021 the Canadian Vehicle Lighting Regulation will require that all new vehicles sold in Canada have one of the following:

• tail lights that come on automatically with daytime running lights
• headlights, tail lights, and side marker lights that turn on automatically in the dark
• a dashboard that stays dark to alert the driver to turn on the lights

This standard will apply to all new vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs, 3-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles and heavy trucks).

Tips for driving with proper vehicle lights

Don’t put yourself and others at risk. Turn your headlights on when driving in the dark or in bad weather.

You need to know:

• Automatic headlights only work if you set them on automatic
• A bright dashboard doesn’t always mean that your headlights and tail lights are on
• Daytime running lights don’t give you enough light to drive safely in the dark or in bad weather