Reducing night glare through preparation and space

Night glare can make it harder to judge what is beyond an approaching vehicle's headlights.

Night glare can make it harder to judge what is beyond an approaching vehicle's headlights. Preparation and a suitable speed give you more time to manage that limited view. Tell your instructor if glare or vision is causing difficulty.

Understand the situation

Clean the windscreen and check the vehicle's lighting setup before departure. Use the current NSW guidance on lights and driving conditions. Maintain a suitable observation pattern and gap without staring directly at the approaching lights. Persistent vision concerns need appropriate professional attention.

Before you practise

• Check glass cleanliness and clear visibility
• Learn the vehicle's headlight and mirror controls
• Choose a route and conditions suited to your experience

A focused practice session

Begin with a familiar supervised route after dark. While parked, discuss where glare reduced the information available and how you adapted. Add unfamiliar or darker roads gradually only when your instructor considers the basic observation and control reliable.

A situation to discuss

Headlights approaching on a darker section briefly reduce the detail you can see ahead. Maintain a suitable speed and observation pattern rather than staring directly at the lights. A dirty windscreen can worsen the glare, so preparation matters before the drive. If the difficulty persists beyond ordinary conditions, discuss appropriate vision advice. An accessory advertised for night driving should not be assumed to solve an underlying visibility concern.