Road sign R-413: Dipped headlights

What it means

«Obligación para los conductores de circular con el alumbrado al menos de corto alcance, con independencia de las condiciones de visibilidad e iluminación de la vía, desde el lugar en que esté situada la señal hasta otra de fin de esta obligación.» RD 465/2025, Annex I of the RGC (BOE-A-2025-12199), Spanish original.

Between this sign and the one that ends the obligation you must have at least dipped lights on, regardless of visibility and road lighting. It is an unconditional obligation.

Where you meet it

You see it where it matters that vehicles be seen, even with sunshine. That is why it demands dipped headlights even by day and in good visibility. It is a mandatory sign, the class that imposes a compulsory rule of traffic (RGC art. 145.2.e).

What you must do

Switch on your dipped headlights on reaching the sign and keep them on until another sign ends the obligation. It does not depend on ambient light: the obligation is unconditional. The official text says «at least» dipped: dipped headlights are the minimum required, so position lights alone are not enough.

Details that count

It has its own end sign: S-24, «End of obligation to use dipped headlights», which reminds you that you may do without the lights, provided visibility, time of day or road lighting do not require them (RD 465/2025 catalogue). Motorcycles, besides, must have dipped headlights on by day on any road (RGC art. 104).

What it is confused with

The confusion lies in the scope: it is not «only when it gets dark» nor «only in poor visibility». R-413 demands it always, between the sign and its end, whereas the motorcycle rule in article 104 is a different norm, requiring it by day on any road without depending on any sign.

Related signs

• R-412: Snow chains
• S-5: Tunnel

Studied in topic 18: Lighting.

Source: RGC arts. 104, 145.2.e; RGC Annex I, sign R-413 (RD 465/2025).