Using Your Headlight, Indicators, Brake Light and Horn on a Motorcycle

Headlight

• A headlight on in the daytime can greatly improve your chance of being seen, especially on dull days. Do not rely on it alone.
• The handbook links the always-on rule to riders issued a learner permit or restricted licence on or after 1 October 2014, and it also lists it among the conditions for learner and restricted riders.
• If your headlight is on during the day, use low beam.
• At night, dip from high beam to low beam when an approaching vehicle is within 200 metres or when its headlight dips, whichever comes first.
• Also dip your headlight when you are 200 metres or less behind another vehicle.
• Use common sense and avoid dazzling others. More is in riding at night.

Indicators

Indicators and brake lights tell other road users you are there and what you are about to do. They need that information to plan ahead, just like you.

• You must indicate before you turn, change lanes or merge, even if you cannot see another vehicle. Not seeing one does not mean there is none.
• Make sure the signal is clear, and switch it off when it is no longer needed. Leaving it on after the turn gives a false message, which can be dangerous.
• The indicators must flash brightly enough to be seen. Check them in your pre-ride checks.

Brake light

You can make yourself more obvious to traffic behind by braking gently first and flashing your brake light, so followers know you are about to slow down. Check that the brake light works with both the hand and the foot brake.

Horn

Sound your horn as a warning if there is danger. It might alert a road user who has not seen you. But never rely on it, because it may not be heard. Always be ready to get yourself out of the way. Test the horn before each ride.

Lights are only part of staying seen

Combine your lights with good positioning and bright clothing (see intersections and being seen). For car drivers, see signalling, headlights and horn.

Based on The Victorian Rider Handbook (2023, Department of Transport and Planning) and the VicRoads motorcycle pages. This guide covers Victoria: other states and territories have different rules, and rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.