Are there any 'rules' about not having inside lights on in the car whilst driving?

[cornflakemum]

DS is adament that it's 'illegal' to drive with the passenger reading light on in the car?

It doesn't sound very likely, although I'm sure my dad used to say something similar when I was a kid... is this one of those 'urban myths' that parents create to stop a child doing something they don't want them to do?

Not that I've ever heard of - the passenger reading light is the "map-reading light" so far as I'm concerned, so sometimes you have to have it on while you're driving!

I don't like to have it on if it's not needed for that, as it does affect your eyesight, but I don't think there's any law about it.

We were once driving down the M4 at night when an extremely posh car overtook us. The passenger had the light on and was reading a book.
He was so well illuminated that we could instantly see that it was Prince Charles. So I guess if it's ok for him...

I think it's illegal but honestly don't know if it actually is or not. It would certainly be highly distracting for the driver. I wouldn't be prepared to drive at night with any internal light on, period

Yes , I agree it's distracting, and I don;t like it either. I just wondered if parents say it's illegal to stop the kids asking?

Since the clocks went back it's dark when we're coming back from after school clubs etc, and DS2 often asks if he can put the light on to read, but I usually say no....

My dad (old fashioned and awkward man) used to say it was illegal, but tbh he used to say a lot of stuff.

we need a police type person on here to tell us straight.

Is it possibly one of those things that are in the Highway Code? i.e. not illegal as such, but if you did it and had an accident you would have to have a jolly good reason for not following the code?

I think it is too, but I don't actually know.

Couple of comments from driving instructors on this thread (ukdic.co.uk).

Highway Code, Lighting Requirements seems to be about exterior lights.

I do wonder how many people abide by those rules fully, as I wouldn't fancy driving along a lit street 30 limit at night, without my headlights on!

Interesting post nannynick. If one reads further down on your 2nd link - part 15, it mentions built up areas (which are almost 100% lit, even in built up areas) and the necessity of using headlights.

So their earlier comment about driving along a lit street with 30 limit, at night, is v unlikely to occur. (iykwim, can't seem to word that better tonight!)