There is a common driving myth believed by a proportion of British motorists surrounding the interior car light. Some drivers believe that it is illegal to drive around with the interior light switched on. However, it seems like this is not actually the case as there is no specific law permitting the use of it while driving. The only lighting rule which may be applicable to drivers about the interior is Rule 114 of the Highway Code.
This rule says that “you MUST NOT use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.”
One reason why drivers may state that to other passengers, especially children, is if it is left on overnight it could drain the battery. Another reason is that it could potentially be distracting.
Speaking to the Mirror, a spokesman for the RAC said: “There is no law against this [interior light].
“However, if a police officer pulls you over and adjudges your interior light to be a driving distraction they have the right to tell you to turn it off.”
A police officer added to the paper: “The only scrap of a chance may be if the interior light is white AND it is showing to the rear (which I would doubt) so that it is visible from outside the rear of the vehicle.
“The offence there is ‘showing a light other than red to the rear’.
“When you think about it a car has numerous lights within the cockpit nowadays, one more located in the roof probably won’t make much difference (Sat-navs, instrument dials, radios etc).”
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