Daytime running lights indicator

How to read it

Volkswagen’s guide lists a green light for daytime running lights on, a lamp symbol above the letters DRL. The US lighting standard, FMVSS No. 108, describes daytime running lamps as steady burning lamps that make a vehicle easier to see from the front and front sides when the headlamps aren’t needed for driving. Toyota’s 2024 RAV4 marks a DRL position on some of its US light switches.

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Why the dashboard may show nothing

Chevrolet’s 2022 Bolt EUV manual says its Lamps On Reminder stays off when only the daytime running lamps are on, and that while they are on, the taillamps, side marker lamps and instrument panel lights are off. Ford’s F-150 manual warns that its daytime running lamps don’t turn on the rear lamps and may not give enough light in low visibility.

Differences by country or standard

Canada requires daytime running lamps on every vehicle, and Chevrolet’s manual says fully functional DRL are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada. Canada’s regulations switch them off while the low beams are lit. Since 1 September 2021, a car whose speedometer, fuel gauge or other main indicators are lit while the daytime running lights are on must either switch its low beams on automatically when it is darker than 1,000 lux outside or keep its tail lamps lit. Toyota’s manual says daytime running lights can be turned off at the switch in the U.S.A.

Look-alikes

The lights on indicator is for the parking and tail lights. The AUTO setting on the switch lets the car choose between daytime running lights and headlights.