Challenge
You already open the boot, expecting the officer to also ask for a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit — like at a campsite in France. The CBR exam designer counts on exactly that reflex. The book sets requirements for lights, not for emergency-supply items.
Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Required lighting and the MOT (APK)
The model
Front: two headlamps, two dipped beams, two side lights. Rear: two tail lights, two brake lights, number-plate light, two reflectors, one rear fog light, one reverse light. A fire extinguisher or first-aid kit appears on neither list.
Read this section on its own page: The model: Required lighting and the MOT (APK)
Core
By day with seriously impaired visibility (such as fog or heavy rain) and always at night, you use dipped beams. Full beam is forbidden by day, when meeting other traffic, and when following another vehicle closely — more light is not a better solution there. The rear fog light is regulated separately: you may only switch it on when visibility is below 50 metres due to very dense fog or heavy snowfall — explicitly not in rain (Book p.191, cross-chapter). A valid MOT certificate (APK) must have been issued for the registered vehicle. With an expired APK, both the owner/keeper and — once the vehicle is actually driven on the road — the driver are liable; two parties at once, not one.
Read this section on its own page: Core: Required lighting and the MOT (APK)
Why it matters
Wrong lighting costs visibility in two directions at once: too little light and others don't see you; full beam at the wrong moment and you blind others — or yourself, via reflection off fog. The 50 m threshold for the rear fog light exists precisely to prevent that dazzle: in rain a bright red rear light works against the cars behind you instead of for them.
Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Required lighting and the MOT (APK)
Memory hook
Fog/snow <50m: rear fog light on. Rain: never. Fire extinguisher/first-aid kit: no legal requirement. Expired APK: owner/keeper AND driver liable.
Read this section on its own page: Memory hook: Required lighting and the MOT (APK)
Source: RVV 1990 art. 32 · WVW 1994 art. 72 · checked 2026-10-22
Test yourself
One November evening, just after sunset, you are pulled over just outside Zwolle for a general vehicle check. The officer walks around your car counting the lights out loud. Are you sure your car has enough of them?
Show the answer
Front: two headlamps, two dipped beams, two side lights. Rear: two tail lights, two brake lights, number-plate light, two reflectors, one rear fog light, one reverse light. A fire extinguisher or first-aid kit appears on neither list.
Frequently asked questions
‘A fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit are legally required in the car’ – is that true?
No. The passenger-car requirements name no fire extinguisher and no first-aid kit. Both are sensible, neither is an inspection requirement
‘In fog you switch to full beam, because that gives more visibility’ – is that true?
No. By day with seriously impaired visibility (such as fog) dipped headlights are required, not full beam. Full beam is moreover forbidden when meeting or following other traffic
‘In heavy rain you switch on the rear fog light, because visibility is poor then too’ – is that true?
No. 'If visibility is less than 50 metres due to very dense fog or heavy snowfall (NOT in rain!) you may switch on your rear fog light.' In rain the rear fog light stays off, even below 50 m visibility
‘With an expired MOT (APK), only the owner or keeper is liable, not the driver’ – is that true?
No. Besides the owner/keeper, the driver is ALSO liable, as soon as the motor vehicle is actually driven on the road. Two liable parties at once, not one
‘Two brake lights are not a legal requirement for a passenger car’ – is that true?
No. Two brake lights ARE required for passenger cars, just like the reflectors. Only the fire extinguisher is missing from the requirements list