{"id":14114,"date":"2026-10-30T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/?p=14114"},"modified":"2026-10-10T03:06:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T07:06:59","slug":"night-driving-time-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/en\/conduire-de-nuit-changement-heure\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving at night after the time change: a guide for new drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n
\n
Night driving<\/div>\n

Driving at night after the time change: a guide for new drivers<\/h2>\n

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, the clocks fall back and darkness suddenly arrives during the drive home. Here is how to use your headlights properly, spot pedestrians, handle glare and fatigue, and follow the night rules that apply to learner's and probationary licences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Overnight from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2 a.m., Quebec goes back to standard time: the clocks move back one hour. Mornings are brighter for a while, but the sun sets an hour earlier by the clock. The drive home from school or work that you used to do in daylight now happens at dusk or in the dark.<\/p>\n

If you learned to drive this spring or summer, you may have very few hours of night driving behind you. This guide helps you build the right habits before it becomes your daily routine.<\/p>\n\n

Why the first weeks are riskier<\/h2>\n

The SAAQ sees more crashes in the 30 days after the clocks fall back than in the 30 days before. SAAQ data published in 2024 also showed a clear rise in injury crashes in the late afternoon and evening, and in crashes involving pedestrians, in the weeks after the change.<\/p>\n

The reason is simple: the evening rush hour, with lots of cars, pedestrians and cyclists, suddenly takes place in the dark. Nobody has adjusted yet: not other drivers, not pedestrians in dark coats, and not you.<\/p>\n\n

The basic habit.<\/strong> At night, you see less far ahead and judge distances less accurately. The SAAQ recommends slowing down and increasing the gap with the vehicle ahead. Also avoid passing when in doubt: at night, oncoming vehicles look farther away than they really are.<\/p><\/div>\n\n

High beams or low beams: the 150-metre rule<\/h2>\n

High beams light up the road much farther than low beams. On a dark country road, they are a big help. But they blind other drivers, and the law sets out when you must switch them off.<\/p>\n\n
Situation<\/th>Which lights to use<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Dark road, nobody ahead or oncoming<\/td>High beams allowed<\/td><\/tr>
A vehicle is coming toward you<\/td>Low beams at least 150 m before you meet it<\/td><\/tr>
You are following a vehicle<\/td>Low beams when you are within 150 m behind it<\/td><\/tr>
Well-lit street or road (in town, busy highway)<\/td>Low beams<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n

According to the SAAQ<\/a>, breaking this rule can lead to a fine of $60 to $100, plus costs. Get used to keeping your hand near the lever: as soon as you see headlights in the distance or tail lights ahead, switch back to low beams.<\/p>\n\n

Pedestrians and cyclists: see them before they cross<\/h2>\n

A pedestrian in a dark coat, in the November rain, can stay almost invisible until the last second. Cyclists do not always have good lights either. You cannot control what they wear, but you can adapt how you drive.<\/p>\n