Vehicle Lights
Guide to high and low beams, position lights, brake lights, turn signals, fog lights, reverse lights, license plate lighting, LED/Xenon and the deficiencies recorded during the technical inspection.
Which lights are checked at the vehicle inspection
Dipped-beam (low-beam) headlights and main-beam (high-beam) headlights.
Front and rear position lights, side marker lights, clearance lights and daytime running lights (DRL), where provided.
Brake lights (stop lights), including their correct activation.
Direction indicators (turn signals) and hazard warning lights (alarm).
Front and rear fog lights, if fitted.
Reversing lights.
Rear license plate illumination.
Reflectors and mandatory indicator lights for the lighting equipment.
Electrical connections and wiring related to lighting
What exactly is checked in the headlights
Whether the light sources work and whether the lamp/headlight is in good condition.
Whether the lamp and the light source are correctly and securely fastened.
The alignment and aiming of the light beam, so that it illuminates properly without dazzling other drivers.
The light intensity: excessively low or excessively high intensity constitutes a deficiency.
The color of the emitted light, the position and the prescribed marking of the lighting unit.
The correct switching between low and high beams and the operation of the switches/controls.
The operation of the leveling/height adjustment system when this is mandatory.
The operation of the headlamp cleaning system when it is mandatory, particularly where the relevant system is required by the vehicle approval.
Beam adjustment and light intensity
During the technical inspection the aiming of the front lamps is checked with a photometer. The current table of deficiencies includes, among other things, the following limits:
Check / Limit - MOT requirement
Vertical beam inclination for lamp height h ≤ 1,2 m / Between -1% and -3%
Vertical beam inclination for lamp height h > 1,2 m / Between -1,5% and -3,5%
Dipped-beam headlights - luminous intensity / Deficiency when > 90.000 cd or < 3.750 cd
Main-beam headlights - luminous intensity / Deficiency when > 150.000 cd or < 20.000 cd
Color and basic requirements of the lights
The current Road Traffic Code (Law 5209/2025) provides, among other things:
High-beam headlights (main beams): two white or selective yellow lights for motor vehicles exceeding 40 km/h.
Low-beam headlights (dipped beams): an even number of white or selective yellow lights. No more than two low-beam headlights may be lit simultaneously.
Position lights: white at the front and red at the rear, with the specific exceptions provided for by the Road Traffic Code.
Brake lights: at least two red lights at the rear for the specified vehicle categories.
Turn signals: flashing yellow lights. The Road Traffic Code specifies a frequency of 90 flashes/minute with a tolerance of ±30.
Front fog lights: white or selective yellow. Rear fog lights: red.
Reversing lights: white or selective yellow and must be activated when reverse gear is engaged.
The rear license plate illumination must make the number legible at night from at least 20 meters, under clear weather conditions.
LED and Xenon conversions - what the driver needs to know
Replacing a factory light source with another technology is not judged solely by whether it «fits» the socket and lights up. At the KTEO inspection the light source and lamp assembly are examined as a whole.
The bulb/light source, the emitted color, the position, the brightness and the marking must meet the requirements.
Incompatibility between the light source and lamp is recorded as a serious deficiency.
If an LED or Xenon conversion creates an incorrect beam, excessive brightness, glare or a non-specified color, it may lead to failure of the technical inspection.
For factory LED lamps the KTEO table also takes into account the percentage of light sources/sections that have stopped working.
Before any conversion, it must be checked that the specific lighting system and light source are approved and compatible for the specific vehicle/lamp.
In practical terms: An «LED kit» in a lamp designed for a different light source does not become legal simply because it does not display an error on the instrument panel. Lamp compatibility, the beam, intensity, color and marking are part of the inspection.
When is the problem minor, serious or dangerous
Vehicle inspection (KTEO) defects are categorized based on their impact on safety and the required follow-up action:
1. Minor Defect (Δ.Ε.) – "Fix it on your own"
What it means: Small faults that do not directly compromise safety (e.g., up to 1/3 of LED light sources not working in a headlight or brake light).
What happens: The vehicle passes inspection and receives the approval sticker. The issue is recorded on the report and you must repair it for your own safety, but no re-inspection is required for this defect alone.
2. Major Defect (Σ.Ε.) – "Repair & Re-inspect within 30 days"
What it means: Significant faults affecting road safety or visibility (e.g., misaimed headlights, light source/headlight incompatibility, severely impaired headlight visibility, or fewer than 2/3 of LEDs working on brake lights or indicators).
What happens: The vehicle fails inspection. You must fix the issue and return to the test center for a re-inspection within 30 days.
3. Dangerous Defect (Ε.Ε.) – "Immediate Danger / Grounded"
What it means: Critical faults posing an immediate risk to road safety (e.g., no brake lights functioning at all).
What happens: The strictest severity level. The vehicle is deemed unsafe for the road until the dangerous defect is fully resolved, and no standard re-inspection window applies.
What should the driver check before going for the vehicle inspection
1. What to Check (Step-by-Step):
Headlights: Turn on low and high beams and make sure both sides work.
Other Lights: Check position lights, daytime running lights (DRL), tail lights, license plate light, reverse light, and rear fog light.
Brake Lights & Indicators: Have someone press the brake pedal (check all brake lights, including the 3rd high-mount light) and test all turn signals and hazard lights.
2. What to Look Out For (Condition & Alignment):
Physical Condition: Check for cracked/faded lenses, moisture inside, or loose light assemblies.
Modifications & Beam Alignment: If bulbs or headlights were replaced (LED/Xenon), verify compatibility. If the headlights aim too high or unevenly, get the beam aligned before the inspection.
Use of lights in traffic
1. High Beams
Rule: Must not be used if they cause glare or blind drivers coming from the opposite direction or traveling in front of you.
2. Low Beams
Rule: Must be used in all situations where high beams are not allowed or necessary.
3. Fog Lights
Rule: Allowed only during severe weather conditions (fog, snowfall, heavy rain).
Exception: May also be used when driving on narrow, winding roads.
Legislation & Government Gazette
1. Road Traffic Code (Law 5209/2025 – Government Gazette 100/A/13.06.2025)
Articles 67 to 77 (Technical Requirements): Define mandatory specifications for all vehicle lights (headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, plate lights, reverse lights), reflectors, and the electrical system.
Article 40 (Rules of Use): Sets the rules for when and how to use your lights while driving.
2. Vehicle Inspection / KTEO Rules (Ministerial Decision 19111/192/2019 – Government Gazette 1003/B/26.03.2019)
Procedure & Certification: Regulates how inspections are conducted at Public and Private inspection centers.
Defect Classification: Defines the exact consequences when a vehicle is marked with Minor, Major, or Dangerous defects.