The road sign with a semicircle and black lines is a round sign with a red border containing the symbol for low-beam headlights: a semicircle with several slanted lines pointing down from it. You’ll find it mainly in Argentina, and it means just one thing: from this point on, you must drive with your low beams on (or daytime running lights, if the vehicle has them), day and night.
You won’t see that sign in Italy, but the rules for motorcyclists are already stricter: Article 152 of the Highway Code requires lights to be on at all times, even in cities. Here you’ll find what Argentine law says, what applies here, what changes in the countries people most often travel to by motorcycle, and how to prepare your lighting system before setting off.
In brief
- What it means: you must drive with your low beams on. The symbol is the same as the low-beam indicator on the dashboard.
- Argentina: on national roads, such as Ruta 40, low beams or daytime running lights must be on 24 hours a day (Article 47 of Ley 24.449, as amended by Ley 27.425 of 2017).
- Italy: motorcycles and mopeds must always have their low beams on, including in built-up areas; daytime running lights are permitted during the day when visibility is good. Fine: €42 to €173.
- Abroad: Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil require motorcycles to have their lights on, even during the day.
- Auxiliary lights: extra lights help you see and be seen, but they don’t replace the motorcycle’s low beam.
The sign with the stylized headlight asks for just one thing: low beams on
Red border, white background, a black semicircle and a few slanted lines: it looks like a puzzle, but drivers already know it because it’s the same design as the green low-beam indicator.
How to read the three elements
- The circle with the red border: in European and South American road signage, it indicates a command, meaning a requirement, not a recommendation.
- The semicircle: represents the headlight assembly.
- The diagonal lines pointing downward: These are the beam directed toward the road surface, that is, the low beam. If they were horizontal, they would indicate high beams, which the sign does not require.
The sign was featured in the Italian automotive press, which described it as a sign used in Argentina to remind drivers of the requirement to drive with low-beam headlights on. It is not part of the signage commonly seen in Italy: the requirement for motorcycles comes from the Highway Code and applies everywhere, without needing a sign to remind riders. For this very reason, the symbol is of particular interest to anyone planning a motorcycle trip in South America.
In Argentina, low beams must stay on on national roads, day and night
The rule is in Article 47 of Ley 24.449, the national traffic law, as rewritten by Ley 27.425, published in the Boletín Oficial on December 22, 2017.
The current text states that when a vehicle is traveling on national roads, its low beams or daytime running lights (DRLs) must remain on, day and night, regardless of natural light and visibility; exceptions are sections where high beams are required and railroad crossings. The same 2017 reform repealed the previous Ley 25.456, which referred only to low beams, and added daytime running lights as an equivalent alternative.
What this means for motorcycle travelers
For a European motorcyclist, little changes: almost all recent motorcycles switch their lights on automatically when you start the engine. The tricky part is something else. On thousands of kilometers of Patagonian straight roads, with wind, dust, and vibrations, a headlight that fails far from a repair shop puts you on the wrong side of the law and, above all, makes you less visible to trucks. Knowing how your headlight works and what you can fix yourself is part of preparing for the trip.
In Italy, motorcycles have the strictest rule: lights must be on even in cities
Article 152 of the Highway Code treats cars and motorcycles differently, requiring more of two-wheeled vehicles.
Cars must keep their position lights and low beams on while driving outside built-up areas. Mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles must do so also in built-up areas, that is, at all times. Daytime running lights may be used instead of low beams and position lights if the motorcycle is equipped with them, but not in the cases listed in article 153, paragraph 1: at night (from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise), in tunnels, in fog, snow, heavy rain, or whenever visibility is poor. Historic and collectible vehicles are exempt.
| Situation | Motorcycles and mopeds | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| During the day in urban areas, when visibility is good | Low beams or daytime running lights | No requirement |
| During the day outside urban areas, when visibility is good | Low beams or daytime running lights | Low beams or daytime running lights |
| At night, in tunnels, in fog, or in heavy rain | Low beams and position lights; daytime running lights are not enough | Low beams and position lights; daytime running lights are not enough |
| Historic or collectible vehicle | Exempt from the daytime requirement | Exempt from the daytime requirement |
Source: arts. 152 and 153 of the Highway Code, as reproduced by SicurAUTO and avvocatoandreani.it, accessed October 16, 2026. The Code was recently amended: normattiva.it is the authoritative source for the current text. For the 2026 updates, see the article on the new Highway Code and motorcycles.
Abroad, riding a motorcycle with its lights on is the rule almost everywhere
In Europe and South America, the rules for cars vary widely from country to country; for motorcycles, however, daytime lights are required almost everywhere.
| Country | Motorcycles during the day | Daytime running lights permitted | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Always, even in cities | Yes, when visibility is good | Highway Code, art. 152 |
| Germany | Always | Yes, low beams or daytime running lights | StVO § 17 paragraph 2a |
| Austria | Always (not for cars) | Check before setting off | SicurAUTO |
| France | Always (not for cars) | Check before setting off | SicurAUTO |
| Switzerland | Always, for all vehicles | Check before setting off | SicurAUTO, TCS |
| Slovenia | Always, for all vehicles | Not always accepted: low beams are better | SicurAUTO |
| Croatia | Always (cars only in winter) | Check before setting off | SicurAUTO |
| Argentina | On national roads, 24 hours a day | Yes | Law 24.449, art. 47 |
| Chile | Always, with lights on | Yes, on interurban roads | Law 18.290, art. 72; D.S. 22/2006 |
| Uruguay | Always, for all vehicles | Yes, if factory-fitted | Law 18.191 Article 30 |
| Brazil | Low beams during the day and at night | The law requires motorcycles to use low beams | CTB Article 40 |
In northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Iceland), as well as Bulgaria and Montenegro, daytime lights are mandatory for all vehicles, according to SicurAUTO. If you're heading to the Balkans, also see our Africa Twin setup for the Balkans, and for the north, the GS equipment for Northern Europe.
Low beams, daytime running lights, and auxiliary lights are not the same thing
When a law says lights must be on, it means a specific light: knowing which one helps you avoid fines abroad and making the wrong choices in the garage.
The three lights that matter
- Low beam: illuminates the road without dazzling oncoming traffic. It is the light accepted by all the laws in the table, at all times.
- Daytime running lights (DRLs): designed to make you visible during the day, not to illuminate the road. Italy, Germany, Argentina, and Uruguay accept them during the day; in Slovenia, not always, and in Brazil the law specifies low-beam headlights for motorcycles.
- Auxiliary lights: these are an addition. They do not replace the motorcycle's low beam, either under Italian law or, according to the sources consulted, under foreign laws.
On long, straight roads, when a motorcycle approaches a car about to overtake a truck, the outline of a single headlight can easily blend into the background. Two auxiliary lights mounted low on the crash bar widen the light signature: this is an editorial opinion based on travel experience, not research data. If you use them on the road, they must be approved and aimed so they don't dazzle oncoming traffic.
- the lights are approved for road use, with an ECE mark on the housing
- the beam is aimed with the motorcycle loaded, because luggage and a passenger raise the front end
- the electrical system can handle the extra load, with a relay or control unit
- does not replace the low beam: if your motorcycle’s headlight fails, you’re still not road-legal
- does not authorize you to use high beams on other road users: lower the level or switch them off in town and when approaching oncoming traffic
- does not make the motorcycle visible from behind, where brake lights and reflectors matter
- Approval
- ECE R149.00 Class C, E57*149R00/06*1142
- Functions
- Low beam, high beam, flashing
- Pair output
- 2,500-8,000 lm low beam; up to 15,000 lm with both beams
- Adjustment
- 8 levels with a dial near the clutch
- Light
- 6000 K white, 3000 K with the included yellow lens cover
- Sealing and housing
- IP68, CNC aluminum, glass lens
- Installation
- 22, 25, and 28 mm tube clamps included
- Listing price
- 261 €
As of October 16, 2026, the L7S listing shows 4 units in stock. Alternatives are available in the LOBOO lighting and motorcycle auxiliary lights collections; find brackets for your bike in headlight brackets. For help reading an ECE certificate, see the guide to approved auxiliary lights, and to compare models, see the best motorcycle auxiliary lights of 2026.
Before a long trip, treat your headlight like your tires
A lighting check in the garage takes ten minutes; a failed headlight a thousand kilometers from the nearest repair shop can take days to deal with.
- Find out what type of headlight you have. If it uses replaceable halogen bulbs, carry a spare low-beam bulb of the same type. If it has an integrated LED unit, find out in advance what happens if it fails, because it often can’t be fixed at the roadside.
- Check the fuses and connectors. Vibration and water are the enemies of electrical contacts: two spare fuses of the correct rating take up about as much space as a coin.
- Adjust the beam with the motorcycle loaded. Panniers, a tank bag, and a passenger compress the rear suspension and raise the headlight: a beam that was correctly aligned when unloaded may end up shining into oncoming drivers’ eyes.
- Clean the lenses and reflectors. On dirt roads and dusty tracks, a layer of dust on the headlight reduces its output more than you might think. A headlight guard also prevents stone chips.
- Check the electrical system if you add loads. Auxiliary lights, heated grips, and USB sockets all add to the power draw: add up the wattage before setting off, not in the middle of the pampa.
For the complete list of checks to make before setting off, see our guide on preparing your motorcycle for a long trip; to protect your headlight from stones, see our guide to headlight protection for off-road motorcycles; and for electrical loads, see our guide to the motorcycle power distribution unit. And if your trip often has you riding back at sunset, also read how to ride a motorcycle in the dark during standard time.
Frequently asked questions about the sign and riding with your lights on
The most frequently asked questions, with sources listed in the notes below.
What does the road sign with a semicircle and black lines mean?
Where can you find this sign?
Is the same sign used in Italy?
Do I have to keep my motorcycle lights on during the day in the city?
How much is the fine for riding a motorcycle with the lights off?
Are motorcycle DRLs enough instead of the low beam?
Do lights have to be on in cities in Argentina?
Can I use auxiliary lights instead of the low beam?
In which European countries must motorcycles have their lights on during the day?
What are Brazil's requirements for motorcycles?
Do historic motorcycles have to keep their lights on during the day?
Why can't I turn off my motorcycle's headlight?
Read next
Getting your motorcycle ready for a long-distance trip?
At Endurrad, you'll find approved auxiliary lights, dedicated brackets, and electrical accessories to help you be seen, in Italy and on Ruta 40. Tell us your motorcycle's make, model, and year, and we'll recommend compatible brackets and lights.
Take Endurrad with you everywhere: download the Endurrad app for iPhone.
Argentina, Law 24.449 Article 47 as amended by Law 27.425 (Official Gazette, 12/22/2017): text published by Microjuris; previous text (Law 25.456) at argentina.gob.ar; provincial enforcement: Derecho en Zapatillas.
Italy, Highway Code Article 152: SicurAUTO and avvocatoandreani.it; current text at normattiva.it. Article 126-bis points table: Portale dell'Automobilista.
Germany, StVO § 17: gesetze-im-internet.de.
Chile, Law 18.290 Article 72: iura.cl; Decree 22/2006, amended by Decree 181/2006.
Uruguay, Law 18.191 Article 30 (text of Law 19.824): IMPO.
Brazil, CTB Articles 40 and 250: Âmbito Jurídico.
Other European countries: SicurAUTO; TCS.
Original report on the Argentine signal: Autoblog, October 15, 2026. LOBOO L7S listing: Endurrad catalog, manufacturer-declared specifications, verified October 16, 2026.
