Drivers warned over £5,000 fine for simple mistake as clocks go back this weekend

A simple mistake as nights start to draw in could land you with a £5,000 fine, drivers have been warned.

The clocks go back this weekend, meaning days are getting shorter and darker as we head towards winter.

Now car leasing specialists Rivervale Leasing has urged motorists to remember to switch on their headlights when driving in the dark or risk a £5,000 fine and up to 9 points on their license.

Rivervale has found that leaving your driveway without headlights on following the clocks change could land you with a hefty fine, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Motorists who are caught driving without their headlights on in the dark could be charged with Driving Without Due Care And Attention, which could land you a fixed penalty, or you will be summoned to court if the circumstances of the charge can’t be covered by a fixed penalty.

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Driving without headlights can lead to a £5,000 fine (Getty Images)

The legal definition of Driving Without Due Care And Attention is that you were "allowing your standard of driving to fall below that of a prudent motorist".

The fixed-rate for penalties is three points and a £100 fine . However, if the police force deems that the offence can't be covered by a fixed penalty, then you can expect to go to court.

The biggest fine would be £5,000, while you could also face up to nine points on your licence, community service and even a custodial sentence.

Bud Johnson, Group Marketing Manager at Rivervale Leasing said: “It can be easy to forget to switch your headlights on, especially when you are in a rush!

"Thankfully most modern cars have the auto setting for headlights, so some drivers won’t have to worry about driving unsafely during dark evenings.

"But whenever it is dark outside, you must remember to always check your headlights are switched on and working properly.

"A great way to get in the habit of using your headlights is to switch your lights on half an hour before the sun sets. If you can’t see further than 100 metres or you feel your view is obscured in any way, use dim headlights.”