Light and Visibility Test 2026: The nationwide road safety campaign celebrates its 70th edition this year. (Photo: © ProMotor/T.Volz)
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September 15, 2026
The automotive trade and the German Road Safety Association are calling for participation in the annual road safety campaign in October: the light and visibility test.
Since 1956, the free headlight check – expanded last year to include a comprehensive headlight and visibility test – has been held annually throughout Germany. As part of this initiative, organized by the German Association of the Automotive Industry ( ZDK ), the Federal Guild Association of the Automotive Trade ( BIV-Kfz ), and the German Road Safety Association ( DVW ), automotive professionals from participating master workshops inspect the lighting systems of cars and commercial vehicles free of charge throughout October.
Furthermore, the master workshops will, upon request, check the general safety condition of the vehicle – from wiper blades and tires to the windshield and lighting equipment – and carry out any necessary repairs for a fee.
"Road safety is a major concern of mine . For this to happen, it's absolutely essential that vehicles are clearly visible and their lights are fully functional . That's why this campaign is so close to my heart," says Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU), who has agreed to be the patron of the headlight and headlight check. "Only with proper lighting can drivers drive safely and with foresight in the dark . They need optimal visibility and shouldn't dazzle other drivers. With the headlight and headlight check, automotive workshops are creating the technical prerequisites for safe driving in autumn and winter. I can only encourage everyone to take advantage of this offer."
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
Incidentally, interested drivers can use the workshop search function on the website of the Light Vision Test to find workshops in their area.
Participants in the nationwide campaign who upload a photo of themselves and the sticker on their windshield to licht-test.de and explain why they are having their vehicle's headlights and visibility tested can win a fully electric BYD ATTO 2 with a 12-month Finn car subscription this year. There is also a chance to win one of 75 Auto Bild subscriptions, one of 20 Osram TA20 Next signal lights, or one of five driver safety training courses offered by the German Road Safety Association . The competition runs from October 1st to 31st, 2026.
Businesses that submit their headlight test defect statistics by November 6th can win a headlight aiming device (SEG) from Hella Gutmann.
This year, as in previous years, Kim Truckenbrodt, ambassador for the Light and Visibility Test, will be sharing information about road safety on social media – including Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , and TikTok . The Light and Visibility Test's Instagram and Facebook channels will also be hosting contests . Prizes include 25 AUTO BILD subscriptions and five driver safety training courses offered by the German Road Safety Association. More information will be available in the daily posts.
Thomas Peckruhn, President of the Central Association of the German Motor Trade
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Kirsten Lühmann, President of the German Road Safety Association
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Source: Light-Vision Test / ZDK DHB now also available digitally! Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!
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