PURPOSE: To enable passing to be rapidly carried out with high maneuverability by setting a head lamp to the opened condition with the passing operation and setting the head lamp to the closed condition automatically when a certain time has elapsed after the completion of the passing operation.

CONSTITUTION: Covers or the like for head lamps 1, 3 are opened and closed by drive mechanisms 5, 7. Now, when a light switch 9 is operated by driver and passing position C is established under the closed condition of the head lamp, drive mechanisms 5, 7 are driven to set the head lamps 1, 3 to the opened condition. When after the completion of passing operation the light switch 9 is changed over to a position other than the passing position C under the OFF condition, the head lamps are maintained at the opened condition for a certain time by a holding circuit consisting of a relay 11 and a timer 13 and then at the closed condition automatically. Thus, the passing operation is carried out rapidly from the closed condition so that the lamps can be automatically housed when they are not used.