A light driver, comprising: a primary side driver configured to convert an input from a mains power supply to a primary side output (Vpri, Ipri); a primary side driver power supply configured to provide a first operating voltage to the primary side driver; a secondary side driver coupled to the primary side driver and configured to rectify and filter the primary side output to provide a driver output current (lout) for driving a light load, including at least a current control circuit; a secondary side driver power supply configured to provide a second operating voltage to the secondary side driver; and a microcontroller, characterized in that the primary side driver is configured to be in a non-powered state in which it is cut-off from the first operating voltage when a soft-start signal is turned on, - the microcontroller is configured to control the light driver such that the current control circuit and various ICs of the secondary side driver are in a powered-on state and the primary side driver is in said non-powered state during a soft-start period, and subsequent to the soft-start period the primary side driver is set to be in a low output state when initially powered-on and thereafter set to a state in which driver output current of the secondary side driver increases the light output from the light load from an initial dim level to a nominal dim level without flicker, wherein the secondary side driver is configured to provide a feedback signal to the primary side driver responsive to said soft-start signal and a current reference signal, wherein the microcontroller is configured to provide the soft-start signal and the current reference signal responsive to an input dimming signal indicative of a desired dim level of the light load, and wherein the primary side driver is configured to be in said non-powered state when the soft-start signal is turned on, and after the soft-start signal is turned off to be set responsive to the feedback signal to the low output state and thereafter to an initial state based on the current reference signal. a primary side driver configured to convert an input from a mains power supply to a primary side output (Vpri, Ipri); a primary side driver power supply configured to provide a first operating voltage to the primary side driver; a secondary side driver coupled to the primary side driver and configured to rectify and filter the primary side output to provide a driver output current (lout) for driving a light load, including at least a current control circuit; a secondary side driver power supply configured to provide a second operating voltage to the secondary side driver; and a microcontroller, characterized in that the primary side driver is configured to be in a non-powered state in which it is cut-off from the first operating voltage when a soft-start signal is turned on, - the microcontroller is configured to control the light driver such that the current control circuit and various ICs of the secondary side driver are in a powered-on state and the primary side driver is in said non-powered state during a soft-start period, and subsequent to the soft-start period the primary side driver is set to be in a low output state when initially powered-on and thereafter set to a state in which driver output current of the secondary side driver increases the light output from the light load from an initial dim level to a nominal dim level without flicker, wherein the secondary side driver is configured to provide a feedback signal to the primary side driver responsive to said soft-start signal and a current reference signal, wherein the microcontroller is configured to provide the soft-start signal and the current reference signal responsive to an input dimming signal indicative of a desired dim level of the light load, and wherein the primary side driver is configured to be in said non-powered state when the soft-start signal is turned on, and after the soft-start signal is turned off to be set responsive to the feedback signal to the low output state and thereafter to an initial state based on the current reference signal.