Driving in foggy conditions can be challenging and even dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. Understanding what fog lights are, how and when to use them before you end up in a foggy situation is essential. While the dos and don’ts will vary depending on the vehicle you drive, there are standard things you should know before you hit the road.
To help you on your way, we’ve answered all the most-asked questions when it comes to driving in fog. Read on to get all your queries answered.
Fog lights are the lights on your vehicle designed to cut through fog, mist and heavy rain. They are positioned lower on the vehicle than regular headlights, helping reduce the glare that can reflect off the fog and impair your vision (or the vision of other drivers around you).
You should use fog lights when visibility is significantly reduced. The rule of thumb here is that if you can’t see 100 meters in front of you (about 328 feet), then you need to turn them on. This usually happens in dense fog, heavy rain or snow. Remember, fog lights are dazzling and are not meant for everyday use, so make sure you only use them when these specific conditions occur.
Can you use fog lights when it’s not foggy?
No! It is illegal to use your fog lights if visibility is not significantly diminished.
Are you supposed to use fog lights at night?
If there isn’t fog or extremely poor visibility for a reason other than darkness, then no, do not turn your fog lights on just because it is dark.
Both lights are designed to keep you, and the drivers around you, safe on the road.
- Front fog lights: help you see the road in front of you when you’re driving in poor visibility. Front fog lights are not a legal requirement, they will be dependent on the manufacturer and specification of your vehicle (often restricted to higher-spec cars).
- Rear fog lights: help other drivers see your vehicle in poor visibility. Rear fog lights are a legal requirement so all cars will be fitted with them.
The front fog lights and rear fog lights are depicted by two different symbols:
- Front fog lights: a lamp (looks like a flat-sided oval), pointing to the left with lines pointing diagonally downward and a wavy line through.
- Rear fog lights: a lamp (looks like a flat-sided oval), pointing to the right with lines pointing horizontally and a wavy line through.
Turning on fog lights varies by vehicle, but generally, you can find the fog light switch on the same steering wheel stalk as your headlights or on a separate dial on your dashboard. Check your vehicle’s manual for specific instructions. We recommend doing this now if you don’t know, as it’s essential for safety that you know where they are located.
Headlights are designed to illuminate the road ahead under normal driving conditions. They are positioned higher and can reflect off fog, causing glare. Fog lights, on the other hand, are positioned lower and have a wider beam pattern to light up the road directly in front of you without reflecting off the fog.
Whilst it’s not illegal to drive without fog lights when visibility is bad, not turning them on reduces your safety and that of the other drivers around you - so make sure you do!
Yes, it is illegal to drive with fog lights on when visibility isn’t seriously reduced. This is because headlights are very bright and can dazzle other drivers, making it very dangerous to have them on in the wrong conditions.
1. Turn on your fog lights as soon as visibility drops below 100m.
2. Allow more distance than usual between you and the car in front.
3. Approach turnings and junctions slowly and with caution.
4. Stay alert to other drivers - not everyone remembers to turn their fog lights on so be extra vigilant.
5. Brake well in advance for slowing and stopping. Your brake lights will provide extra warning to the car behind.
6. Check your mirrors thoroughly before making any moves, as erratic driving in foggy conditions can be fatal.
There are three key rules to remember when it comes to fog lights:
1. Only use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 meters.
2. According to UK law, fog lights must be either white or yellow. Any other colour variations would be considered illegal.
3. Make sure to turn your fog lights off as soon as visibility improves, otherwise your risk dazzling other drivers which can lead to accidents (and is illegal). If you forget to switch your fog lights off once conditions have improved, you may be pulled over by the police for breaching driving laws.
Hopefully, this has cleared up the age-old question of when to use fog lights. For more advice on keeping you and your passengers safe on the road, check out the rest of our guides. From our dash cam guide to our breakdown list checklist, we’ve got you covered.
