What are fog lights and when should you use them?

The clue is in the name – fog lights are designed to aid visibility in, well, fog. That much is obvious, but there is still some confusion surrounding when and how they should be used.

Aside from fog, fog lights are there to aid the driver in several low visibility conditions where the standard head and taillights aren’t powerful enough to keep you seen and safe.

We’re going to run through everything you need to know about fog lights, from when and how to use them, to the laws regulating their usage and placement.

Fog light checklist

At least one rear fog light must be fitted by law
Front fog lights are optional
Fog lights must only be used in adverse visibility
You must not use fog lights when the weather is clear

What do fog lights do?

Fog lights are designed to aid visibility when bad weather conditions reduce your ability to see the road ahead. Front fog lights can cut through mist, fog, rain or even dust as they are mounted lower down than headlights in the front of the car.

Rear fog lights use very bright bulbs to cut through mist and fog to alert other road users of your presence.

Where are the fog lights on a car?

Front fog lights tend to be mounted low down, below the headlights. They illuminate the road directly in front of the vehicle. It is not a legal requirement to have front fog lights, and many manufacturers don’t offer them on their base models, reserving them for higher trims.

Rear fog lights are integrated into the rear light cluster and shine directly rearwards, their job being to alert the vehicle behind you to your presence when visibility is poor. Having at least one rear fog lamp is a legal requirement in the UK, and it must be fitted to the centre or offside rear of a vehicle.

Daytime running lights (DRL) have been a legal requirement in the UK since 2011, however, these are not the same as fog lights and do not aid visibility in inclement weather conditions. They are always on and are meant to make your car more visible rather than provide extra illumination.

What are fog light symbols?

Cars use standard symbols for front and rear fog lights. You’ll see them on light switches, and they will illuminate on the dash when lights are on. In some modern cars such as Teslas the symbols will appear on the infotainment screen rather than the display in front of the driver or on physical switches, and you may need to go through a couple of on-screen menus to access them.

• Front fog light symbol: The front fog light symbol shows a lamp pointing to the left. In front of the lamp is a wavy line with some diagonal lines cutting across it representing the light from the lamp.

• Rear fog light symbol: The rear fog light symbol points to the right. It also has a wavy line to represent fog with diagonal straight lines running through it.

When to use fog lights

Fog lights are useful when your visibility is decreased such as when it snows or there is thick fog or mist covering the road ahead. They can also help when there is heavy spray on the motorway.

Using your high beams in these conditions can actually reduce your visibility as the bright light reflects off the fog or mist, making it even harder to see ahead.

The Highway Code states that you must not use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. Using this terminology means that this is a requirement and not a recommendation.

This is because incorrect use of fog lights can dazzle road users, while rear fog lights can obscure your brake lights. The general rule is that you should only use them when you cannot see more than 100 metres ahead. The Highway Code also states that you must switch both front and rear fog lights off when visibility improves.

Front fog lights can help you to see the road ahead when visibility is poor. Just as importantly, they make it easier for traffic coming the other way to spot you. The same goes for vehicles waiting to pull out from a junction up ahead. They help you to see and be seen.

Rear fog lights should always be switched on whenever visibility is poor, they are there to alert other road users of your presence.

How do I turn my fog lights on?

Depending on the make and model of your car, there are a number of ways to turn on your fog lights. There will either be a separate button on the dashboard or a function on your indicator stalk which will allow you to control the fog lights.

Some cars have a rotary knob on the dashboard which can be pulled or pushed to activate the fog lights, others will have buttons next to this knob which will accomplish the same thing. Some high-tech modern cars have very few physical buttons, with almost all functions controlled through a touchscreen. In these models it can be less obvious how to turn on your fog lights. You’ll probably need to go through a menu or two on the touchscreen.

Make sure you know how to turn on the fog lights so there’s no need for any head-scratching the first time you drive the car in poor visibility.

How do I know my fog lights are on?

Most vehicles will have a symbol that illuminates on the dashboard or driver display to show that the fog lights are on – just like with the head lights.

The symbol for the front fog lights (if fitted) is an oval-shaped lamp with three diagonal lines intersected with a wavy vertical line to the left of it.

The symbol for the rear fog lights is an oval-shaped lamp with three horizontal lines bisected by a wavy vertical line on its right.

So many modern cars have automatic headlights that switch on and off without the driver needing to do anything. That’s not the case with fog lights – it’s up to the driver to decide if they are needed or not.

When should I turn my fog lights off?

According to the Highway Code, you must switch off your fog lights as soon as visibility improves. Leaving front fog lights on can dazzle drivers ahead, while rear fog lights may obscure your brake lights, creating a safety hazard.

Additionally, fog lamps must never be left on when your vehicle is parked. Incorrect use of fog lights can result in fines or penalties.

Always remember to turn off your fog lights promptly to ensure safety for yourself and other road users.

Fog Light FAQs

Do all cars have fog lights?
Yes, in the UK it’s a legal requirement for all cars to have at least one rear fog light, usually fitted to the centre or offside rear of the vehicle. However, front fog lights are optional and typically come only on higher-spec models or as an optional extra. When fitted, front fog lights are usually mounted low down, beneath the headlights.

When should I use rear fog lights?
Use rear fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced—specifically when you can’t see more than 100 metres ahead, as advised by the Highway Code.

Why are vehicles fitted with rear fog lights?
Standard rear lights can be hard to see in thick fog. Rear fog lights are much brighter to cut through poor visibility, helping drivers behind you notice your vehicle sooner and improving overall road safety.

Why is it dangerous to leave fog lights on?
Fog lights are very bright and can dazzle other drivers when visibility is good. Using them in light rain or mist can cause glare, distracting other road users. At night, fog lights can interfere with others’ night vision, reducing safety. Bright rear fog lights can also obscure your brake lights, increasing the risk of collisions. Only use fog lights when visibility drops below 100 metres.

Can I be fined for having my fog lights on unnecessarily?
Yes. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 prohibit using fog lights when visibility is adequate or when the vehicle is parked. Using them incorrectly can result in a fine.