Can a car pass the annual inspection after installing fog lights?
2 Answers
Installing fog lights can pass the annual inspection. Vehicles without fog lights usually have reserved positions for fog light installation from the factory, so adding fog lights is not considered an illegal modification (of course, if certain lights that affect other vehicles' driving are installed in the reserved fog light positions, it may not pass the inspection). However, to be on the safe side, you can consult the vehicle management office or apply for a modification of the vehicle's driving license and take a new photo after installing the fog lights. How to use fog lights: 1. When visibility is between 200m-500m, you must turn on the low beam, width lights, and taillights, and the speed should not exceed 80km/h. The distance between your car and the vehicle in front in the same lane should be kept at least 150m. 2. When visibility is between 100-200m, you must turn on the fog lights, low beam, width lights, and taillights, and the speed should not exceed 60km/h. The distance from the vehicle in front should be at least 100m. 3. When visibility is between 50-100m, you must turn on the fog lights, low beam, width lights, and taillights, and the speed should not exceed 40km/h. The distance from the vehicle in front should be at least 50m.
I installed fog lights myself and passed the annual inspection last year in one go. The key is to ensure they meet the standards. First, check if the fog lights are certified—for example, the brightness shouldn’t be too glaring, the color must be white or yellow, and the position should be fixed at a moderate height on the front bumper without obstructing other drivers’ vision. If you DIY carelessly, with messy wiring or overly bright bulbs, the inspector will spot the issues immediately and may ask you to remove and redo them. It’s recommended to use branded products and have them installed by a professional shop to avoid short circuits or aging wiring. In fact, the annual inspection mainly checks if the lighting system is safe. As long as the fog lights function properly and are compatible with the original vehicle wiring, there’s usually no problem. Of course, standards may vary slightly by region, so just avoid misusing fog lights in daily driving.
