Is it illegal to drive with fog lights on at night on the highway?
3 Answers
It is not illegal, but it is not recommended to drive with fog lights on at night. Highway lighting choices: Under normal weather conditions, fog lights should not be turned on, whether during the day or at night. Additionally, when meeting oncoming traffic on roads without a median, you should slow down at a distance of about 150m and switch from high beams to low beams. If the oncoming vehicle does not switch to low beams, the driver should slow down and use the method of alternating between high and low beams to signal the oncoming driver. If the oncoming driver still does not switch beams, just continue driving in your own lane. Disadvantages of using fog lights: Fog lights should not be turned on unless in foggy or windy weather conditions, as they can be very dazzling to both oncoming drivers and drivers behind you.
Last month, I specifically asked a traffic cop about this during a long-distance trip. It is indeed a violation to use fog lights on the highway at night. Article 81 of the Road Traffic Safety Law clearly states that fog lights can only be used when visibility is below 200 meters. Fog lights can be life-saving in rainy or foggy conditions, but using them on a clear night is no different from using high beams—it can blind the drivers behind you. My cousin was fined 200 yuan last year for this; he insisted that fog lights helped him see better. In reality, highway lighting at night is sufficient. If you encounter actual fog, remember to turn on your fog lights and hazard lights while reducing speed. Otherwise, just stick to low beams. Once, I saw a car ahead using fog lights, and three cars behind were honking angrily—it was really dangerous.
During my last road trip, I encountered heavy rain and drove the entire way with my fog lights on without getting fined. The key is weather conditions. Traffic regulations are quite clear—fog lights are only allowed when visibility is poor. Many people mistakenly think fog lights are brighter and provide better illumination, but I know colleagues who’ve been caught three times for using them in clear weather. A traffic officer told me that the red light from rear fog lamps is particularly glaring on clear nights, making it easy for following drivers to misjudge distances. My advice is to check your fog light switch before a long drive—some cars keep them on even after removing the key. Don’t hesitate to use fog lights when truly needed on highways, but remember to turn them off in tunnels or on clear nights—it’s both safer and compliant.
