What lights should be turned on when driving in foggy conditions for Subject 3?
2 Answers
When driving at night without street lights, under poor illumination, or encountering conditions of reduced visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, motor vehicles should turn on the headlights, position lights, and rear position lights. However, high beams should not be used when following another vehicle closely in the same direction. In foggy conditions, motor vehicles should turn on the fog lights and hazard warning flashers. Additional information: Lighting usage for Subject 3: Turn on the headlights when driving at night without street lights or under poor illumination; use low beams when following another vehicle closely at night; use low beams when meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or bridges at night; use low beams when meeting other motor vehicles at night; switch from headlights to position lights + hazard warning flashers when a vehicle breaks down or is involved in a traffic accident at night, obstructing traffic and making it difficult to move; use fog lights + hazard warning flashers + headlights when driving in foggy conditions; alternately use high and low beams when passing sharp curves, arched bridges, slopes, crosswalks, or intersections without traffic signal control at night.
When driving in foggy conditions, I always check and turn on the fog lights: both the front and rear fog lights need to be activated. This is because fog lights are designed to project light downward with strong penetration, unlike high beams that concentrate light upward, which reflects off the fog and creates a blinding whiteout, increasing danger instead. Turning on the rear fog light ensures that drivers behind can see your position, preventing rear-end collisions. During the driving test (Subject 3), examiners pay special attention to this point—if you use the wrong lights or fail to follow the required procedures, you’ll be marked as failing immediately. That’s why I always emphasize during practice to familiarize yourself with the location of the vehicle’s light controls—some are on the steering column, while others are in the center console button area. Not being able to find them would be disastrous. More importantly, speed must be reduced in foggy conditions; combining proper lighting with slow driving is the safest approach. With over a decade of driving experience, I know that using the right lights can save lives—this isn’t just a test skill but a fundamental rule for everyday driving.
