Will I Get Penalty Points for Driving with Width Lights on at Night?

[DelaneyLynn]

No, you won't get penalty points as there are no relevant regulations in current traffic rules. Introduction to Width Lights: Automotive width lights refer to the front and rear position lights of a vehicle. Essentially, clearance lights and width lights are quite similar. The location of width lights varies depending on the vehicle model. On passenger cars, width lights are commonly called parking lights. For larger vehicles with bigger dimensions, the lights on both front and rear sides are referred to as width lights. On trucks, width lights are commonly known as side marker lights. Precautions for Using Lights When Driving at Night: If road lighting conditions are poor, you may turn on high beams. However, please switch to low beams when there's a vehicle ahead or during oncoming traffic. When approaching intersections or encountering oncoming vehicles, you may briefly flash your high beams - this serves both to better illuminate the road ahead and to alert passing vehicles and pedestrians at the intersection.

[CarterLee]

I've been driving for thirty years, and driving with only parking lights at night will definitely get you points deducted. The traffic law clearly states that you must use low beams or high beams when driving at night. The light from parking lights is too dim to properly illuminate the road. Last year, my neighbor was fined for this—he was using parking lights on a small city road, and the police immediately deducted 1 point and fined him 200 yuan, citing improper use of vehicle lights. This is mainly for safety reasons. Parking lights only allow others to barely see the outline of your car, but you can't see pedestrians or obstacles, especially in areas without streetlights where the accident rate is high. Remember to turn on your low beams at sunset; don’t cut corners by using parking lights. Safe driving comes first. Also, be mindful of compliance when modifying your lights—I’ve seen cases where people made their parking lights too bright and got pulled over for it.

[McSebastian]

As a frequent highway driver, I think driving with only parking lights at night is too dangerous. The regulations are clear: you must use low beams or appropriate high beams when driving at night. Relying solely on parking lights is a violation. Last week, my friend tried it on the expressway and was pulled over by traffic police just after passing the toll booth, receiving a fine and penalty points for insufficient lighting. The reason is simple: parking lights aren't bright enough—they only indicate the width of the car, with an illumination range of maybe 3-5 meters, which is inadequate in the dark and increases the risk of hitting the shoulder or animals. Moreover, following vehicles can't clearly see your movements, raising the risk of rear-end collisions. Typically, getting caught results in a 200-yuan fine and 1 penalty point, with stricter enforcement in big cities. Make it a habit to turn on low beams as soon as you start the car. Some vehicles have automatic lighting—setting it to auto makes things easier.

[DelAbigail]

From a legal perspective, driving with only parking lights on at night is definitely a violation. According to traffic regulations, low beam or high beam headlights must be used when it's dark or visibility is poor. Parking lights are only for indicating a vehicle's position when parked. Using just parking lights provides insufficient illumination, and being fined for this is common. For example, during highway patrols, this is a frequent violation, with one penalty point and a fine for each offense. From a safety standpoint, inadequate lighting makes it easy to hit obstacles, especially in rainy or foggy conditions. Nowadays, many cars come with automatic headlights, and it's best to use that feature to ensure compliant driving.

[StVanessa]

When driving at night with kids, it's crucial to remember that parking lights alone are insufficient. Traffic laws mandate the use of headlights; using only parking lights can lead to fines and penalty points, which isn't worth the risk. Last month, while taking my child home, I nearly made this mistake—forgetting to switch to low beams in a narrow alley until a police car behind me flashed its lights as a reminder. The main danger is poor visibility; parking lights provide so little illumination that it's hard to see potholes, let alone avoid sudden e-bike riders. It's best to develop the habit of automatically turning on headlights after sunset for peace of mind, safety, and avoiding penalties.

[RyanLee]

I commute through the city every day, and driving with only the parking lights on at night can result in a fine. Last time on the main road during a traffic check, the driver in front of me was penalized with a 1-point deduction and a 200 yuan fine for this. The traffic police explained that parking lights are considered auxiliary lights and must be used in conjunction with the main lights at night. The reason is practical: although there are many streetlights in the city, pedestrians are hard to see in poorly lit areas. I tested driving with only the parking lights on, and the illumination only lit up the area around the license plate; beyond five meters, everything was a blur, making emergency braking impossible. Now, I always switch to low beams when driving—never just rely on parking lights for convenience. It's both safer and compliant.