This fog light faux pas could cost you £50

While fog lights are an important safety feature, our research found that one in five drivers do not know the legal rules of fog light use.

Not knowing when or how to use fog lights leaves drivers at risk of falling foul of the Highway Code, often without realising it.  

According to Rule 236 of the Highway Code you must not use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights.

According to our new survey, one in three drivers think it’s acceptable to turn on their fog lights in ‘normal’ rain but turning your fog lights on too soon, forgetting to turn them off, or using them in the wrong weather could see drivers issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice. 

Sara Newell
Motor & Home Insurance Expert

Be considerate of other drivers

Fog lights are designed for extreme conditions, so it’s important to use them only when visibility drops below 100 metres - roughly the length of a football pitch. 

Switching your fog lights on in light rain or clear conditions might seem helpful, but it can dazzle other drivers and increase the risk of an accident.

It’s also easy to forget they’re on, especially if the weather improves mid-journey. Always double-check your lights before setting off and when conditions change.

The Highway Code states that drivers should only turn on their fog lights when visibility has been reduced to less that 100m, roughly the size of a football pitch, and they should be turned off as soon as visibility improves. 

This means that fog lights should not be used if visibility is generally good even if it’s rainy, misty or even snowy conditions. 

When and How to Use Fog Lights 

• Only turn fog lights on when visibility is reduced to less than 100m 

• Turn them off as soon as conditions improve 

• Rear fog lights alert other road users of your presence and should be switched on whenever visibility is poor 

• Front fog lights illuminate the road directly in front of the vehicle and help to increase visibility 

^{Sources
A survey conducted by Censuswide with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 drivers, correct as of September 2025.}