Fog lights and driving lamps: Do I need them and when should I use them?

With clear visibility being a vital component of safe driving, cars must contain different types of lights to ensure your clear view of the road. Most vehicles have headlights that feature both low and high beams, but there are two other types of car lights found on most vehicles – fog lights and driving lamps.

So what are they for, and how should you use them?

The difference between fog lights and driving lamps is that the former are typically a factory-fitted option, while the latter are aftermarket additions drivers can install based on individual needs.

A fog light, as the name suggests, is designed for foggy or other low-visibility conditions, such as smoke or heavy dust. They are specifically designed to penetrate in these conditions, typically placed lower on bumpers than headlights to create a clearer view of the road ahead.

Fog lights can be either white or yellow, depending on the manufacturer. While they were once a major safety feature, back when car headlights weren’t as effective as modern LED beams, these days fog lights have become a value-add for many modern vehicles, with car makers adding them to more expensive models in the line-up and using them as a selling point rather than a practical benefit.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about fog lights is that in most parts of Australia you can only legally use them in low-visibility conditions, otherwise you run the risk of getting fined. Penalties vary from state to state, but in South Australia

you can be hit with a $270 fine, while in Queensland

you’ll cop a fine and one demerit point. So it’s always best to check your local laws for full details.

Using fog lights in clear conditions – either during the day or at night – is dangerous because it can dazzle oncoming traffic, so you need to make sure you only use them when absolutely necessary, and in appropriate conditions.

Driving lamps are additional lights you can purchase and install from a variety of aftermarket companies, and they can take the form of either additional headlights or “light bars”. These are generally installed by drivers who regularly travel at night, or drive in remote areas.

In fact, you’re most likely to spot them on a four-wheel drive or ute, as they are most ideally used when there is limited oncoming traffic as they project light much further down the road than even high-beam lights.

Driving lamps need to be connected to your high-beam settings so that they can only be operated when it is safe to use your strongest lights and not blind on-coming traffic.

It’s important to note that driving lamps can only be installed in certain areas of the car, typically between the headlights, and not obstructing the view of the driver. Make sure you check out your state laws surrounding both fog lights and driving lamps to ensure you meet all the local requirements before installing them on your vehicle.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}