If you're new to driving, figuring out when to use each type of car light can be confusing. And if your vehicle is an older model, you may have to switch your lights on and off manually—adding another layer of uncertainty. One situation that often causes hesitation is driving in fog. When visibility suddenly drops and everything around you turns into a blur, knowing which lights to use becomes critical.

In this guide, we'll explain what lights to use in fog, so the next time you're surrounded by mist, you’ll know exactly what to do.

What Lights Do You Use in the Fog

When you're driving in fog, the National Weather Service recommends using low beams and fog lights to see more clearly.

Turning on the low beam headlights isn’t just to help you see—it also turns on your taillights, which helps drivers behind you keep track of your position. Low beams are aimed downward and designed to reduce glare, making them far more effective than high beams in these conditions.

If your car has fog lights, now is the time to use them. Fog lights are built to shine a wide, low beam that cuts underneath the fog without causing glare. This helps light the road just in front of you, so you can spot lane markings or obstacles effectively.

On the other hand, using high beam headlights in fog is a mistake. They can worsen visibility by reflecting off the fog’s water droplets. We’ll explain the difference between high and low beams in fog later.

Understanding Fog Lights and When to Use Them

Fog lights are your solution to maintaining a clear view of the road ahead while reducing visual strain.

While standard headlights project a long, bright beam forward, fog lights are mounted lower on the front bumper and emit a short, wide beam aimed downward, cutting under fog, mist, or dust without reflecting back into your eyes.

This helps reduce glare and improve visibility close to your car, which is exactly what you need in weather conditions like fog, dust, and heavy rain.

You can usually tell your fog lights are on by checking the fog lights symbol on the dashboard. A symbol that looks like a headlamp with wavy lines pointing down (for front fog lights) or to the left (for rear) will light up.

How to Turn on Fog Lights

Activating the fog lights isn’t complicated, but it does vary by vehicle. In most cars, you need to first switch on your low-beam headlights. Fog lights typically won’t work without them.

Next, look for the fog light switch—it might be a ring around the headlight stalk, a button on the dashboard, or a separate control near your lighting system.

When you activate them, a fog light icon will appear on your dashboard display. If you're unsure where to find it, your owner's manual will have the exact steps.

Do All Cars Have Fog Lights?

Fog lights aren’t standard on every vehicle. In fact, in the United States, car manufacturers aren’t legally required to include them. That said, many newer models—especially SUVs, trucks, and off-road-oriented vehicles—often come with fog lights either as a standard feature or as an upgrade option.

To check if your car has them, take a look at the lower part of the front bumper. Fog lights are usually mounted low to help reduce glare and light up the road directly ahead. You can also look for the fog light symbol on your dashboard controls. It typically looks like a half-oval beam with a wavy vertical line and three horizontal lines through it.

Some cars also feature rear fog lights, which are designed to make your vehicle more visible from behind in poor weather conditions like heavy fog or rain.

If your fog lights are burnt out or missing altogether, replacing them with high-quality fog light bulbs can be a smart move—especially if you often drive in foggy, snowy, or dusty areas.

Related Guide: How Much Does the Fog Light Replacement Cost?

Driving in Fog: High Beams or Low Beams?

If your car doesn’t have dedicated fog lights, you might wonder whether to switch on your high beams or stick with low beams. Here’s the simple answer: always go with low beams in foggy conditions.

While high beams may seem like the better option because they shine farther and brighter, they’re actually a bad choice in fog. The intense light reflects off the water droplets in the fog and bounces straight back at you. This creates glare and reduces your ability to see what’s ahead—making driving even more dangerous.

Low beams, on the other hand, are angled downward. This helps you see the road without creating too much glare. They typically illuminate up to about 200 feet in front of your car.

High beams are best reserved for rural roads or highways at night when there’s no oncoming traffic. They light up to 350–400 feet ahead. But in fog or in city traffic, they can blind other drivers and make it harder for you to navigate safely.

What to Do When Driving in Heavy Fog

Here are key fog-driving safety tips recommended:

Reduce your speed. Always slow down in fog, no matter how well you know the road. Every year, thick fog leads to serious accidents, many of them caused by drivers moving too fast for the conditions. In fact, Caltrans reports that nearly 75% of fog-related crashes are linked to excessive speed

Use low beam headlights and fog lights. Use your low beams, and if your vehicle has fog lights, turn them on as a supplement,

Rely on the fog line. Use the solid white line on the right side of the road (known as the “fog line”) to help you stay in your lane, especially when visibility drops severely.

Avoid sudden stops. Do not stop on the highway shoulder unless absolutely necessary. Stopping in low-visibility conditions can put you and others at serious risk.

Be extra cautious at intersections. In dense fog, it can be hard to tell if cross traffic is coming. Roll down your window and listen—sometimes you’ll hear what you can’t see.

Clear your view. Use windshield wipers and the defroster regularly. Fog tends to leave moisture on the glass, which can blur your vision even more.

Know how to spot exits. On highways that often see dense fog, there’s also a helpful visual system: a 3-2-1 reflective dot countdown. You’ll spot three reflective markers on the shoulder about 2,100 feet before the exit, two markers at 1,400 feet, and a single marker at 700 feet.

What Lights Should You Use in Other Conditions?

In Dust

During light dust storms, fog lights work much like they do in fog—helping you see the road surface. But in a heavy dust storm, the safest option is to pull over, turn off all your lights, and wait.

Why turn them off? Because in near-zero visibility, other drivers might try to follow your taillights, thinking they’re on the road. Turning off your lights reduces that risk.

In Rain or Snow

Fog lights can help during light rain or snow, improving visibility close to the ground. But in heavier conditions, they can reflect off water or snow and make things harder to see. In those cases, stick with low beams for better clarity.

On Dark Roads and Trails

High beams are useful on dark, empty roads—but remember to switch them off when another car is coming.

If you're off-roading, fog lights can be especially helpful. They light up the terrain right in front of you, making rocks, dips, and uneven ground easier to spot.

Need Better Fog Light Bulbs? SEALIGHT Has You Covered

If your fog lights are dim, outdated, or not working at all, it might be time for an upgrade. SEALIGHT offers a wide selection of high-performance LED fog light bulbs that are bright, durable, and energy efficient. Designed to handle harsh weather and rough road conditions, SEALIGHT fog lights are especially popular with truck owners who need reliability in all driving environments.

Compared to traditional halogen bulbs, SEALIGHT’s LED options last longer, draw less power, and offer superior brightness. Upgrade to LED fog light bulbs now.