Fog Lights

Fog lights are specially designed lamps that improve visibility in adverse weather conditions. They are mounted lower on the vehicle than regular headlights and shine a wide, short beam that stays close to the road.

As a result, they reduce glare normally caused by fog or rain and provide better visibility.

In the Netherlands, passenger cars built after December 31, 1997 must have at least one rear fog light.

Front fog lights are not mandatory, but they are a valuable addition for extra safety in bad weather conditions.

There are two types when it comes to front fog lights. One is on the front of the vehicle and helps improve the driver's visibility.

In addition, you have rear fog lights, which sit at the rear and ensure that other drivers can see the vehicle.

Front fog lights

These may be turned on when visibility is less than 200 meters, such as in dense fog or heavy rain.

They may be used in conjunction with dipped-beam headlamps.

• Dense fog: When, for example, you can no longer clearly see the trees along the road.
• Heavy rain:
• When you have almost to no visibility even when your windshield wipers are on the highest setting.
• Heavy snowfall: When the snow is such that it drastically limits your visibility.

Tip: When you can no longer see the hectometer signs along the highway, it's time to turn on your front fog lights!

Rear fog lights

These should be used only when visibility is less than 50 meters.

In rain, it is not permitted to turn on the rear fog lights, as it may blind other drivers.

• Dense fog: When you can barely see the car shortly in front of you.
• Heavy snowfall: When you can really see (almost) nothing because of the snow.

Note: Do NOT use them in ordinary rain!

They are so bright that they can blind other drivers.

A handy rule of thumb: If you can no longer see the car behind you in your rearview mirror, it's time for your rear fog light.

Fog lights can be used together with other types of lights in certain situations.

• Dipped-beam headlamps: Front fog lamps may be switched on together with dipped-beam headlamps.
• This is useful because low beam headlights illuminate a wider area of light, further increasing visibility.
• City lights:
• In some cases, city lights may also be used together with fog front lights, especially in urban areas where additional lighting may be useful.

Note: It is important that you do not use fog taillights together with other taillights, as this may cause glare to other drivers.

Note: The use of high beams in conjunction with fog lights is not recommended, as it may cause reflection in the fog and blind the driver.

Most vehicles have a specific switch for fog lights.

The symbol for front fog lights shows a bulb shining downward with a squiggly line through it, while the symbol for rear fog lights shows a bulb shining horizontally.