Are yellow fog lights street legal?
Yellow fog lights can be street-legal in many places, but the rules vary by country, state, and even local jurisdiction. Before installing or using them on public roads, check your region’s regulations and ensure the lights are properly certified and aimed.
What follows is a regional overview and practical guidance to help you understand how legality is typically handled in different parts of the world, plus considerations for safe use and compliance. Regulations can change, so verify with the appropriate authority or your vehicle’s manufacturer for up-to-date requirements.
Regional outlook on legality
United States and Canada
Across North America, forward lighting is regulated by national standards (the U.S. uses FMVSS 108; Canada uses CMVSS 108). Fog lamps are treated as a distinct lighting category, and color choices such as selective yellow or amber are commonly available for fog lighting. The key considerations are that the lights are installed and used as fog lamps (not as substitute headlights), properly aimed, and certified for road use. Some jurisdictions or vehicle inspections may have additional rules about when colored auxiliary lights can be active on public roads, so it’s prudent to confirm with your state or provincial motor vehicle authority before driving with them deployed in regular traffic.
Europe and United Kingdom
In many European markets, selective yellow (amber) fog lights are widely used and generally permitted when installed as fog lamps in accordance with local and EU regulations. European standards typically require that the lamp assemblies bear appropriate certification markings and be fitted as dedicated fog lamps, not as primary lighting. In the United Kingdom, amber/fog lamps have historically been common and remain street-legal when properly fitted, aimed, and used according to the vehicle’s lighting regulations and MOT/roadworthiness rules.
Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia
Australia, New Zealand, and several Asian markets allow fog lights in amber/yellow or white, provided they meet local brightness, mounting, and certification requirements and are used for fog or poor-visibility conditions. As with other regions, misuse (for example, using yellow lights as daytime running lights or headlights) can lead to penalties, so proper usage is essential.
Safety and usage considerations
Fog lights are intended to improve visibility in conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or snow. Yellow selective amber is often said to reduce glare and improve contrast in misty environments, which is why many drivers prefer amber for fog use. However, on clear nights or roads, fog lamps can dazzle other drivers or be mistaken for headlights if misused. For safety and compliance, switch them on only in appropriate weather, ensure correct alignment, and never use them in a way that violates color or brightness regulations.
How to verify legality for your vehicle
To avoid penalties or unsafe installations, follow these steps to verify legality in your jurisdiction:
- Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the fog lamp packaging for compliance markings (for example, ECE or SAE certifications) and correct installation instructions.
- Consult your local department of motor vehicles or traffic authority to confirm whether yellow/amber fog lights are permitted and under what conditions they may be used.
- Ensure any aftermarket lights are certified for road use and properly integrated with your vehicle’s electrical system, including proper wiring, mounting, and aiming.
- Have the installation inspected if required by your region (some places perform inspections or annual safety checks).
In practice, using certified fog lamps as intended (during poor visibility) and adhering to local color and mounting rules will maximize both safety and legality.
Summary
Yellow or selective-yellow fog lights are not universally illegal; their legality depends on jurisdiction, exact use, and proper certification. They are commonly allowed as dedicated fog lamps in many regions, provided they are correctly installed, aimed, and used only in appropriate weather conditions. Always verify current rules with local authorities or your vehicle manufacturer before installing or operating yellow fog lights on public roads, and prioritize safety by using them only when visibility is genuinely impaired.
Are yellow tinted fog lights legal?
Legal Tint Shades: Light Smoke, Medium Smoke, Golden Yellow & Fluorescent Yellow. No law on fog lights as they are an additional extra and not M.O.T bound. Legal Tint Shades: All tint shades & colours legal. A headlamp or rear tail lamp altered in this way is not a reason for MOT rejection.
What do yellow fog lights mean?
The intent of selective yellow is to improve vision by removing short, blue to violet wavelengths from the projected light. These wavelengths are difficult for the human visual system to process properly, and they cause perceived dazzle and glare effects in rain, fog and snow.
Can I have yellow lights on my car?
Yes, you can have yellow lights on your car, but their legality depends on the specific light's function, as regulations vary by location. Yellow headlights are permitted in some areas, but many places now require white headlights, while yellow fog lights are often legal and beneficial for visibility in poor weather. Flashing yellow warning lights may also be legal for certain purposes, but you must check your local and state laws to ensure compliance.
Headlights
- Color: While some states allow yellow or white headlights, many modern vehicles use white headlights for better visibility, and some countries legally require them to be white.
- Recommendation: If you install yellow headlights, be aware they may be less bright than white ones and could be illegal in your area if they have an obvious reddish tint.
Fog lights
- Function: Yellow or amber fog lights are effective in foggy, snowy, or rainy conditions because they can improve visibility and reduce glare.
- Legality: They are generally considered legal for civilian use, but check your local laws.
- Recommendation: Installing yellow fog lights is a good option if you frequently drive in poor weather, but they are not recommended for standard headlights.
Warning/Accent lights
- Flashing: Flashing yellow or amber lights are often legal for civilian use, especially for slow-moving vehicles or those that are in a work zone. However, laws are very specific and vary by state, so you must check local regulations before installing them.
- Non-flashing: Non-flashing accent lights can be installed inside the car as long as they are not visible from the outside. Some states also have regulations on the brightness of exterior accent lights.
How to ensure legality
- Check local laws: Regulations on car lights vary by state and municipality. It is essential to check your local laws and the requirements of your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before installing any new lights.
- Consider lens covers: In some states, auxiliary lights may need to be covered when driving on public roads. Lens covers are a good way to ensure compliance and protect the lights from damage.
Is it legal to drive with yellow fog lights?
All states permit white and yellow fog lights and most allow for amber. Other colors such as blue, green, red, and purple may not be permitted.
