Parking and fog lights — Tennessee Permit Test

A vehicle stopped or parked on a road or shoulder must have its parking lights on when visibility is limited.

In fog, a dark car sitting on the shoulder is almost invisible. A driver can drift onto the shoulder and hit it from behind.

The law requires a vehicle stopped or parked on a road or shoulder to have parking lights on when limited visibility conditions exist.

Do not drive at night or in bad weather with only your parking lights on; their small size can make other drivers think your car is farther away than it is.

A driver pulling out ahead of you may think you are far off. By the time they see how close you are, there is no room left.

The small size of parking lights may cause other drivers to think your vehicle is farther away than it actually is.

It is illegal to have fog lights or other auxiliary lights on by themselves, or on when you are required to dim your high beams.

Fog lights are very bright. Used alone or near other cars, they glare in the eyes of oncoming drivers and in the mirrors ahead.

It is also illegal to have auxiliary lights or fog lights on by themselves or on at times when you are required to dim high beam headlights.

Your car is stopped on the shoulder in thick fog. What does the law require?

Your parking lights must be on. In fog, a dark car sitting on the shoulder is almost invisible. A driver can drift onto the shoulder and hit it from behind. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.45: “The law requires a vehicle stopped or parked on a road or shoulder to have parking lights on when limited visibility conditions exist.”