Parking lights are not legal for driving on public roads in any U.S. state
Parking lights (also called position lights) are designed only to mark a stationary vehicle's location. They are too dim to light the road ahead, and using them as your only light source while moving is illegal everywhere in the United States. Every state requires headlights to be on whenever you drive between sunset and sunrise, and many states also require them during rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions.
The only legal use for parking lights while your vehicle is in motion is as a supplement to your headlights in some states' daytime running light systems. Even then, they are not the primary light source — your headlights must be on as well. If you are driving and your headlights fail, you must pull over and stop, not switch to parking lights and continue.
Parking lights serve one purpose: to show other drivers that a parked car is there, especially at night or in dim conditions. They draw far less power than headlights and produce a fraction of the light. They cannot meet the legal minimum brightness or beam pattern required for forward visibility.
Key Takeaways
- Parking lights alone are illegal for driving on public roads in every U.S. state and are not bright enough to light the road ahead.
- Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and during rain, fog, or other low-visibility conditions in all states.
- If your headlights fail while driving, you must pull over and stop rather than switch to parking lights and continue.
- Parking lights are legal only to mark a stationary vehicle and may be used as part of a daytime running light system when headlights are also on.
- Driving with only parking lights can result in a traffic citation, a fine, and increased risk of collision.
What parking lights actually do
Parking lights are small, low-power lights mounted at the front and rear corners of your vehicle. Their sole function is to make a parked car visible to other drivers, especially in darkness or poor weather. They use a fraction of the electrical power that headlights draw and produce a much narrower, dimmer beam.
In most vehicles, parking lights are amber or white at the front and red at the rear. They stay on when the ignition is off, which is why they are sometimes called "position lights" — they mark the vehicle's position. Some vehicles allow you to turn on parking lights without starting the engine, which is useful for visibility when parked on a dark street.
Because they are designed for a stationary vehicle, they do not project light far enough down the road to meet the legal standard for driving. A driver relying only on parking lights cannot see obstacles, pedestrians, or road markings at a safe distance.
State laws on headlight use while driving
Every state has a law requiring headlights to be on during night driving. The specific times vary slightly — some states define "sunset to sunrise," others use "one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise," and a few reference specific times like 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The difference is small enough that turning on your headlights at dusk and leaving them on until full daylight is the safest practice in any state.
Most states also require headlights during rain, snow, fog, or other conditions that reduce visibility, regardless of the time of day. Some states phrase this as "whenever weather or darkness makes it difficult to see," which gives officers discretion to cite you for driving without headlights in heavy rain at midday if visibility is genuinely poor.
A few states have daytime running light (DRL) systems that automatically turn on a reduced-brightness headlight or dedicated DRL when the engine starts. Even with DRL active, you must still turn on full headlights when darkness falls or visibility drops. DRL does not replace the legal requirement for headlights at night.
What happens if you drive with only parking lights
Driving with only parking lights is a traffic violation in every state. The citation is usually called "failure to display headlights" or "improper lighting," and the fine ranges from $50 to $250 depending on the state and whether you have prior violations. Some states treat it as a moving violation that adds points to your driving record.
Beyond the legal penalty, driving with only parking lights puts you and others at serious risk. Other drivers cannot see your vehicle clearly, especially from the side or rear. Pedestrians and cyclists may not notice you at all. You cannot see the road, lane markings, or hazards ahead well enough to react in time. The combination of reduced visibility in both directions makes a collision far more likely.
If you are involved in an accident while driving with only parking lights, your insurance company may deny your claim or reduce your payout, and you may be found liable for the full cost of damage to the other vehicle. Police will cite you at the scene, and the violation will appear in court records and on your driving history.
When your headlights fail while driving
If your headlights go out while you are driving at night, do not switch to parking lights and continue. Instead, turn on your hazard flashers, reduce speed, and pull over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Stop the vehicle completely and turn off the engine.
Once stopped, turn on your parking lights to make your vehicle visible to other drivers. Call for roadside information or a tow truck. Do not attempt to drive to a repair shop or home, even slowly, with only parking lights on. The risk of a collision is too high, and you will be breaking the law.
If you are far from an exit or a safe place to pull over, drive slowly with your hazard flashers on until you reach a well-lit area or a shoulder wide enough to stop safely. Once you stop, keep your parking lights on and your hazard flashers flashing until help arrives.
How to check and maintain your headlights
Check your headlights at least once a month by turning them on in a dark garage or at dusk and walking around your vehicle to confirm both the left and right lights are working. If one is dim or out, replace the bulb when ready. Most vehicles use a standard halogen bulb that costs $10 to $30 and takes five to ten minutes to replace.
If both headlights are out, the problem is likely not the bulbs but the headlight switch, a fuse, or the wiring. Do not drive the vehicle. Have it inspected by a mechanic or an auto parts store, which often diagnose electrical problems for free.
Keep spare headlight bulbs in your vehicle, especially if you drive an older car or one with bulbs that are hard to find. Many auto parts stores will install a bulb for free if you buy it from them. Some states also require you to carry spare bulbs as part of your vehicle's emergency kit.
Daytime running lights and parking lights are not the same
Daytime running lights (DRL) are a safety feature that automatically turns on a reduced-brightness light when the engine starts, even during the day. DRL can be a dedicated light or a dimmed version of the headlight. They are designed to make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daylight hours, not to light the road for night driving.
DRL is not the same as parking lights. Parking lights are much dimmer and are meant only for marking a parked vehicle. DRL is brighter and is meant to be seen by other drivers while you are moving. However, DRL does not replace headlights at night — you must still turn on full headlights when darkness falls.
Some drivers mistakenly believe that DRL means they do not need to turn on headlights at night. This is incorrect. DRL is a daytime visibility feature only. When the sun sets, you must manually turn on your headlights or use the auto-headlight feature if your vehicle has one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use parking lights instead of headlights if I am driving slowly?
No. Parking lights are illegal for driving at any speed on public roads. The law does not make an exception for slow driving. If you are driving, your headlights must be on during the required times, regardless of how fast you are going.
Are parking lights the same as low-beam headlights?
No. Parking lights are much dimmer and produce a narrow beam designed only to mark a stationary vehicle. Low-beam headlights are much brighter and project light far down the road to allow safe driving at night. They are separate systems controlled by different switches.
What if my vehicle does not have a separate headlight switch?
Modern vehicles usually have a dial or stalk that controls lights. Turn it to the headlight position (usually marked with a headlight symbol) when driving at night or in poor visibility. If your vehicle has automatic headlights, they will turn on and off based on light sensors. You can usually override this by turning the dial manually.
Can I get a ticket for driving with only parking lights during the day?
Unlikely during daylight, but you can be cited if visibility is poor due to rain, fog, or snow, even at midday. The law requires headlights "whenever weather or darkness makes it difficult to see," which is a judgment call for the officer. It is safer to turn on headlights whenever visibility is reduced, regardless of the time of day.
Do I need to turn off parking lights when I park?
Parking lights are designed to stay on when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off. They draw very little power and will not drain your battery significantly if left on for a few hours. However, if you park for more than a day, turn them off to avoid a dead battery. Most vehicles have a separate control for parking lights, or you can turn off the lights entirely using the main light switch.