Parking lights: what are they and when to use them?
October 03, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Not sure what parking lights are and when to use them? This handy guide tells you what you need to know and how to use them correctly.聽
Parking lights, sometimes called sidelights, are small lights on your car designed to make it visible when it鈥檚 not moving. Many drivers wonder, what are parking lights actually for, and when should you use them? Knowing the difference between parking lights and headlights is key to staying safe, and legal, on UK roads. This handy guide tells you everything you need to know.
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What are parking lights?
In the UK, parking lights are the same as sidelights 鈥 the small bulbs in the front corners of your car (and matched with rear tail lights and number plate lights). They鈥檙e much dimmer than headlights and are mainly there to make your car visible to other drivers when it鈥檚 not dark enough for full headlights.
They also double as 鈥減arking lights,鈥 which the Highway Code requires you to leave on in certain situations when your car is parked on the road.
When must you use parking lights?
You must use parking lights when parked on a road or lay-by with a speed limit over 30 mph, according to section 249 of the Highway Code.
On roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or less, you don鈥檛 need to use parking lights if:
- You鈥檙e parked at least 10m (32 feet) from any junction.
- You鈥檙e close to the kerb and facing the direction of traffic.
- You鈥檙e in a recognised parking place or lay-by.
However, if visibility is poor (for example, in fog), you should leave your parking lights on regardless.
How to turn on parking lights
In the vast majority of modern cars, you can turn your sidelights on with the same control as your headlights. This is usually a stalk on the steering wheel or a small dial to the side.
The parking lights symbol is usually two small semi-circles facing in opposite directions. Each will likely have three lines coming from them to symbolise light, too.
Automatic headlights won鈥檛 leave parking lights on, as they only control the dipped beams. You鈥檒l need to set this yourself.
Parking lights vs headlights
Parking lights are small, low-intensity lights designed to make your car visible when it鈥檚 stationary, especially at night or in poor visibility. They don鈥檛 project enough light to illuminate the road ahead, which is why they aren鈥檛 suitable for driving at night.
Headlights, on the other hand, are much brighter and are specifically designed to help you see the road and be seen by others when driving. The most common type used on the road is dipped beam headlights (also called low beams), which give enough light for safe driving without dazzling other drivers.
Do parking lights drain the battery?
Parking lights (or sidelights) use much less power than headlights, so leaving them on for a few hours usually won鈥檛 drain your battery. That said, if your car has an older or weaker battery, leaving them on overnight could cause problems.
As a rule, avoid leaving any lights on longer than necessary. Never leave your headlights on while parked 鈥 not only will they flatten your battery quickly, but it鈥檚 also illegal as they can dazzle other drivers.
Parking lights FAQs
What colour are parking lights?
Parking lights will be the same colour as your headlights in most cases. Halogen bulbs tend to have a warm yellowish glow, whereas LEDs will have a brighter, whiter tone. Meanwhile, parking lights at the rear are red.
Do all cars have parking lights?
Yes, practically all modern cars will be fitted with parking lights. If you鈥檙e unsure, look for two small, semi-circular symbols facing opposite directions on your light controls.
Do parking lights drain a car鈥檚 battery?
Parking lights are designed to consume a very small amount of energy without draining your battery. Providing your car鈥檚 battery is in a healthy condition, leaving them on overnight should be fine.
Is it legal to drive with parking lights on?
It鈥檚 not technically illegal to drive with just your parking lights, but they don鈥檛 give enough light to drive safely at night. By law, you must use dipped headlights after dark or when visibility is poor.
If you鈥檙e caught driving without proper headlights, you could face a 拢50 fine. In some cases, police may treat it more seriously 鈥 as driving without due care and attention 鈥 which can mean a 拢100 fine and 3 penalty points.
Are blue parking lights illegal?
Yes, blue parking lights are illegal for standard road vehicles in the UK as they are exclusively for emergency services. Any non-emergency vehicle fitted with a blue warning beacon, or a light that resembles one, is prohibited and could result in fines or other penalties.
Can you drive with parking lights on?
No, you should not drive with only parking lights on because they aren鈥檛 bright enough to light up the road. They鈥檙e only meant to make a parked car visible to others when it鈥檚 stationary.
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