Is having the lights on in the car while driving legal? The truth behind the Georgia law

More recent generations may share the memory of being children and messing around with the light inside the car. You might also remember quickly being reprimanded and warned that it was illegal to drive with the inside lights on.

Most people asked again about the oddly specific rule when they got older. However, for those who never bothered to double-check, there might still be some doubt in your mind on whether it’s legal to have your interior lights on while driving or at least the reasons for being urged against it.

Is there a law against interior lights?

In most states, including Georgia, no written laws exist against having the interior lights on inside the cab of your vehicle. Although, in Section 2.11 of the Georgia Department of Drivers Services, drivers are strongly urged against turning on the interior lights to see at night or for any reason.

While you can’t be charged for having interior lights on while driving, police officers might still pull you over and possibly even detain you for being a risk to yourself or other drivers. Driving with the interior lights on might even qualify as distracted driving.

Risks of driving with interior lights on

Though it may seem harsh to get pulled over and potentially detained, the genuine risks that come with driving with your lights on still must be considered. These risks include:

• Glare that obstructs driver’s view
• Potential distraction to other drivers
• Law enforcement may assume that doors might be open

In the rare instances that you or a passenger need to turn on your interior lights for emergency reasons only, first pull over to a safe spot or wait until you are in an area with fewer cars and potential hazards around.

This story was originally published June 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Is having the lights on in the car while driving legal? The truth behind the Georgia law."