Remember this one? You’re in the car and turn the centre light on, only to be on the receiving end of wrath from your parents. “Turn the light off, it’s illegal to drive with it on.”
For a generation of drivers, having the dome light on while moving felt borderline criminal.
But is there actually a law against it? Or is this just another driving myth passed down with the same intensity as “don’t swim after eating”?
The short answer: No, it’s not illegal
There’s no specific road rule in New Zealand or Australia that says you can’t drive with the interior light on. So, it’s not against the law, but like most driving myths, this one comes from a seed of truth.
Where the myth came from
Drivers have likely passed this “rule” down through generations to avoid distraction. And they weren’t totally wrong to be cautious.
A bright interior light can:
- Reduce your night vision by creating glare on the windscreen
- Distract the driver, especially if passengers are moving around, reading, or fiddling with things
- Make it harder to see what's happening outside the car
While driving with the centre light on isn’t illegal, it’s not particularly safe either.
The safer choice
At Fleetcoach, our resources focus on driver attention and managing distractions. Driving at night already presents extra challenges: reduced visibility, increased fatigue, and more hazards. Adding interior lighting into the mix can make those challenges harder to manage.
If you really need to turn the light on, pull over. And if you’re driving at night, turn it off to keep your focus on the road.
You don’t need scare tactics to be a safer driver - just good information and smart choices. Knowing the why behind our driving habits helps us stay more aware, focused, and in control.
The safest move? Keep your centre light off while you’re on the move and flick it on only when you’re parked. It’s a small habit shift that helps keep your focus where it matters most: on the road.
.png)
