An inspection light is surrounded by a protective housing and fitted with some means to hold it in place near the work area. It is used to illuminate the part of a vehicle being worked on.

Inspection lights, or lamps, come in various forms and sizes. Features may include a reflective head, a hang-up hook or clip-on device, and illumination provided by a standard 60 W bulb or LEDs. Inspection lights may run off mains power or, in the case of portable models, batteries.