When are hazard lights not required for a stopped vehicle?

The correct answer focuses on scenarios in which a vehicle is legally parked in a designated area. When a vehicle is legally parked inside city limits or discharging passengers, it is considered to be in compliance with local parking laws, meaning that the use of hazard lights is not mandated. This situation implies that the vehicle is stopped in a manner that does not create a hazard to other road users, as it is positioned correctly according to traffic regulations.

In contrast, other scenarios such as refueling or being at a mechanic's shop might not provide the same legal allowances; for instance, refueling often occurs on roadways or in areas where vehicles are typically expected to remain in motion, thereby requiring hazard lights to signal the presence of a stopped vehicle. Similarly, when a driver is on a break, if the vehicle is on the roadside, it might not be parked legally and thus would also require hazard lights to alert oncoming traffic, indicating that the vehicle is stationary. Each of these situations could potentially lead to confusion or risk to other drivers without the proper use of hazard lights, hence the legal parking condition is key to not requiring them.