Hello, I would like to add a security light on an upper corner of my carport so the light shines on my driveway when the car pulls in. I plan on doing the work myself.

There only electricity in the carport is two lights (recessed) above each bay. However, at the base of the carport right below where I want to put the light is a white wire. This wire is designed to go from the house to a light post half way down my driveway. We recently had some drainage work done and in the process they exposed this wire and damaged it some.

I just recently bought this house so I do not know if the wire ever had power (or even has power now), although the light post does not work.

How should I determine if there is power to the line? Is there anything I am missing? Should I run the line from the lights rather than the wire?

Thanks

If Damage is done, hopefully it is in PVC, Repair conduit and pull in new wires and maybe an extra for?
1 wire does not help unless it is a pull wire. Did you mean 3 wires in 1 sheath?
If it is burial cable, you may need 2 splices.
If you wire into existing lights, lights will have to be on for Security Lights to work.