In the United States, each state has its own laws related to headlights. These regulations include everything from the exact time you should turn on your headlights after sunset to the various weather conditions that require their use. To keep you abreast of the headlight laws in your own state, below are the general regulations for the use of headlights on vehicles in each US state. While these laws have been researched, it is highly recommended that you contact your local dealer for further verification before making any adjustments to your car headlights.

Alabama Headlight Laws

The law states that you must turn on your headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required at any time when the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of rain, sleet, or snow.
You should use your headlights when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
High beams should be dimmed whenever an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet or when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

Alaska Headlight Laws

Every vehicle traveling within Alaska must illuminate headlights between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on at any time when, because of insufficient light or other atmospheric conditions, persons or vehicles are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet.
You need to turn on your headlights when speed exceeds 45 mph on designated highways.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet from you or when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Arizona Headlight Laws

Headlights need to be turned on and be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Arizona law requires the use of headlights when visibility is less than 500 feet.
Headlights should be used when driving in snow or ice.
High beams are not allowed in fog or inclement weather.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic that’s within 500 feet from you or when following a vehicle 200 feet from you.

Arkansas Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be used when you cannot see beyond 500 feet while driving.
The headlights must be switched on when using the windshield wipers.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet from your vehicle or when following another vehicle within 200 feet from you.
High beams cannot be used in inclement weather conditions, but you can use fog lights and low beams in fog, rain, or snow.

California Headlight Laws

Headlights must be on when windshield wipers are in use or when it’s snowing, raining, cloudy, or foggy.
Headlights must be switched on if visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
It’s also recommended to put on the headlight when driving up the mountains or on country roads even on sunny days to make it easy for other drivers to see you.
High beams should be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet.

Colorado Headlight Laws

Headlights should be turned on from sunset to sunrise.
Colorado law requires the use of headlights when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic that’s within 500 feet from you or when following a vehicle within 200 feet of your car.
High beams are not allowed in fog, though fog lights and low beams are recommended.

Connecticut Headlight Laws

You must keep headlights on from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.
Headlights should be used when visibility is less than 500 feet.
Headlights should be switched on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic that’s about 500 feet from the vehicle or when following a car within 300 feet from yours.

Delaware Headlight Laws

By Delaware law, your headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights are required anytime the windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights must be switched on when you cannot see more than 1000 feet in front of you.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet or when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

Florida Headlight Laws

Headlights should be turned on from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights are required during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
Low beams should be used when traveling about 25 miles per hour, while high beams should be used when traveling more than 25 miles per hour.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet of the car or when following another vehicle within 300 feet of the car.

Georgia Headlight Laws

Headlights are required from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
Headlights should be turned on when visibility is less than 500 feet.
High beams are only allowed on rural roads.
High beams are not permitted on lighted roads.
High beams are not allowed when visibility is less than 200 feet or when driving in fog, rain, snow or smoke. In these cases, the use of low beams or fog lights is highly recommended.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet of the car or when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

Hawaii Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be turned on when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
Headlights should be switched on during heavy rain, snow, or fog or when light is insufficient to see.
High beams need to be dimmed when meeting oncoming traffic within 500 feet.

Idaho Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use 30mins from sunrise until 30mins after sunset.
Headlights are required when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet or when following a vehicle within 200 feet ahead of you.

Illinois Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be used in times when rain, snow, fog or other conditions require the use of windshield wipers.
Headlights should be used when objects 1,000 feet away cannot be seen.
High beams need to be dimmed 500 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle or 300 feet before passing a vehicle.

Indiana Headlight Laws

Headlights must be in use from 30mins from sunrise until 30mins after sunset.
Headlights must be in use when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet away from you or when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

Iowa Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be in use at any time you cannot see more than 500 feet in front of you.
Headlights are required during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is 1000 feet away from your car or when following a vehicle within 400 feet from you.

Kansas Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on when you cannot see more than 1000 feet in front of you.
You must turn on headlights When using your windshield wipers continuously to counter rain, sleet, or snow.
Headlights are necessary during unfavorable atmospheric conditions (including fog or smoke) as well as insufficient light.
High beams need to be dimmed when other vehicles are approaching or when driving in fog.

Kentucky Headlight Laws

Headlights are required from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is low.
High beams must be bright enough so that you can clearly see people at least 350 feet ahead.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet away from you or when following a vehicle within 200 feet from you.

Louisiana Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights need to be turned on when you cannot see above 500 feet from your vehicle while driving.
Headlights must be in use during unfavorable atmospheric conditions as well as insufficient light.

Maine Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required if the windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights need to be used When visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
Headlights must be on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet or when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Maryland Headlight Laws

Headlights must be in use when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights should be turned on when windshield wipers are in use.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet or when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Massachusetts Headlight Laws

Headlights need to be turned on and be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be used When visibility is limited to 500 feet.
Headlights are required if windshield wipers are turned on.
Headlights must be turned on when driving through a tunnel.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet of you or when following a car about 200 feet away from you.

Michigan Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights need to be turned on when it is snowing, raining, sleeting, or hailing.
Headlights must be switched on when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 1000 feet or when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

Minnesota Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise。
Headlights need to be used during rain, snow, hail, sleet, and fog.
Headlights must be switched on when you cannot see more than 500 feet ahead of you.
High beams are required whenever possible but must be dimmed when approaching traffic within 1000 feet and when following a car within 200 feet.
High beams should not be used for parked cars and need to be dimmed when driving behind a commercial vehicle at night.

Mississippi Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be in use when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
High beams need to be dimmed when approaching traffic within 500 feet.

Missouri Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required any time your windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights should be turned on when visibility is less than 500 feet.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet or when following a car within 300 feet.

Montana Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights should be switched on when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
Headlights must be turned on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 1000 feet or when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.

Nebraska Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights should be switched on when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
High beams need to be dimmed when approaching oncoming traffic and when following a car within 200 away from you.

Nevada Headlight Laws

By Nevada law, headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights must be turned on any time when inclement weather creates insufficient light.
You should use your headlights if an official traffic control device, such as a sign or light, directs it.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following a car 300 feet away from you.

New Hampshire Headlight Laws

By New Hampshire law, headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be turned on when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights must be in use when weather is adverse, such as fog, rain, sleet, or snow.
High beams need to be dimmed when within 150 feet of another vehicle.

New Jersey Headlight Laws

By new Jersey law, headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be in use when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
Headlights need to be turned on whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights are required when you drive through fog, smoke, mist, or other weather conditions that reduce visibility.
High beams should be dimmed when approaching other vehicles or following behind them.

New Mexico Headlight Laws

Headlights should be turned on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet away from you and when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

New York Headlight Laws

Headlights should be turned on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights need to be turned on whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights must be in use during adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams must be dimmed for pedestrians who are approaching your vehicle.

North Carolina Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights are necessary when visibility is limited to 400 feet.
Headlights should be switched on whenever windshield wipers are in use.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet.

North Dakota Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights must be in use when it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or hailing or when the atmosphere is foggy.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Ohio Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be switched on whenever the windshield wipers are used.
Headlights should be turned on if visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights must be on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams need to be dimmed when approaching another vehicle.

Oklahoma Headlight Laws

Headlights need to be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights should be switched on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
Headlights must be turned on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
High beams should be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 1000 feet and when following within 600 feet of another vehicle.

Oregon Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be turned on and when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 350 feet of another vehicle.

Pennsylvania Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights should be in use when windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent operation.
You must turn on your headlights while driving through construction zones.
Headlight must be on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Rhode Island Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
Headlights are required when windshield wipers of your vehicle are in use.
High beams are not permitted in weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog or in any other conditions that reduce visibility.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

South Carolina Headlight Laws

By South Carolina law, headlights should be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights are required when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High beams need to be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet or when you are following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

South Dakota Headlight Laws

Headlights should be turned on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 200 feet ahead.
High beams should be dimmed when overtaking a vehicle from behind or in front.

Tennessee Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be in use when visibility is less than 200 feet ahead.
Headlights need to be switched on when windshield wipers are in continual use.
Headlights are required if adverse conditions, such as fog or smoke, create insufficient light.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet or when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.

Texas Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be on when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
High beams may not be used when driving on lighted roads or when driving in fog, heavy rain, snow, sleet, or dust.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Utah Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights are required if adverse weather conditions, such as dust, fog, or heavy rain, create insufficient light.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Vermont Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
Headlights must be turned on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams should be dimmed when approaching other vehicles and should not be used when following another vehicle.
High beams must be turned off when driving on roads with street lights.
High beams should not be used during fog.

Virginia Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be on during periods of fog, rain, snow, or sleet.
Headlights need to be turned on when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams are not allowed when driving in cities and towns unless the street has no lighting.

Washington Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should be turned off in fog, snow, or heavy rain.

West Virginia Headlight Laws

Headlights should be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be on during inclement weather, which includes rain, snow, sleet, and fog.
Headlights are required when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High beams should be turned off in cities or towns unless the street has no lighting.
High beams should be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.

Wisconsin Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be on when visibility is less than 500 feet ahead.
Headlights must be turned on when you travel roads with limited visibility, such as through mountain roads, country roads, or two-lane highways.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet or when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should be turned off in fog, rain, or snow.

Wyoming Headlight Laws

Headlights should be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights need to be switched on when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead.
Headlights must be on during conditions of adverse weather or insufficient light.
High beams are allowed on rural highways.
High beams must be dimmed when the approaching traffic is within 500 feet and when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

Conclusion

Safety and state headlight laws go hand in hand. Abiding by them may be easier than you think. It is important to know and follow the laws of your state, so that you can save yourself from a traffic ticket.

Wondering how to choose between headlight restoration and replacement? Check here:
Headlight Restoration Vs. Replacement: What to Do About Foggy Headlights?

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Headlight Use Laws in All 50 U.S. States

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