The headlights on your vehicle are critical for not only visibility, but in many US states, damaged or altered headlights can create a legal hassle. In most cases, we don't think about our headlights as being part of vehicle codes. However each state has unique regulations and rules for the proper use and location of headlights. There are also rules about what type of lights you can install, where the lights can be installed, and even what color of headlight covers you can install on a vehicle.
Every state has its own laws that pertain to headlights, high beams, and hazard lights. Listed below are the general regulations for headlights, broken down by each state. Although the information documents has been researched, it is possible that some of these rules may have changed since time of publishing. It's always best to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to clarify the regulations in your area before you make any changes to your headlights.
Alabama
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be turned on when you cannot see more than 500 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Alaska
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be turned on when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are restricted when driving. They may only be in use when the vehicle is disabled.
Arizona
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights should be used in snow and ice.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used in fog.
Hazards
- Hazards should be activated whenever your vehicle is stopped on the roadway or shoulder of the road.
Arkansas
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see more than 500 feet ahead of you.
Headlights are required when windshield wipers are turned on.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used in fog, rain, or snow.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should only be used when your vehicle is disabled or to signal caution for other drivers.
California
Headlights
Headlights must be turned on when it’s raining, foggy, snowing, or even cloudy. If you must use your windshield wipers, you are required to have your headlights on.
Headlights must be turned on if you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
The California driver’s handbook also recommends using headlights on country roads or up in the mountains even on sunny days to make it easy for other drivers to see you.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
Hazards
Hazard lights are allowed when a vehicle is disabled within 10 feet of the road.
Hazard lights are also permitted to warn other motorists of hazards or a funeral procession.
Colorado
Headlights
Headlights must be turned on from sunset to sunrise or when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Parking lights must be illuminated on any vehicle parked alongside the roadway, whether attended or not, from sunset to sunrise or whenever you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams or fog lights must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams or fog lights must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used in fog; low beams or fog lights are appropriate.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Connecticut
Headlights
Two headlamps are required to be turned on, and they must be mounted at least 22 inches above the ground but not more than 54 inches.
Headlights must display either a white or amber light, which is visible at least 1000 feet in front of the vehicle.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Delaware
Headlights
Two white headlights are required with multiple beams, one on each side of the front of the vehicle.
Headlights are required anytime windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights are to be installed between 54 inches and 24 inches from the ground.
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise or when you cannot see more than 1000 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
Flashing lights are not allowed except for emergency vehicles and other special classifications, such as school buses.
Hazard lights may also be used to indicate a traffic hazard.
District of Columbia
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be in use whenever you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
Headlights must also be in use any time the windshield wipers are in use.
Parking lights are never to be used when driving.
High Beams
High beams are to be used in open country.
High beams should not be used with street lights.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Florida
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Low beams are most effective when traveling up to 25 miles per hour.
High Beams
High beams are most effective when traveling above 25 miles per hour.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are only to be used when your vehicle is stopped on the shoulder of the road or disabled on the roadway.
Georgia
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when it is raining or with limited visibility.
High Beams
High beams are to be used only in rural areas.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used on lighted roads or when driving in fog, rain, snow, or smoke.
High beams are not permitted when you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead of you.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Hawaii
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are also required when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
Headlights must be turned on when atmospheric conditions are unfavorable or the light is insufficient to see.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when meeting oncoming traffic.
Hazards
Hazards are intended to be used only when warning other drivers that your vehicle is stopped in a dangerous location.
Never use hazard lights when moving.
Idaho
Headlights
Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights are also necessary when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are only allowed when indicating a traffic hazard to other drivers.
Illinois
Headlights
Headlights are required to be turned on whenever the windshield wipers are in use. It’s also recommended to have them on in fog.
Headlights must be in use from dusk to dawn.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazards are to be used to let other drivers know about a parked or disabled vehicle.
Indiana
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be in use when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
Hazard lights are only permitted while driving to indicate an emergency.
Hazard lights may be also used to indicate a disabled vehicle along the roadway.
Iowa
Headlights
- Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise and any time you cannot see more than 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 1000 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 400 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should only be used when your vehicle is parked in order to alert other drivers that you are stopped or your car is disabled.
Kansas
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be in use when you cannot see more than 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights are also required when the windshield wipers are on.
Headlights are necessary when driving through fog or smoke.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when other vehicles are approaching or when driving in fog.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should be used to indicate that your vehicle is parked or disabled.
Kentucky
Headlights
Two headlights are required.
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be on when visibility is low.
Only white or amber lights are allowed.
High Beams
High beams must be strong enough to allow you to see a person at least 350 feet in front of you.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Flashing lights are prohibited except when being used as a signal to indicate a turn or when warning others about traffic hazards.
Louisiana
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights should be turned on when you cannot see more than 500 feet in front of you.
Headlights are also necessary when weather conditions limit visibility.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are only permitted to indicate a disabled vehicle along the road.
Maine
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be on if the windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights must be used when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are only permitted when driving to indicate a hazard for other drivers.
Maryland
Headlights
Headlights must be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
Headlights are required when windshield wipers are in use.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights may only be used in emergency situations.
Massachusetts
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are also required when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
Headlights are required when windshield wipers are turned on.
Headlights must also be turned on when driving through a tunnel.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights must be used when the vehicle is disabled.
Michigan
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing, raining, sleeting, or hailing.
Headlights are required when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 1000 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
Hazard lights are permitted for the purpose of warning other drivers of dangerous conditions.
All other flashing lights are prohibited.
Minnesota
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be used during rain, snow, hail, sleet, and fog.
Headlights must also be turned on when you cannot see more than 500 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams should be used whenever possible.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 1000 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used for parked cars.
High beams should be dimmed when driving behind a commercial vehicle at night.
Hazards
Hazard lights should be used to alert other drivers or emergency personnel if you have to park on the side of the highway or become stranded in cold weather.
Hazard lights should be used to alert other drivers if your windshield wipers fail, your hood suddenly blows open, your gas pedal sticks, or your vehicle is otherwise disabled while driving.
Hazard lights are also permitted to warn other motorists of a funeral procession.
All other flashing lights are prohibited.
Mississippi
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are only allowed to indicate a disabled vehicle along the side of the road.
Missouri
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use any time your windshield wipers are in use.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Montana
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 1000 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights may only be used to indicate a traffic hazard to other drivers.
Nebraska
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights are also required when you cannot see at least 500 feet.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching oncoming traffic.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are to be used when a vehicle is parked on the freeway.
Nevada
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
Headlights must be turned on any time the light is insufficient or when an official traffic control device directs it.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights may only be used to indicate a disabled vehicle.
New Hampshire
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights are required when weather is adverse, such as fog, rain, sleet, or snow.
High Beams
- High beams must also be dimmed when within 150 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
New Jersey
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are required when you cannot see more than 500 feet in front of you.
Headlights must also be in use whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights are also necessary when driving through fog, smoke, mist, or other weather conditions that reduce visibility.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when approaching other vehicles or following behind them.
Hazards
- No restrictions
New Mexico
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should be used when your vehicle is disabled on the highway.
New York
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights are required whenever windshield wipers are in use or in foggy conditions.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beam should also be dimmed for pedestrians who are approaching your vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
North Carolina
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights are also necessary when you cannot see more than 400 feet in front of you.
Headlights are required whenever windshield wipers are in use.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
Hazards
- No restrictions
North Dakota
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights are also required when it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or hailing or when the atmosphere is foggy.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Ohio
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be used whenever the windshield wipers are used.
Headlights are required when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when approaching another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights may only be used to alert other drivers of a traffic hazard.
Oklahoma
Headlights
Headlights must in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are also required when you cannot see at least 1000 feet in front of you.
Headlights must be in operation during adverse weather conditions.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 1000 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 600 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
Hazard lights are permitted to alert other drivers of a traffic hazard.
Hazard lights may also be used in emergency situations.
Oregon
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be used when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 350 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Pennsylvania
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be turned on when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
Headlights must be in use when windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent operation.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
Hazard lights are required on all vehicles.
Hazard lights must be turned on when the vehicle is disabled or traveling at speeds less than 25 miles per hour outside of business or residential districts.
Rhode Island
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
Headlights are required when windshield wipers are in use.
High Beams
High beams are not allowed in weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog or in any other conditions that reduce visibility.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must be also dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights may only be used to indicate a disabled vehicle along the road.
South Carolina
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be turned on whenever windshield wipers are in use.
Headlights should be turned on when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams should be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams should also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
South Dakota
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights are also required when you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
- High beams must be dimmed when overtaking a vehicle from behind or in front.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Tennessee
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 200 feet in front of you.
Headlights are required when windshield wipers are in continual use.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights are only allowed in an emergency.
Texas
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams may not be used when driving on lighted roads.
High beams are also not allowed when driving in fog, heavy rain, snow, sleet, or dust.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Utah
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you and/or when the weather is foggy, stormy, or dusty.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Vermont
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must be in use when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams should be dimmed when approaching other vehicles.
High beams should also be turned off when driving on roads with street lights.
High beams should not be used during fog.
High beams should be turned off when following another vehicle.
Hazards
- No restrictions
Virginia
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must be in use during periods of fog, rain, snow, or sleet.
Headlights must also be turned on when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used when driving in cities and towns unless the street has no lighting.
Hazards
Hazard lights may be used to indicate a traffic hazard to other drivers.
Hazard lights may also be used as part of a funeral procession.
Hazard lights may be used by vehicles driving slower than 30 miles per hour.
Washington
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be used when visibility is poor.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used in fog, snow, or heavy rain.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should be used when your vehicle becomes disabled on the highway.
West Virginia
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use during inclement weather, which includes rain, snow, sleet, and fog.
Headlights are also required when you cannot see at least 500 feet in front of you.
High Beams
High beams should not be used in cities or towns unless the street has no lighting.
High beams should be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 200 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights may only be used in emergency situations or when a vehicle is disabled on the side of the road.
Wisconsin
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be in use when you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams must also be dimmed when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.
High beams should not be used in fog, rain, or snow.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should be in use when your car is disabled on the side of the highway.
Wyoming
Headlights
Headlights must be in use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Headlights must also be used when you cannot see at least 1000 feet ahead of you.
High Beams
High beams should be used on rural highways.
High beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic is within 500 feet.
High beams should also be dimmed when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.
Hazards
- Hazard lights should be in use when your vehicle is disabled on the highway.
Knowing the specific laws of your state with regard to the use of headlights, high beams, and hazard lights not only helps you to be more informed and avoid a ticket, it also serves as a reminder of how to effectively use your vehicle’s lights to safely navigate the road in dark or dangerous conditions. It is also important to replace your headlight bulbs as soon as they break or have worn out. A certified mobile technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to replace a burnt out headlight.
