Headlights, Horn and Turn Signals

Key points

1. If you turn on your wipers, you must turn on your headlights.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Remember, if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. It’s the law.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

2. Never drive with only parking lights on; they are for parking only.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Do not drive at any time with only your parking lights on. Parking lights are for parking only.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

3. Dim your high beams within about one block of an oncoming vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Dim your high beams whenever you come within about a one-block distance of an oncoming vehicle.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

4. If an oncoming driver keeps high beams on, flash your headlights quickly a couple of times.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “If a vehicle comes toward you with high beams on, flash your headlights quickly a couple of times.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

5. High beams let you see about 400 feet, so drive at a speed that lets you stop within it, about 50 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Your high beam headlights will let you see about 400 feet ahead. You should drive at a speed that allows you to stop within this distance, or about 50 mph.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

6. In very heavy rain, snow or thick fog you may not see much more than 200 feet ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “you may not be able to see much more than 200 feet ahead.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

7. Try to signal at least 3 seconds before you make your move.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Try and signal at least three seconds before you make your move.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 39

8. Before an unexpected stop, tap your brake pedal 3 or 4 times to warn drivers behind.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “tap your brake pedal quickly three or four times to let those behind you know you are about to slow down.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 39

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What must a driver do when using windshield wipers in rain or snow?

   1. Switch off all exterior lights
   2. Use parking lights only
   3. Turn on the headlights as well
   4. Use high beams regardless of traffic
   Show answer

   Turn on the headlights as well. Connecticut requires headlights when wipers are in use because rain and snow can make a vehicle difficult for other road users to see. Parking lights alone do not provide the required visibility, and turning off exterior lighting makes the vehicle less conspicuous. High beams are not automatically appropriate and can create glare. The simple driving cue is to pair the wipers with headlights whenever precipitation requires the wipers.

2. 2. What does the Connecticut manual say to do when an approaching vehicle fails to dim its headlights?

   1. Flash your headlights quickly a couple of times
   2. Keep your bright lights on
   3. Look at the center of the road
   4. Turn your headlights off
   Show answer

   Flash your headlights quickly a couple of times. The manual's answer is to flash your headlights quickly a couple of times to remind the other driver to dim, then look toward the right edge of the road to avoid being blinded. Keeping your own brights on only blinds two drivers, and turning your lights off makes you invisible. Dim your own lights within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles.

3. 3. In a very heavy downpour, what should a driver do if visibility becomes too poor to continue safely?

   1. Pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears
   2. Turn on high beams and continue at the posted speed
   3. Follow the vehicle ahead more closely for guidance
   4. Stop in the travel lane until the rain ends
   Show answer

   Pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears. The manual recognizes that heavy rain can reduce the visible roadway to a dangerously short distance. If the driver cannot see well enough to drive, the safe response is to leave the travel lane and wait in a safe place until conditions clear. High beams do not make it safe to continue through a nearly invisible roadway. Following closely reduces reaction space, and stopping in the lane creates a collision hazard. Treat severely reduced visibility as a reason to exit traffic, not as a reason to accelerate or guess.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Road Safety: Lights, Horn and Turn Signals. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.