Night driving, rain, snow, fog and skids

Key points

1. Turn your headlights on from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Turn your headlights on from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 62

2. Your headlights let you see only about 350 feet ahead, so do not overdrive them.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Do not overdrive your headlights. Your headlights only let you see about 350 feet ahead.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 62

3. Dim to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following one.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Use your low beams when you come within 500 feet (about one block) of an oncoming vehicle. Also use your low beams when following another vehicle within 300 feet.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 62

4. You must use headlights any time the weather requires your windshield wipers.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “You must use your headlights any time weather conditions require the use of your windshield wipers.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 62

5. On snow or ice, leave about 8 to 10 seconds between you and the vehicle ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “So be sure to leave a safe distance, about eight to ten seconds, between your vehicle and any vehicle ahead of you.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 63

6. Hydroplaning can happen at any speed over 35 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Hydroplaning can happen at any speed over 35 mph. In a severe rainstorm, the tires can lose all contact with the road at 55 mph.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 63

7. Do not use cruise control on wet pavement.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Do not use your vehicle’s cruise control system on wet pavement.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 63

8. With ABS, keep firm, continuous pressure on the brake while you steer.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Maintain a firm and continuous pressure on the brake while steering to enable the four-wheel ABS to work properly.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 64

9. In a skid, gently steer in the direction the rear wheels are sliding.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Gently turn your steering wheel in the direction that your rear wheels are sliding.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 64

10. In fog, keep your headlights on low beam; you see less with high beams.

    Source: Handbook p. 64

    “Keep your headlights on low beam. In fog, you will see less if your lights are on high beam.”
    Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 64

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Missouri practice test

1. 1. When fog requires the use of windshield wipers, what must the driver also use?

   1. High beams only, to illuminate farther ahead
   2. Parking lights without any headlights
   3. Hazard flashers while keeping all lights off
   4. Headlights, kept on low beam in fog
   Show answer

   Headlights, kept on low beam in fog. Missouri requires headlights whenever weather conditions require windshield wipers. In fog, the guide adds that low beams are the proper choice because high beams can reduce what the driver sees by reflecting through the fog. Parking lights alone do not satisfy the headlight requirement, and hazard flashers are not a substitute for seeing and being seen. The cue is straightforward: wipers needed for weather means headlights on, then select low beam and reduce speed if visibility is poor.

2. 2. When following another vehicle at night, when should high beams be changed to low beams?

   1. Only after closing to within 50 feet
   2. When following within 300 feet
   3. At 100 feet regardless of traffic direction
   4. High beams may remain on while following
   Show answer

   When following within 300 feet. Missouri requires low beams when following another vehicle within 300 feet. The purpose is to prevent glare from reflecting into the other driver's mirrors and obscuring that driver's view. Waiting until only 50 feet remains leaves the beams high for too long, and the rule applies even when the road is dark or there is no opposing traffic. Watch the distance to the vehicle ahead, dim promptly, and restore high beams only after the situation allows.

3. 3. When are Missouri drivers required to use headlights because of weather?

   1. Any time conditions require windshield wipers
   2. Only during snow when roads are closed
   3. Only after midnight on rural roads
   4. Only when following another vehicle
   Show answer

   Any time conditions require windshield wipers. Missouri ties headlight use to weather conditions that require windshield wipers. The rule is not limited to darkness, snow, or rural driving. Rain or another condition that makes the wipers necessary should also trigger the headlights. The useful driving cue is simple: if the wipers are operating for weather, turn on the headlights so the vehicle is easier for others to see. Waiting until midnight or until another vehicle appears leaves visibility lower than required.

Source: the Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 9: Safe Driving Tips for Special Driving Conditions. 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.