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. Which headlight setting should you use while driving in fog?

   1. High beams
   2. Parking lights instead of headlights
   3. Headlights off with emergency flashers on
   4. Low beams
   Show answer

   Low beams. Keep the headlights on low beam in fog. High beams make it harder to see in these conditions, even though they may seem like a way to see farther. Reduce your speed and stay ready to stop. If fog becomes so thick that you cannot see, pull off the road and stop, leaving your lights and emergency flashers on. Parking lights alone or switching the headlights off does not follow the guide's instructions for driving in fog.

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 same headlight list says to use low beams within 500 feet, about one block, of an oncoming vehicle, and to use high beams when there are no oncoming vehicles. Waiting until only 50 feet remains leaves the beams high for too long, and 100 feet is not the stated figure. Watch the distance to the vehicle ahead, dim promptly, and restore high beams only when 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.