Key points
Headlights must be on between sunset and sunrise and during rain, snow or fog at any time of day.
Source: Section 7
“Between sunset and sunrise. During any period of rain, snow, fog, or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions regardless of the time of day.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7Headlights must also be on when you cannot clearly see objects 1,000 feet ahead, and whenever wipers are in use because of precipitation.
Source: Section 7
“At any other time when natural light conditions do not make it possible to clearly see objects 1,000 feet ahead. Any time windshield wipers are in use because of precipitation.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7Ohio law requires you to dim your high beams for approaching traffic.
Source: Section 7
“Ohio law requires you to dim your high beam headlights for approaching traffic.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7To avoid glare from oncoming headlights, look toward the right side of the road.
Source: Section 7
“To keep from being momentarily blinded by an approaching vehicle’s headlights, look toward the right side of the road.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7In fog, use low beams, not high beams.
Source: Section 7
“Use low beam headlights (not high beam lights) and keep scanning the area for any potential hazards.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7Bridges, overpasses and shaded spots ice first.
Source: Section 7
“Bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots on a highway ice first!”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7If you skid, take your foot off the accelerator and turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. Never brake while skidding.
Source: Section 7
“If your vehicle starts to skid, take your foot off the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. Never apply brakes while skidding.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7Always reduce speed in a work zone, even when no workers are present.
Source: Section 7
“Always reduce your speed in a Work Zone, even if there are no workers.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7When pulled over, stay calm, keep your safety belt fastened and keep your hands on the wheel.
Source: Section 7
“Stay calm and keep your safety belt fastened. Keep hands on the steering wheel in view of the officer.”
Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 feet | if you cannot see this far, headlights on | Section 7 |
3 questions from the Ohio practice test
1. When natural light is insufficient, what visibility distance triggers Ohio’s headlight requirement?
- 500 feet ahead
- 1,000 feet ahead
- 200 feet ahead
- 2,000 feet ahead
Show answer
1,000 feet ahead. When natural light does not allow a clear view of objects one thousand feet ahead, Ohio requires headlights. Five hundred feet would delay their use beyond the stated visibility threshold. This distance rule applies in addition to the separate requirements for darkness, poor weather, and wipers operating because of precipitation. Judge whether objects ahead are clearly visible rather than waiting for another driver to flash their lights.
2. Which headlights should an Ohio driver use when driving in fog?
- Low beams, not high beams
- High beams, to light the fog more strongly
- No headlights until the fog clears
- Hazard lights instead of headlights
Show answer
Low beams, not high beams. Ohio calls fog one of the most hazardous conditions a motorist can drive in. The manual tells drivers to slow down, keep a consistent distance behind the vehicle ahead, use low beam headlights rather than high beams, and keep scanning for potential hazards. Ohio also requires lights during fog regardless of the time of day, so driving without headlights until the fog clears is not an option, and hazard lights are not listed as a substitute. Shift your gaze instead of staring, and be ready to stop at any time.
3. In Ohio winter driving, which parts of the highway ice over first?
- Sunny straight stretches
- Bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots
- Toll plazas and rest areas
- Lanes next to the median
Show answer
Bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots. Ohio's winter driving section singles out three places that freeze before the rest of the highway: bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots. A road that seems fine can turn icy without warning at these spots, and a driver who carries normal speed onto them can lose traction. Slow down before you reach them, avoid sudden steering or braking on them, and keep a greater following distance because slippery roads need more room to stop.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Ohio practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 7: Special Driving Situations. 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.