Headlights and Hazardous Conditions

Key points

1. Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “Headlights must be turned on from sunset to sunrise. Lights also must be on at any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

2. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 350 feet when following.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “you must dim your lights when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. Dim your lights when following another vehicle within 350 feet.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

3. When you must dim your headlights, fog lights and other auxiliary lights must be off.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “When you are required to dim your headlights, other auxiliary lights such as fog lights, must be off.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

4. Driving at night or in bad weather with only parking lights on is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “It is illegal to drive a vehicle at night or in bad weather with only the parking lights on.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 76

5. In fog, dust or smoke, use low beams, because high beams reflect back as glare.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “use headlights on low beam. Light from high beams will reflect back, causing glare, making it more difficult to see ahead.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

6. Do not use cruise control in wet conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Do not use cruise control in wet conditions.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

7. A bridge or shaded area freezes first and may be icy when the rest of the road is not.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “A bridge or shaded area freezes first and may be icy when the rest of the road is free of ice.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 78

8. In a skid, stay off the brakes and steer where you want the vehicle to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Stay off the brakes. Until the vehicle slows, your brakes will not be effective. • Steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 79

9. Studded tires are generally allowed only from November 1 through March 31.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Studded tires are generally allowed only from November 1 through March 31 in Oregon.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 79

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Oregon practice test

1. 1. When must a driver dim high beams for an oncoming vehicle?

   1. When the oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet
   2. When the oncoming vehicle is within 100 feet
   3. Only after the other driver dims first
   4. Only when the road has a high-speed designation
   Show answer

   When the oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. Dim high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. This distance prevents glare from interfering with the other driver's view before the vehicles become close. Waiting until 100 feet is too late, and the other driver's action is not the trigger. The road's classification does not change the requirement. Begin the change as the oncoming vehicle reaches the 500-foot cue, and remember that following another vehicle within 350 feet also requires dimmed lights. Avoid auxiliary glare when the high beams must be lowered.

2. 2. What does the Oregon manual say about cruise control in wet conditions?

   1. Use it to hold a steady speed
   2. Use it only below 45 mph
   3. It has no effect on wet roads
   4. Do not use it
   Show answer

   Do not use it. Oregon's wet weather advice is to increase visibility by turning on your headlights when your windshield wipers are on, not to use cruise control in wet conditions, and to keep windows clear of moisture. Cruise control can keep power on the wheels when tires begin to hydroplane, which makes a skid more likely. Slowing down is the best protection on wet pavement.

3. 3. What should you do when your vehicle begins to skid?

   1. Slam on the brakes and hold the steering wheel rigidly
   2. Stay off the brakes and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go
   3. Turn sharply away from the direction of travel
   4. Accelerate hard to force the tires to grip
   Show answer

   Stay off the brakes and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. A skid means the tires have lost their grip. Oregon says to stay off the brakes until the vehicle slows, then steer toward the direction you want to travel. As the vehicle straightens, correct the wheel back the other way and continue making gentle corrections until control returns. Hard braking can remain ineffective during the slide, and a sharp opposite turn can start another skid. Heavy acceleration may worsen the loss of traction. The cue is smooth steering toward the intended path, followed by small corrections rather than panic inputs.

Source: the Oregon Driver Manual, Safe & Responsible Driving: Hazardous 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.