Headlights and light conditions

Key points

1. Turning on headlights when it begins to get dark or visibility is impaired is the law, not just parking lights.

   Source: PDF page 72

   “It is the law and a good idea to turn on your headlights, not just your parking lights, when it begins to get dark or any time visibility may be impaired”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 72

2. Over driving your headlights means driving too fast to stop within the distance your headlights light up.

   Source: PDF page 72

   “Over driving your headlights means driving too fast to stop safely within the distance clearly lit by your headlights.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 72

3. When meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, slow down, keep right and look toward the right edge of the road.

   Source: PDF page 72

   “When meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, slow down, keep to the right of your traffic lane, and look well in front of your vehicle at the right edge of the road.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 72

4. Dim your headlights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.

   Source: PDF page 72

   “When meeting another vehicle at night, dim your headlight beams within 500 feet of the other vehicle. When following another vehicle, dim your headlights within 200 feet of the other vehicle.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 72

5. The handbook says it is the law to turn on your headlights, and doing so in rain or reduced visibility is the safe thing to do.

   Source: PDF page 73

   “IT IS THE LAW! Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility. Turning on your headlights during periods of rain or reduced visibility is the SAFE thing to do.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 73

6. The fatal crash rate at night is 3 times greater than during the day.

   Source: PDF page 61

   “the fatal crash rate for night driving is three (3) times greater than that for day driving.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 61

Numbers to know

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. When should a driver turn on the headlights according to the handbook?

   1. When it begins to get dark or visibility may be impaired
   2. Only after another driver flashes headlights
   3. When the speedometer reads above 55 mph
   4. When the parking lights have been on for an hour
   Show answer

   When it begins to get dark or visibility may be impaired. The handbook says headlights should be used when it begins to get dark or whenever visibility may be impaired, including conditions such as fog, smoke, and extreme cloudiness. The rule helps a driver see and helps other road users see the vehicle. Waiting for another driver is too late, and the rule is not tied to a speed above 55 mph or to how long the parking lights have been on. Turn on the headlights early when light or weather starts reducing visibility, and keep the lighting system clean and in proper repair.

2. 2. When you meet another vehicle at night in West Virginia, within what distance must you dim your headlight beams?

   1. Within 100 feet of the other vehicle
   2. Within 500 feet of the other vehicle
   3. Within 1,000 feet of the other vehicle
   4. Only when the other driver flashes first
   Show answer

   Within 500 feet of the other vehicle. High beams blind the driver coming toward you, so the handbook sets the dimming distance at 500 feet. When you see an oncoming vehicle, switch to low beams before you are within 500 feet of it, slow down, keep to the right of your lane, and look toward the right edge of the road rather than into the other headlights. One hundred feet is far too late, one thousand feet is more than the rule requires, and waiting for the other driver to flash means you have already dazzled them.

3. 3. What does it mean to over drive your headlights?

   1. Using high beams when another car is within 500 feet
   2. Driving with only your parking lights on
   3. Driving too fast to stop safely within the distance your headlights clearly light
   4. Leaving your headlights on after you park
   Show answer

   Driving too fast to stop safely within the distance your headlights clearly light. West Virginia's handbook calls this over driving your headlights: driving too fast to stop safely within the distance clearly lit by your headlights. It is a common term linked to light conditions that cause crashes. The handbook's headlight advice also says to make sure you can stop within the area lighted by your headlights. At night, if something appears at the edge of your lights, you need enough distance left to stop. Slowing down keeps your stopping distance inside the lighted area.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter VIII: Defensive Driving. 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.