Night, weather and winter driving

Key points

1. Headlights are required from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and when you cannot see 1,000 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Headlights must be used from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable weather conditions, persons and vehicles on the road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 77

2. Never drive with only parking lights on.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “It is not legal to drive with only parking lights when headlights are required.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 77

3. Dim at least 500 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “You should dim at least 500 feet (about four to five seconds) before meeting an oncoming vehicle.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 78

4. Within 300 feet of the rear of a vehicle ahead, dim to low beams.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “If you are within 300 feet from the rear of a vehicle you are approaching, dim your lights to their lowest beam.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 78

5. In fog, crash risk is extremely high when your speed differs from traffic by more than 15 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “The chance of a crash is extremely high whenever the difference between your speed and the speed of other traffic is more than 15 mph.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 78

6. Be careful during the first half hour after rain begins, when dust and oil make roads slippery.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Be careful during the first half hour after the rain begins. Dust and oil mix with the water and make the roadway slippery.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 79

7. Black ice is invisible and often forms on bridges, overpasses, high fills and deep cuts.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Black ice is invisible and is treacherous, so always watch for sudden changes in road surface conditions”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 44

8. Four wheel drive vehicles with high centers of gravity are more likely to tip over in a skid.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “four-wheel-drive vehicles with high centers of gravity are also more likely to tip over in a skid.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 45

9. Pump conventional brakes about once every second, but never pump ABS brakes.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Pumping those brakes once every second is a good rule of thumb. But don't pump ABS brakes.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 46

10. If stranded in a blizzard, stay with the car so you can be found more easily.

    Source: Handbook p. 80

    “Stay with the car so you can be found more easily.”
    Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 80

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. What minimum distance before meeting an oncoming vehicle does the Wyoming manual specify for dimming high beams?

   1. At least 500 feet, about four to five seconds before meeting
   2. At least 100 feet
   3. Only when the other driver flashes first
   4. At least 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   At least 500 feet, about four to five seconds before meeting. The manual sets the minimum dimming point at least 500 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle, which it describes as about four to five seconds. A 1,000-foot distance would also be courteous in many situations, but it is more than the minimum being asked for here. Waiting until 100 feet or until the other driver flashes leaves too much glare. Use low beams early enough that the approaching driver can keep a clear view of the road.

2. 2. Within what distance behind another vehicle must a Wyoming driver dim to low beams?

   1. Within 1,000 feet
   2. Within 50 feet
   3. Only when the other driver flashes
   4. Within 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle ahead
   Show answer

   Within 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle ahead. If you are within 300 feet from the rear of a vehicle you are approaching, dim your lights to their lowest beam. Low beams must always be aimed to avoid glare, and high beams belong on open rural highways with no traffic ahead. A clean windshield inside and out reduces glare from oncoming vehicles, and clean headlights give more light.

3. 3. What does the Wyoming manual say about pumping anti-lock brakes?

   1. Pump them only when the road is icy
   2. Pump them once every second like conventional brakes
   3. Do not pump them; the anti-lock system pulses the brakes automatically
   4. Pump them twice, then hold the pedal down
   Show answer

   Do not pump them; the anti-lock system pulses the brakes automatically. The manual draws a clear line between the two brake types. Conventional brakes can be pumped about once every second to avoid locked wheels, but anti-lock brakes should not be pumped because the system achieves that effect automatically. Pumping ABS interrupts the system and lengthens the stop. On ice or dry pavement alike, press an ABS pedal firmly and steer. How brakes can best be used depends on which type the vehicle has, so know your vehicle before an emergency stop.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Special Driving Conditions and Emergencies. 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.