Roadwise States New Mexico Driving lessons Using your headlights New Mexico driving lesson · Basic Driving Skills
Using your headlights A 2-minute lesson from the New Mexico course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 2 minutes
Course unit Basic Driving Skills
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 20, 21 It is much harder to see at night. Using the right beam at the right time lets you see as far as possible without blinding others.
Know the rule
Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. They let you see twice as far as low beams.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
High beams are important on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas, and where people may be along the side of the road.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ 200 ft Use low beams when following another vehicle within this distance
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
In fog or when snowing or raining hard, high beams reflect back, causing glare and making it harder to see.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
Never drive with only your parking lights on. Parking lights are for parking only.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Put it into practice
You're on a dark, unfamiliar rural highway with no one around, so you use high beams. When an oncoming car appears about a block away, you dim to low beams.
A useful reminder High beams see TWICE as far. Dim at about one block for oncoming cars, and within 200 feet when following.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
When should you use your high beams? Whenever there are no oncoming vehicles Only on interstate highways Only when following another vehicle closely Only in fog Answer: Whenever there are no oncoming vehicles
Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ About how much farther can you see with high beams compared to low beams? Twice as far Only slightly farther Three times as far About the same distance Answer: Twice as far
High beams let you see twice as far as low beams.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ At what distance from an oncoming vehicle should you dim your high beams? About 200 feet away About one block away Only once you can see their license plate About a quarter mile away Answer: About one block away
Dim your high beams whenever you come within about a one-block distance of an oncoming vehicle.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Within what distance should you use low beams when following another vehicle? 1,000 feet 200 feet 100 feet 500 feet Answer: 200 feet
Use low beams within 200 feet when following another vehicle or in heavy traffic.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ When should you use low beams instead of high beams? Whenever driving above 45 mph On unfamiliar roads Whenever passing another vehicle In fog, snow, or heavy rain Answer: In fog, snow, or heavy rain
Use low beams in fog or when it is snowing or raining hard, since high beams reflect back and reduce visibility.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Is it acceptable to drive at night using only your parking lights? Yes, if your high beams are broken Yes, on residential streets Yes, if you drive slowly No, parking lights are for parking Answer: No, parking lights are for parking
Do not drive at any time with only your parking lights on; parking lights are for parking only.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Previous lesson Looking behind: lane changes, slowing & backing Next lesson Letting others know you're there: lights & horn More in Basic Driving Skills About the source Roadwise’s New Mexico course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 20, 21. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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