A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Driving at night is more dangerous than in the daytime because you can't see as far ahead. Your headlights also help others see you, by day as well as by night. Knowing when to use high and low beams keeps you from blinding other drivers.
More than 20%
Driving with low beams on in daytime reduces the risk of head-on collisions by more than 20%
Daytime running lights come on automatically and are not the same as headlights. When snow, rain or fog limits visibility, you must turn your headlights on. Best practice: always drive with at least your low beams on.
The law requires headlights to be on from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. Daytime running lights may make you think your headlights are on when they aren't.
Don't look directly into oncoming headlights, which can blind you for several seconds. Look ahead toward the right edge of the road until they pass. This also helps you spot bicyclists and pedestrians near the edge.
On a dark rural road, you're using high beams. A car appears over a hill ahead. Switch to low beams right away and look toward the right edge of the road until it passes, then switch back to high beams.
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.
By law, when must headlights be turned on?
Only when it's completely dark outside
From sunset to sunrise exactly
Only on roads without streetlights
From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise
Answer: From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise
Vermont law requires headlights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.