A 3-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Lights let you see, but just as importantly they let others see you and know what you're about to do. Washington sets exact times for headlights, distances for dimming high beams, and a backup set of hand signals if your lights fail.
½ hour
Headlights required from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise
You're on a dark country road with high beams on when headlights appear over a rise. Switch to regular headlights before the car is within 500 feet. Later, catching up to a car ahead, dim once you're within 300 feet.
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.
During what hours must your headlights be on in Washington?
30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise
Sunset to sunrise exactly
6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
An hour after sunset to an hour before sunrise
Answer: 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise
Washington law requires headlights on from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.
