Florida Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Florida

Florida requires headlights during any rain, smoke, or fog, no wiper switch needed to trigger it (Fla. Stat. § 316.217). Lights are also on from sunset to sunrise, twilight included. Start of a drizzle, lights on. Run low beams; brights wash out in rain and fog. It's a moving infraction, around $110 to $120 with fees and 3 points. DRLs don't count, they leave your trailer's tail lamps dark exactly when spray hides you from behind.

Night, low visibility, and daytime

• Night: from sunset to sunrise, including twilight hours. Also during any rain, smoke, or fog. Florida's 'lights on' rule states no separate foot-distance, the rain/smoke/fog condition stands on its own (Fla. Stat. § 316.217).
• No work-zone daytime headlight statute; obey posted signs. DRLs are not required and don't satisfy the rule, your tail and marker lamps stay dark on daytime running lights, so use full headlamps (switch ON, not AUTO). Dual lens: the statute never says 'wipers,' it says headlights during any rain, smoke, or fog, which is broader, and the widely repeated '1,000 feet' figure is not the trigger in 316.217, the rain/smoke/fog condition is.

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