Illinois Headlight & Wiper Law
Illinois spells it out: headlights on any time rain, snow, fog, or other conditions make you run your wipers (625 ILCS 5/12-201). Lights are also required sunset to sunrise and any time you can't clearly see persons or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. It's a petty offense, but troopers write it -- and your DRLs don't count, since they leave your tail lamps dark. Flip to full low beams, not AUTO or DRL.
When you light up in Illinois
Illinois spells it out: headlights on any time rain, snow, fog, or other conditions make you run your wipers (625 ILCS 5/12-201). Lights are also required sunset to sunrise and any time you can't clearly see persons or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. It's a petty offense, but troopers write it -- and your DRLs don't count, since they leave your tail lamps dark. Flip to full low beams, not AUTO or DRL.
Night, low visibility, and daytime
- Night is sunset to sunrise. Low-visibility trigger is 1,000 feet: lights on any time insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions keep persons and vehicles on the highway from being clearly discernible at 1,000 feet (625 ILCS 5/12-201(b)).
- No separate statewide work-zone daytime-headlight statute -- the wiper and 1,000-foot rules already cover a rainy work zone. DRLs aren't mandated and don't satisfy 12-201 (tail and marker lamps stay dark), so use the full headlamp circuit, not AUTO or DRL.
Illinois Headlight Law FAQ
Do you need headlights when using wipers in Illinois?
When are headlights required in Illinois?
What is the headlight fine in Illinois?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K12-201.htm. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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