Indiana Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Indiana

Indiana has no 'wipers on, lights on' statute, but you still need lights in the rain: weather heavy enough to run your wipers usually cuts visibility below 500 feet, which trips the general rule (Ind. Code §9-21-7-2). Lights are also required sunset to sunrise. Watch for INDOT 'Headlights On' work-zone signs -- the sign creates a duty the base statute doesn't. DRLs don't count; run full low beams. A violation is a Class C infraction, up to $500.

Night, low visibility, and daytime

• Night is sunset to sunrise. Low-visibility trigger is 500 feet: lights on any other time persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at 500 feet ahead (Ind. Code §9-21-7-2).
• No statewide standalone wiper statute, but INDOT posts 'Turn On Headlights' signs in some work zones -- obey the sign, it creates the duty the base statute doesn't. No general daytime-headlight mandate otherwise. DRLs aren't required and don't satisfy §9-21-7-2 (tail lamps stay dark); use full headlamps.

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