Iowa Headlight & Wiper Law
Headlights sunset to sunrise, and any time fog, snow, sleet, or rain cuts your view of a vehicle below 500 feet (Iowa Code 321.384). Iowa has no standalone wipers-on law - a 2017 bill to add one (SF84) died - but weather thick enough for wipers trips the 500-foot rule anyway, so run your lights. It is a $30 simple misdemeanor. Low beams, full headlamps on - DRLs leave your rear lamps dark.
When you light up in Iowa
Headlights sunset to sunrise, and any time fog, snow, sleet, or rain cuts your view of a vehicle below 500 feet (Iowa Code 321.384). Iowa has no standalone wipers-on law - a 2017 bill to add one (SF84) died - but weather thick enough for wipers trips the 500-foot rule anyway, so run your lights. It is a $30 simple misdemeanor. Low beams, full headlamps on - DRLs leave your rear lamps dark.
Night, low visibility, and daytime
- NIGHT: sunset to sunrise. LOW VISIBILITY: any other time when conditions such as fog, snow, sleet, or rain provide insufficient light to render persons and vehicles clearly discernible at 500 feet ahead (Iowa Code 321.384). No standalone wiper leg - a proposed 2017 amendment (SF84) failed.
- Work zone: no statewide daytime work-zone headlight statute - posted signs govern. Designated stretch: signed sections create the duty by sign. DRL: Iowa does not mandate daytime running lights, and DRLs do NOT satisfy 321.384 - they leave tail and marker lamps dark. Switch to full headlamps, not AUTO/DRL.
Iowa Headlight Law FAQ
Do you need headlights when using wipers in Iowa?
When are headlights required in Iowa?
What is the headlight fine in Iowa?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.384.pdf. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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