Massachusetts Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Massachusetts

Massachusetts made it official in 2015: headlights and tail lights on whenever your wipers are needed, a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and below 500 feet of visibility (M.G.L. c. 85 15). The fine is a token $5 and non-surchargeable - no insurance hit - but it's still the law. DRLs don't count; your tail lamps stay dark. Flip the full switch, low beam.

Night, low visibility, and daytime

• Night window: from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. Low-visibility trigger: persons or vehicles not clearly discernible at 500 feet. Third leg: any time your vehicle's windshield wipers are needed (effective April 7, 2015).
• The wiper/headlight violation is non-surchargeable - a ticket won't touch your insurance record - but lights are still mandatory. No specific work-zone headlight statute; obey posted signs. Daytime running lights are not required and do not satisfy the rule (tail lamps stay dark). Use the full headlamp switch, low beam.

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