Michigan Headlight & Wiper Law
Michigan has no wiper-triggered headlight law, but rain or snow thick enough to run your wipers almost always drops visibility below 500 feet, which requires lights under MCL §257.684. Lights are also required a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. Your DRLs don't cover you -- tail lamps stay dark -- so flip to full low beams. It's a civil infraction, roughly $100 with costs.
A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm the exact figure with the state DMV before you rely on it.
When you light up in Michigan
Michigan has no wiper-triggered headlight law, but rain or snow thick enough to run your wipers almost always drops visibility below 500 feet, which requires lights under MCL §257.684. Lights are also required a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. Your DRLs don't cover you -- tail lamps stay dark -- so flip to full low beams. It's a civil infraction, roughly $100 with costs.
Night, low visibility, and daytime
- Night runs a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. Low-visibility trigger is 500 feet: lights on any other time there is not sufficient light to render persons and vehicles clearly discernible at 500 feet ahead (MCL §257.684(a)).
- No statewide work-zone daytime-headlight statute and no explicit wiper law. Parking lights alone are banned when lamps are required (MCL §257.684). DRLs aren't mandated and don't satisfy §257.684 -- they leave your tail and clearance lamps dark, so use full headlamps, not AUTO.
Michigan Headlight Law FAQ
Do you need headlights when using wipers in Michigan?
When are headlights required in Michigan?
What is the headlight fine in Michigan?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-257-684. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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