Montana Headlight & Wiper Law
Montana runs the wider night window: lights from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise (MCA 61-9-201). No wiper statute is on the books (a claim that one was added does not survive the actual text), but the same section forces lights whenever weather cuts your sight below 500 feet, which is exactly when your wipers are going. Kill the high beams in fog and snow. DRLs don't count; use full headlamps.
When you light up in Montana
Montana runs the wider night window: lights from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise (MCA 61-9-201). No wiper statute is on the books (a claim that one was added does not survive the actual text), but the same section forces lights whenever weather cuts your sight below 500 feet, which is exactly when your wipers are going. Kill the high beams in fog and snow. DRLs don't count; use full headlamps.
Night, low visibility, and daytime
- One-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and any time insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions keep persons and vehicles from being clearly discernible at 500 feet (MCA 61-9-201).
- No statewide work-zone headlight mandate; obey posted 'Headlights On' signs on canyon and pass sections. DRLs are not mandated and don't meet 61-9-201 — front-only lamps leave your 70-foot rig dark from behind. Flip the switch to ON, low beam.
Montana Headlight Law FAQ
Do you need headlights when using wipers in Montana?
When are headlights required in Montana?
What is the headlight fine in Montana?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0090/part_0020/section_0010/0610-0090-0020-0010.html. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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