Nebraska Headlight & Wiper Law

Headlights sunset to sunrise, and any time weather drops your view of a vehicle below 500 feet (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,219). Nebraska has no explicit wipers-on statute, but rain or snow heavy enough to run your wipers almost always kills that 500-foot line, so lights are legally required anyway. A violation is a Class III misdemeanor (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,222), not just an infraction. Use low beams, and turn the switch to full headlamps - DRLs leave your rear lamps dark.

Wipers → lightsNot tied to wipers

Night triggerNIGHT: sunset to sunrise

FineClass III misdemeanor - a violation of the lights-on requirement in 60-6,219 is a Class III misdemeanor under Neb

StatuteNeb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,219 (lights required, sunset to sunrise / 500 feet); headlight dimming/glare duty 60-6,224; penalty 60-6,222 (Class III misdemeanor). Note: 60-6,222 is the penalty section, not a dimming section.

01 The rule

When you light up in Nebraska

02 The details

Night, low visibility, and daytime

NIGHT: sunset to sunrise. LOW VISIBILITY: any other time there is not sufficient light to render persons or vehicles clearly discernible at 500 feet ahead (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,219). No standalone wiper leg.
Work zone: no statewide daytime work-zone headlight statute - obey posted 'Lights On' signs. Designated stretch: signed sections govern by sign. DRL: Nebraska does not mandate daytime running lights, and DRLs do NOT satisfy 60-6,219, which requires the full lamp circuit; DRLs leave tail and marker lamps dark. Switch to full headlamps, not AUTO/DRL.

Nebraska Headlight Law FAQ

Do you need headlights when using wipers in Nebraska?

Nebraska has no wiper-specific statute, but rain or snow heavy enough for wipers usually drops you under the low-visibility trigger, so run your lights. Headlights sunset to sunrise, and any time weather drops your view of a vehicle below 500 feet.

When are headlights required in Nebraska?

NIGHT: sunset to sunrise. LOW VISIBILITY: any other time there is not sufficient light to render persons or vehicles clearly discernible at 500 feet ahead (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,219). No standalone wiper leg.

What is the headlight fine in Nebraska?

Class III misdemeanor - a violation of the lights-on requirement in 60-6,219 is a Class III misdemeanor under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,222, not a mere traffic infraction. The Class III range (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-106) is up to 3 months in jail and/or a $500 fine, with no mandatory minimum; in practice it is charged as a small fixed fine/waiver, and the court may reduce it once you show the lights are fixed.

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://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-6,219. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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Nebraska Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Nebraska

Night, low visibility, and daytime

Nebraska Headlight Law FAQ

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