Nevada Headlight & Wiper Law
Lights on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and any time you can't see 1,000 feet ahead (NRS 484D.100). No standalone wiper statute, but Nevada makes you run wipers in rain (NRS 484D.445), and that same weather trips the 1,000-foot rule — so lights are effectively required. Failing to use headlights is a civil infraction, about $205 in Las Vegas plus 2 points. DRLs leave your tail lamps dark; switch to full headlamps, low beam.
When you light up in Nevada
Lights on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and any time you can't see 1,000 feet ahead (NRS 484D.100). No standalone wiper statute, but Nevada makes you run wipers in rain (NRS 484D.445), and that same weather trips the 1,000-foot rule — so lights are effectively required. Failing to use headlights is a civil infraction, about $205 in Las Vegas plus 2 points. DRLs leave your tail lamps dark; switch to full headlamps, low beam.
Night, low visibility, and daytime
- Night: half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise. Low visibility: any time persons and vehicles are not clearly discernible at 1,000 feet ahead; also when directed by a traffic-control device (NRS 484D.100).
- No statewide work-zone daytime headlight mandate today. DRLs are not a substitute — the tail lamps stay dark. Effective July 1, 2028, an amendment to NRS 484D.100 will require daytime running lamps or lighted lamps on two-lane rural highways (NDOT is already posting 'Daytime Headlights Required' signs), but it is not yet effective. Low beam within 500 ft of an oncoming vehicle and 300 ft when following (NRS 484D.210).
Nevada Headlight Law FAQ
Do you need headlights when using wipers in Nevada?
When are headlights required in Nevada?
What is the headlight fine in Nevada?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-484d.html. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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