Pennsylvania Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania spells it out: headlights whenever your wipers run, continuous or intermittent, for precipitation or atmospheric moisture (75 Pa.C.S. § 4302) — no misting exception. Night rule is sunset to sunrise; the low-visibility trigger is 1,000 feet. Lights are also required in every posted work zone, ordered by the R22-1 'Turn On Headlights' sign. It's a $25 summary offense plus costs, and the fine doubles in an active, manned work zone. DRLs leave your tail lamps dark. Switch to ON.

Night, low visibility, and daytime

• Night: between sunset and sunrise. Low visibility: any time you can't discern a person or vehicle at 1,000 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable conditions (rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, smoke, smog).
• Headlights required in every posted work zone — not just active ones — marked by the R22-1 'Turn On Headlights' sign; disobeying a posted sign is a § 3111 traffic-control-device violation, and the fine doubles in an active, manned zone under § 3326. PennDOT specifically warns DRLs don't cut it: you must switch the headlamps ON to light the tail lamps. DRLs aren't mandated and satisfy none of these rules. Dual lens: PA's wiper clause covers continuous or intermittent use in mist, so even light wiper use legally requires lights.

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