Texas Headlight & Wiper Law

Turn your headlights on at night and any time you can't see a person or vehicle 1,000 feet ahead (Tex. Transp. Code §547.302). 'Night' means 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise (§541.401). No separate wiper law here, but rain thick enough for wipers kills that 1,000-foot view, so run full low beams anyway — DRLs leave your tail lamps dark and don't count. Dim within 500 feet of oncoming, 300 when following (§547.333).

Wipers → lightsNot tied to wipers

Night triggerNighttime — 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise

FineA lighting violation is a misdemeanor; the general penalty is a fine of $1 to $200 plus court costs

StatuteTex. Transp. Code §547.302 (duty to display lights); §541.401 (definition of nighttime); §547.333 (multiple-beam dimming). No wiper-specific statute.

01 The rule

When you light up in Texas

02 The details

Night, low visibility, and daytime

Nighttime — 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise (§541.401) — plus any time a person or vehicle isn't clearly discernible at 1,000 feet (§547.302).
No statute mandating daytime headlights in work zones, and no DRL mandate. DRLs and 'auto' in daylight light only the front lamps and leave the tail, marker, and clearance lamps dark, so they don't satisfy the low-visibility rule — turn the switch fully ON. Watch for posted 'Headlights On' signs on some highways and passes, which create their own duty.

Texas Headlight Law FAQ

Do you need headlights when using wipers in Texas?

Texas 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. Turn your headlights on at night and any time you can't see a person or vehicle 1,000 feet ahead.

When are headlights required in Texas?

Nighttime — 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise (§541.401) — plus any time a person or vehicle isn't clearly discernible at 1,000 feet (§547.302).

What is the headlight fine in Texas?

A lighting violation is a misdemeanor; the general penalty is a fine of $1 to $200 plus court costs (Tex. Transp. Code §542.401). Some courts charge it as a Class C misdemeanor.

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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.547.htm. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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Texas Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Texas

Night, low visibility, and daytime

Texas Headlight Law FAQ

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