Utah Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Utah

Utah pairs sunset-to-sunrise with the 1,000-foot visibility rule (Utah Code 41-6a-1603). No explicit wiper statute, but canyon rain and snow that keeps the wipers running drops you under 1,000 feet, which triggers the rule on its own. In fog and heavy snow, low beams only; high beams bounce back and blind you. DRLs don't light your rear, but 'AUTO' counts in Utah: you're not in violation as long as the automated light function is operable, engaged, and not overridden (41-6a-1603(1)(b)). Just remember AUTO keys on ambient light, not rain, so in daytime weather flip the switch to ON yourself.

Night, low visibility, and daytime

• Sunset to sunrise, and any time persons and vehicles aren't clearly discernible at 1,000 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions (Utah Code 41-6a-1603). Current text uses the plain sunset-to-sunrise window, not the half-hour buffer.
• No statewide work-zone headlight mandate; obey posted signs in canyons and tunnels. DRLs are not mandated and don't satisfy the duty, because front-only lamps leave your tail lamps dark. 'AUTO' is the Utah exception: you do not violate the rule if the vehicle's automated light function is operable and engaged and has not been overridden or adjusted (41-6a-1603(1)(b)). On plain DRLs, or with the AUTO setting overridden, turn headlights fully ON, low beam. AUTO sensors read ambient light, not weather, so in daytime fog or snow they often stay off; flip the switch to ON yourself.

More for Utah