Vermont Headlight & Wiper Law
Vermont has no 'wipers on, lights on' statute, but don't let that fool you. Rain or snow heavy enough to run your wipers almost always drops visibility below 500 feet - which independently requires headlights (23 V.S.A. 1243), plus the night window of 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Use them anyway. DRLs won't cover you; your tail lamps stay dark. Full switch, low beam.
A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm the exact figure with the state DMV before you rely on it.
When you light up in Vermont
Vermont has no 'wipers on, lights on' statute, but don't let that fool you. Rain or snow heavy enough to run your wipers almost always drops visibility below 500 feet - which independently requires headlights (23 V.S.A. 1243), plus the night window of 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Use them anyway. DRLs won't cover you; your tail lamps stay dark. Full switch, low beam.
Night, low visibility, and daytime
- Night window: from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Low-visibility trigger: persons or vehicles not clearly discernible at 500 feet ahead. No standalone 'wipers on' statute - the low-visibility leg is what carries the duty in bad weather.
- Dual lens: no explicit wiper statute, but heavy-weather wiper use nearly always trips the 500-foot low-visibility rule, so lights are effectively required anyway - and officers know it. No work-zone headlight statute; obey posted 'Headlights On' signs on mountain and interstate sections. DRLs are not required and do not satisfy the law (tail and marker lamps stay dark). Full headlamps, low beam.
Vermont Headlight Law FAQ
Do you need headlights when using wipers in Vermont?
When are headlights required in Vermont?
What is the headlight fine in Vermont?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://law.justia.com/codes/vermont/2012/title23/chapter13/section1243/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
More for Vermont
Check Vermont before you roll
Live weather, closures, and hazards on one map. Free, no account.
Open Live Map →