Washington Headlight & Wiper Law

Lights on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and any time rain, snow, or fog keeps you from seeing 1,000 feet ahead (RCW 46.37.020). Washington has no standalone 'wipers on, lights on' statute, but weather heavy enough to run your wipers almost always drops you under that 1,000-foot line, which triggers the rule anyway. DRLs don't count. Flip the switch to ON so your tail lamps light too. Low beams.

Wipers → lightsNot tied to wipers

Night triggerNight: half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise

FineTraffic infraction; monetary penalty in the low $100s

StatuteRCW 46.37.020 (when lighted lamps are required); beams RCW 46.37.230. No wiper-specific statute.

01 The rule

When you light up in Washington

02 The details

Night, low visibility, and daytime

Night: half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise. Low visibility: any time persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at 1,000 feet ahead (RCW 46.37.020).
No statewide daytime work-zone headlight mandate in the lighting statute. DRLs are not required and do not satisfy the rule — they leave tail and marker lamps dark, so switch to full headlamps. Low beams required; dim high beams within 500 ft of oncoming and 300 ft when following (RCW 46.37.230).

Washington Headlight Law FAQ

Do you need headlights when using wipers in Washington?

Washington 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. Lights on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and any time rain, snow, or fog keeps you from seeing 1,000 feet ahead.

When are headlights required in Washington?

Night: half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise. Low visibility: any time persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at 1,000 feet ahead (RCW 46.37.020).

What is the headlight fine in Washington?

Traffic infraction; monetary penalty in the low $100s (penalized under RCW 46.63).

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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.020. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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Washington Headlight & Wiper Law

When you light up in Washington

Night, low visibility, and daytime

Washington Headlight Law FAQ

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