When are headlights required in New York?
It is the middle of the afternoon, but rain is heavy enough that you need your wipers. What does New York require?
The answer
Turn on your headlights. The DMV manual says to use them when weather requires windshield wipers, and daytime running lights do not count as headlights.
The DMV Driver's Manual says to use headlights from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, whenever visibility is under 1,000 feet, and when weather conditions require windshield wipers.
In rain, fog, or snow, use low beams rather than high beams, because high beams reflect off the precipitation. The manual also says to use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 200 feet behind a vehicle you are following.
Exceptions
- The manual lists no exception that lets daytime running lights replace headlights in these conditions; it says daytime running lights do not count as headlights.
Why this rule matters for safety
Headlights help other drivers see your vehicle in glare and spray, not just help you see the road.
Official sources
- Driver's Manual, Chapter 10: Special Driving Conditions · NYS Department of Motor VehiclesHeadlights and Wipers; Fog, Rain, and Snow. Page shows no revision date. No penalty is given because the page read does not state one.
Rules checked against these sources on . Laws change. Confirm with the New York agency before you rely on this for a legal matter.
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