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Virginia Law: Windshield wipers on, headlights need to be too

Headlights must be used from sunset to sunrise, when a driver's visibility is less 500 feet, and when windshield wipers are in use.
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Blurred silhouettes of vehicles. Inside view of the car

VIRGINIA, USA — During a storm, most drivers turn on their windshield wipers. In Virginia, it's the law to also have vehicle's headlights on too. 

Law 46.2-1030 states that every vehicle on a highway in the Commonwealth should have display lighted headlights and illuminating devices.

The law claims headlights must be used:

  • From sunset to sunrise
  • When rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions reduce visibility by 500 feet
  • When windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow.

The only exception is when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow. 

North Carolina's law is only slightly different. The NC General Assembly's website said drivers must use your headlights when visibility is less than 400 feet. The difference, however, is minimal.

View the full Virginia law below:

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