Driving at Night
Driving at Night tests visibility, glare control, and fatigue management. The exam expects you to adjust speed and lighting so you can stop within the distance you can see.
Headlights and speed
Use low beams in traffic and high beams when legal on dark roads. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following. Do not overdrive your headlights: at 55 mph, low beams may show only about 150 to 200 feet, so reduce speed. At night, look toward the right edge of the road when an oncoming vehicle's lights glare; do not stare at the lights.
Fatigue and visibility
Night driving disrupts sleep and increases fatigue. Stop, rest, or switch drivers before you feel drowsy. Keep the windshield clean; streaks and smudges scatter light. Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and animals beyond the headlight beam.
Worked example
On a dark rural road, an oncoming car keeps its high beams on. Reasoning: staring at the glare reduces night vision. Slow down, look at the right edge, and be ready to stop for anything hidden beyond your lights.
Traps
Driving at the posted limit when headlights cannot show that far ahead, failing to dim high beams, and pushing through fatigue are common errors. Night vision is weaker; your speed must reflect that.