Driving at Night
What the exam tests
Night vision, headlight use, glare, and speed selection after dark.
Core rules
- Use low beams in traffic and high beams on open road when legal.
- Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following.
- Do not overdrive your headlights: drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see.
- Look toward the right edge of your lane when an oncoming vehicle has bright lights; do not stare into the glare.
- Keep the windshield clean inside and out; glare spreads across dirt and streaks.
- Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and animals, especially near dawn and dusk.
- Fatigue is a major night hazard; stop and rest if you are drowsy.
- Night vision is weaker than day vision; color and depth perception drop.
Worked example
An oncoming car leaves its high beams on. You slow down, look at the right edge line, and keep your speed low until the car passes. Reasoning: glare temporarily blinds you; looking right keeps you in your lane without staring into the light.
Traps that cost marks
Using high beams in fog or traffic; overdriving headlights; staring at oncoming lights; driving while drowsy.