Texas Driver's License Knowledge TestSafe Driving PracticesEasy
A driver is traveling at night on an unlit rural road and encounters an oncoming vehicle. When must the driver dim their high-beam headlights?
- AWhen the oncoming vehicle is within 200 feet.
- BWhen the oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.
- CWhen the oncoming vehicle is within 1,000 feet.
- DOnly when the oncoming vehicle flashes its high beams.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. When the oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.
Texas law requires drivers to dim their high-beam headlights when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet to prevent blinding the other driver.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 200 feet is too close, increasing the risk of blinding the oncoming driver.
- C. 1,000 feet is generally for following another vehicle, not oncoming.
- D. Waiting for the other driver to flash their lights is not compliant with the law and can be dangerous.
High Beam Dimming Rule (Oncoming)
Drivers must dim their high-beam headlights to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within a specified distance to avoid impairing the other driver's vision.
- Required by law for safety.
- Prevents temporary blindness for other drivers.
- Distance varies for oncoming vs. following vehicles.
Memory trick: Five hundred oncoming, a thousand following, keep those beams from glowing!