Quick Summary:
- In California rain, turn on headlights whenever your wipers are operating.
- Use low beams, not daytime running lights, in spray and showers.
- Tickets often happen in freeway mist where drivers forget lights.
- Before setting off, confirm headlight switch and instrument lights are on.
When you pick up a car hire in California, it is easy to focus on navigation, lanes, and local driving styles. Then the weather changes. Coastal drizzle, mountain showers, and freeway spray can reduce visibility quickly, even when it feels like “just light rain”. That is where California’s common-sense safety expectation comes in: if your wipers are on, your headlights should be on too.
This guide explains what California law expects in rainy conditions, why “wipers on, lights on” matters for visibility, and where visitors most often get ticketed. You will also find a short in-car checklist you can run in seconds, whether you are leaving a hotel car park or merging into fast-moving traffic.
Does California require headlights when wipers are on?
California’s practical rule of thumb is simple: if conditions make you use the windscreen wipers, you should switch on your headlights. This aligns with California’s headlight requirement in adverse weather, where headlights are needed whenever visibility is reduced by rain, fog, smoke, or similar conditions. In everyday driving, police and highway patrol commonly treat “wipers on” as a clear sign that visibility is reduced enough to require lights.
So, if it is raining and your wipers are operating, the safe and generally expected approach is to turn on low beam headlights. Even if you can see the road ahead, other drivers need to see you, especially in spray thrown up by large vehicles.
For travellers in a car hire, the main takeaway is not to debate whether the rain is “heavy enough”. If the wipers are needed, switch the headlights on. It is quick, it is safer, and it reduces the risk of being stopped.
Why “wipers on, lights on” is about being seen, not seeing
Many drivers assume headlights are only for lighting the road at night. In rain, the bigger issue is often conspicuity. Grey skies, wet asphalt, and road spray lower contrast and make dark-coloured cars blend into the background. Headlights give other road users earlier warning that you are there.
Headlights are particularly important in these scenarios:
Freeway spray: On I-5, US-101, I-405, and other major routes, tyre spray can create a white haze behind lorries and buses. Even moderate rain can produce heavy spray at speed.
Sudden showers: California rain can arrive in short bursts. Drivers sometimes start a journey in dry conditions, then forget to turn lights on when the wipers come on.
Coastal mist: In places like Los Angeles and the Bay Area, drizzle can be light but persistent. Visibility is reduced even though there is no dramatic downpour.
Mountain weather: If you head toward higher elevations, conditions can change quickly, and clouds can sit low on the roadway.
Using low beams also helps your tail lights illuminate in most vehicles, which is a major benefit in spray where cars approaching from behind rely on rear lighting cues.
The most common ticket scenarios for visitors
Police stops in rain are often less about punishment and more about preventing collisions, but citations do happen. Visitors and occasional drivers get caught out because they are unfamiliar with the car’s controls or assume daytime running lights are enough.
Typical situations include:
Daytime running lights only: Many cars with DRLs appear “lit” from the front, but the rear lights may remain off. In rain and spray, that can make you hard to see from behind. Officers may consider this unsafe compared with full headlights.
Auto setting misunderstanding: The “AUTO” headlight setting may not activate in daytime rain if the light sensor thinks it is still bright enough. Wipers can be on, but lights remain off. Do not assume “AUTO” has you covered.
Leaving an airport car park: After a flight, people jump into an unfamiliar car hire, start the sat nav, and drive off. If it is raining, they may not find the headlight control quickly, especially in vehicles with rotary dials versus stalk controls.
Transition zones: Driving in and out of tunnels, under dense tree cover, or through bands of heavier rain can cause drivers to toggle wipers without thinking about lights.
If you are arriving via Southern California airports, it helps to review your vehicle’s lighting controls before you join fast traffic. If you are collecting near Los Angeles, the Hola pages for car rental California LAX and car rental Los Angeles LAX are useful starting points for planning a smoother pickup day in mixed weather.
Low beams, high beams, fog lights, and hazard lights: what to use
Low beams: In rain, low beams are the default choice. They improve your visibility to others without reflecting excessively off water droplets.
High beams: Avoid high beams in rain and especially in fog. They can create glare and reduce your ability to see. High beams can also dazzle other road users when roads are wet and reflective.
Fog lights: If your vehicle has fog lights, use them only when visibility is seriously reduced, and follow the vehicle manual. Fog lights can help low-level illumination, but they are not a substitute for headlights.
Hazard lights: In California, hazard lights are intended for hazards and breakdowns, not routine driving in rain. Using hazards while moving can confuse other drivers because it masks turn signals. If you must slow significantly due to near-zero visibility, focus on getting out of the flow of traffic safely rather than cruising with hazards on.
A quick in-car checklist for rain and freeway spray
Run this checklist any time you turn the wipers on. It takes under 15 seconds and is especially handy in an unfamiliar car hire.
1) Headlights to ON (or low beams): Do not rely solely on AUTO in daytime rain. Confirm the low beam symbol is lit on the dash.
2) Confirm tail lights are on: The easiest check is usually the dashboard illumination. If your instrument panel is brighter or switches to “night mode”, that often indicates full lights are on. Some cars also show a rear light indicator.
3) Wiper speed matched to conditions: If you are on intermittent but still clearing a lot of water, that is your cue that visibility is reduced. Keep the headlights on.
4) Defog and demist early: Use front defrost if windows begin to fog. Interior fogging can be as dangerous as external rain.
5) Keep extra distance: Wet roads increase stopping distances. Leave more space, especially behind large vehicles generating spray.
6) Check washer fluid: Spray from dirty roads can smear the windscreen. A quick fluid top-up at the first fuel stop is worthwhile on longer trips.
Special cases that confuse drivers
“It is sunny but the road is wet”: After a shower, you may turn wipers off. In that case, there may not be a clear “wipers on” cue. Still, if there is heavy spray from traffic or patchy showers ahead, keeping low beams on can remain a good safety choice.
Light drizzle: Many drivers use intermittent wipes and assume headlights are optional. This is one of the easiest situations to get wrong because visibility degradation is subtle. If the wipers are on at all, turn headlights on.
Hire cars with digital controls: Some newer models place lighting in menus or touch panels. Before you leave the lot, take a minute to locate how to switch from AUTO to ON, and how to activate low beams manually.
Daytime running lights: Treat DRLs as “front visibility only”. In rain, you want full lighting, including rear lights.
Where rain driving habits matter most in California
California is huge, and rain patterns vary by region. Visitors often think of it as always dry, but storms do roll through, particularly in winter and during atmospheric river events.
Southern California: Roads can become slick quickly after the first rain following a dry spell. Oil residue floats to the surface, reducing grip. If you are arriving around Orange County, you may start your trip near car rental airport Santa Ana SNA, and you will likely encounter fast multi-lane driving where being seen matters.
Northern California: The Bay Area and surrounding routes can see frequent wet-weather driving, with visibility swings from clear to misty. If your plans include a larger vehicle for family luggage or group travel, remember bigger vehicles also create more spray. Some travellers compare options such as Dollar car hire San Francisco SFO when arranging a car hire for wet-season visits.
What to do if you get stopped
If an officer stops you for driving in rain without headlights, stay calm. Safely pull over, keep your hands visible, and follow instructions. It is often a correctable issue, and the officer may simply remind you of the expectation. If a citation is issued, read it carefully and follow the process listed on the ticket. Rules and outcomes vary by county and circumstances.
Most importantly, fix the behaviour immediately. Turn your low beams on before you rejoin traffic.
FAQ
Is “wipers on, lights on” an actual California law? California law requires headlights when visibility is reduced by weather conditions, including rain. Because wipers usually indicate reduced visibility, drivers are generally expected to turn headlights on whenever wipers are operating.
Are daytime running lights enough in rain? Usually not. DRLs may not activate rear lights, which is a key safety issue in spray. Use low beam headlights so both front and rear lighting are on.
Should I use high beams in heavy rain? No. High beams can increase glare and reduce your ability to see in rain or mist. Low beams are the safer, standard choice.
What if my headlights are set to AUTO? AUTO may not switch lights on in daytime rain. If your wipers are on, manually switch to ON or low beams and confirm the headlight indicator is illuminated.
Can I drive with hazard lights on during a storm? Hazard lights are for hazards and emergencies, not normal rain driving. They can confuse other drivers by masking turn signals, so use low beams and slow down appropriately instead.
