Can I Drive With One Headlight?

You may be able to get away with it during daylight hours, but it is illegal to drive with one headlight in all 50 states, which can result in a fine if you’re pulled over. Dealing with a fix-it ticket may be a nuisance, but replacing a broken headlight can help prevent reduced visibility at night or during bad weather — both of which increase your risk of an accident.

Keep reading to learn more about why driving with only one functioning headlight is illegal, what to do if pulled over, and why it’s critical to fix a broken headlight as soon as possible.

On This Page

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  Is It Illegal To Drive With One Headlight?

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  How Much Does a Fix-It Ticket Cost for a Broken Headlight?

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  Why You Should Avoid Driving With One Headlight

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  What Should I Do if I'm Being Pulled Over

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  How To Get a Replacement Headlight

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  FAQs

Is It Illegal To Drive With One Headlight?

Driving with one headlight out is illegal in all 50 states and can result in a ticket if law enforcement pulls you over.^[1] Even if your headlight went out after you started driving, you are still at risk of being stopped. However, you may only be given a fix-it ticket that allows you to replace the faulty headlight before a specific deadline.

You may be able to drive with one headlight out during daylight hours and clear weather, when headlights typically aren’t required. However, when driving between sunset and sunrise — or in adverse weather conditions that reduce visibility, such as heavy rain, snow or fog — headlights are usually required by law.^[2] If you’re aware that one of your headlights isn’t working, avoid driving at night until you’ve replaced it — otherwise, you risk being ticketed.

How Much Does a Fix-It Ticket Cost for a Broken Headlight?

Fines for fulfilling a fix-it ticket vary by state, often starting at $10 but potentially exceeding $200.^[2] You’ll also need to pay to replace the headlight, which we’ll cover later.

While you may be tempted to delay resolving a fix-it ticket, accumulating multiple citations for the same issue could increase your insurance rates.^[3] Although nonmoving violations typically don’t affect premiums, repeated fix-it tickets might signal to insurers that you’re a higher risk. Since insurance rates are based on risk probability, your premiums could increase as a result.

Why You Should Avoid Driving With One Headlight

Even if you’re only given a fix-it ticket or are let off with a warning for driving with one headlight, it’s important to repair it as soon as possible to avoid poor driving visibility. Headlights work in unison to provide a clearer picture of the road in front of you, and losing one could leave significant portions of the road too dark to see clearly.

Vehicles with good ratings for headlight visibility have 19% fewer nighttime single-vehicle crashes and 23% fewer nighttime pedestrian crashes compared to vehicles with poor-rated headlights.^[4]

Headlights don’t just help you see other cars, animals or road debris — they also help other drivers see you. Night and low-visibility hours are especially dangerous, with 50% of all fatal accidents occurring at night, even though nighttime driving accounts for only 25% of total driving. Even local drivers familiar with the roads they’re on face considerable risk when visibility is compromised.^[5]

Driving with only one headlight may also cause other drivers to mistake your car for a motorcycle, which often has a single headlight beam. Other drivers might maneuver around you thinking you’re in a smaller vehicle, increasing the risk of a collision if they don’t react appropriately or drive erratically.

What Should I Do if I'm Being Pulled Over

As soon as you see the emergency lights of a law enforcement vehicle driving behind you, safely pull over as soon as possible, and use your turn signal. Turn off the car engine and remain in the vehicle unless the officer instructs you to exit it. Have your driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration ready to provide if asked. Once you’ve gathered your documents, keep your hands visible — such as on the steering wheel — and follow the officer’s instructions.

Law enforcement may approach either the driver’s or passenger’s side window. Lower the appropriate window so you can speak clearly with the officer. If you have a weapon in the vehicle, disclose this information to the officer immediately. Avoid reaching for your documents until the officer asks for them, even if you’ve already pulled them out.

The officer will likely inform you of the reason for the stop, such as your headlight being out or for speeding. Depending on the situation, you may receive a warning, a ticket or another type of citation. Even if you disagree with the reason for the stop — such as believing you weren’t speeding — you’re advised not to argue. Dispute the matter in court instead. Make sure to get the officer’s name or badge number for reference in any legal proceedings.

Refusing to sign a traffic ticket could result in your arrest.^[6]

How To Get a Replacement Headlight

Replacement headlights can often be found at auto parts retailers or ordered online. Make sure the bulb matches your vehicle’s specifications. It should fit properly, meet brightness standards and use an approved color — otherwise, the headlight may not function correctly or could result in you being fined, depending on your state laws.^[7][8] If you visit a repair shop or auto parts store, they can usually confirm the correct replacement.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may only need to replace the bulb or the entire headlight assembly — which can significantly affect costs. For example, a standard halogen bulb can cost as little as $15, while a high-tech headlight assembly can exceed $4,000. Additionally, if you’re not confident doing the replacement yourself, labor costs may also apply — often between $100 and $400 for a headlight assembly installation.^[9]

Your manufacturer’s warranty may cover the cost of replacing a headlight.

It’s important to note that your insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of a headlight replacement that dies due to age, as wear and tear damage is typically excluded from most policies.[10] However, there are cases when a headlight may be covered by insurance. For example, if your headlight is vandalized, it would likely be covered by comprehensive insurance. On the other hand, if it is damaged in an accident, you may be covered by the other driver’s liability coverage or your collision insurance.^[11]