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Dim high beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic

A free practice question for the California permit test, with the answer explained.

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Practice question · Signals and lights

When must you dim your high beams for a car coming toward you?

The rule

Switch from high beams to low beams whenever a vehicle coming toward you is within 500 feet.

Dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. For a vehicle you are following, the distance is 300 feet.

From the California Driver Handbook, section 5, page 11. This question is our own wording of that rule. The handbook and the DMV have the final word.

Often mixed up with

People confuse these rules with this one. Each has its own practice question.

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