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HB1289 • 2026

Headlights; require to be used whenever windshield wipers are necessitated.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF VEHICLES SHALL BE OPERATED WHENEVER CONDITIONS NECESSITATE THE USE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF ONLY THE PARKING LIGHTS OF VEHICLES DURING TIMES WHEN THE USE OF HEADLIGHTS IS REQUIRED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Holloway (76th)
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify the exact penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond stating that violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines.

Using Headlights When Wipers Are Needed

This bill requires drivers to turn on their headlights whenever they use windshield wipers and bans using only parking lights when headlights are required.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires vehicle operators to use headlights if windshield wipers are needed due to weather or other conditions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Drivers who operate vehicles on public roads in Mississippi.

Terms To Know

Misdemeanor
A crime that is less serious than a felony and usually results in fines or short jail time.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during the session it was introduced.
  • It would have taken effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (H) Referred To Transportation

Official Summary Text

Headlights; require to be used whenever windshield wipers are necessitated.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 1289 *HR31/R131* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR31/R131
PAGE 1 (DJ\JAB)

To: Transportation
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Holloway (76th)

HOUSE BILL NO. 1289

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
PROVIDE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF VEHICLES SHALL BE OPERATED WHENEVER 2
CONDITIONS NECESSITATE THE USE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS; TO PROHIBIT 3
THE USE OF ONLY THE PARKING LIGHTS OF VEHICLES DURING TIMES WHEN 4
THE USE OF HEADLIGHTS IS REQUIRED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. Section 63-7-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 7
amended as follows: 8
63-7-11. (1) Every vehicle operated upon a public road, 9
street or highway within this state * * * shall be equipped with 10
lighted front and rear lamps as respectively required in Section 11
63-7-13 for different classes of vehicles and subject to exemption 12
with reference to lights on parked vehicles as hereinafter stated 13
in this chapter, and the front and rear lamps shall be operated on 14
every vehicle during the following times: 15
(a) The period from sunset to sunrise; 16
(b) Whenever precipitation or any other condition 17
necessitates the use of windshield wipers by vehicle operators; 18
and 19
H. B. No. 1289 *HR31/R131* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR31/R131
PAGE 2 (DJ\JAB)
ST: Headlights; require to be used whenever
windshield wipers are necessitated.
(c) At any other time when there is not sufficient 20
light to render clearly discernible any person on the highway at a 21
distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead. 22
(2) It is unlawful for any vehicle operator to use only the 23
parking lights or auxiliary driving lamps of the vehicle during 24
any time when this section requires the use of the front and rear 25
lamps of the vehicle. 26
(3) Any person violating the provisions of this section is 27
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not 28
more than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), upon conviction. 29
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 30
and after July 1, 2026. 31