Headlight Flashing: What Does It Mean and When Should You Do It

Updated Sept. 30, 2019

While the primary function of your headlights is to improve visibility and allow other drivers to see you at night, or during foggy, rainy or snowy conditions, they also serve as a fantastic communication tool. Drivers commonly flash their headlights to attract the attention of other motorists for a variety of reasons. However, most official state driving manuals recommend flashing your headlights only to notify other drivers that their high-beams are on as they approach you from the opposite direction. Leaving your high-beams on can temporarily blind other drivers and cause a collision.

When should you flash your headlights?
Why are other drivers flashing their headlights at me?
Flashing headlights to warn about police

When should you flash your headlights?

Your state driver’s handbook will likely tell you that the only appropriate time to flash your headlights at other drivers is to warn them that their high-beams are blinding you. If a vehicle approaches you with their high-beams on, you should signal to them using the following steps:

1

Flash your headlights quickly, three to five times
2

If the other driver does not dim their headlights, you should dip your gaze to the right side of the street to avoid being blinded

As frustrating as it may be if the other driver does not respond to your signal by dimming their headlights, you must not raise your own high-beams in retaliation. You will only endanger yourself and other road users with this reaction. Instead, be smart and avert your eyes to the right-hand side of the road until the driver has passed you.

The driver’s guidelines in some states also ask that you flash your headlights when preparing to pass another motorist at night (or sound your horn during the day), to notify them of your intention. This is not the case everywhere so be sure to check your own handbook for details.

Why are other drivers flashing their headlights at me?

If another driver has flashed their headlights at you while you are driving at night, it is likely because your own high beams are on when they should not be. This is almost a certainty if several drivers have signaled you in this way. Check that your low-beam headlights are on and that the high-beam indicator is not active.

When drivers continue to flash their headlights at you even when you are certain your high beams are off, it could be that they are warning you of an alignment issue with your headlights. It would be wise to get your headlights checked out with a qualified mechanic at the next opportunity.

Though it is considered to be bad practice, some drivers will flash their headlights at you when approaching your vehicle from the rear, to indicate that they wish you to speed up or move over. If another motorist is tailgating you while flashing their headlights, this is probably the reason. While this can be quite intimidating, you should move over ONLY if you may do so safely. DO NOT speed up in response to a tailgating driver and do not retaliate once they have passed you.

Flashing headlights to warn about police

Many well-meaning drivers will flash their headlights to warn other motorists of a police presence or speed cameras on the road. Depending on where you live, you may be breaking the law by flashing your headlights at drivers who are approaching a parked police vehicle or a speed trap.

In Pennsylvania for instance, this practice is illegal. However, in Tennessee and Oregon, headlight flashing to warn other drivers of speed traps is legal and protected as an expression of free speech. Check your state’s driving manual to find out if using headlight signaling in this way is illegal.

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Using Your Car Horn

Sounding your car horn is the most effective way to get another road user’s attention. However, it is also the most aggressive means of communication and as such, must be used sparingly. Some drivers use the car horn to express anger and frustration when things on the road do not go their way. Of the all the incorrect reasons to sound your horn, being angry at another road user takes the prize for worst offense.

Using Driving Lanes 1 of 4

Using Driving Lanes

There is far more to using driving lanes than simply keeping yourself within the road markings that separate one row of traffic from another. Which lane you should occupy and how you should drive within that lane depend on your speed, direction of travel, whether you intend to turn and a whole host of other factors.

Using Driving Lanes 2 of 4

Choosing a Lane

Learning how to use lanes appropriately is essential for any driver who will be using large roads and freeways where there are multiple lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Incorrect lane usage can endanger all road users, hold up traffic and incur a traffic fine.

Review

Before You Start Driving 7 of 10

Steering Techniques

Getting to grips with the various possible steering techniques begins with learning to position your hands on the steering wheel appropriately for the immediate driving situation and learning and practicing several different steering methods. These include the “hand to hand” technique (pull-push steering) and the “hand over hand” technique.

Before You Start Driving 8 of 10

Backing Up a Car

Alongside parallel parking, backing up is one of the most dreaded maneuvers in the practical driving exam. Drivers must operate the steering wheel and pedals situated in front of them, while looking back to position the vehicle and check for obstacles. With enough practice it will become just as effortless as driving forward.

Before You Start Driving 9 of 10

Acceleration Techniques

When you press the gas pedal, more fuel is fed into the engine and the vehicle’s speed increases. New drivers must learn to control their speed with effective acceleration techniques and utilize these skills appropriately on the roads.

Before You Start Driving 10 of 10

Braking Techniques

There a variety of complex techniques involved in slowing down or stopping your vehicle; slamming on the brakes is rarely the best course of action. Remember that you may be able to achieve the desired speed reduction simply by removing your foot from the accelerator; applying the brakes is not always necessary. If you do need to reapply the brakes, do so with a smooth, building pressure.

Signaling 1 of 4

Signaling

Drivers must communicate with other motorists by all available means, using headlights, stop signals, turn signals, hazard lights, the car’s horn and hand signals. Your situation will determine which communication devices should be used. Hand signals should only be used if other signaling tools – such as turn indicators and brake lights – are malfunctioning. Your knowledge of hand signals will also be assessed during the driving test, so it is essential to master them.

Signaling 2 of 4

Hand Signals for Driving

Most drivers assume that remembering hand signals will only be necessary in the unlikely event that their turn indicators fail, but this is not the case. You will need to recognize other road user’s hand signals far more often than you will need to use them yourself. It is possible that other drivers will use hand signals if their indicators are broken, though you are more likely to encounter cyclists using them.