Where Do You Look When Oncoming Headlights Are Too Bright in California?

When another vehicle's lights are too bright, the handbook says not to look straight into them. Shift your eyes to the right edge of your lane and keep track of the other vehicle from the corner of your eye.

Test answers often offer a tempting wrong choice: flipping your own high beams on to get back at the other driver. The handbook rules that out. It only makes it harder for both of you to see.

The same section says to dim your high beams so you don't blind an oncoming driver yourself. And if a vehicle with only one light comes toward you, move as far right as you can, since it could be a bicycle, a motorcycle or a car missing a headlight.

Source: California Driver's Handbook (2025), page 59. Read the handbook ↗