How to Reduce Glare when Driving at Night

Co-authored by Bruce Storrs

Last Updated: July 11, 2022 Approved

Driving at night can be a daunting task for new, as well as experienced drivers. At night, your ability to see is reduced, especially if you have vision problems. Glare caused by dirty windows, mirrors, and eyeglasses will only exacerbate the issue. You can reduce glare while driving at night by keeping your car's windows, mirrors and headlights clean. If you wear eyeglasses, then make sure to keep these clean as well. Additionally, by making sure your car's headlights and mirrors are properly aligned, you can further reduce glare and vision problems while driving at night.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Car Clean

1
Clean your windshield. Use windshield cleaner to clean the inside and outside of your windshield at least once a month. If you know you are about to drive for a lengthy period of time at night, make sure to clean your windshield beforehand as well.^{[1]
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- Alternatively, you can use a mixture of water, dishwashing detergent and vinegar to clean your windshield. Mix six cups (1,400 ml) of water, a tablespoon (30 ml) of detergent and a cup (240 ml) of vinegar together until well-combined. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe your windshield clean.^{[2]
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2
Make sure your mirrors and windows are clean. Clean your side mirrors and windows once a month, or as they become dirty. You can use the detergent-vinegar solution to clean these as well. Spray the solution onto a microfiber cloth. Wipe the inside and outside of your windows clean, as well as the surfaces of your outside mirrors.
- To avoid streaks, make sure to dry your windows and side mirrors with a clean microfiber cloth afterwards.
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3
Clean your headlights. You can use toothpaste to do this. Wet your headlights with a damp cloth. Apply a tablespoon (30 ml) of toothpaste to each headlight. Using the damp cloth, scrub the toothpaste over the entire surface. Scrub for one minute, focusing on dirty areas. Then rinse the headlights with water and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth.^{[3]
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- If the toothpaste method does not work, then you may need to get your headlights professionally buffed and cleaned.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Increasing Your Ability to See at Night

1
Keep your glasses clean. Before driving, always make sure your glasses are clean. Use soap and water to remove dirt, grime and debris from the lenses. Finish cleaning your lenses by drying them with a soft microfiber cloth.
2
Look into anti-reflective coating. If you wear glasses, ask your optometrist about anti-reflective (AR) coating. AR coating is an ultra-thin film made from silicon and zircon. By reducing internal reflection and transmitting more light, the film will improve your vision while driving during the night.
3
Avoid looking straight into the headlights of oncoming traffic. Instead, avert your eyes when oncoming traffic approaches. Do this by looking down and to the right. Focus on the white line on the side of the road, or the pavement until the car passes.^{[4]
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- As you do this, you will still be able to see other cars around you with your peripheral vision.
4
Get an eye check-up regularly. Having difficulty seeing and other medical problems associated with the eyes can exacerbate glare while driving at night. Make an appointment to see an optician. This way you can catch and correct any eye problems to avoid vision problems while driving at night.^{[5]
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- The American Optometric Association recommends that you get an eye test every two years if you are under 60, and annually if you are 60 or older.
  - In the UK, those over the age of 60 can get discounts of up to 25% off glasses at some optic retailers.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adjusting Your Mirrors and Lights

1
Use your rearview mirror's night setting. Look for a small switch or lever under or behind your rearview mirror. By switching this lever, you can change your rearview mirror to its night setting. With this setting on, the headlights from the cars driving behind you will appear much dimmer, and they are less likely to produce glare while driving at night.
- If your car doesn't have self-dimming mirrors, then you may want to replace your mirrors with self-dimming ones, or look into getting a car that has these already.
2
Make sure your headlights are aligned properly. You will need to go to your car dealership or auto mechanic to have this checked. Having your headlights properly aligned will help you see better while driving at night. It will help other cars see you better at night as well.
- Have your headlight alignment checked once a year.
3
Check the alignment of your side mirrors. To properly align your side mirrors, rest your head against the driver seat's window. Adjust the mirror outwards until you can see your car's rear corner. Then, lean to the other side until your head is in the center of the car. Adjust your other mirror until you can see the rear corner on the other side of your car.
- Having your side mirrors properly aligned helps reduce glare while driving at night, as well as blind spots.
4
Keep you interior lights off. Having the lights on inside your car can exacerbate glare, making it even more difficult to see. If you have to, only use these lights for a couple of seconds while driving at night.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

Do HD yellow colored glasses help?

Community Answer

No, these types of glasses only make you think you see better and actually reduce the total amount of light you see. The best kind of glasses to wear are prescription lenses with an anti-reflective coating on them.
Question

When using my rear-view mirror, the headlights of the car behind me produces multiple images of bright lights. What can I do to prevent this?

Community Answer

Replace the mirror with one that has a reflective coating on the front surface, and keep your mirror clean.
Question

Do transition prescription lenses have an anti-reflective coating on them?

Community Answer

You can get transition lenses with an anti-reflective coating as an added option, which generally increases the cost.

Warnings

Try to avoid driving at night, or restrict night driving to well-lit areas if you have severe vision problems.

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Try to avoid using "night" or "polarized" driving glasses to reduce glare. These glasses are different from AR coated glasses, and they are known to decrease your overall ability to see at night.

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Do not wear sunglasses while driving at night.

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