
Quick answer
In ETS2, use headlights before night driving or poor visibility, high beams only when they help on dark roads, and wipers as soon as rain starts to block mirrors or road signs. Map these controls early because visibility problems usually appear during turns, rain, cities, or late deliveries.
Lights and wipers are small ETS2 controls until you need them quickly. Rain can hide mirrors, night roads can hide signs, and poor visibility can turn a simple junction into cargo damage.
Use this guide with Euro Truck Simulator 2 Controls Guide, Best ETS2 Settings, and Route Advisor Guide.

Controls To Confirm
Before a long delivery, confirm your bindings for:
- Headlights.
- High beams.
- Hazard lights.
- Beacons, if your truck or cargo uses them.
- Wipers.
- Dashboard display brightness, if you use a dark cabin setup.
Keyboard players should keep these on keys they can reach without looking down. Controller players should use buttons or combinations that do not interfere with steering and braking.
When To Use Lights
| Situation | Best Habit |
|---|---|
| Evening or night | Turn headlights on early |
| Heavy rain or fog | Use lights for visibility |
| Dark rural roads | Use high beams when safe |
| City traffic | Avoid blinding traffic with unnecessary high beams |
| Oversize or special cargo | Use required beacons and follow escort rules |
When To Use Wipers
Turn on wipers as soon as rain starts to hide lane lines, road signs, mirrors, or the GPS route. Do not wait until the windshield is already hard to read.

Common Mistakes
- Forgetting lights until traffic fines start.
- Driving in rain with mirrors too hard to read.
- Using high beams in situations where they do not help.
- Mapping lights and wipers to awkward controller combinations.
- Ignoring visibility settings while tuning graphics.
Settings Notes
If rain or night driving feels hard, do not only raise brightness. Check mirror quality, cabin camera height, controller sensitivity, and Route Advisor readability. Use ETS2 Graphics Performance Settings if frame drops make rainy cities harder to drive.
FAQ
Why do I get light fines in ETS2?
You may be driving at night or in poor visibility without headlights. Turn them on earlier than you think you need them.
Do wipers affect driving safety?
Yes. Wipers improve windshield visibility, and better visibility helps you read signs, lane lines, mirrors, and turns.
What should I read next?
Read Beginner Controls, then Controller Settings or Best ETS2 Settings.
Read next
Continue through the next task instead of jumping to a random tag page.
BeginnerEuro Truck Simulator 2 Controls Guide
Euro Truck Simulator 2 controls for beginners, including default keyboard keys, steering sensitivity, route advisor controls, parking, camera views, and wheel setup.
SetupBest ETS2 Settings
The best ETS2 settings for new and returning players, covering controls, steering, mirrors, route advisor, parking, graphics, audio, and comfort options.
BeginnerETS2 Route Advisor Guide: GPS, Job Info, Damage, and Messages
Learn what the ETS2 Route Advisor shows, how to use its pages, and which GPS, job, damage, message, and money screens matter during deliveries.