Abstract: A method for setting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle includes reading in topology data which represent a topology of the surroundings of the vehicle. The method also includes ascertaining a visual range difference between a topology-related first visual range which is associated with a first characteristic of the light emission, and a topology-related second visual range which is associated with a second characteristic of the light emission, using the topology data. Finally, the method includes adapting a waiting time period for changing a characteristic of the light emission as a function of the visual range difference.