§ 175.175. Lighting and electrical systems.
(a) Condition of lamps and switches. Every required lamp or switch shall be in safe operating condition as described in § 175.190 (relating to inspection procedure).
(b) Lighting standards. A vehicle specified under this subchapter driven on highways shall have lamps which comply with Tables II, IV and V; Chapter 153; and 75 Pa.C.S. § 4301.
(c) Headlamp system. A vehicle specified under this subchapter driven on the highway shall have at least one and no more than two headlamps. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(a) (relating to general lighting requirements).
(1) Lamps in a headlamp system shall be of Type I or Type II construction. On one-lamp system, the lamp shall be located in the center of the vehicle. On a two-lamp system, the lamps shall be symmetrically located on each side of the vehicle’s vertical centerline.
(2) The headlamp low beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 7,500.
(3) The headlamp high beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 10,000.
(4) Every headlamp shall be aimed to comply with § 175.190.
(5) Approved SAE modulating lamps are legal.
(6) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with a manual dimmer switch conveniently located for use for the driver while in a normal operating position. An automatic dimming device may be used in addition to a manual switch.
(7) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the high beam of light from the headlamp is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. The indicator shall be so located that when lighted it is readily visible without glare to the operator of the vehicle.
(d) Total candlepower. Total candlepower for headlamps and auxiliary lamps shall not exceed 150,000.
(e) Other required lamps. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall have at least one red stop lamp and no more than two stop lamps—one on each side—on the rear of the vehicle, which shall be illuminated immediately upon application of the service brake.
(f) Illumination except headlamps, fog lamps and auxiliary driving lamps. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall have a stop lamp and tail lamp which, under normal atmospheric conditions, shall be capable of being seen and distinguished during nighttime operation at a distance of 500 feet. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(b) and (d).
(1) Rear lamps shall be lighted whenever headlamps, fog lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are in operation.
(2) A vehicle specified under this subchapter may be equipped with turn signals.
(3) The turn signals shall have a frequency of flash between 60—120 flashes per minute.
(4) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with one stop lamp. The stop lamp shall be red. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(b).
(5) The stop lamps shall be operated through a switching arrangement so that any motion of the brake towards the applied position immediately illuminates the stop lamp.
(6) The stop lamps shall not be combined with turn signal lamps unless arrangement of the switches or other parts are such that the stop lamp is extinguished when the turn signal is in use.
(7) The stop lamps shall be visible for 100 feet in normal sunlight.
(8) A motor-driven cycle registered shall be equipped with an alternator, generator or electrical energy storage source capable of providing lighting in compliance with Chapter 153 and SAE J392—Appendix B (relating to motorcycle and motor vehicle cycle electrical system (maintenance of design voltage)—SAE J392)—Maintenance of Design Voltage.
(9) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with at least one red reflector to the rear.
(10) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall have at least one tail lamp if it was manufactured after 1973 or if originally so equipped.
(g) Condition and position of lamps. Lamps shall be properly fastened; direct light properly; be of color not contrary to Tables II, IV and V; and may not be so obstructed by a screen, bar, auxiliary equipment or device as to obscure, change color of or obstruct beam.
(h) Ornamental lamps. A lamp not enumerated in this section, and not located as described in Tables III—V of this chapter, is prohibited unless it is available as original equipment or is auxiliary lighting added to a motorcycle to protect the driver as permitted by 75 Pa.C.S. § 4310 (related to motorcycle lighting). An illuminated sign is prohibited. Flashing or revolving lights are not ornamental lamps. Provisions relating to flashing or revolving lights are located in Chapters 15 and 173 (relating to authorized vehicles and special operating privileges; and flashing or revolving lights on emergency and authorized vehicles).
(i) [Reserved].
(j) Registration plate lamp. A registration plate lamp, if originally equipped, shall emit white light and make the registration plate visible from a distance of 50 feet to rear.
(k) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps. Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps may be installed on a motor-driven cycle or motorized pedalcycle if they comply with the following requirements:
(1) Fog lamps shall not be substituted for headlamps except under conditions of rain or fog. Fog lamps may be used with lower headlamp beams.
(2) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall be mounted on front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above level surface upon which the vehicle stands. Rear fog lamps, if originally installed or offered as optional equipment, are acceptable.
(3) Auxiliary lamps and fog lamps shall be aimed when vehicle and lamp assembly are in the straight ahead position with beam not above horizontal centerline of lamp at 25 feet.
(4) A vehicle specified under this subchapter may have one and no more than two approved auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps.
(5) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall not be placed in front of any required lamp.
(6) A vehicle equipped with headlamps, auxiliary driving lamps, or fog lamps may not have more than four forward projecting lamps illuminated at the same time.
(l) Antique vehicle lighting exemption. An antique vehicle, if operated exclusively between the hours of sunrise to sunset and not during periods of reduced visibility or insufficient illumination, is exempt from requirements of this section except requirements pertaining to stop lamps.
(m) Battery fastening. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with a system for secure fastening of the battery.
Authority The provisions of this § 175.175 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521 and 6103.
Source The provisions of this § 175.175 adopted October 29, 1982, effective February 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3862; corrected November 12, 1982, effective February 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3947; readopted December 2, 1988, effective December 3, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 5362; amended November 13, 1998, effective May 13, 1999, 28 Pa.B. 5670; amended October 25, 2013, effective October 26, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 6349. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (250425) to (250427).
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