§ 175.96. Lighting and electrical systems.
(a) Condition of lamps and switches. Every required lamp or switch shall be in safe operating condition as described in § 175.110 (relating to inspection procedure).
(b) Lighting standards. Lamps shall comply with vehicle lighting equipment requirements of this title. See Appendix A and Tables II—IV of Chapter 153 (relating to lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment); and 75 Pa.C.S. § 4301 (relating to promulgation of regulations by department).
(c) Headlamp system. A vehicle specified under this subchapter driven on a highway shall have two- or four-headlamp system. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(a) (relating to general lighting requirements).
(1) Both lamps in a two-headlamp system shall be of Type II construction consisting of a high beam and low beam. One lamp shall be located on each side of the front of the motor vehicle.
(2) In the four-headlamp system, two lamps shall be of Type II construction and two lamps shall be of Type I construction. A Type I lamp consists of a high beam only. One of each type shall be located on each side of the front of the motor vehicle.
(3) The headlamp low beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 7,500.
(4) The headlamp high beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 10,000.
(5) Every headlamp shall be aimed to comply with inspection procedure of this subchapter.
(6) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with a manual dimmer switch conveniently located for use by 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 located so 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 on each side of 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 be equipped with parking lamps, stop lamps, tail lamps, turn signal lamps and hazard warning lamps designed for that specific function 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)—(d).
(1) Stop lamps, turn signals and hazard warning lamps shall be visible at a distance of 100 feet during normal sunlight.
(2) Rear lamps shall be lighted whenever headlamps, fog lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are in operation.
(3) A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with hazard warning lamps, unless these lamps were not included as original equipment.
(4) The turn signals shall have a frequency of flash between 60—120 flashes per minute.
(g) Condition and position of lamps. Lamps shall be properly fastened; direct light properly; be of a color not contrary to Tables II—IV; and may not be obstructed by a screen, bar, auxiliary equipment or a device so as to obscure, change the color of or obstruct the beam. Exception: A bus used for public transportation may be equipped with a device used to carry pedalcycles mounted on the front of the bus if the device, including the pedalcycle, does not extend more than 36 inches.
(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. An illuminated sign is prohibited except on taxicabs, ambulances and trucks. Flashing or revolving lights are not ornamental lamps. Provisions relating to flashing or revolving lights are 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) Back-up lamps. Back-up lamps are not permitted to be lighted when the vehicle is in forward motion. Back-up lamps shall turn off automatically when the vehicle goes forward. If the lamps do not turn off automatically, a dash indicator that lights or creates audible warning is required.
(k) Registration plate lamp. If the vehicle was originally so equipped, the registration plate lamp shall emit white light and make the registration plate visible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of the vehicle. This requirement does not apply to a vehicle which has the registration plate mounted on the front of the vehicle.
(l) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps. Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps may be installed on a medium or heavy truck and bus if the lamps comply with the following:
(1) Auxiliary driving lamps may not be substituted for headlamps. Auxiliary driving lamps may only be used with high headlamps beams.
(2) Fog lamps are not permitted to be substituted for headlamps.
(3) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall be mounted on the front, spaced at least 20 inches apart from center to center and at a height not more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, nor lower than the lowest chassis part. Rear fog lamps, if originally installed or offered as optional equipment are acceptable.
(4) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall be aimed when the vehicle and lamp assembly are in the straight ahead position with the beam not above the horizontal centerline of the lamp at 25 feet.
(5) A vehicle specified under this subchapter may have only one pair of approved auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps.
(6) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps may not be placed in front of a required lamp.
(7) Auxiliary driving lamps may not be used on snowplows as a substitute for headlamps obscured by blade. A substitute for headlamps used on these vehicles shall be complete, approved headlamps having both high and low beams.
(8) Snowplow lamps shall be installed as follows:
(i) These lamps shall be wired through a double throw switch so that both sets of lights will not operate at same time.
(ii) Snowplow lamps shall be aimed so that the high intensity beam does not project to the left of the extreme left side of the vehicle, nor higher than the center of the lamp at a distance of 25 feet in front of vehicle. In no case shall the high intensity portion of a beam be higher than 42 inches above the level upon which vehicle stands at a distance of 75 feet ahead. The lamps shall be spaced at a distance of not less than 20 inches apart and shall be symmetrically located on each side of the vehicle centerline.
(9) In accordance with 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(f), roof or roll bar mounted off-road lights may be installed if they are not used on a highway or trafficway and are covered with an opaque covering at all times while operating on the highway or trafficway. Vehicles equipped with roof or roll bar mounted off-road lights shall have a switch that indicates to the driver, through the use of a pilot light, that the lights are on when so switched.
(10) White or clear cargo lamps are permitted if available as original equipment or installed in a manner which expressly illuminates the cargo area of a truck or bus.
(11) Guidance laser systems used during highway maintenance operations, such as line painting and snow plowing are authorized if they comply with 21 CFR 1040.10 (relating to laser products) for Class IIIa laser products and Occupational Health and Safety Administration Standard 1926.54 and are installed and operated in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements. Guidance laser systems may not emit red or blue light visible to other motorists.
(m) 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 the requirements of this section, except requirements pertaining to stop lamps.
(n) Battery fastening. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with a system specifically designed for the secure fastening of the battery.
Authority The provisions of this § 175.96 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521 and 6103.
Source The provisions of this § 175.96 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 (250368) to (250371).
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