Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(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).
(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.
The provisions of this §175.96 amended under the Vehicle
Code,
75 Pa.C.S. §§
4103,
4301,
4501,
4521 and
6103.
