Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 280 - Department of Revenue
Chapter 30 - Division of Motor Vehicles
Subchapter 15 - Safety and Emissions
Part 4 - Rules, Regulations and Standards for the Inspection of Motorcycles, Motor Scooters and Other Motor-Driven Cycles
Section 280-RICR-30-15-4.11 - Headlamps

Universal Citation: 280 RI Code of Rules 30 15 4.11

Current through September 18, 2024

A. Headlamps shall be of a type approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Every headlamp shall be aimed and adjusted to comply with the current SAE standards.

B. Every headlamp shall be mounted at a height of not more than fifty-four inches (54") or less than twenty-four (24") from the center of the headlamp above the level surface upon which the vehicle rests. The color of the lens of any headlamp shall be clear or crystal.

C. The headlamp or headlamps on every motor vehicle, motorcycle or motor scooter shall be of a type which shall emit a clear white light. The use of colored or tinted lenses is prohibited.

D. Every cycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) headlamps. Every high beam shall be so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of three hundred fifty feet (350') ahead of the vehicle.

E. Every low beam shall be so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet (100') ahead of the vehicle.

F. Cycles may be equipped with single beam headlamp(s) of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than one hundred feet (100') provided that the lamp be so aimed that when the cycle is loaded, none of the high intensity portion of light shall project higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, or more than six inches (6") to the left or six inches (6") to the right of the vertical center of the lamp at a distance of twenty-five feet (25') ahead of the lamp. Check by using testing target or mechanical headlight tester.

G. The law requires that cycles have sufficient lighting to reveal a person or a vehicle at:

1. One hundred feet (100') when operated at less than twenty-five miles per hour (25 mph).

2. Two hundred feet (200') when operated at twenty-five miles per hour (25 mph).

3. Three hundred feet (300') when operated at thirty-five (35) or more miles per hour (mph).

H. In order to meet the above minimum requirements, headlamps shall have a candlepower rating of no less than five thousand (5,000) candlepower. High beam indicators are not required.

I. Cause for rejection:

1. Any headlamp is not aimed properly;

2. Any headlamp is not properly or securely mounted on the vehicle;

3. Any bulb in any lamp required by law or regulation fails to function properly;

4. An improperly connected circuit does not light the proper filaments for the different switch positions;

5. Any lens is cracked, tinted, broken or missing;

6. A lens is rotated, upside down, wrong-side out, or is otherwise incorrectly installed;

7. A headlamp has dirt or moisture inside, any obvious discoloration, contamination, reflector deterioration or colored other than as originally manufactured;

8. A lamp shows a beam of color contrary to law or regulation; or

9. Any lamp is not of an approved type.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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