67 Pa. Code § 175.146 - Lighting and electrical systems
(a)
Condition of lamps and switches. Every required lamp or switch
shall be in safe operating condition as described in §
175.160 (relating to inspection
procedure).
(b)
Lighting
standards. Lamps shall comply with the vehicle lighting equipment
requirements of Tables II, IV and V; Chapter 153; and
75 Pa.C.S. §
4301.
(c)
Headlamp system. A
motorcycle driven on a 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 the
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 symetrically 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 inspection procedure of this subchapter.
(5) Approved SAE modulating lamps are
legal.
(6) A motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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 motorcycle shall have at least one red
stop lamp and no more than two-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 motorcycle
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) The stop lamps shall be operated through
a switching arrangement so that any motion of brake towards applied position
immediately illuminates the stop lamp.
(5) The stop lamps shall not be combined with
turn signal lamps unless arrangement of switches or other parts are such that
the stop lamp is extinguished when the turn signal is in use.
(6) The stop lamps shall be visible for 100
feet in normal sunlight.
(7) A
motorcycle manufactured after 1978 shall be equipped with an alternator,
generator or electrical energy storage source, capable of providing lighting in
compliance with Chapter 153 (relating to lamps, reflective devices, and
associated equipment) and SAE J392-Appendix B (relating to motorcycle and motor
vehicle cycle electrical system (maintenance of design voltage)-SAE
J392)-Maintenance of Design Voltage.
(8) A motorcycle shall be equipped with at
least one red reflector to the rear.
(9) A motorcycle 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 a color not contrary to Tables II, IV and V; and not be so obstructed by a
screen, bar, auxiliary equipment or a device as to obscure, change the color of
or obstruct the 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
(relating 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 the rear of
the vehicle.
(k)
Auxiliary
driving lamps and fog lamps. Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps may
be installed on a motorcycle 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 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.
(4) A motorcycle 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 which
is specifically designed for the secure fastening of the battery.
Notes
The provisions of this § 175.146 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521 and 6103.
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