67 Pa. Code § 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.
Notes
The provisions of this §175.175 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521 and 6103.
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.