Sec. 547.801. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT  


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  • (a) A motorcycle, including a motor-driven cycle, shall be equipped with:

    (1) not more than two headlamps mounted at a height from 24 to 54 inches;

    (2) at least one taillamp mounted at a height from 20 to 72 inches;

    (3) a taillamp or separate lamp to illuminate the rear license plate that complies with the requirements of Sections 547.322(f) and (g);

    (4) at least one stoplamp that complies with the requirements of Section 547.323(d); and

    (5) at least one rear red reflector that complies with the requirements of Section 547.325(b) and may be included as a part of the taillamp.

    (b) A motorcycle, other than a motor-driven cycle, shall be equipped with multiple-beam lighting equipment that produces:

    (1) an uppermost distribution of light that reveals a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 300 feet ahead; and

    (2) a lowermost distribution of light that:

    (A) reveals a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead; and

    (B) is aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam on the motorcycle that is on a straight and level road under any condition of loading projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator.

    (c) A motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with:

    (1) multiple-beam lighting equipment that complies with the requirements of Subsection (b); or

    (2) single-beam lighting equipment that:

    (A) emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle:

    (i) at a distance of at least 100 feet when the cycle is operated at a speed less than 25 miles per hour;

    (ii) at a distance of at least 200 feet when the cycle is operated at a speed of 25 miles per hour or more; and

    (iii) at a distance of at least 300 feet when the cycle is operated at a speed of 35 miles per hour or more; and

    (B) is aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam from the lamp on a loaded cycle projects a beam higher than the level center of the lamp for a distance of 25 feet ahead.

    (d) A motorcycle may not be operated at any time unless at least one headlamp on the motorcycle is illuminated. This subsection does not apply to a motorcycle manufactured before the model year 1975.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 782, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1022, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.