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Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP § 547.801. Lighting Equipment

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A motorcycle or a moped 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 motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less, 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 moped or a motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less 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 moped or motorcycle is operated at a speed less than 25 miles per hour;

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

(iii) at a distance of at least 300 feet when the moped or motorcycle 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 moped or motorcycle 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.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP § 547.801. Lighting Equipment - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-547-801/

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