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2003 SESSION
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 46.2-1012, 46.2-1013, and 46.2-1014 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 46.2-1012. Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles.
Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two
headlights headlight which shall be of a type that has been approved by the
Superintendent and shall be capable of projecting sufficient light to the front of such
motorcycle to render discernible a person or object at a distance of 200 feet. However, the
lights shall not project a glaring or dazzling light to persons approaching
such motorcycles. In addition, each motorcycle may be equipped with not more
than two auxiliary headlights of a type approved by the Superintendent.
Motorcycles may be equipped with means of modulating the high beam of their headlights between high and low beam at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute. Such headlights shall not be so modulated during periods when headlights would ordinarily be required to be lighted under § 46.2-1030.
Every motorcycle registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the highways of the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least one brake light of a type approved by the Superintendent. Motorcycles may be equipped with one or more auxiliary brake lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. The Superintendent may by regulation prescribe or limit the size, number, location, and configuration of such auxiliary brake lights.
Every motorcycle shall carry at the rear at least one or more red lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Such tail lights shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear license plate as to illuminate the license plate with a white light so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear license plate from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Any such tail lights or special white light shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.
§ 46.2-1013. Tail lights.
Every motor vehicle, and every trailer, or semitrailer which is being drawn at
the end of one or more other vehicles, or motorcycles shall carry at the rear a
two red light lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500
feet to the rear of such vehicle. Such tail lights shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the
rear license plate as to illuminate the license plate with a white light so
that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such
vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light shall be so mounted as to
illuminate the rear license plate from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of
such vehicle. Any such tail light lights or special white light shall be of a
type approved by the Superintendent.
In any instance where the tail light is to be installed on a boat trailer and
the boat extends beyond the end of the trailer or to the end of the trailer, an
approved portable light assembly or assemblies may be attached to the exposed
rear of the boat, provided such installation complies with the visibility
requirements of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to
motorcycles.
§ 46.2-1014. Brake lights.
Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, except an antique vehicle not
originally equipped with a brake light, registered in the Commonwealth and
operated on the highways in the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least
one two brake light lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. Such
brake lights shall automatically exhibit a red or amber light plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500
feet to the rear of such vehicle when the brake is applied.
Motorcycles may be equipped with one or more auxiliary brake lights of a type
approved by the Superintendent. The Superintendent may by regulation prescribe or
limit the size, number, location, and configuration of such auxiliary brake
lights.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to motorcycles equipped with brake lights as required by § 46.2-1012.