Sept. 1, 1995. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with video receiving equipment, including a television, a digital video disc player, a videocassette player, or similar equipment, only if the equipment is located so that the video display is not visible from the operator's seat unless the vehicle's transmission is in park or the vehicle's parking brake is applied. (F) transmits information concerning the accident to a central communications system when the accident occurs. June 14, 2019. (b) A person may operate a motorcycle or moped equipped with LED ground effect lighting that emits a non-flashing amber or white light. September 1, 2019. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense that is a misdemeanor: (1) if the person operates a motor vehicle that has an object or material that is placed on or attached to the windshield or side or rear window and that obstructs or reduces the operator's clear view; or. 547.602. (8) "Slow-moving-vehicle emblem" means a triangular emblem that conforms to standards and specifications adopted by the director under Section 547.104. (d) A private vehicle operated by a volunteer firefighter responding to a fire alarm or a medical emergency may, but is not required to, be equipped with signal lamps that comply with the requirements of Subsection (c). Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 229 (H.B. (b) An auxiliary driving lamp shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height from 16 to 42 inches. (B) higher than 42 inches above the ground at a distance of 75 feet ahead. Sec. (g) A taillamp, including a separate lamp used to illuminate a rear license plate, must emit a light when a headlamp or auxiliary driving lamp is lighted. BRAKE RESERVOIR OR RESERVE CAPACITY REQUIRED. This subsection does not apply to: (1) a bus purchased by a school district that is a model year 2017 or earlier; or. 547.325. Sept. 1, 1995. These lights must be red in color and be mounted on the rear of the trailer, as far apart as possible. (b) A passenger car manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least one stoplamp. (2) has a means for readily draining accumulated oil or water. (B) has a public service function, including public utility vehicles, tow trucks, and any vehicle designated as a service vehicle by the Texas Department of Transportation or as an escort flag vehicle under Section 623.099. 1345 (S.B. Sec. The inspection criteria for tail lamps states: "Tail lamp. Inspect and reject if: lamp is obstructed by any part of the body." Transportation Code 502.409 prohibits attaching or displaying on a motor vehicle a number plate or registration insignia where: 165, Sec. 90(c), eff. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. This really only becomes an issue with some aftermarket lights that are not equipped from the auto manufacturer. Regarding tail lights, all vehicles in Texas are also required to have at least two stop lamps that emit a red or amber glow. These lights must be visible from at least 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight. (b) A passenger car or truck that was manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least one taillamp. (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. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a farm tractor, self-propelled unit of farm equipment, or implement of husbandry shall be equipped with: (1) at least two headlamps that comply with Section 547.333, 547.334, or 547.335; (2) at least one red lamp visible at a distance of at least 1,000 feet from the rear and mounted as far to the left of the center of the vehicle as practicable; (3) at least two red reflectors visible at all distances from 100 to 600 feet from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps; and. Front side windows are required to allow more than 25% of light in. 547.323. 843 (H.B. June 14, 2019. 547.615. (d) The same brake drums, brake shoes and lining assemblies, brake shoe anchors, and mechanical brake shoe actuation mechanism normally associated with wheel brake assemblies may be used for the parking brakes and service brakes. 547.302. 505), Sec. The term does not include a ham radio, band radio, or similar electronic device. 1610), Sec. Sept. 1, 1995. (a) Unless provided otherwise, a headlamp, auxiliary driving lamp, auxiliary passing lamp, or combination of those lamps mounted on a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped: (1) shall be arranged so that the operator can select at will between distributions of light projected at different elevations; and. SPOTLAMPS PERMITTED. September 1, 2019. September 1, 2011. 547.383. (b) If a standard of an agency of the United States or of the department is not prescribed, the department by rule may require departmental approval before the sale of the item. (a) Except as provided by Subchapter F, a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall be equipped with at least two red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle. (2) an authorized emergency vehicle that is equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell that complies with Section 547.702. 1233 (H.B. (b) A truck-tractor or truck used to tow a vehicle equipped with vacuum brakes, or a truck with at least three axles that is equipped with vacuum brakes, shall be equipped with a warning signal, other than a gauge showing vacuum, that is readily audible or visible to the vehicle operator and that shows when the vacuum in the reservoir or reserve capacity is less than eight inches of mercury. 1131, Sec. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. (a) A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be equipped with service brakes capable of: (1) developing a braking force that is not less than: (A) 52.8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle for a passenger vehicle; or. 547.609. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. WebTaillamps shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle: (1) at a height from 15 to 72 inches; and (2) at the same level and spaced as widely apart as practicable if a vehicle is 882 (H.B. 782, Sec. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 2812), Sec. 1116), Sec. (b) A reflector required by this chapter mounted on a vehicle subject to this subchapter shall be visible from the rear, if a rear reflector, or from the applicable side, if a side reflector, at nighttime at all distances from 100 to 600 feet from the vehicle when the reflector is directly in front of: (1) lawful lower beams of headlamps; or. (c) Auxiliary driving lamps may be used with headlamps as specified by Section 547.333. September 1, 2006. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. Currently, there are NO DOT approved "Red" Clear Tail Light Lenses. (2) does not install an airbag or installs a counterfeit airbag. (12) "Off-highway vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 551A.001. 346), Sec. (a) A vehicle used to tow another vehicle equipped with air-controlled brakes shall be equipped with the following means, together or separate, for applying the trailer brakes in an emergency: (1) an automatic device that applies the brakes to a fixed pressure from 20 to 45 pounds per square inch if the towing vehicle's air supply is reduced; and. Section 7E: Display of red or blue lights on vehicles; permits; revocation; violations [ First paragraph effective until December 13, 2021. (b) A vehicle may not be equipped with and a person may not use on a vehicle a siren, whistle, or bell unless the vehicle is: (1) a commercial vehicle that is equipped with a theft alarm signal device arranged so that the device cannot be used as an ordinary warning signal; or. Sec. 1, eff. (a) A road tractor, truck, trailer, truck-tractor in combination with a semitrailer, or semitrailer in combination with a towing vehicle that has at least four tires or at least two super single tires on the rearmost axle of the vehicle or the rearmost vehicle in the combination shall be equipped with safety guards or flaps that: (1) are of a type prescribed by the department; and. (2) may be included as a part of another lamp on the vehicle. 547.7012. (a) In lieu of the multiple-beam lighting equipment required by Section 547.333, a headlamp system that provides a single distribution of light and meets the requirements of Subsection (b) is permitted for: (2) a motor vehicle manufactured and sold before September 4, 1948. Sec. Webtexas department of public safety lighting and reflector requirements for trailers (notregulatedbyfederalmotorcarriersafetyregulations) requiredatalltimes All vehicles require three working stop lamps (brake lights). (b) A motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine, of a model year after 1967, shall be equipped to prevent the discharge of crankcase emissions into the ambient atmosphere. September 1, 2017. In this chapter: (1) "Air-conditioning equipment" means mechanical vapor compression refrigeration equipment used to cool a motor vehicle passenger or operator compartment. (a) The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt standards and specifications that: (1) apply to lamps on highway maintenance or construction vehicles and service vehicles; and. MINIMUM LIGHTING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. (1) included as a part of a taillamp if the reflector meets each other requirement of this subchapter; and. September 1, 2009. MOUNTING REQUIREMENTS. (2) a pressure gauge visible to the vehicle operator that shows in pounds per square inch the pressure available for braking. 20, Sec. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. Therefore, you should check your state`s local laws and regulations before applying the shade. (b) The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle shall use the siren, whistle, or bell when necessary to warn other vehicle operators or pedestrians of the approach of the emergency vehicle. 3, eff. (a) A reflector shall be mounted: (1) at a height from 24 to 60 inches; or. (1) duplicate a standard of the United States that applies to the same aspect of vehicle equipment performance as the department standard; or. (3) may not remove the system or a part of the system or intentionally make the system inoperable in this state, unless the owner or operator removes the system or part to install another system or part intended to be equally effective in reducing atmospheric emissions. 2553), Sec. (b) A manufacturer of a new motor vehicle that is sold or leased in this state and that is equipped with a recording device shall disclose that fact in the owner's manual of the vehicle. Rear reflectors on a vehicle shall reflect a red color. 165, Sec. 547.501. (2-a) "Golf cart" has the meaning assigned by Section 551.401. A red reflector may be included as a part of a taillamp. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLES. 547.206. Sec. (C) emit a light visible at a distance of 500 feet in normal sunlight. (d) A stoplamp shall emit a red or amber light, or a color between red and amber, that is: (1) visible in normal sunlight at a distance of at least 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle; and. (b) Except as provided by Section 547.506 and Subsection (d), the operator of a vehicle described by Section 547.503(b) or an explosive cargo vehicle that is disabled, or stopped for more than 10 minutes, on a roadway outside an urban district shall: (1) immediately place a lighted red electric lantern or a portable red emergency reflector at the traffic side of the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic; and. (2) correlate with and conform as closely as possible to recommended practices or standards approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers. (2) retrieved information may be disclosed only: (A) for the purposes of motor vehicle safety and medical research communities to advance the purposes described in Subsection (c)(3); or. 547.003. (c) Except as provided by Section 547.506 and Subsection (d), the operator of a vehicle described by Section 547.503(b) or an explosive cargo vehicle that is disabled, or stopped for more than 10 minutes, on a roadway of a divided highway shall place the warning devices described by Subsection (b): (1) in the center of the lane occupied by the vehicle toward approaching traffic approximately 200 feet from the vehicle; (2) in the center of the lane occupied by the vehicle toward approaching traffic approximately 100 feet from the vehicle; and. (e) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the offense resulted in the death of a person. (b) A signaling device, including a stoplamp or a turn signal lamp, shall be lighted as prescribed by this chapter. An alternate or additional material, particularly something dark, would impair its effectiveness. 61), Sec. (a) In this section, "radar interference device" means a device, a mechanism, an instrument, or equipment that is designed, manufactured, used, or intended to be used to interfere with, scramble, disrupt, or otherwise cause to malfunction a radar or laser device used to measure the speed of a motor vehicle by a law enforcement agency of this state or a political subdivision of this state, including a "radar jamming device," "jammer," "scrambler," or "diffuser." Laws & Regulations September 30, 2020. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. A school bus that violates this section or rules adopted under this section shall be placed out of service until it complies. (c) A stoplamp shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle. 11 (H.B. Sec. 892 (H.B. For clear taillight lenses to be legal, they must consist of the following components: All motor vehicles are required to have functioning stop lamp (s), as applicable to the number of stop lamp (s) equipped on the vehicle at the time the vehicle was originally manufactured. 8, eff. RESTRICTIONS ON USE AND SALE OF TIRES. September 1, 2021. 1, eff. (e) A flare, fusee, electric lantern, portable reflector, or warning flag must be a type approved by the department. (a) A clearance lamp, identification lamp, or side marker lamp shall be visible and recognizable under normal atmospheric conditions at all distances from 50 to 500 feet from the vehicle on the side, front, or rear where the lamp is mounted. Gooseneck trailers require at least two tail lamps to illuminate the vehicle. Sec. (B) its use does not prevent operation of the automatic brakes. (b) A person who operates an explosive cargo vehicle at nighttime: (1) shall carry in the vehicle three red electric lanterns or three portable red emergency reflectors; and. WebLighting Colored Bulbs. Sec. Inspect and reject if: lamp is obstructed by any part of the body.". Are smoked tail lights DOT approved? (3) at the traffic side approximately 10 feet from the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic. DUTY TO DISPLAY LIGHTS. (b) The department shall send written notice of the proceeding to the manufacturer of the item by certified mail, return receipt requested. 547.303. (d) A clearance lamp and side marker lamp may be mounted in combination if each lamp complies with the visibility requirements of Section 547.355. (c) After entering its order, the department shall send written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to each person the department notified under Section 547.205. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. (2) correlate with and conform as closely as possible to standards and specifications approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. 1, eff. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. (d) A portable reflector unit must be designed and constructed to reflect a red light clearly visible at all distances from 100 to 600 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps. (2) if a person, including an installer or manufacturer, places on or attaches to the windshield or side or rear window of a motor vehicle a transparent material that alters the color or reduces the light transmission. 1 Is it safe and legal to cover just the light in the rear of my car with the red rear light tape in order to get it covered, or do I need to actually cover where the whole cover for the light was in order to be legal? (c) Except as provided by this section, an authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with signal lamps that: (1) are mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable; (2) display four alternately flashing red lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located on the rear at the same level; and. (b) A vehicle required to have brakes by this subchapter shall be equipped so that one control device operates the service brakes. 3171), Sec. A multifunction school activity bus may not be painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow. (a) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell: (1) of a type approved by the department; and. (c) A tire used on a moving vehicle may not have on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or other protuberance of a material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface, unless the protuberance: (2) is a tire chain of reasonable proportion that is used as required for safety because of a condition that might cause the vehicle to skid. 882 (H.B. The bulb must have a "DOT" or appropriate SAE stamp on it. 1438, Sec. (b) In adopting rules under this section, the department shall emphasize: (2) long-range, maintenance-free factors. For clear taillight lenses to be legal, they must consist of the following components: All motor vehicles are required to have functioning stop lamp(s), as applicable to the number of stop lamp(s) equipped on the vehicle at the time the vehicle was originally manufactured. tail-lights Share Improve this question Follow 165, Sec. (c) A clearance lamp shall be mounted, if practicable, on the permanent structure of the vehicle to indicate the extreme height and width of the vehicle, except that: (1) a clearance lamp on a truck-tractor shall be mounted to indicate the extreme width of the cab; and. 547.203. (c) Lighted fog lamps may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified by Section 547.333. SUBCHAPTER M. ADDITIONAL OR ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS. September 1, 2013. (d) The department may not adopt a vehicle equipment standard inconsistent with a standard provided by this chapter. A school bus or a motor vehicle that transports passengers for hire or lease shall be equipped with at least one quart of chemical-type fire extinguisher in good condition and located for immediate use. Signal shows white or amber to the front, and, Texas Transportation Code 547.321. September 1, 2007. (2) the information is evidence of an offense or constitutes evidence that a particular person committed an offense. Sec. (2) the owner is transporting farm products to market, for processing, or from farm to farm. 449), Sec. Much like Texas, California law is more generous with vehicle tints, but it does restrict the colors amber, red and blue for your auto lights. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, SUBCHAPTER J. A sunscreening device must have a label that: (2) contains information required by the department on light transmission and luminous reflectance of the device; (3) if the device is placed on or attached to a windshield or a side or rear window, states that the light transmission of the device is consistent with Section 547.613(b)(1) or (2), as applicable; and. (b) At all other times, a vehicle transporting a load that extends beyond the vehicle's sides or more than four feet beyond the vehicle's rear shall display red flags that: (2) mark the extremities of the load; and. Flashing lights are prohibited, except on an authorized emergency vehicle, school bus, bicycle, road maintenance equipment, tow truck or towing vehicle, service 892 (H.B. 1136 (H.B. Sec. (a) In this section, "LED ground effect lighting equipment" means light emitting diode (LED) technology that is attached to the underbody of a motorcycle or moped for the purpose of illuminating: (1) the body of the motorcycle or moped; or. (2) rear lamps on the rearmost vehicle in the combination. (c) If a vehicle required to be equipped with a warning device is equipped with air and vacuum power to operate its brakes or the brakes on a towed vehicle, the warning devices required may be combined into a single device that is not a pressure or vacuum gauge. 2, eff. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (H.B. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. (a) A school bus shall be equipped with: (1) a convex mirror or other device that reflects to the school bus operator a clear view of the area immediately in front of the vehicle that would otherwise be hidden from view; and. Sec. 3, eff. Sec. (6) a vehicle at least 80 inches wide may be equipped with: (A) not more than three front identification lamps without glare; and. (B) in the center of the lane occupied by the vehicle in the opposite direction approximately 100 feet from the vehicle. (a) A motor vehicle when operated in combination with another vehicle is not required to display a lighted lamp, other than a taillamp, if the lamp is obscured because of its location by another vehicle in the combination of vehicles. 136, Sec. ", Equipment manufacturers have to self-certify that they meet these standards. 329), Sec. 1923), Sec. FOG LAMPS PERMITTED. (A) a motor vehicle designed to operate at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour or less, not including an electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined by Section 551.201; or. WebTexas Administrative Code. Sec. Lighting/Marking. A bus operated by or contracted for use by a school district for the transportation of schoolchildren shall be equipped with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the operator. (d) Subsection (c) does not apply to an offense involving a commercial motor vehicle. 547.508. 693), Sec. 1, 2, eff. (B) constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use. (a) The department may initiate a proceeding to determine whether an item of vehicle equipment complies with a department standard if the department reasonably believes that the item is being offered or distributed for sale or sold in violation of the standard. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. (2) "Recording device" means a feature that is installed by the manufacturer in a motor vehicle and that does any of the following for the purpose of retrieving information from the vehicle after an accident in which the vehicle has been involved: (A) records the speed and direction the vehicle is traveling; (D) records brake performance, including information on whether brakes were applied before an accident; (E) records the driver's safety belt status; or. (a) A person may not offer or distribute for sale or sell an item of vehicle equipment for which a standard is prescribed by this chapter or the department and that does not comply with the standard. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BRAKES. (c) A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is equipped with an air or vacuum reservoir or reserve capacity shall be equipped with a check valve or equivalent device to prevent depletion of the air or vacuum supply by failure or leakage. RESTRICTIONS ON WINDOWS. (1) by rule, require a manufacturer of an item of vehicle equipment sold in this state to submit adequate test data to show that the item complies with department standards; (2) periodically require a manufacturer to submit revised test data to demonstrate continuing compliance; (3) purchase an item of vehicle equipment at retail for the purpose of review and testing under Subsection (a); and. LIGHTING STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) A provision of this chapter that requires a vehicle to be equipped with fixed electric lights does not apply to a farm trailer or fertilizer trailer registered under Section 502.146 or a boat trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less if the trailer is not operated at a time or under a condition specified by Section 547.302(a). Sec. (f) A taillamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and mounted to emit a white light that: (1) illuminates the rear license plate; and. 1, eff. 882 (H.B. (d) The department may determine that a window that has a sunscreening device is exempt under Subsection (b)(2) if the light transmission or luminous reflectance varies by no more than three percent from the standard established in that subsection. (b) An automated motor vehicle that is designed to be operated exclusively by the automated driving system for all trips is not subject to motor vehicle equipment laws or regulations of this state that: (1) relate to or support motor vehicle operation by a human driver; and. 30.118(a), eff. 160), Sec. 809 (H.B. DOT does not test equipment unless they act against those who don't meet standards.