{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1013.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1013.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1013.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1013.html"}],"law_id":82249,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82249,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1013","catch_line":"Tail lights","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-267; 1952, c. 652; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-262; 1964, c. 16; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 964; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery motor vehicle and every trailer or semitrailer being drawn at the end of one or more other vehicles shall carry at the rear two red lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle.B\n\nAll tail lights required pursuant to subsection A 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. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this subsection. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.C\n\nAny tail lights or special white light required pursuant to this section shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.D\n\nIn 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.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":294750,"text":"Every motor vehicle and every trailer or semitrailer being drawn at the end of one or more other vehicles shall carry at the rear two red lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":294751,"text":"All tail lights required pursuant to subsection A 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. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this subsection. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":294752,"text":"Any tail lights or special white light required pursuant to this section shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":294753,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13233,"edition_id":1,"name":"Lights and Turn Signals","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","permalink":{"id":229409,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13233,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":86642,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1010","catch_line":"Equipment required","url":"\/46.2-1010\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1010","metadata":false},{"id":54889,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1011","catch_line":"Headlights on motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1011\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1011","metadata":false},{"id":54238,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1012","catch_line":"Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles or autocycles","url":"\/46.2-1012\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1012","metadata":false},{"id":82249,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1013","catch_line":"Tail lights","url":"\/46.2-1013\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1013","metadata":false},{"id":55516,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1014","catch_line":"Brake lights","url":"\/46.2-1014\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1014","metadata":false},{"id":85762,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1014.1","catch_line":"Supplemental high mount stop light","url":"\/46.2-1014.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1014.1","metadata":false},{"id":70500,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1015","catch_line":"Lights on bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, personal delivery devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and motorized skateboards or scooters","url":"\/46.2-1015\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1015","metadata":false},{"id":64768,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1016","catch_line":"Lights on other vehicles; reflectors","url":"\/46.2-1016\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1016","metadata":false},{"id":58032,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1017","catch_line":"Dimension or marker lights and reflectors, generally","url":"\/46.2-1017\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1017","metadata":false},{"id":68583,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1018","catch_line":"Marker lights on vehicles or loads exceeding thirty-five feet","url":"\/46.2-1018\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1018","metadata":false},{"id":74725,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1019","catch_line":"Spotlights","url":"\/46.2-1019\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1019","metadata":false},{"id":83551,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1020","catch_line":"Other permissible lights","url":"\/46.2-1020\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1020","metadata":false},{"id":66212,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1021","catch_line":"Additional lights permitted on certain commercial vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1021\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1021","metadata":false},{"id":78667,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1021.1","catch_line":"Additional lights permitted on certain privately owned cars","url":"\/46.2-1021.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1021.1","metadata":false},{"id":60736,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1022","catch_line":"Flashing or steady-burning blue or red, flashing red and blue or blue and white, or red, white, and blue warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1022\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1022","metadata":false},{"id":78077,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1023","catch_line":"Flashing red or red and white warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1023\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1023","metadata":false},{"id":68894,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1024","catch_line":"Flashing or steady-burning red or red and white warning light units","url":"\/46.2-1024\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1024","metadata":false},{"id":61251,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1025","catch_line":"Flashing amber, purple, or green warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1025\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1025","metadata":false},{"id":69248,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1025.1","catch_line":"Flashing amber warning lights on certain fox hunting vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1025.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1025.1","metadata":false},{"id":79262,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1026","catch_line":"Flashing high-intensity amber warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1026\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1026","metadata":false},{"id":76532,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1027","catch_line":"Warning lights on certain demonstrator vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1027\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1027","metadata":false},{"id":85600,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1028","catch_line":"Auxiliary lights on firefighting, Virginia Department of Transportation, and other emergency vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1028\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1028","metadata":false},{"id":77393,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1028.1","catch_line":"Illuminated identification systems on certain emergency vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1028.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1028.1","metadata":false},{"id":63456,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1028.2","catch_line":"Auxiliary lights on public utility vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1028.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1028.2","metadata":false},{"id":70664,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1029","catch_line":"Auxiliary lights on law-enforcement vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1029\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1029","metadata":false},{"id":84510,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1029.1","catch_line":"Flashing of headlights on certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1029.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1029.1","metadata":false},{"id":72396,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1029.2","catch_line":"Certain vehicles may be equipped with secondary warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1029.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1029.2","metadata":false},{"id":74584,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1030","catch_line":"When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1030\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1030","metadata":false},{"id":61103,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1031","catch_line":"Requirements as to single-beam head lights","url":"\/46.2-1031\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1031","metadata":false},{"id":65624,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1032","catch_line":"Requirements as to multiple-beam headlights","url":"\/46.2-1032\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1032","metadata":false},{"id":54466,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1033","catch_line":"Indicator light required","url":"\/46.2-1033\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1033","metadata":false},{"id":73407,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1034","catch_line":"When dimming headlights required","url":"\/46.2-1034\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1034","metadata":false},{"id":75546,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1035","catch_line":"Dimming headlights on parked vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1035\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1035","metadata":false},{"id":62842,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1036","catch_line":"Acetylene lights on antique motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1036\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1036","metadata":false},{"id":81417,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1037","catch_line":"Lights on parked vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1037\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1037","metadata":false},{"id":80603,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1038","catch_line":"When turn signals required; exceptions","url":"\/46.2-1038\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1038","metadata":false},{"id":68552,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1039","catch_line":"Requirements of turn signals; regulations","url":"\/46.2-1039\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1039","metadata":false},{"id":77922,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1040","catch_line":"Hazard lights","url":"\/46.2-1040\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1040","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54238,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1012","catch_line":"Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles or autocycles","url":"\/46.2-1012\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1012","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55516,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1014","catch_line":"Brake lights","url":"\/46.2-1014\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1014","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1013\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 652; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1964, chapter 16; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2003, chapter 964<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58944,"section_number":"46.2-1088.5","catch_line":"Reflectors or reflectorized material required on rear end of certain trailers","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1088.5\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":229423,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82249,"identifier":"46.2-1013","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1013","url":"\/46.2-1013\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1013\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1013","dublin_core":{"Title":"Tail lights","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1013","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every motor vehicle<\/span> and every trailer<\/span> or semitrailer<\/span> being drawn at the end of one or more other vehicles<\/span> shall carry at the rear two red lights<\/span> plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> All tail lights<\/span> required pursuant to subsection A shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear license plate<\/span> as to illuminate the license plate<\/span> with a white light<\/span> so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light<\/span> shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear license plate<\/span> from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. No law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> shall stop a motor vehicle<\/span> for a violation of this subsection. No evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained with the operator<\/span>’s consent, shall be admissible<\/span> in any trial<\/span>, hearing<\/span>, or other proceeding. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any tail lights<\/span> or special white light<\/span> required pursuant to this section shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In any instance where the tail light<\/span> is to be installed on a boat trailer<\/span> and the boat extends beyond the end of the trailer<\/span> or to the end of the trailer<\/span>, an approved portable light<\/span> 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<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTAIL LIGHTS (\u00a7 46.2-1013)\n\nA. Every motor vehicle and every trailer or semitrailer being drawn at the end\nof one or more other vehicles shall carry at the rear two red lights plainly\nvisible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such\nvehicle.\n\nB. All tail lights required pursuant to subsection A shall be constructed and so\nmounted in their relation to the rear license plate as to illuminate the license\nplate with a white light so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet\nto the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light shall be so\nmounted as to illuminate the rear license plate from a distance of 50 feet to\nthe rear of such vehicle. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle\nfor a violation of this subsection. No evidence discovered or obtained as the\nresult of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered\nor obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial,\nhearing, or other proceeding.\n\nC. Any tail lights or special white light required pursuant to this section\nshall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.\n\nD. In any instance where the tail light is to be installed on a boat trailer and\nthe boat extends beyond the end of the trailer or to the end of the trailer, an\napproved portable light assembly or assemblies may be attached to the exposed\nrear of the boat, provided such installation complies with the visibility\nrequirements of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to\nmotorcycles.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-267; 1952, c. 652; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-262; 1964, c.\n16; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 964; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}