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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54238</law_id><section_number>46.2-1012</section_number><catch_line>Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles or autocycles</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Operation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="10">Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Lights and Turn Signals</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Every <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span> shall be equipped with at least one headlight which shall be of a type that has been approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span> and shall be capable of projecting sufficient <span class="dictionary">light</span> to the front of such <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span> to render discernible a person or <span class="dictionary">object</span> at a distance of 200 feet. In addition, each <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span> may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary headlights of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span> except as otherwise provided in this section. However, headlights shall not (i) project a glaring or dazzling <span class="dictionary">light</span> to persons approaching such <span class="dictionary">motorcycles</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycles</span> or (ii) have any aftermarket modifications that cause such headlights to appear as a blue <span class="dictionary">light</span>. Such prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the installation and use of headlights of types approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span>.
		<span class="dictionary">Motorcycles</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycles</span> 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 &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights" href="/46.2-1030/">46.2-1030</a>.
		Notwithstanding &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Illegal possession or sale of certain unapproved equipment" href="/46.2-1002/">46.2-1002</a>, <span class="dictionary">motorcycles</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycles</span> may be equipped with standard bulb running <span class="dictionary">lights</span> or <span class="dictionary">light</span>-emitting diode (LED) pods or strips as auxiliary lighting. Such lighting shall be (i) either red or amber in color, (ii) directed toward the ground in such a manner that no part of the beam will strike the level of the surface on which the <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span> stands at a distance of more than 10 feet from the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>, and (iii) designed for vehicular use. Such lighting shall not (a) project a beam of <span class="dictionary">light</span> of an intensity greater than 25 candlepower or 314.25 lumens or its equivalent from a single lamp or bulb; (b) be blinking, flashing, oscillating, or rotating; or (c) be attached to the wheels of the <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span>.
		Every <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span> registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> of the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least one brake <span class="dictionary">light</span> of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span>. <span class="dictionary">Motorcycles</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycles</span> may be equipped with one or more auxiliary brake <span class="dictionary">lights</span> of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span> may by regulation prescribe or limit the size, number, location, and configuration of such auxiliary brake <span class="dictionary">lights</span>.
		Every <span class="dictionary">motorcycle</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycle</span> shall carry at the rear at least one or more red <span class="dictionary">lights</span> plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>. Such tail <span class="dictionary">lights</span> shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear <span class="dictionary">license plate</span> as to illuminate the <span class="dictionary">license plate</span> with a white <span class="dictionary">light</span> so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>. Alternatively, a separate white <span class="dictionary">light</span> shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear <span class="dictionary">license plate</span> from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>. Any such tail <span class="dictionary">lights</span> or special white <span class="dictionary">light</span> shall be of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span>.
		<span class="dictionary">Motorcycles</span> or <span class="dictionary">autocycles</span> may be equipped with a means of varying the brightness of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>&#x2019;s brake <span class="dictionary">light</span> upon application of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>&#x2019;s brakes.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-266; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 46.1-261; 1983, c. 132; 1989, c. 727; 1991, c. 165; 2003, c. 964; 2009, c. 79; 2014, cc. 53, 256; 2015, c. 405; 2018, c. 763; 2020, c. 393; 2023, c. 689.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
