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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>82249</law_id><section_number>46.2-1013</section_number><catch_line>Tail lights</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-1088.5</reference></referred_to_by><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 id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> and every <span class="dictionary">trailer</span> or <span class="dictionary">semitrailer</span> being drawn at the end of one or more other <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> shall carry at the rear two red <span class="dictionary">lights</span> plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle. <a id="paragraph-294750" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1013/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> All tail <span class="dictionary">lights</span> required pursuant to subsection A 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 vehicle. 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 vehicle. No <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span> shall stop a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> for a violation of this subsection. No <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> discovered or obtained with the <span class="dictionary">operator</span>&#x2019;s consent, shall be <span class="dictionary">admissible</span> in any <span class="dictionary">trial</span>, <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, or other proceeding. <a id="paragraph-294751" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1013/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any tail <span class="dictionary">lights</span> or special white <span class="dictionary">light</span> required pursuant to this section shall be of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Superintendent</span>. <a id="paragraph-294752" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1013/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> In any instance where the tail <span class="dictionary">light</span> is to be installed on a boat <span class="dictionary">trailer</span> and the boat extends beyond the end of the <span class="dictionary">trailer</span> or to the end of the <span class="dictionary">trailer</span>, an approved portable <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">motorcycles</span>. <a id="paragraph-294753" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1013/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-267; 1952, c. 652; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 46.1-262; 1964, c. 16; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 964; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
