Lights and the Law

[Scott Maentz]

As you may know, each state has different laws regarding riding with accent lights on your bike. Many states have specific laws about certain colors you can not have on when riding. We're trying to compile a database of links to the various state motor vehicle laws regarding the use of our products and we thought you might be able to help. If you can locate a specific statute that references the use of various colored lights on motorcycles for your state, please share the link with us.

[Gary Dunn]

PA House Bill 901 which went into effect August 31, 2006 legalizes decorative LED lighting on motorcycles.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txt...

[Christine Maentz]

Regarding the PA House Bill - Recently while in Daytona customers were complaining about these laws and one mentioned he'd get lights in a heartbeat but he lived in PA and didn't want any problems. I told him he was wrong on that and of course he had to be the big man in front of his buddies and proceeded to argue with me. I whipped out my copy of the Bill and handed out copies. Needless to say he was speechless and he sure looked stupid in front of his friends! Open mouth - insert foot! Looking forward to seeing more states follow PA.

[Ed Kozlowski]

Here is the State of FL website for tons of information regarding vehicles.

http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm

Hope it is helpful.
Ed Kozlowski
Tampa Bay Area

[Tim Padget]

Here is what South Carolina has to say...
Section 56-5-170 (in part)
(B) Only authorized emergency vehicles and private security patrol vehicles regulated by the State Law Enforcement Division are allowed use or display of any blue lights or red lights. This includes light bars and smaller lights such as dash, deck, or visor lights. To "display" means to be seen, whether activated or not.

Here is the link: http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t56c005.htm

[SHILO]

FLORIDA LAW

316.2397 Certain lights prohibited;

(1) No person shall drive or move or cause to be moved any vehicle or equipment upon any highway within this state with any lamp or device thereon showing or displaying a red or blue light visible from directly in front thereof except for certain vehicles hereinafter provided.

(2) It is expressly prohibited for any vehicle or equipment, except police vehicles, to show or display blue lights.

3 ) Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway.

4) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.

[Bam Bam Billy]

I am in Virginia and actively looking for the statute as it applies in it's exact verbage. I have run into problems with my local H-D dealership. I was hoping to set up at open houses but the General Manager has informed me that he had to stop selling the H-D light pods because the state has informed him that he cannot pass any vehicle through state inspection if it has accent lights installed regardless of switching. The dealership understandably doesn't want to promote the installation of lighting which will then cause them to fail the vehicle state inspection. This interpretation seems extreme to me but then this is the Old Dominion State and sometimes legislature seems to be stuck in the 18th century.
I mentioned my quandry to a friend, however, who claims that he was cited for using accent lights while riding and he beat it in court because the law in Virginia specifically states "neon" lights and not LED lights. Even if that story is true, it is obviously subject to interpretation and I would much rather see it clarified.
I have called my local police department and they seem to agree with me, that the accent lights are permissible so long as you are not riding/driving. Interestingly enough, however, they were unable to produce any laws or statutes to confirm or deny that interpretation.
I'll let ya know once I have the actual statute in hand.

[Bam Bam Billy]

I got the skinny on the Virginia code and it is unfortunate. The Code of Virginia Chapter 10 Article 46.2-1020 is the section that I was referred to by the state police. It, in conjunction with previous sections, defines permissible lights which are anything from headlights to foglights to turn signals to interior dome lights. It then goes on as follows:

Unless such lighting device is both covered and unlit, no motor vehicle which is equipped with any lighting device other than lights required or permitted in this article, required or approved by the Superintendent, or required by the federal Department of Transportation shall be operated on any highway in the Commonwealth. Nothing in this section shall permit any vehicle, not otherwise authorized, to be equipped with colored emergency lights, whether blinking or steady-burning.

The entire code can be found at: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC460200000100...

The operative word that the VA State police are hanging their hats on is "covered." I was told that they understand some show vehicles have accent lighting and as long as it has covers over it while on state maintained roads, they are permissible. The reasoning is that if the switch were inadvertantly hit the lights would not illuminate due to the cover. Clearly, by law in VA, it is not permissible to ride with the lights on on state roads.

All this being said, for several years now we have had a lighted bike contest at our state HOG rally and there are plenty of law enforcement personel on hand. The law is what it is, however I think the enforcement becomes a matter of practicality. If you are living in or riding through Virginia, don't turn them on while riding down the road.

I am an electrician and I can easily install a relay which would disable the lights while the ignition was on. I don't make the laws but I bet that would serve as the same intent and I would be glad to pursue it however the question then becomes: should attention be raised at all? The fact is VA has DOT helmet laws and yet many riders wear beanie style helmets and never are questioned about it. Certainly the exhaust noise and emissions is loosley enforced. Perhaps it's best to just alert the prospective customer to the codes, let them know that they purchase and use them at their own risk and let the chips fall where they may. Being as I have started a business of accent lighting in this state, I am interested in the thoughts of anyone from VA or states with similar laws in place.

[Big Daddy]

Not sure exactly what the law is in North Carolina, but I have installed red/white lights on my bike, red/white on my buddies bike, blue ones on a couple bikes---one of which was a police officer, a couple bikes with the purple/uv lights and one bike with some orange lights on it ; none of which have had any problems with law enforcement about driving around with them.And a lot of us usually ride around together with the lights on downtown, and there are a lot of cops down there.Some of them even stop by and check them out. But like i said, not sure what the law is....but they tend to not bother motorcycles around here in Wilmington,NC unless you are just acting stupid.I do let everyone know thought that there is a possibility that they may be asked to turn them off, and they are installed for show purposes only.

[Johnny Bishop]

please can someone help me find anything for the state of ILL i cant find anything about lighting on bikes Thanks

[Topkick]

I talked to a police officer who I know very well in IL and he said my blue lights (said red and blue) were illegal. Showed the lights to an attorney I also know very well and she said they were legal as long as they didn't flash, rotate, or ocsillate. I looked it up myself and the attorney was right. The problem is you still might get stopped and writen a ticket and have the hassle of court time if a police officer misapplies the law. Here's what the IL Vehicle Code says:

VEHICLES
(625 ILCS 5/) Illinois Vehicle Code.


(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. II heading)
ARTICLE II. LIGHTS AND LAMPS


(625 ILCS 5/12‑201) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑201)
Sec. 12‑201. When lighted lamps are required.
(a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motorcycle shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a white light visible for at least 500 feet in the direction the motorcycle is proceeding. However, in lieu of such lighted lamp, a motorcycle may be equipped with and use a means of modulating the upper beam of the head lamp between high and a lower brightness. No such head lamp shall be modulated, except to otherwise comply with this Code, during times when lighted lamps are required for other motor vehicles.
(b) All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi‑trailer shall also exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be mounted on the left rear and right rear of the vehicle so as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be equipped with only one such tail lamp.
(c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a rear registration plate when required and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating a rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
(d) A person shall install only head lamps that satisfy United States Department of Transportation regulations and show white light, including that emitted by HID lamps, or light of a yellow or amber tint for use by a motor vehicle.
(e) For purposes of this Section, a custom vehicle or street rod is considered to be in compliance with all vehicle lamp requirements if it has passed the approved safety inspection provided for in Section 3‑804.1 or 3‑804.2.
(Source: P.A. 91‑130, eff. 1‑1‑00; 91‑135, eff. 1‑1‑00; 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01; 92‑668, eff. 1‑1‑03.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑202) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑202)
Sec. 12‑202. Clearance, identification and side marker lamps.
(a) Every motor vehicle of the second division, the length of which together with any trailer or trailers in tow thereof, is more than 25 feet or the width of which is more than 80 inches exclusive of mirrors, bumpers and other required safety devices, while being operated on the highways of this State during the period from sunset to sunrise, shall display on the front of the vehicle 2 yellow or amber lights, one on each upper front corner of the vehicle, which shall be plainly visible at a distance of at least 500 feet; also on the rear thereof in a horizontal line, 3 red lights plainly visible at a distance of not less than 500 feet; also on the front of the body of that vehicle near the lower left hand corner one yellow or amber tinted reflector, and near the lower right hand corner one yellow or amber tinted reflector; also red reflectors on the rear of the body of that vehicle, not more than 12 inches from the lower left and right hand corners. All motor vehicles of the second division more than 20 feet long, and all trailers and semitrailers, except trailers and semitrailers having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load, while being operated on the highways of this State during the period from sunset to sunrise, shall display on each side of the vehicle at approximately the one‑third points of the length of the same, at a height not exceeding 5 feet above the surface of the road, and reflecting on a line approximately at right angles to the center line of the vehicle, 2 amber tinted reflectors. After January, 1974, all new motor vehicles of the second division more than 20 feet long, and all trailers and semitrailers except trailers and semitrailers having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load sold as new in this State, while being operated on the highways of this State during period from sunset to sunrise, shall display on each side of the vehicle, not more than 12 inches from the front, one amber tinted reflector, and not more than 12 inches from the rear one red reflector at a height not exceeding 5 feet above the surface of the road, and reflecting on a line approximately at right angles to the center line of the vehicle, approved by the Department.
(b) Every trailer and semitrailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load, towed either by a motor vehicle of the first division or a motor vehicle of the second division shall be equipped with 2 red reflectors, which will be visible when hit by headlight beams 300 feet away at night, on the rear of the body of such trailer, not more than 12 inches from the lower left hand and lower right hand corners.
(c) Every vehicle designated in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section that is manufactured after December 31, 1973, shall, at the places and times specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, display reflectors and clearance, identification, and side marker lamps in conformance with the specifications prescribed by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 78‑1297.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑203) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑203)
Sec. 12‑203. Lamps on parked vehicles.
(a) During the period from sunset to sunrise every motorcycle or motor vehicle which is standing on any highway shall display a parking light on the front and at the rear of the same. However, any city, village or incorporated town may by ordinance, under rules and regulations it may prescribe, designate any part or parts of any street, or other highway under their jurisdiction, as parking places in which motorcycles and motor vehicles may be parked without having their lamps lighted, as otherwise required by this Section.
(b) Any lighted driving lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
(Source: P.A. 77‑37.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑204) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑204)
Sec. 12‑204. Lamp or flag on projecting load.
Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear 4 feet, or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in Section 12‑201 hereof, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required under this Section shall be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square.
(Source: P.A. 77‑37.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑205) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑205)
Sec. 12‑205. Lamps on other vehicles and equipment. Every vehicle, including animal drawn vehicles, referred to in paragraph (b) of Section 12‑101, not specifically required by the provisions of this Article to be equipped with lamps or other lighting devices, shall at all times specified in Section 12‑201 of this Act be equipped with at least 2 lamps on the power or towing unit, displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the front of such vehicle and shall also be equipped with 2 lamps each displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
Where the towed unit or any load thereon partially or totally obscures the 2 lamps displaying red light to the rear of the towing unit, the rearmost towed unit shall be equipped with 2 lamps displaying red light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear of such towed unit which are positioned in such a manner as to not obstruct the visibility of the red light to any vehicle operator approaching from the rear of such vehicle or combination of vehicles.
Where the 2 lamps displaying red light are not obscured by the towed unit or its load, then either towing unit or towed unit, or both, may be equipped with the 2 lamps displaying red light as required.
The preceding paragraph does not apply to antique vehicles, custom vehicles, or street rods. An antique vehicle shall be equipped with lamps of the same type originally installed by the manufacturer as original equipment and in working order.
(Source: P.A. 92‑668, eff. 1‑1‑03.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑205.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑205.1)
Sec. 12‑205.1. Implements of husbandry or slow‑moving vehicles‑Display of amber signal lamp. Every animal drawn vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry and special mobile equipment, except when used for road construction or maintenance within the limits of a construction or maintenance project where traffic control devices are used in compliance with the applicable provisions of the manual and specifications adopted under Section 11‑301 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, when operated on a highway during a time when lighted lamps are required by Section 12‑201 of this Chapter, shall display to the rear at least one flashing amber signal lamp mounted as high as practicable and of sufficient intensity to be visible for a distance of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight; provided, that only the rearmost vehicle of a combination of vehicles coupled together need display such lamp. The flashing amber signal lamp may be operated lighted during daylight hours when other lamps are not required to be lighted when vehicles authorized in this Section are operated on a highway. Implements of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2003 and operated on public roads between sunset and sunrise shall display markings and lighting that meet or exceed the design, performance, and mounting specifications adopted by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and published by that body as ASAE S279.11 APR01.
(Source: P.A. 91‑505, eff. 1‑1‑00; 92‑820, eff. 8‑21‑02.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑207) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑207)
Sec. 12‑207. Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high‑intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.
(c) The restrictions of subsections 12‑207 (a) and 12‑207 (b) of this Act shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or equipment used for snow and ice removal operations if owned or operated by or for any governmental body.
(d) The minimum and maximum height restrictions prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 12‑207 shall not apply to privately owned motor vehicles on which a snow plow is mounted, while in transit between or during snow and ice removal operations. This exemption shall apply only during the period from November 15 through April 1, and only when the snow plow blade, commonly referred to as a "moldboard", is properly and securely affixed to the front of the motor vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1010.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑208) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑208)
Sec. 12‑208. Signal lamps and signal devices.
(a) Every vehicle other than an antique vehicle displaying an antique plate operated in this State shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the rear in normal sunlight and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with other rear lamps. During times when lighted lamps are not required, an antique vehicle may be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of such vehicle of the same type originally installed by the manufacturer as original equipment and in working order. However, at all other times, except as provided in subsection (a‑1), such antique vehicle must be equipped with stop lamps meeting the requirements of Section 12‑208 of this Act.
(a‑1) An antique vehicle, including an antique motorcycle, may display a blue light or lights of up to one inch in diameter as part of the vehicle's rear stop lamp or lamps.
(b) Every motor vehicle other than an antique vehicle displaying an antique plate shall be equipped with an electric turn signal device which shall indicate the intention of the driver to turn to the right or to the left in the form of flashing lights located at and showing to the front and rear of the vehicle on the side of the vehicle toward which the turn is to be made. The lamps showing to the front shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signaling, shall emit a white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber. The lamps showing to the rear shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signaling, shall emit a red or amber light. An antique vehicle shall be equipped with a turn signal device of the same type originally installed by the manufacturer as original equipment and in working order.
(c) Every trailer and semitrailer shall be equipped with an electric turn signal device which indicates the intention of the driver in the power unit to turn to the right or to the left in the form of flashing red or amber lights located at the rear of the vehicle on the side toward which the turn is to be made and mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.
(d) Turn signal lamps must be visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet in normal sunlight.
(e) Motorcycles and motor‑driven cycles need not be equipped with electric turn signals. Antique vehicles need not be equipped with turn signals unless such were installed by the manufacturer as original equipment.
(f) For purposes of this Section, a custom vehicle or street rod is considered to be in compliance with all signal lamp and signal device requirements if it has passed the approved safety inspection provided for in Section 3‑804.1 or 3‑804.2.
(Source: P.A. 94‑299, eff. 7‑21‑05.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑209) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑209)
Sec. 12‑209. Additional Lighting Equipment.
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than 2 side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(c) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more back‑up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps; but any such back‑up lamp or lamps shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(Source: P.A. 77‑37.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑210) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑210)
Sec. 12‑210. Use of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps. (a) Whenever the driver of any vehicle equipped with an electric driving head lamp, driving head lamps, auxiliary driving lamp or auxiliary driving lamps is within 500 feet of another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, the driver shall dim or drop such head lamp or head lamps and shall extinguish all auxiliary driving lamps.
(b) The driver of any vehicle equipped with an electric driving head lamp, head lamps, auxiliary driving lamp or auxiliary driving lamps shall dim or drop such head lamp or head lamps and shall extinguish all auxiliary driving lamps when there is another vehicle traveling in the same direction less than 300 feet to the front of him.
(c) No vehicle shall have the lighting system modified to allow more than 2 electric head lamps to be lighted while operating in the dimmed or dropped position.
(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the use of auxiliary driving lamps, commonly referred to as "fog" lamps, when used in conjunction with head lamps, if such auxiliary driving lamps are adjusted and so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1144.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑211) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑211)
Sec. 12‑211. Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
(a) At all times specified in Section 12‑201, at least 2 lighted driving lamps shall be displayed, one on each side of the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with driving lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary driving lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof, not more than a total of 4 of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1236.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑212) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑212)
Sec. 12‑212. Special restrictions on lamps. (a) No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device on the vehicle or equipment displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the vehicle or equipment except as otherwise provided in this Act.
(b) Subject to the restrictions of this Act, flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn as provided in Section 12‑208 or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care as expressly provided in Sections 11‑804 or 12‑215.
(c) Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this Code, all other lighting or combination of lighting on any vehicle shall be prohibited.
(Source: P.A. 86‑664.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑214) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑214)
Sec. 12‑214. Special lighting equipment on rural mail delivery vehicles.
If a rural mail delivery vehicle is equipped with special signal lamps, there shall be displayed to the front 2 such alternately flashing amber lamps located at the same level and mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and to the rear 2 alternately flashing amber lamps located at the same level and mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. Such lamps shall be of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight and shall be controlled so that they will only be used to indicate to other traffic that a stop is being made for the purpose of picking up or delivering U. S. mail.
(Source: P.A. 77‑37.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑214.1)
Sec. 12‑214.1. Tow trucks meeting federal motor carrier safety requirements; lighting and signalling equipment. Any tow truck that meets the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the United States Department of Transportation, regarding lighting and signalling equipment required on commercial motor vehicles, shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of this Chapter regarding required lighting and signalling equipment.
(Source: P.A. 89‑433, eff. 12‑15‑95.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑215) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑215)
Sec. 12‑215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities;

2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county
coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle;

2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief who has
completed an emergency vehicle operation training course approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, as a fire department, fire protection district, or township fire department vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;

3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles;

4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick or injured;

5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such
lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the State of Illinois;

6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety;

7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act;

8. School buses operating alternately flashing head
lamps as permitted under Section 12‑805 of this Code; and

9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as
organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.

(b) The use of amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Second division vehicles designed and used for
towing or hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as required in this paragraph 1; such lights shall be lighted when such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of an accident or disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being transported, the lights shall not be lighted while the vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway; if the towing vehicle is not equipped with a flat bed that supports all wheels of a vehicle being transported, the lights shall be lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway during all times when the use of headlights is required under Section 12‑201 of this Code;

2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of
Illinois, local authorities and contractors; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance or construction operations within the limits of construction projects;

3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or
survey crews; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway;

4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or
other construction, maintenance or automotive service vehicles except that such lights shall be lighted only as a means for indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance, service or construction on a highway;

5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights
shall only be lighted when moving under permit issued by the Department under Section 15‑301 of this Code;

6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned
and operated by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision thereof, which is designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways;

(6.1) The front and rear of motorized equipment or
vehicles that (i) are not owned by the State of Illinois or any political subdivision of the State, (ii) are designed and used for removal of snow and ice from highways and parking lots, and (iii) are equipped with a snow plow that is 12 feet in width; these lights may not be lighted except when the motorized equipment or vehicle is actually being used for those purposes on behalf of a unit of government;

7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another
state, furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as provided for in Section 12‑212 of this Code;

8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local
authorities;

9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights;

9.5. Propane delivery trucks;
10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail
for the United States Postal Service provided that such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;

11. Any vehicle displaying a slow‑moving vehicle
emblem as provided in Section 12‑205.1;

12. All trucks equipped with self‑compactors or
roll‑off hoists and roll‑on containers for garbage or refuse hauling. Such lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used for such purposes;

13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm
responder, or control agency;

14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human
Services; however, the lights shall not be lighted except when being used for security related purposes under the direction of the superintendent of the facility where the vehicle is located; and

15. Vehicles of union representatives, except that
the lights shall be lighted only while the vehicle is within the limits of a construction project.

(c) The use of blue oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire
department and vehicles owned or operated by a:

voluntary firefighter;
paid firefighter;
part‑paid firefighter;
call firefighter;
member of the board of trustees of a fire
protection district;

paid or unpaid member of a rescue squad;
paid or unpaid member of a voluntary ambulance
unit; or

paid or unpaid members of a local or county
emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing, and carrying that designation or authorization in the vehicle.

However, such lights are not to be lighted except
when responding to a bona fide emergency.

Any person using these lights in accordance with this
subdivision (c)1 must carry on his or her person an identification card or letter identifying the bona fide member of a fire department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency that owns or operates that vehicle. The card or letter must include:

(A) the name of the fire department, fire
protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;

(B) the member's position within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency;

(C) the member's term of service; and
(D) the name of a person within the fire
department, fire protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management services agency to contact to verify the information provided.

2. Police department vehicles in cities having a
population of 500,000 or more inhabitants.

3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
authorities when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.

4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or
federal firefighting vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights.

5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively
as ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call.

6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively
as organ transport vehicles when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore, these lights shall only be lighted when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization.

7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

8. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency
management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

(c‑1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection (c), and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a voluntary firefighter, a voluntary member of a rescue squad, or a member of a voluntary ambulance unit may be equipped with flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be used only in responding to an emergency call.
(c‑2) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights permitted under subsection (c), and notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a paid or unpaid member of a local or county emergency management services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, may be equipped with white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights to be used in combination with blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, if authorization by local authorities is in writing and carried in the vehicle.
(d) The use of a combination of amber and white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except motor vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local authorities, contractors, and union representatives may be so equipped; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on vehicles of the State of Illinois, local authorities, and contractors except while such vehicles are engaged in highway maintenance or construction operations within the limits of highway construction projects, and shall not be lighted on the vehicles of union representatives except when those vehicles are within the limits of a construction project.
(e) All oscillating, rotating or flashing lights referred to in this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of oscillating, rotating or flashing lights or his representative from temporarily mounting such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only.
(g) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section who without lawful authority stops or detains or attempts to stop or detain another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.
(h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person violating the provisions of subsections (a) or (c) of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 93‑181, eff. 1‑1‑04; 93‑725, eff. 1‑1‑05; 93‑794, eff. 7‑22‑04; 93‑829, eff. 7‑28‑04; 94‑143, eff. 1‑1‑06; 94‑270, eff. 1‑1‑06; 94‑331, eff. 1‑1‑06; 94‑730, eff. 4‑17‑06.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑216) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑216)
Sec. 12‑216. Operation of oscillating, rotating or flashing lights. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights located on or within police vehicles in this State shall be lighted whenever a police officer is in pursuit of a violator of a traffic law or regulation.
(Source: P.A. 85‑830.)


(625 ILCS 5/12‑217) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑217)
Sec. 12‑217. Special lighting equipment for interstate transportation authority. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, an interstate transportation authority, as defined in this Section, in addition to headlights and other required or authorized lighting, may affix to the top front of its buses, 2 sets of lights, each containing up to 5 stationary lights, of different colors, including the colors white, yellow, blue, green and purple, and excepting, however, the color red. Such lights shall be located symmetrically above the windshield with one set of lights on each side of the headsign and may reflect an intensity of up to 64 candlepower each. Provided further however, that normally no more than 3 of such colored lights on each set of lights may be on or displayed at any one time. Such lights shall be stationary only, and shall not be oscillating, rotating, or flashing. The lights shall be displayed only on the top front of such buses, lighted in various combinations to indicate the route, the destination, and the express or local nature of the service.
(b) As used herein, the term "interstate transportation authority" shall mean any body, agency, entity, or political subdivision created by compact between Illinois and another state, which is a body corporate and politic, and which operates a public mass transportation or transit system.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1144.)

[Scott Maentz]

Thanks for providing this. It may be helpful for someone who has to go to court. Problem is that most of these laws are obscure and not generally understood by law enforcement.

[Topkick]

You're absolutley right...sometimes the laws are a little confusing and can be interpreted different ways and of course enforced inconsistently. I now live in MA and there is similiar language about rotation and oscillation of lights but in one sentence it just says "blue lights"....that could cause an interpretation problem...mine is that they are good as long as they don't rotate, flash, or oscillate but that doesn't mean the PD will have the same interpretation.

Here's a good site for readers needing info on lights....it has all states listed:

http://public.findlaw.com/traffic-ticket-violation-law/state-traffi...

BTW....have Christine look at the red head on my page by my bike...she took her picture at Sturgis for a girl in Florida because she said they looked alike....I'm interested in seeing the other girl's picture.

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