The license plate light is a small light in the back of your vehicle that projects light onto the rear license plate. As the plate is properly reflective, it is illuminated by light so that other vehicles can see it from a distance. The lamps must be in a position where they properly illuminate the rear registration plate, as long as this is the case, there are no further restrictions on where the driver attaches the individual lights. Additional lighting for replacement vehicles isn`t restricted in Alaska, so your exposure shouldn`t necessarily be illegal as long as you follow these few tips: It seems like a simple requirement, but there are caveats. Read on to learn more about lighting your vehicle`s license plate. Each state has a unique vehicle code full of rules and regulations for cars and motorcycles. The general code of each state states that license plates: The use of additional lighting for spare vehicles while driving would be considered legal in Georgia as long as you follow these few instructions: Night driving gives drivers and vehicle owners the responsibility of maintaining the appropriate lighting systems for their vehicles. Should you illuminate the license plate in terms of vehicle lighting systems? We have consulted various federal and state decisions to help you properly investigate this issue. The Department of Transportation`s federal motor vehicle safety standards are simple, the light must emit white light. A rear lamp or a separate lamp shall be designed and installed in such a way that the rear registration plate is illuminated by a white light where such a mark is required and makes it legible at a distance of fifty feet from the rear. Each rear lamp and any separate lamp illuminating the rear registration plate shall be so wired that they are illuminated each time the headlamps or auxiliary traffic lamps are switched on, unless separate lighting systems are provided for trailers to illuminate this mark. At least thirty-nine (39) states have accepted this standard by drafting laws or regulations that require the installation of a light that would emit white light to illuminate the license plates of vehicles in their jurisdiction.
No. Although there are a lot of lights, you are only allowed to use white lights. This is so that there is no chance of distortion when the plate is illuminated. As specified in Part 571 – Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards – multiple license plate and reversing lights can be used to meet the requirements of SAE standards. These shall apply to the lamps referred to in Tables I and III. In Ohio, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle without a white light illuminating the rear license plate. See O.R.C. 4513.05.
This law is often used as a pretext for traffic control that allows the officer to get in touch with the motorist. Here is a full text of the law. The spirit of these rules and laws is clear, make your vehicle`s license plate identifiable at a reasonable distance. The dimming of license plate lighting is contrary to the spirit of these rules and laws. These rules do not specifically mention the light of licence plates, but they do state that all letters, numbers, labels, markers and information must be clearly visible. This may or may not include having a light on the license plate. Fortunately, every new car is already equipped with this light, so the problem is only to make sure that it does not break or run out. However, older cars must be equipped with a light to comply with certain state laws. At least thirty-two (32) states have laws or rules that require motor vehicles to have a rear light or a separate light strategically designed and placed to illuminate the rear license plate with white light and make it clearly legible at a distance of 50 feet from the rear.
Underglow is considered legal when driving in the state of Michigan, so be sure to follow these few instructions: there are no restrictions on the number of lights on the vehicle. The only requirement is that the rear license plate is sufficiently illuminated. While there are no specific laws banning neon lights in Alabama and it is considered legal while driving, there are a few restrictions you need to keep in mind to avoid being overly harassed by authorities: I want to add 3 red marking LEDs above the rear license plate of my F150. What is the correct distance between the DIFFERENT LEDs? Currently, there are no restrictions on the power used in the lights or the intensity of the lights. Of course, you don`t want to dazzle other drivers and the fog lights would of course be exaggerated! Small lights to illuminate the license plate are all that is needed. Rhode Island is the strictest, as it indicates the distance of 60 feet to the rear. As in many other states, the light to illuminate the rear license plate had to be wired so that the lamp would turn on when the headlights or auxiliary driving lights are on. Be very careful to follow all laws. If neon lights are completely legal in your area and you only accelerate a few miles above the limit, a police officer is more likely to give you a speeding ticket than if you didn`t have neon lights. While this may seem like a trivial reason for a traffic stop, most states have similar laws.
The justification for the law is that a passer-by or pedestrian who sees a car should be able to identify the car by its license plate. Arguing that your car has reflective license plates is not a defense. As soon as the officer makes contact, he or she may initiate a full investigation for impaired driving if he or she finds a reasonable and articulated suspicion of continued detention. LED lamps have a higher cost than cheap incandescent bulbs, but their economic benefits will materialize over time as they have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. They also require less maintenance than incandescent incandescent bulbs. Created by FindLaw`s team of legal writers and writers | Last updated on October 25, 2019 The lights on your license plates are also a real help for practical problems to track and locate your vehicle more easily. For even more information, read our related articles: However, the most popular placement choice would be directly above and/or below the license plate and in the drawer where the license plate is usually positioned. Multi-purpose passenger cars, trucks, buses, trailers and motorcycles must be equipped with a lamp to illuminate the licence plate.