Alabama Headlights Laws

 Department of Transportation

2006 Alabama Code (Section 32-5-240) — Required lighting equipment and illuminating devices of vehicles.

(a) When lighted headlamps required

1.  Every vehicle upon a highway within this state, except a parked vehicle, which shall be subject to Section 32-5-244, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices required by this section for different classes of vehicles at the following times:

• From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.
• At any time when the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of rain, sleet, or snow, except when the use is intermittent because of misting rain, sleet, or snow.
• At any time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet.

2.  Notwithstanding subdivision (1), whenever motor vehicles or other vehicles are operated in combination during a time that lamps and illuminating devices are required to be lighted, any lamp, other than a tail lamp, that, by reason of its location on a vehicle in the combination would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, need not be lighted. This subdivision shall not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps or that all lamps required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.

(b) Head lamps on motor vehicles

1.  Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, shall be equipped with at least two but not more than four head lamps, with at least one but not more than two on each side of the front of the motor vehicle. The head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations of Section 32-5-242.

2.  Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of Section 32-5-242.

3.  Every motor vehicle shall have a tail lamp or a separate lamp so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate 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 for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

(c) Tail lamps

1. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear which, when lighted as required, emits a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. When vehicles are drawn in a train, only the tail lamp on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified.

2. Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 60 inches nor less than 20 inches to be measured as set forth in Section 32-5-242.

3. Every motor vehicle shall have a tail lamp or a separate lamp so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate 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 for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

(d) Additional equipment required on certain vehicles

1. On every bus or truck, whatever its size, the following shall be on the rear: two red reflectors, one at each side, and one stop light.

2. On every bus or truck 80 inches or more in overall width, in addition to the requirements in subdivision (1):

• On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
• On the rear, two clearance lamps, one on each side.
• On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
• On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.

3. On every truck tractor:

• On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
• On the rear, one stop light.

4. On every trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds:

• On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
• On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
• On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
• On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, also two reflectors, one at each side, and one stop light.

 5. On every pole trailer having a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds gross weight:

• On each side, one side marker lamp and one clearance lamp which may be in combination, to show to the front, side, and rear.
• On the rear of the pole trailer or load, two reflectors, one at each side.

6. On every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less: on the rear, two reflectors, one on each side. If the load or dimensions of any trailer or semitrailer obscures the stop light on the towing vehicle, the towed vehicle shall also be equipped with one stop light.

(e) Lamps on other vehicles and equipment

All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles and those for which special permits have been issued under authority of Section 32-9-29, nototherwise specifically required to be equipped with lamps, shall at the times specified in subsection (a) of this section be equipped with at least one lighted lamp or lantern exhibitinga white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.

(f) Stop lamps required on new motor vehicles

It is unlawful for any person to sell any new motor vehicle, including any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, in this state or for any personto drive the vehicle on the highways unless it is equipped with a stop lamp meeting the requirements of Section 32-5-242.

(g) New motor vehicles to be equipped with reflectors

1. No new motor vehicle first sold on or after January 1, 1950, other than a truck tractor, motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle shall be operated on a highway unless the vehicle carries on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors. Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall carry at least one reflector, meeting the requirements of this section. Vehicles specifically provided for in subsection (d) of this section shall be equipped with reflectors as required by that subsection.

2. These reflectors shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than 20 inches nor more than 60 inches measured as set forth in subsection (a) of Section 32-5-242, shall be of such size and characteristics, and shall be so mounted as to be visible at night from 300 feet.

(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §40; Acts 1949, No. 517, p. 754, §10; Acts 1957, No. 414, p. 577; Acts 1993, No. 93-720, p. 1407, §1.)

2006 Alabama Code (Section 32-5-241) — Additional permissible lights on vehicles

(a) Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps

1. SPOT LAMPS. 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.

2. FOG LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of 25 feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.

3. AUXILIARY PASSING LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary passing lamp mounted on the front at a height not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and every such auxiliary passing lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.

4. AUXILIARY DRIVING LAMPS. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary driving lamp mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and every auxiliary driving lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.

(b) Signal lamps and signal devices

1. Any motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this division shall be equipped with the following signal lamps or devices:

• A stop lamp on the rear which shall emit a red or yellow light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a tail lamp.
• A lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or the left and which shall be visible both from the front and rear.

2. A stop lamp shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of 100 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 100 feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp orother signal lamps, such lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.

3. All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the time mentioned in subsection (a) of Section 32-5-240.

(c) Additional lighting equipment

1. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.

2. 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.

3. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such back-up lamp shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.

(d) Special restriction on lamps

1. Any lighted lamp or illuminated device upon a motor vehicle other than head lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps or flashing front direction signals which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.

2. No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device thereon displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the center thereof. This section shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles.

3. Any vehicle may be equipped with flashing lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this section. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber.

The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 1,500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.

4. Flashing lights may be used on motor vehicles as a means of indicating a right or left turn; a stop lamp may pulsate with different intensities provided that it meets at all intensities the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section; and the warning lights on emergency vehicles may flash.

(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §41; Acts 1949, No. 517, p. 754, §11; Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 136, p. 2062, §3; Acts 1965, No. 815, p. 1522.)

2006 Alabama Code (Section 32-5-242) — Requirements as to head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps

(a) Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps

1. Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in Section 32-5-240 in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.

2. Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.

(b) Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment

1. There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading.

2. There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

3. Every new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, registered hereafter in this state, which has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the head lamps is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.

(c) Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment

1. Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light or composite beam shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times,regardless of road contour and loading.

2. Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within 200 feet to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, such driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this division.

(d) Single-beam road-lighting equipment

1. The head lamps shall be so aimed that, when the vehicle is not loaded, none of the high-intensity portion of the light shall, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, project higher than a level of five inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, and in no case higher than 42 inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance of 75 feet ahead.

2. The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 200 feet.

(e) Lighting equipment on motor-driven cycles

1. Every said head lamp or head lamps on a motor-driven cycle shall be of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than 100 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at any speed less than 25 miles per hour; at a distance of not less than 200 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 25 or more miles per hour but less than 35 miles per hour; and at a distance of 300 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 35 miles or more per hour.

2. In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a multiple-beam head lamp or head lamps the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth above and shall not exceed the limitations set forth in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section.

3. In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a single-beam lamp or lamps, said lamp or lamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is loaded none of the high-intensity portion of light, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, shall project higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.

(f) Alternate road-lighting equipment

Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in subsection (a) of Section 32-5-240 when equipped with two lighted lamps upon the front, thereof capable of revealing persons and objects 75 feet ahead in lieu of lamps required in subsection (b) or subsection (d) of this section; provided, that at no time shall it be operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour.

(g) Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps and reflectors

1. Front clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color.

2. Rear clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color.

3. All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop light or other signal device, which may be red, amber or yellow, and except that the light illuminating the license plate or the light emitted by a back-up lamp shall be white.

(h) Mounting reflectors, clearance lamps and side marker lamps

1. Reflectors shall be mounted at a height not less than 24 inches and not higher than 60 inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands; except, that if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than 24 inches, the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit.

The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load.

Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this chapter.

2. Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate its extreme width and as near the top thereof as practicable. Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in combination provided illumination is given as required herein with reference to both.

(i) Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps and marker lamps.

1. Every reflector upon any vehicle shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at nighttime from all distances within 500 feet to 50 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps. Reflectors required to be mounted on the sides of the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides, and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear.

2. Front and rear clearance lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of 500 feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle.

3. Side marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of 500 feet from the side of the vehicle on which mounted.

(Acts 1927, No. 347, p. 348; Code 1940, T. 36, §42; Acts 1949, No. 517, p. 754, §12; Acts 1955, No. 273, p. 621, §1.)