2014 Indiana Code
TITLE 9. MOTOR VEHICLES
ARTICLE 21. TRAFFIC REGULATION
CHAPTER 7. VEHICLE EQUIPMENT
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
IC 9-21-7
Chapter 7. Vehicle Equipment
IC 9-21-7-1
Good working order and adjustment; safe mechanical condition
Sec. 1. A person may not drive or move on a highway a:
(1) motor vehicle;
(2) trailer;
(3) semitrailer;
(4) pole trailer; or
(5) combination of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole
trailer;
unless the equipment upon the vehicle is in good working order and
adjustment, as required in this article, and the vehicle is in a safe
mechanical condition that does not endanger the person who drives
the vehicle, another occupant of the vehicle, or a person upon the
highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-2
Lights; time for display; exception
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 8 of
this chapter, each vehicle upon an Indiana highway:
(1) between the time from sunset to sunrise; and
(2) at any other time when, due to insufficient light or
unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the
highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred
(500) feet ahead;
must display lighted head lamps and other illuminating devices as
required for different classes of vehicles under this chapter.
(b) All lamp equipment required for vehicles described in
IC 9-19-6, including each tail lamp required by law, shall be lighted
at the times mentioned in subsection (a), except that clearance and
sidemarker lamps are not required to be lighted on a vehicle when the
vehicle is operated within a municipality if there is sufficient light to
render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a
distance of five hundred (500) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.1-1991, SEC.94;
P.L.34-2010, SEC.3.
IC 9-21-7-3 Version a
Lights; requirements and restrictions
Note: This version of section effective until 1-1-2015. See also
following version of this section, effective 1-1-2015.
Sec. 3. (a) This section does not apply to a motorcycle or
motorized bicycle.
(b) A motor vehicle must display at least two (2) lighted lamps,
one (1) on each side at the front of the motor vehicle.
(c) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps required
under subsection (b) is also equipped with:
(1) auxiliary lamps;
(2) a spot lamp; or
(3) any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting
a beam of intensity greater than three hundred (300)
candlepower;
not more than a total of four (4) lamps described in this subsection on
the front of a vehicle may be lighted at one (1) time when upon a
highway.
(d) Passenger buses, trucks, truck tractors, and certain trailers,
semitrailers, and pole trailers must display clearance and marker
lamps, reflectors, and stop lights as required under this title when
operated upon a highway. Except as provided in subsection (e), all
lamp equipment required on vehicles described in this subsection
shall be lighted at the times specified in section 2 of this chapter.
(e) Clearance and sidemarker lamps are not required to be lighted
on a vehicle described in subsection (d) when the vehicle is operated
within a municipality where there is sufficient light to render clearly
discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five
hundred (500) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-3 Version b
Lights; requirements and restrictions
Note: This version of section effective 1-1-2015. See also
preceding version of this section, effective until 1-1-2015.
Sec. 3. (a) This section does not apply to a motorcycle or motor
driven cycle.
(b) A motor vehicle must display at least two (2) lighted lamps,
one (1) on each side at the front of the motor vehicle.
(c) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps required
under subsection (b) is also equipped with:
(1) auxiliary lamps;
(2) a spot lamp; or
(3) any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting
a beam of intensity greater than three hundred (300)
candlepower;
not more than a total of four (4) lamps described in this subsection on
the front of a vehicle may be lighted at one (1) time when upon a
highway.
(d) Passenger buses, trucks, truck tractors, and certain trailers,
semitrailers, and pole trailers must display clearance and marker
lamps, reflectors, and stop lights as required under this title when
operated upon a highway. Except as provided in subsection (e), all
lamp equipment required on vehicles described in this subsection
shall be lighted at the times specified in section 2 of this chapter.
(e) Clearance and sidemarker lamps are not required to be lighted
on a vehicle described in subsection (d) when the vehicle is operated
within a municipality where there is sufficient light to render clearly
discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five
hundred (500) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.39.
IC 9-21-7-4
High intensity beams
Sec. 4. (a) This section does not apply to head lamps, spot lamps,
auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, emergency vehicle warning
lamps, and school bus warning lamps.
(b) A lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle
that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred
(300) candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high
intensity part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on
which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five (75)
feet from the vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-5
Lights; distribution of beam; direction; illumination of objects;
reduction of glare
Sec. 5. (a) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a
roadway or shoulder adjacent to a roadway during the times specified
in section 2 of this chapter, the person who drives the motor vehicle
shall use a distribution of light or composite beam directed high
enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a
safe distance in advance of the vehicle.
(b) Whenever a person who drives a vehicle described in
subsection (a) approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred
(500) feet, the person shall use a distribution of light or composite
beam aimed so that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of
the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light or
composite beam specified in IC 9-19-6-20 is considered to avoid
glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
(c) Except when overtaking and passing another vehicle, whenever
the person who drives a vehicle described in subsection (a) follows
another vehicle within two hundred (200) feet to the rear of the other
vehicle, the person shall use a distribution of light permissible under
this title other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in
IC 9-19-6-20.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-6
Combinations of vehicles; operation; lights; clearance lamps
Sec. 6. (a) Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in
combination during the time that lights are required under section 2
of this chapter, the person who drives the vehicles operated in
combination is not required to light any lamp (except tail lamps) that,
because of the lamp's location on a vehicle of the combination, would
be obscured by another vehicle of the combination.
(b) Lighted clearance lamps shall be displayed on the front of the
foremost vehicle of the combination described in subsection (a)
required to have clearance lamps. All lights required on the rear of
the rearmost vehicle of a combination shall be lighted.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-7
Loads extending beyond body of vehicle; display of red light and
flag
Sec. 7. (a) This subsection applies during the times specified in
section 2 of this chapter. Whenever the load upon a vehicle extends
to the rear four (4) feet or more beyond the bed or body of the
vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load
a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five
hundred (500) feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern
required under this section is in addition to the red rear light required
upon every vehicle. Clearance lights or reflectors on vehicles that are
being transported may be used to delineate the extension of the load
in lieu of other lights required in this section.
(b) This subsection applies during all times not specified in section
2 of this chapter. A vehicle described in subsection (a) shall display
at the extreme rear end of the vehicle's load a red flag or cloth not less
than twelve (12) inches square, displayed in a manner in which the
entire area is of the flag or cloth visible to the person who drives a
vehicle approaching from the rear.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-8 Version a
Parked vehicles; lights; requirements; exempted vehicles
Note: This version of section effective until 1-1-2015. See also
following version of this section, effective 1-1-2015.
Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a vehicle that is parked or
stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent to a roadway between
thirty (30) minutes after sunset and thirty (30) minutes before sunrise.
(b) If there is sufficient light to reveal a person or object within a
distance of five hundred (500) feet upon the street or highway upon
which the vehicle is parked, no lights need be displayed upon the
parked vehicle.
(c) This subsection does not apply to a motor-driven cycle. This
subsection applies whether a vehicle parked or stopped is attended or
unattended. If there is not sufficient light to reveal a person or object
within a distance of five hundred (500) feet upon the highway upon
which the vehicle is parked or stopped, the vehicle parked or stopped
shall be equipped with one (1) or more lamps that meet the following
requirements:
(1) At least one (1) lamp must display a white or amber light
visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of
the vehicle.
(2) The lamp described in subdivision (1) or at least one (1)
other lamp must display a red light visible from a distance of
five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the vehicle.
(3) The lamp or lamps described in subdivisions (1) and (2)
shall be installed as near as practicable on the side of the vehicle
that is closest to passing traffic.
(d) Lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle must be depressed
or dimmed.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-8 Version b
Parked vehicles; lights; requirements; exempted vehicles
Note: This version of section effective 1-1-2015. See also
preceding version of this section, effective until 1-1-2015.
Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a vehicle that is parked or
stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent to a roadway between
thirty (30) minutes after sunset and thirty (30) minutes before sunrise.
(b) If there is sufficient light to reveal a person or object within a
distance of five hundred (500) feet upon the street or highway upon
which the vehicle is parked, no lights need be displayed upon the
parked vehicle.
(c) This subsection does not apply to a motor driven cycle. This
subsection applies whether a vehicle parked or stopped is attended or
unattended. If there is not sufficient light to reveal a person or object
within a distance of five hundred (500) feet upon the highway upon
which the vehicle is parked or stopped, the vehicle parked or stopped
shall be equipped with one (1) or more lamps that meet the following
requirements:
(1) At least one (1) lamp must display a white or amber light
visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of
the vehicle.
(2) The lamp described in subdivision (1) or at least one (1)
other lamp must display a red light visible from a distance of
five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the vehicle.
(3) The lamp or lamps described in subdivisions (1) and (2)
shall be installed as near as practicable on the side of the vehicle
that is closest to passing traffic.
(d) Lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle must be depressed
or dimmed.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.40.
IC 9-21-7-9
Head lamps
Sec. 9. A motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions
specified in section 2 of this chapter when equipped with two (2)
lighted lamps upon the front of the motor vehicle capable of
revealing persons and objects seventy-five (75) feet ahead instead of
the lamps required under section 3 of this chapter. A vehicle
equipped under this section may not be operated at a speed in excess
of twenty (20) miles per hour.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
IC 9-21-7-10
Lights visible from front of vehicle; prohibition
Sec. 10. This section does not apply to a vehicle required or
authorized under this title to display a red, red and white, or red and
blue light that is visible from the front of the vehicle. A person may
not drive or move a vehicle or equipment upon a highway with a
lamp or device on the vehicle or equipment displaying a red, red and
white, or red and blue light visible from directly in front of the center
of the vehicle or equipment.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.99-1991, SEC.3.
IC 9-21-7-11
Flashing lights
Sec. 11. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a vehicle may
not display flashing lights.
(b) Flashing lights may be displayed on a vehicle as follows:
(1) On an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2) On a school bus.
(3) On snow-removal equipment.
(4) As a means of indicating a right or left turn.
(5) As a means of indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic
hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or
passing.
(6) On a vehicle used in a funeral procession.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.80-2012, SEC.4.
IC 9-21-7-12
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.1-1991, SEC.95.)
IC 9-21-7-13
Violation; Class C infraction
Sec. 13. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C
infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.9.
]]>
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Indiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
