Section 530. Auxiliary lamps: backup; cornering; driving; fog; spot and warning

A. Auxiliary lamps on a vehicle consist of seven general types: backup lamps (SAE-R), cornering lamps (SAE-K), driving lamps (SAE-Y), front fog lamps with an amber or clear lens (SAE-F) and rear fog lamps with red lens (SAE-F2), spot lamps (SAE-O), warning lamps (SAE-W), and daytime running lamps (DRLs) (SAE-Y2).

1. School buses may be equipped with an eight-lamp warning system of two red and two amber warning lamps of an approved type (SAE-W2) on the front and rear of such vehicle.

a. In addition to required warning lamps, school buses may be equipped with a stop signal arm consisting of an octagonal sign that meets FMVSS specifications (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 49 CFR Part 571). The stop signal arm shall be reflectorized or be equipped with two red warning lamps of an approved type.

b. School buses may also be equipped with roof mounted flashing white or amber warning lamps of an approved type (SAE-W2).

2. Reject if the vehicle has wire, unapproved plastic covers, any other materials that are not original equipment or any colored material placed on or in front of any auxiliary lamps, backup, cornering, driving, fog, spot or warning lamps.

EXCEPTION: Any lighting device that is both covered and not illuminated, other than lamps required or permitted by this manual, shall not be considered for inspection. Fog and driving lamps mounted below the level of the regular headlights must be checked for aim as outlined in subdivisions K 10 i and K 11 g of this section, if not covered.

NOTE: The covers shall be a type that would be installed as original equipment and not tape, paper bags, aluminum foil or similar materials.

B. There is no limit on the number of backup lamps that a vehicle may have so long as they are of an approved type (SAE-R).

C. No more than four lamps, including two headlamps may be lighted at any time to provide general illumination ahead of the vehicle.

D. Approved type (DOT or SAE-W) blue or blue and red lights are permitted on Department of Corrections vehicles designated by the Director of the Department of Corrections and any law-enforcement vehicle.

E. Approved type blue or blue and red lights as well as approved type hide-away or undercover strobe warning lights are permissible for use on Department of Corrections and any law-enforcement vehicles.

1. Approved type secondary warning lights installed only on the four corners, on Department of Corrections and any law-enforcement vehicles, fire apparatus, government-owned vehicle operated on official business by a local fire chief or other local fire official, rescue squad vehicle, ambulance, or any other emergency medical vehicles. These lights shall also have primary warning lights installed.

2. The hide-away or undercover strobe lights shall be installed in the side marker lights, tail lights or parking lights. The strobe itself must be clear and the lens color must continue to be the same type and color as originally approved. It will not be permissible to install the hide-away lights in the headlights or in the backup lights.

F. Approved type (SAE-W) red warning lights or red and white lights showing to the front are permitted on fire department vehicles, including publicly owned state forest warden vehicles, ambulances, any rescue vehicle used for emergency calls, local Departments of Emergency Management, animal warden vehicles, school buses and vehicles used by security personnel at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Bassett-Walker, Incorporated, the Tultex Corporation, the Winchester Medical Center, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Wallops Flight Facility.

G. No more than two flashing or steady-burning red or combination red and white lights of an approved type may be installed on one vehicle owned by any member of a fire company, volunteer fire company, volunteer rescue squad or any ambulance driver employed by a privately owned ambulance service.

H. Vehicles mentioned in subsections D, E and F of this section permitted to be equipped with flashing, blinking or alternating red, red and white, blue, or blue and red emergency lights (except vehicles owned by any member of a fire company, volunteer fire company, volunteer rescue squad or an ambulance driver employed by a privately owned ambulance service) may be equipped with the means to flash their headlamps when their emergency warning lamps are activated provided:

1. The headlamps are wired to allow either the upper beam or lower beam to flash but not both and;

2. The headlamp system includes a sensor that prevents flashing of headlamps when headlamps are required to be lighted pursuant to current statute.

Emergency vehicles in Chesapeake, Poquoson, and York County may be equipped with flashing headlights that will function whenever their warning lights are activated.

I. Any fire vehicle used exclusively for firefighting, any ambulance or rescue or lifesaving vehicle used for the principal purpose of emergency relief or any wrecker used for the principal purpose of towing disabled vehicles may be equipped with clear auxiliary lamps that shall be used exclusively for lighting emergency scenes. Such lamps shall be of a type permitted by the superintendent. Any government-owned police vehicle may be equipped with clear auxiliary lamps of a type approved by the superintendent.

J. Approved type (SAE-W) amber flashing, blinking or alternating lights are permitted on vehicles used for the principal purpose of towing or servicing disabled vehicles or in constructing, maintaining and repairing highways or utilities on or along public highways and vehicles used for the principal purpose of removing hazardous or polluting substances from the state waters or drainage areas on or along public highways. Such lamps are permitted on vehicles used for servicing automatic teller machines, refuse collection vehicles, hi-rail vehicles and on vehicles used for towing or escorting over-dimensional materials, equipment, boats, or manufactured housing units by authority of highway hauling permit.

1. Approved type (DOT or SAE-W) amber, red, and red and white flashing, blinking or alternating warning lights are permitted on fire apparatus, ambulances, and rescue and life-saving vehicles, provided the lights are mounted or installed as to be visible from behind the vehicle.

2. Approved type (DOT or SAE-W) amber flashing, blinking or alternating lights are permitted on vehicles owned and used by municipal safety officers in the performance of their official duties, by businesses providing security services and vehicles used to collect and deliver the United States mail, vehicles used by law-enforcement personnel in the enforcement of laws governing motor vehicle parking, and government-owned law-enforcement vehicles provided the lights are used for giving directional warning and vehicles used to provide escort for funeral processions.

3. An approved type amber flashing, blinking or alternating lights are permitted on vehicles used as pace cars, security vehicles, or firefighting vehicles by any speedway or motor vehicle race track.

4. An approved type (DOT or SAE-W) amber flashing, blinking or alternating light may be mounted on the rear of any vehicle used to transport petroleum products. The light must be wired through the reverse gear circuit and activate in conjunction with the backup lights and audible alarm.

5. An approved type (SAE-W) green warning light is permitted on vehicles used by police, firefighting, or rescue personnel as command centers at the scene of incidents. Such lights shall not be activated while the vehicle is operating upon the highway.

K. Inspect for and reject if:

1. Vehicle has an auxiliary lamp being used for a purpose other than that for which it was approved.

Do not reject tractor trucks equipped with cargo lights of an approved type (SAE-G) that are mounted on the rear of the tractor cab and wired through an independent switch used to illuminate brake connectors and fifth-wheels for nighttime hookups.

2. A vehicle has installed on it a warning lamp that is not of an approved type or has been altered.

3. Vehicle is equipped with a combination of auxiliary lamps which include more than two fog lamps, or more than two spot lamps, or more than two driving lamps. Motor vehicles may be equipped with more than two fog or auxiliary lights; however, only two of these types of lights can be illuminated at any time. Reject a vehicle equipped with a headlamp mounted or used as an auxiliary lamp.

NOTE: Vehicles equipped from the factory, with two driving lamps should not be rejected.

4. Vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary lamp that does not function properly. (If an auxiliary lamp has been modified by removing the wiring, bulb and socket, the unit will be considered an ornament and not a lamp and will not be considered for inspection.)

5. Vehicle is equipped with a lighted advertising sign, except commercial motor vehicles and buses operated as public carriers. These vehicles may be equipped with vacant and destination signs and one steadily burning white light for illumination of external advertising. Do not reject approved identification lights.

6. Any lamp is not of an approved type or if lamps to be burned together as a pair do not emit the same color light.

7. The lens has a piece broken from it. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light does not project through the crack or cracks.

8. Backup lamps are not required on motor vehicles less than 26,001 pounds GVWR. However, if installed they must operate and be inspected.

Inspect for and reject if:

a. Lamps are not of an approved type (DOT or SAE-R) or a lamp has been altered.

b. Wiring or electrical connections are defective or filaments do not burn.

c. The lens has a piece broken from it. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light does not project through the crack or cracks.

d. Lens is other than clear. LED (light-emitting diode) lights with a clear lens are acceptable, if of an approved type. For those vehicles that are equipped with a multiple LED light (not filament-burning bulbs), they will pass inspection if more than 50% of the diode lights are burning.

e. Lamps are not wired into the reverse gear. Vehicles manufactured without backup lamps may be wired into an independent circuit.

9. Cornering lamps are not required. However, if installed they must operate and be inspected.

Inspect for and reject if:

a. Lamps are not of an approved type (DOT or SAE-K) or a lamp has been altered.

b. Wiring or electrical connections are defective or filaments do not burn.

c. The lens has a piece broken from it. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light does not project through the crack or cracks.

d. The color of the light is other than clear or amber.

e. The lamps do not burn in conjunction with the turn signals.

10. Driving lamps are not required. However, if installed they must operate and be inspected.

Inspect for and reject if:

a. Driving lamps are installed on vehicles equipped with the four-headlamp system, except the "F" type headlamp system.

b. A vehicle is equipped with more than two driving lamps.

c. Driving lamps are not of an approved type (DOT or SAE-Y) or have been altered.

d. The color of the lamp is other than white.

e. The lens has a piece broken from it or is rotated away from its proper position. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light does not project through the crack or cracks.

f. Wiring or electrical connections are defective or filaments do not burn.

g. Any driving lamp is mounted above the level of the regular headlamps, or is not mounted firmly to prevent excessive vibration.

h. Driving lamps are not wired so that they will burn only when the high beams of the regular headlamps are activated.

i. Driving lamps are not aimed so that the center of the hot spot drops three inches in 25 feet so that the hot spot is directly ahead of the lamp.

NOTE: Driving lamps must be aimed using the optical headlight aimer. A tolerance of four inches in 25 feet is allowed in both the horizontal and the vertical adjustment.

11. Fog lamps are not required. However, if installed they must operate and be inspected.

Inspect for and reject if:

a. A vehicle may be equipped with more than two fog lamps; however, not more than two lamps can be illuminated at any time.

b. Lamps are not of an approved type (SAE or DOT-F or F2) or a lamp has been altered.

c. The lens is other than clear or amber. (Fog lamps may have black end bulbs or small metal caps over the end of the bulb.)

d. The lens has a piece broken from it or is rotated away from its proper position. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light does not project through the crack or cracks.

e. Wiring or electrical connections are defective or filaments do not burn.

f. Any fog lamp is mounted above the level of the regular headlamps, or is not mounted firmly.

g. Lamps are not wired and aimed according to the following instructions:

(1) Fog lamps are general illumination lamps as covered in 19VAC30-70-160 D. They must burn through the tail light circuit even if on a separate switch. If installed on a vehicle with a four-headlamp system or a vehicle equipped with driving lamps, they must be wired into the low beam circuit.

(2) Fog lamps must be aimed so that the top edge of the high intensity zone is set at the horizontal centerline and the left edge of the high intensity zone is set at the vertical centerline. (Same as low beam headlights.)

NOTE: Fog lamps must be aimed using the optical headlight aimer.

(3) A tolerance of four inches in 25 feet is allowed in both the horizontal and the vertical adjustment.

12. Spot lamps are not required. However, if installed they must operate and be inspected.

Inspect for and reject if:

a. Vehicle is equipped with more than two spot lamps.

b. Lamps are not of an approved type (DOT or SAE-O) or a lamp has been altered.

c. The lens in any spot lamp is other than clear.

d. The lens has a piece broken from it or is rotated away from its proper position. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light does not project through the crack or cracks.

e. Wiring or electrical connections are defective or filaments do not burn.

13. Daytime running lamps (DRLs) are not required. However, if installed they must operate and be inspected. DRLs must be installed in pairs.

NOTE: DRLs may or may not be wired into the tail light circuit.

Inspect for and reject if:

a. Any lamp, except headlamps, used as DRLs is not an approved type (SAE-Y2) and is not marked "DRL."

b. Fog lamps or parking lamps are used as DRLs.

c. More than one pair of lamps are used and or designated as DRLs.

d. A DRL is mounted higher than 34 inches measured to the center of the lamp.

e. The color is other than white or amber.

f. DRLs do not deactivate when the headlamps are in any "on" position.

Any DRL optically combined with a turn signal or hazard lamp must deactivate when the turn signal or hazard lamp is activated and then reactivate when the turn signal or hazard lamp deactivates.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR545-01-07 § 53, eff. May 1, 1990; amended, Volume 10, Issue 08, eff. February 9, 1994; Volume 12, Issue 21, eff. August 7, 1996; Volume 17, Issue 15, eff. May 9, 2001; Volume 21, Issue 04, eff. September 22, 2004; Volume 24, Issue 08, eff. March 1, 2008; Volume 28, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2012; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. October 3, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 46.2-1165 of the Code of Virginia.