KRS § 189.040 — KY Code / Title XVI / Chapter 189 / Section 189.040
189.040 Front lights -- Flashing lights
Status: in_force

189.040 Front lights -- Flashing lights.

(1) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped, shall be equipped with

at least two (2) headlamps with at least one (1) on each side of the front of the

motor vehicle, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and

limitations set forth in this section.

(2) Every motorcycle and moped shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not

more than two (2) headlamps which shall comply with the requirements and

limitations of this section.

(3) Except as hereinafter provided, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamps or

the auxiliary passing lamp or combinations thereof on motor vehicles, other

than a motorcycle or moped, shall be so arranged that the driver may control

the selection between distribution of light projected to different elevations,

subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(a) 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 three hundred fifty (350) feet ahead for all conditions

of loading;

(b) 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 one hundred (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;

and

(c) Every new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped, registered in

this state after January 1, 1956, 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 headlamps 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.

(4) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder

adjacent thereto during the times specified in KRS 189.030, the driver 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, subject to the requirements and limitations hereinafter set forth.

(5) Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five

hundred (500) feet, the 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

specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section shall be deemed to

avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.

(6) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within three hundred

(300) feet to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and

passing, the driver shall use a distribution of light other than the uppermost

distribution of light specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section.

(7) Headlamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented

by auxiliary driving lights shall be permitted on motor vehicles manufactured

and sold prior to May 30, 1939, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting

equipment, if the single distribution of light complies with the following

requirements and limitations:

(a) The headlamps 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

twenty-five (25) feet ahead, project higher than a level of five (5) inches

below the level of the center of the light from which it comes, and in no

case higher than forty-two (42) inches above the level on which the

vehicle stands, at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead;

(b) The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a

distance of at least two hundred (200) feet; and

(c) Whenever the operator of a motor vehicle approaches an oncoming

vehicle within five hundred (500) feet, he 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. In no case shall the high intensity portion

which is projected to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of

the vehicle be aimed higher than the center of the lamp from which it

comes at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, and in no case higher

than a level of forty-two (42) inches above the level upon which the

vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead.

(8) Flashing lights are prohibited on all motor vehicles except as a means for

indicating a right or left turn or 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.

(9) The height of the headlamps, from the center of the lamp to level ground when

the vehicle is unloaded, shall be between twenty-four (24) and fifty-four (54)

inches.

(10) Headlamps required under this section shall only emit white light. Halogen

headlamps may have a slight yellow or amber tint. Nonhalogen headlamps

may emit a slight blue tint, if the headlamps were installed by the vehicle

manufacturer as original equipment in the motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped

or the headlamps meet the requirements of subsection (11) of this section.

(11) A motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped shall only be equipped with headlamps

that meet United States Department of Transportation regulations.

(12) A motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped shall not be retrofitted with a headlamp

that appears to emit a solid color of light other than white.

(13) A motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped shall not be retrofitted with a headlamp

cover or film that changes the light emitted from the headlamp to a color other

than white.

(14) Except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, except as provided in

KRS 189.950(3)(b), and except for vehicles exempted under the provisions of

KRS 189.910 to 189.950, when operating on a highway or upon the

right-of-way of a highway, any:

(a) Visible front lights on a motor vehicle or any light that is affixed to the

front of a motorcycle or moped, shall only be white or amber, unless

installed as original equipment by the manufacturer; and

(b) Visible rear lights on a motor vehicle shall only be white, amber, or red,

unless installed as original equipment by the manufacturer.

(15) Any violation of this section for the illumination of a solid blue light or solid blue

lights shall be deemed to be a violation of KRS 189.950(3).