2023 New York Laws › VAT - Vehicle and Traffic › Title 3 - Safety Responsibility; Financial Security; Equipment; Inspection; Size and Weight; and Other Provisions › Article 9 - Equipment of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles › 375 - Equipment.

§ 375. Equipment.  1. (a) Every motor vehicle, operated or driven upon
the public highways of the state, shall be provided with adequate brakes
and steering mechanism in good working order and sufficient  to  control
such  vehicle  at  all times when the same is in use, and a suitable and
adequate horn or other device for signaling, which horn or device  shall
produce a sound sufficiently loud to serve as a danger warning but shall
not be used other than as a reasonable warning nor be unnecessarily loud
or harsh.
(b) Every such motor vehicle shall be equipped with suitable wipers or
other  device  which shall clear a sufficient area of the windshields to
provide reasonable driving vision.  (i) The use or placing of posters or
stickers on windshields or rear windows of  motor  vehicles  other  than
those   authorized   by   the   commissioner,   is   hereby  prohibited.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a summons  for  operating  a
motor  vehicle  in  violation  of this subparagraph shall only be issued
when there is reasonable cause to believe that the person operating such
motor vehicle has committed a violation of the laws of this state  other
than a violation of this subparagraph.
(i-a)  The attaching to windshields and windshield wipers of handbills
and other forms of advertisements, is hereby prohibited.
(ii) In a city of one million or more, the attaching  or  affixing  by
any  means whatsoever of handbills or other forms of advertisements to a
motor vehicle is hereby prohibited. In any prosecution  for  an  alleged
violation  of this subparagraph, there shall be a rebuttable presumption
that the person whose  name,  telephone  number,  or  other  identifying
information  appears  on  any  handbill  or  other form of advertisement
attached or affixed to a motor vehicle shall  be  in  violation  of  the
provisions of this subparagraph.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to those
persons  otherwise authorized to enforce this subdivision and adjudicate
violations  thereof,  the  provisions  of  subparagraph  (ii)  of   this
paragraph shall also be enforceable in a city having a population of one
million  or more by an agency or agencies designated for such purpose by
the mayor of such city, and notices of violation may  be  returnable  to
the environmental control board of such city, which shall have the power
to  impose the monetary penalties provided in subdivision (b) of section
eighteen hundred of this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, service of a notice of  violation  of  subparagraph  (ii)  of  this
paragraph  committed  in  such  city  may be made upon a person by first
class mail, postage prepaid, and any such notice served by mail shall be
returnable only to such environmental control  board.  Such  service  by
first  class mail shall be deemed complete upon mailing of the notice of
violation, unless the notice of violation is returned to the  sender  by
the  United  States  postal service for any reason other than refusal of
delivery. In addition, any  notice  of  violation  for  a  violation  of
subparagraph  (ii) of this paragraph may be served by a means prescribed
in article three of the civil practice law and rules or article three of
the business corporation law. Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of
law, such penalties imposed by such environmental control board shall be
paid into the general fund of such city.
(iv)  Any  final  order  issued  pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this
paragraph  by  an  environmental  control  board  of  a  city  having  a
population  of one million or more shall constitute a judgment which may
be entered in any place provided for the entry of civil judgments within
the state, and may be enforced without  court  proceeding  in  the  same
manner  as  the enforcement of money judgments entered in civil actions.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, before a judgment based  upon  a
default  may  be  so entered, such environmental control board must have

notified the respondent by  first  class  mail  in  such  form  as  such
environmental  control board may direct: (A) of the default decision and
order and the penalty imposed; (B) that a judgment will  be  entered  in
any  place  provided  for the entry of civil judgments in the state; and
(C) that the entry of such judgment may be avoided by requesting a  stay
of  default  for  good  cause  shown  and either requesting a hearing or
entering a plea pursuant to the  rules  of  such  environmental  control
board  within  thirty  days  of  the mailing of such notice. No judgment
based upon a default may be so  entered  by  the  environmental  control
board  within  thirty  days  of  the mailing of such notice. No judgment
based upon a default may be so  entered  by  the  environmental  control
board within less than sixty days from the completion of service by mail
of  the  notice  of  violation as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this
paragraph. Any requirement of any  provision  of  law  other  than  this
subdivision  that  related  to  the  manner  of service of the notice of
violation that precedes any final order of  such  environmental  control
board  shall  not  apply  to  a  final  order  issued  pursuant  to this
subparagraph. A judgment entered  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  shall
remain in full force and effect for eight years.
(c)  Every  trailer  and  semi-trailer weighing more than one thousand
pounds unladen  and  every  trailer  and  semi-trailer  manufactured  or
assembled on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-one having
a  registered  maximum  gross  weight,  an  actual gross weight or gross
weight consisting of the unladen weight and  maximum  carrying  capacity
recommended  by the manufacturer in excess of three thousand pounds also
shall be equipped with adequate brakes in good working order if operated
or drawn on the public highways of this state. Every trailer while being
drawn upon the public highways of this state shall be so attached to the
vehicle drawing the same as to prevent the wheels of such  trailer  from
being  deflected  more  than  six  inches  from  the  path of the towing
vehicle's  wheels.  On  and  after  January  first,   nineteen   hundred
seventy-one every trailer, except a semi-trailer, while being drawn upon
the  public  highways  of  this  state, shall be attached to the vehicle
drawing the same by a device of a type approved by the commissioner.
(d) The commissioner shall make rules prescribing standards  of  brake
efficiency,  except  for motor vehicles the standard of brake efficiency
of which are fixed by the department of public service,  and  no  brakes
shall  be  deemed adequate within the meaning of this subdivision unless
they meet the requirements of such rules. Such rules shall be  filed  in
the  office  of  the secretary of state and thereafter published once in
the state advertising bulletin and  shall  become  effective  one  month
after  such  publication.  Any amendment to such rules shall be likewise
filed  and  published  and  shall  take  effect  one  month  after  such
publication.
(e)  No  operator  or  registered  owner of any motor vehicle having a
registered maximum gross weight of  eighteen  thousand  pounds  or  more
shall  disconnect  or  knowingly  permit the disconnection of any set of
service brakes on such motor vehicle. Any violation of the provisions of
this paragraph shall occur only when such vehicle is  actually  operated
on  the  public  highways.  Such  violation  shall  be  punishable  as a
misdemeanor.
2. (a) Every motor vehicle except a motorcycle, driven upon  a  public
highway  during  the  period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half
hour before sunrise or at any other time when windshield wipers  are  in
use,  as  a  result  of  rain,  sleet,  snow,  hail or other unfavorable
atmospheric condition, and at such  other  times  as  visibility  for  a
distance  of one thousand feet ahead of such motor vehicle is not clear,
shall display:
1. at least two lighted head lamps on the front,  one  on  each  side,
having light sources of equal power;
2. if manufactured prior to January first, nineteen hundred fifty-two,
at  least  one  lighted lamp on the rear which shall display a red light
visible from the rear for a distance of at least five hundred feet;
3. if  manufactured  on  or  after  January  first,  nineteen  hundred
fifty-two,  at  least  two  lighted lamps on the rear, one on each side,
which lamps shall display a red  light  visible  from  the  rear  for  a
distance of at least one thousand feet; and
4.  if  required  to display a number plate on the rear, a white light
which shall illuminate the numerals on such plate in such manner  as  to
render  such numerals legible for at least fifty feet from the rear. The
provisions of this subparagraph shall also apply to trailers.
(b) All lamps used on a motor vehicle except a motorcycle shall be  so
arranged,  adjusted and operated, as to avoid dangerous glare or dazzle.
Except as provided in paragraph  (d)  of  this  subdivision,  the  upper
outline  of  any  beam  of  dazzling  light projected to the left of the
longitudinal axis of the vehicle by the lowermost light distribution  of
a  headlamp  designed to produce more than one light distribution, or by
the single light distribution of any other lamp used  on  such  a  motor
vehicle,  shall  not  rise  higher than the lamp center at a distance of
twenty-five feet nor higher than  forty-two  inches  at  a  distance  of
seventy-five  feet.  In  each  case,  the  height  of  the beam shall be
measured from the plane upon which the vehicle stands and  the  distance
shall be measured from the lamp projecting the light.
(c)  No  lamp  shall  be used on a motor vehicle having a light source
greater than thirty-two candle power, unless such lamp  is  approved  by
the  commissioner  as  provided  by this section. The provisions of this
paragraph shall not  apply  to  any  light  which  is  permitted  to  be
displayed only on an authorized emergency vehicle, a hazard vehicle or a
vehicle  which is permitted to display a blue or green light pursuant to
paragraphs four and five of subdivision forty-one of this section.
(d) A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, equipped with any device
such as, but not limited to, a snow plow blade, which blocks or  impairs
the  projection  of  light  from the headlamps of such vehicle, shall be
equipped with at least two  additional  headlamps  on  the  front  which
headlamps  meet  all  the requirements of this subdivision for headlamps
except  those  provisions  of  paragraph   (b)   of   this   subdivision
specifically limiting the height of the beam of any headlamp.
3. Headlamps required pursuant to the provisions of subdivision two of
this  section  may be of the multiple beam type designed to produce more
than one distribution of light or of the single beam  type  designed  to
produce only one distribution of light.
Provided  that,  whenever  a  vehicle approaching from ahead is within
five hundred feet, or when approaching a moving vehicle  from  the  rear
and  within  two  hundred  feet  of  the  same, the headlamps, if of the
multiple beam type, or the auxiliary front facing lamps, if the  vehicle
is  so  equipped,  shall  be  operated  so  that dazzling light does not
interfere with the driver of the approaching  vehicle,  or  the  vehicle
being  approached,  and,  whenever  the highway is so lighted or traffic
thereon is such that illumination of  the  highway  for  more  than  two
hundred  feet  ahead  of  the  vehicle  by  lights  on  such  vehicle is
unnecessary or impracticable, the headlamps, if  of  the  multiple  beam
type,  or  the  auxiliary  front  facing  lamps,  if  the  vehicle is so
equipped, shall be operated with the lowermost distribution of light  in
use. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall be construed to prevent
the use of flashing high beams to signify an intention to pass a vehicle
or  vehicles  when  two  or  more  vehicles  are  traveling  in the same

direction, the operation of any headlamp as defined in  paragraph  d  of
subdivision  two  of  this  section, nor shall it apply to any auxiliary
front facing lamp permitted  to  be  displayed  only  on  an  authorized
emergency vehicle.
4.  No  headlamp  shall  be  used  upon  any  motor  vehicle  except a
motorcycle operated upon the public highways of this state, unless  such
lamp is approved by the commissioner or is equipped with a lens or other
device  approved by the commissioner. Every such headlamp, lens or other
device shall be applied and adjusted in accordance with the requirements
of the certificate approving the use thereof. Every such headlamp  shall
be  firmly and substantially mounted on the motor vehicle in such manner
as to allow the lamp to be properly and readily adjusted.  The  operator
of  every  motor vehicle shall permit any police officer or other person
exercising police powers to inspect the equipment of such motor vehicle,
and make such tests  as  may  be  necessary  to  determine  whether  the
provisions of this section are being complied with.
Any  certificate  of  approval  heretofore  issued pursuant to law, or
hereafter issued by the commissioner may be revoked by the commissioner,
after a hearing of which the person or corporation named therein, or his
or its successor in interest, shall have been  given  reasonable  notice
and  an  opportunity  to  appear  and  be heard upon the ground that the
device does not comply with the provisions  of  this  section,  and  the
rules  and  regulations  of  the  commissioner  and  the decision of the
commissioner revoking such certificate shall be final; such  revocation,
however,  of a lens or other headlighting device heretofore or hereafter
approved shall not take effect until six months after  the  decision  of
the  commissioner  revoking  the  same  and shall apply only to vehicles
manufactured and used thereafter on the highways of this state.
The foregoing provisions governing lights on  motor  vehicles  do  not
apply  to so-called dimmers the use of which is permitted or required by
local ordinances.
The commissioner may make  such  rules  and  regulations  relative  to
lights  on  motor  vehicles  and  the  approval  of  the same as are not
inconsistent with the specific provisions of this section.
7.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm,  association  or
corporation  to  sell  or  offer  for sale a headlighting device without
delivering therewith to the purchaser a printed  sheet  of  instructions
describing the device in detail, its method of mounting, arrangement and
adjustment  and  specifying  the  candle  power  of the lamps to be used
thereon and any other matter that may be necessary to insure  compliance
in  the  use  of such device with the provisions of this article and the
certificate of approval. Such  instructions  shall  be  printed  with  a
photogravure  of  the  pattern  of  light  from one headlight shown on a
regulation testing screen with respect to a horizontal cross line placed
across the face of such screen at a height equal to the  height  of  the
center  of such headlight, and with the headlight adjusted in accordance
with the rules and regulations  of  the  commissioner.  The  sale  of  a
headlighting device not approved under the provisions of this section is
prohibited.  A  violation  of  any of the provisions of this subdivision
shall be a misdemeanor.
9. Every omnibus operating upon  the  public  highways  of  the  state
having  a carrying capacity of ten or more passengers, shall be equipped
with one  hand  fire  extinguisher  of  at  least  4  B:C  Underwriters'
Laboratories  rating  or a similar rating by any qualified laboratory or
testing organization which meets the criteria of  American  Society  for
Testing Materials test E548-76. Fire extinguishers shall be kept in good
operating  condition at all times and must be mounted in a place readily
accessible for use.
10. a. Every motor vehicle, when driven  or  operated  upon  a  public
highway,  shall  be equipped with a mirror or other reflecting device so
adjusted that the operator of such vehicle shall have a clear  and  full
view of the road and condition of traffic behind such vehicle.
b. In addition to the above requirements, an omnibus having a capacity
of  ten  or more passengers registered in this state and manufactured or
assembled after July first, nineteen hundred seventy, shall be  equipped
with a mirror attached to the right side of such vehicle and so adjusted
that the driver thereof shall have a clear and full view of the road and
condition of traffic behind such vehicle.
c.  Every  passenger  motor  vehicle  registered  in  this  state  and
manufactured  or  assembled  after  June  thirtieth,  nineteen   hundred
sixty-nine,  and  designated as a nineteen hundred seventy or subsequent
year model, shall be equipped with adjustable interior  mirrors  meeting
specifications  established by the commissioner which specifications may
provide minimum and maximum reflectance values.
d. Every  new  passenger-type  motor  vehicle,  except  a  motorcycle,
manufactured  for  sale  in New York state on or after January first, in
the year next succeeding the effective date of this paragraph  shall  be
manufactured with an interior rear-view mirror of the selective position
prismatic type with a reflectance value in the night driving position of
at  least  four  percent;  or its functional equivalent. For purposes of
this section,  "passenger-type  motor  vehicle"  shall  mean  any  motor
vehicle  with  a  seating  capacity of not more than fifteen adults, not
including the driver, that is equipped with one or  more  rear  windows.
Any  violation  of  the provisions of this paragraph by any manufacturer
shall constitute an offense and shall be punishable by a civil  fine  of
not more than seven hundred fifty dollars for each offense.
e.  Every single-unit motor vehicle registered in this state, operated
for commercial purposes and having a  cube  style  or  enclosed  walk-in
delivery  bay,  where  such  delivery bay has a length of eight feet six
inches or more, but not exceeding a length of eighteen  feet,  shall  be
equipped  with  a  cross-view  back-up mirror system, rear video system,
rear object detection system , or other device, which enables the driver
of the vehicle to detect by means of a visual,  or  visual  and  audible
warning-indicator,  persons  and  objects  located  directly  behind the
vehicle. The commissioner is hereby authorized to promulgate regulations
providing specifications for mirrors or other  devices  as  required  by
this paragraph.
f.  Every  sani-van and motor vehicle commonly classified as a garbage
truck purchased on or  after  January  first,  two  thousand  eight  and
registered  in  this  state,  which  is  operated  in and engages in the
collection of garbage or refuse in the county of  Westchester  shall  be
equipped  with  a  rear  video  system, rear object detection system, or
other device which enables the driver of the vehicle to detect by  means
of  a  visual,  or  visual  and  audible  warning-indicator, persons and
objects located directly behind the vehicle. The commissioner is  hereby
authorized   to  promulgate  regulations  providing  specifications  for
mirrors or other  devices  as  required  by  this  paragraph.  Provided,
however,  that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to motor
vehicles commonly classified as rolloff vehicles that are used  for  the
express  purpose  of transporting waste containers such as open boxes or
compactors.
10-a.  It  shall  be  unlawful  after  July  first,  nineteen  hundred
sixty-seven  to  operate  on  any public highway in this state any motor
vehicle registered in this state, manufactured or assembled on or  after
such  date,  and  designated  as a nineteen hundred sixty-eight or later
model, unless such vehicle is equipped  with  an  adjustable  side  view

mirror  which  shall  be affixed to the left outside of such vehicle and
which shall be adjustable so that the operator of such vehicle may  have
a  clear  view of the road and condition of traffic on the left side and
to the rear of such vehicle.
10-b.  It  shall  be  unlawful  after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred
seventy-three to operate on any public highway or street in this  state,
any  passenger  type  motor  vehicle  except  convertible,  suburban and
omnibus or other motor vehicle that has a roll-down  rear  window  or  a
rear  window  or windows located in a movable closure (door-like) member
registered in this state, manufactured or assembled after said date, and
designated as a nineteen hundred seventy-four or subsequent model unless
such vehicle be equipped with a rear window defogger or defroster, which
shall be so located and  adjusted  that  its  operation  will  give  the
operator  of  such  vehicle,  by means of the mirror or other reflecting
device required by subdivision ten of this section, a view of  the  road
and the condition of traffic behind such vehicle.
10-c.  It  shall  be  unlawful  after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred
eighty-five to operate on any public highway or street  in  this  state,
any  passenger  type  motor  vehicle  that  has a rear window or windows
located  in  a  movable  closure  (door-like)  member,  except   for   a
multipurpose  passenger  vehicle  (designed to carry ten persons or less
and constructed either on a truck chassis or with special  features  for
occasional off-road operation) registered in this state and manufactured
or  assembled  after  said  date,  and  designated as a nineteen hundred
eighty-six or subsequent model unless such vehicle be  equipped  with  a
rear  window  defogger  or  defroster,  which  shall  be  so located and
adjusted that its operation will give the operator of such  vehicle,  by
means  of  the mirror or other reflecting device required by subdivision
ten of this section, a view of the road and  the  condition  of  traffic
behind such vehicle.
10-d.  It  shall  be  unlawful  after  December thirty-first, nineteen
hundred ninety-two to operate on any public highway or  street  in  this
state,  any  passenger type motor vehicle that has a rear window located
in  a  single  movable  closure  (door-like)  member  and  which  has  a
non-removeable  top,  registered  in  this  state  and  manufactured  or
assembled  after  said  date,  and  designated  as  a  nineteen  hundred
ninety-three  or subsequent model unless such vehicle be equipped with a
rear window defogger  or  defroster,  which  shall  be  so  located  and
adjusted  that  its operation will give the operator of such vehicle, by
means of the mirror or other reflecting device required  by  subdivision
ten  of  this  section,  a view of the road and the condition of traffic
behind such vehicle.
* 10-e. Every  truck,  tractor,  and  tractor-trailer  or  semitrailer
combination  registered  in  this  state  having  a gross vehicle weight
rating of twenty-six thousand pounds or more,  and  a  conventional  cab
configuration in which more than half of the engine length is forward of
the  foremost point of the windshield base and the steering wheel hub is
in the forward quarter of the vehicle length, whenever operated within a
city having a population of one million or more on highways  other  than
controlled-access  highways,  shall  be equipped with a convex mirror on
the front of such vehicle or combination of vehicles. When such  vehicle
or  combination  of  vehicles  is  being  operated, such mirror shall be
adjusted so as to enable the operator thereof to see all  points  on  an
imaginary  horizontal  line which: (a) is three feet above the road, (b)
is one foot directly forward from the midpoint  of  the  front  of  such
motor  vehicle,  and  (c)  extends  the  full width of the front of such
vehicle or combination of vehicles. Provided, however, the commissioner,
in consultation with the commissioner of transportation, may  promulgate

rules   and   regulations   exempting  from  the  requirements  of  this
subdivision  any  vehicle  or  combination  of   vehicles   where   such
commissioner  has  determined  that the use of such convex mirrors would
not  increase  the  visibility of persons or objects located directly in
front of such vehicle or combination of vehicles.
* NB Repealed upon conditions set forth in chapter 138 of 2011 § 2
11. It  shall  be  unlawful  after  January  first,  nineteen  hundred
thirty-four to operate on any public highway or street, in this state, a
motor  vehicle  manufactured  or  assembled after said date, designed or
used for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire,  or  as  a  public
conveyance  to transport school children and others, unless such vehicle
be equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used in  doors,  windows
and windshields.
12. It shall be unlawful to operate on any public highway or street in
this  state  any  motor vehicle registered in New York state unless such
vehicle be equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used  in  doors,
windows  and  windshields.  For  the  purposes  of this subdivision, any
device other than a trailer, which is attached  to  or  carried  upon  a
motor vehicle and which lawfully can be occupied while the motor vehicle
is in motion, shall be considered a part of such motor vehicle.
12-a.  (a)  Every  motor  vehicle, except a motorcycle, when driven or
operated upon a public highway, road or street shall be equipped with  a
front   windshield  in  a  fixed  and  more  or  less  upright  position
constructed of safety glass as defined in subdivision fourteen  of  this
section and required by subdivisions eleven and twelve hereof. No person
shall  drive  any  motor  vehicle  with any sign or other nontransparent
material other than a certificate or paper required to be  displayed  by
law upon the front windshield or the sidewings or side windows on either
side forward of or adjacent to the operator's seat.
(b) No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public highway,
road or street:
(1)  the  front  windshield  of  which  is  composed of, covered by or
treated with any material which has a light transmittance of  less  than
seventy  percent  unless such materials are limited to the uppermost six
inches of the windshield; or
(2) the sidewings or side windows of which on either side  forward  of
or  adjacent  to  the  operator's  seat  are  composed of, covered by or
treated with any material which has a light transmittance of  less  than
seventy percent; or
(3)  if  it  is  classified as a station wagon, sedan, hardtop, coupe,
hatchback  or  convertible  and  any  rear  side  window  has  a   light
transmittance of less than seventy percent; or
(4)  the  rear  window  of which is composed of, covered by or treated
with any material which has a light transmittance of less  than  seventy
percent.  A  rear  window  may  have  a light transmittance of less than
seventy percent if the vehicle is equipped with  side  mirrors  on  both
sides  of  the  vehicle so adjusted that the driver thereof shall have a
clear and full view of the road and condition  of  traffic  behind  such
vehicle.
(c)  Any  person  required for medical reasons to be shielded from the
direct rays of the sun and/or  any  person  operating  a  motor  vehicle
belonging  to  such  person  or  in  which  such  person  is an habitual
passenger shall be exempt from the provisions of subparagraphs  one  and
two  of  paragraph (b) of this subdivision provided the commissioner has
granted an exemption and notice of such  exemption  is  affixed  to  the
vehicle  as  directed  by  the  commissioner.  The  applicant  for  such
exemption must provide a physician's statement with the reason  for  the
exemption,  the  name  of  the  individual  with  a  medically necessary

condition  operating  or  transported  in  the  vehicle,  the   specific
condition   involved,  and  the  minimum  level  of  light  transmission
required. The commissioner shall only  authorize  exemptions  where  the
medical  condition  certified by the physician is contained on a list of
medical conditions prepared by the commissioner of  health  pursuant  to
subdivision sixteen of section two hundred six of the public health law.
If  such such exemption is granted, the commissioner shall make a record
thereof and shall distribute a sufficiently noticeable  sticker  to  the
applicant  to  be attached to any window so shielded or altered pursuant
to such exemption.
(d) The commissioner may test any window for a  person  who  has  been
charged  with  violating this subdivision. If such window is found to be
in conformity with this subdivision, a  small  label  attesting  to  the
conformity shall be affixed to the window tested.
(e) On and after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-two, no person
shall  manufacture,  sell,  offer  for  sale,  equip  or operate a motor
vehicle  in  this  state  in  violation  of  the  provisions   of   this
subdivision,  except  that  a  person  may  operate  a  nineteen hundred
ninety-one  or  earlier  model  year  vehicle  without  violating   this
subdivision  if the windows on said vehicle were in conformity with this
subdivision as it existed on  December  thirty-first,  nineteen  hundred
ninety-one.
(f) The commissioner shall make such rules and regulations as he shall
deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this subdivision.
(ff)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other
general, special or local law, charter, administrative code,  ordinance,
rule or regulation to the contrary, any person operating a motor vehicle
in a burial or funeral procession while travelling to or from a funeral,
interment or cremation may place a funeral sign no larger than eight and
one  half  by  fourteen inches in any window of such vehicle, as long as
such sign when so placed will not prevent  such  person  from  having  a
clear and full view of the road and the condition of traffic behind such
vehicle.
13.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person, firm or corporation to
replace glass in doors, windows, or windshields of motor vehicles unless
such replacement be made with safety glass.
14. The term "safety glass" as used in this section shall be construed
to mean any product composed of glass, so  manufactured,  fabricated  or
treated  as  substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the glass
when struck or broken, or such  other  or  similar  product  as  may  be
approved by the commissioner.
15.  The commissioner of motor vehicles shall maintain a list of types
of glass approved  by  him  as  conforming  to  the  specifications  and
requirements  for  safety  glass as set forth in this section, and shall
not issue a license for or relicense any motor vehicle  subject  to  the
provisions  of  subdivisions eleven and twelve unless such motor vehicle
be equipped as therein provided with such approved type of glass.
16. The owner and operator of any motor vehicle operated in  violation
of the provisions of subdivisions eleven and twelve shall be guilty of a
traffic infraction. In case of the violation of such subdivisions by any
common  carrier  or person operating under a permit issued by the public
service commission (or other authorized body  or  person),  said  permit
shall  be  revoked, or, in the discretion of the commissioner, suspended
until the provisions of such subdivisions  are  satisfactorily  complied
with.
17.  Every  omnibus  having  a  seating  capacity  of  more  than  ten
passengers, every truck having a  maximum  gross  weight  in  excess  of
twelve  thousand  pounds  and  every  combination of tractor and trailer

operated upon a public highway shall carry emergency lighting  equipment
ready  at  all  times for immediate use. The equipment of the vehicle or
combination of vehicles may consist  of  flares  of  the  type  used  by
railroads,   flaring   candles,   torches,  lanterns  or  red  emergency
reflectors provided it is adequate to provide a  warning  light  in  all
kinds  of weather both in front of and in the rear of the vehicle for at
least eight hours. No red emergency reflector shall be  deemed  adequate
within  the  meaning of this subdivision unless it is of a size and type
approved by the commissioner, and  conforms  to  minimum  specifications
established  by  him,  which  minimum shall not be less than the minimum
established by the interstate commerce commission for buses  and  trucks
in  interstate  commerce.  When  any  such  vehicle  or a combination of
vehicles, except an omnibus which stops for the purpose of taking on  or
discharging  passengers,  is parked or left standing on a public highway
except within a city or incorporated village,  during  the  period  from
one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, the operator
of  such  vehicle  or  combination  of vehicles shall cause at least one
light, or reflector or lighted flare to be  placed  on  the  highway  in
front  of  such  vehicle  or  combination  of vehicles, and at least one
light, reflector or lighted flare on the highway in  the  rear  of  such
vehicle  or  combination  of vehicles at a distance of approximately one
hundred feet in the front  of  and  at  the  rear  of  such  vehicle  or
combination of vehicles, provided that if such vehicle is parked or left
standing  within  three hundred feet of a curve, crest of hill, or other
obstruction, the flare, candle, torch, lantern,  or  reflector  in  that
direction shall be so placed as to afford ample warning to other highway
users  but  in  no case less than approximately one hundred feet or more
than approximately three hundred feet from the stopped vehicle.
18. Except as otherwise provided  herein,  it  shall  be  unlawful  to
operate on any public highway or street in this state any motor vehicle,
or combination of motor vehicle and trailer, so constructed or so loaded
that the driver thereof is unable to indicate clearly by hand signals to
approaching  and following traffic his intention of stopping or turning,
unless such motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall  be  equipped
with   directional  signals  approved  by  the  commissioner,  provided,
however, it shall be unlawful  after  January  first,  nineteen  hundred
fifty-two  to  operate on any public highway or street in this state any
motor vehicle registered in this state, manufactured or assembled  after
said  date  unless  such  vehicle  be  equipped with directional signals
approved by the commissioner. It shall also be unlawful to fail to cause
such signals to be maintained, at  all  times  in  good  and  sufficient
working  order.  The  provisions  of this subdivision shall not apply to
special purpose commercial motor vehicles registered under schedule F of
subdivision seven of section four hundred one of this chapter  or  to  a
vehicle  or combination of vehicles lawfully operated under registration
issued, under section four hundred fifteen of this chapter  or  under  a
similar provision of the law of another jurisdiction.
18-a.  Any  motor vehicle may be equipped with and every motor vehicle
registered in this  state  and  manufactured  or  assembled  after  June
thirtieth,  nineteen  hundred  sixty-five,  and designated as a nineteen
hundred sixty-six or subsequent year model, shall  be  equipped  with  a
device, approved by the commissioner, by means of which the operator may
cause   the  two  front  and  two  rear  directional  signals  to  flash
simultaneously 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.  The
provisions  of  this  subdivision  requiring that certain motor vehicles
shall be so equipped shall not apply to special purpose commercial motor

vehicles registered under schedule F of  subdivision  seven  of  section
four  hundred  one  or  to a vehicle or combination of vehicles lawfully
operated under registration issued under section four hundred fifteen.
19.  It  shall  be  unlawful for the owner to operate, park or stand a
motor vehicle or trailer on any public highway or street in this  state,
or  to authorize another to so operate, park or stand a motor vehicle or
trailer, with the consent of such owner, expressed  or  implied,  unless
such  motor  vehicle  or  trailer be equipped and lighted as provided by
this  section  and  by  section  three  hundred  seventy-six,  and   the
operation,  parking  or  standing  on a public highway or street in this
state of a motor vehicle or trailer which is not so equipped and lighted
or which is defectively equipped and lighted is hereby prohibited.
20. Every omnibus  having  a  seating  capacity  of  more  than  seven
passengers,  used  exclusively  to  transport pupils, teachers and other
persons acting in a supervisory capacity to and from  school  or  school
activities,  or  to  transport  children,  instructors  or other persons
acting in  a  supervisory  capacity  to  and  from  child  care  centers
maintained for migrant farm and food processing laborers or to transport
children,  instructors or other persons acting in a supervisory capacity
to  and  from  camp  or  camp  activities,  or  to  transport  children,
instructors  or  other  persons  acting in a supervisory capacity to and
from religious services or instruction shall be equipped in  the  manner
provided  by  this  subdivision  and  any such omnibus used by any state
facility or not-for-profit agency licensed by  the  state  and  used  to
transport persons with disabilities, instructors or other persons acting
in a supervisory capacity may be equipped in the manner provided by this
subdivision:
(a)  For  each  such  omnibus  having  a seating capacity in excess of
fifteen  children,  there  shall  be  colored  flashing   signal   lamps
conforming  to  regulations  prescribed by the commissioner on the front
and on the rear thereof, including at least one flashing red signal lamp
on the front thereof and at least one flashing red signal  lamp  on  the
rear  thereof.    For each such omnibus having a seating capacity of not
more than fifteen children, there shall be colored flashing signal lamps
conforming to regulations prescribed  by  the  commissioner  facing  the
front  and facing the rear thereof, and at least one flashing red signal
lamp facing the front thereof and at least one flashing red signal  lamp
facing  the  rear  thereof.  The driver of every such vehicle shall keep
such red signal lamps lighted whenever passengers are being received  or
discharged or whenever he has stopped within fifty feet to the rear of a
vehicle  with  such  red signal lamps lighted, and shall light all other
required signal lamps, as a warning, prior to  stopping  to  receive  or
discharge  passengers  in  accordance with regulations prescribed by the
commissioner.
(b) (1)  In  addition  to  such  signal  lamps,  two  signs  shall  be
conspicuously   displayed   on   the  exterior  of  every  such  omnibus
designating it as a school omnibus by the use of the words "SCHOOL  BUS"
which  shall be painted or otherwise inscribed thereon in black letters.
Such letters shall be of uniform size, at least eight inches in  height,
and each stroke of each letter shall be not less than one inch in width.
The  background  of  each  such sign shall be painted the color known as
"national school bus chrome." For each such  omnibus  having  a  seating
capacity  in  excess  of  fifteen children, such signs shall be securely
mounted on top of such vehicle, one of which shall  be  affixed  on  the
front  and  one  on  the  rear  thereof.  For each such omnibus having a
seating capacity of not more than fifteen children, such signs shall  be
securely  mounted  on  top  of such vehicle, one of which shall face the

front and one of which shall face the rear thereof. Each such sign shall
be visible and readable from a point at least two hundred feet distant.
(2)  The universal handicapped symbol shall be conspicuously displayed
on the exterior of every omnibus equipped with a wheelchair  lift  which
transports children with disabilities. The commissioner shall promulgate
regulations   regarding   the   size  and  location  of  such  universal
handicapped symbol. The commissioner shall require that any new  signage
relating  to  accessibility  installed  or  replaced  on  or  after  the
effective date of the chapter of the laws of two thousand fourteen which
amended this subparagraph depict the logo promulgated by  the  secretary
of state pursuant to section one hundred one of the executive law.
(c)  In  the event such vehicle is operated on a public highway during
the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half  hour  before
sunrise,  the  signs required by paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall
be illuminated as to be visible from a point at least five hundred  feet
distant.
(d) Every such omnibus shall be equipped as provided in paragraphs (a)
and  (b)  of  this  subdivision,  and  such signs shall be displayed and
illuminated  in  accordance  with  paragraphs  (b)  and  (c)   of   this
subdivision,  and  such  signal  lamps  shall be operated as provided in
paragraph (a) of this subdivision at all times when such  omnibus  shall
be  engaged  in  transporting  pupils  to  and  from  school  or  school
activities or in transporting children to and from  child  care  centers
maintained for children of migrant farm and food processing laborers, or
in  transporting  children  to  and  from  camp  or  camp  activities or
transporting children to and from religious services or  instruction  or
transporting  persons  with disabilities on any such omnibus used by any
state facility or not-for-profit agency licensed by the state.
(e) Every such omnibus, having its engine located ahead of the driver,
with a seating capacity of more than twelve  school  children  shall  be
equipped  with  a  mirror,  convex  in  shape,  at least eight inches in
diameter, firmly mounted at hood, windshield  or  fender-top  height  in
front  of  the bus. It shall be located on either the left or right side
of the bus in such manner that the seated driver may observe through its
use the road from the front bumper forward to  the  point  where  direct
observation is possible.
(f)  The  commissioner  of  motor  vehicles  is  hereby authorized and
empowered to adopt and, from time to time, to  amend  such  regulations,
not  inconsistent  with  this  subdivision, governing the color, number,
size, type, construction and use of such signal lamps and signs,  as  he
may  deem necessary for public safety. On and after July first, nineteen
hundred fifty-one, no such signal lamp or sign shall be deemed to comply
with the requirements of this subdivision unless it is  of  a  size  and
type  approved  by  the  commissioner and unless it shall conform to the
specifications prescribed and promulgated by him.
(g) In the event, however, that such an omnibus,  equipped  as  herein
provided,  shall  cease  to  be  used  to transport pupils or pupils and
teachers or children of migrant laborers and migrant child  care  center
instructors,  or  children and camp instructors, the equipment, markings
and paint, herein provided for, shall  be  removed  and  changed  within
fifteen  days  after  relicense.  Nothing  contained  in  this  section,
however,  shall  be  deemed  to  waive  any  other  requirements  as  to
equipment, markings and paint, contained in this chapter.
(h)  All the provisions of this chapter relating to school buses shall
apply with equal force and effect to buses used in transporting children
and instructors to and from child care centers maintained  for  children
of  migrant  farm  and  food  processing  laborers  and to buses used in
transporting children to and from camp or camp activities and  to  buses

used  in  transporting  children  to  and  from  religious  services  or
instruction. As used in this subdivision, camp or camp activities  shall
mean day camp or day camp activities respectively.
(i)  Every omnibus subject to the provisions of this subdivision shall
be operated with headlights and taillights illuminated at all  times  of
day or night.
(j)   The  commissioner  of  transportation,  in  his  discretion,  by
regulation or upon written request,  by  departmental  order,  for  good
cause,  may  exempt  any  school  bus that does not receive or discharge
passengers on or along the public highways on regularly scheduled routes
from the requirements of any or all paragraphs  of  subdivisions  twenty
and twenty-one of this section.
(k)  All  omnibuses  manufactured  or  assembled prior to April first,
nineteen  hundred  seventy-seven  and  all  omnibuses  manufactured   or
assembled after April first, nineteen hundred seventy-seven which do not
meet federal standards for school bus safety, shall be phased out of use
beginning   with   the  nineteen  hundred  ninety-six--nineteen  hundred
ninety-seven  school  year  and  ending  with   the   nineteen   hundred
ninety-seven--nineteen hundred ninety-eight school year. In each of such
school  years, at least one-half of such omnibuses shall be retired from
use  according  to  the  following  formula:  in  the  nineteen  hundred
ninety-six--nineteen  hundred  ninety-seven  school  year,  the  minimum
number of such omnibuses to be phased out of each owner/operator's fleet
shall be the total number of such omnibuses divided by two  and  rounded
upwards  to the nearest whole number. All such omnibuses remaining shall
be phased out in the  nineteen  hundred  ninety-seven--nineteen  hundred
ninety-eight school year.
Notwithstanding   the  foregoing  provisions  of  this  paragraph  the
commissioner of education may make exceptions on a case by case basis if
a school district certifies to the  commissioner  of  education  that  a
certain  omnibus  should  not be retired for reason of economic hardship
and the commissioner of transportation determines upon  inspection  that
such  omnibus is in good working order. In making his determination, the
commissioner of transportation  shall  consider,  among  other  relevant
factors,  the relative age and structure of each such omnibus. When such
determination  is  made,  every  such  omnibus  so  certified  shall  be
reinspected by the commissioner of transportation once every six months.
Any  school  district receiving an exemption from the provisions of this
paragraph for any omnibus shall provide to the commissioner of education
an annual recertification of economic hardship.
(l)(1) Every such omnibus used on a regular basis to transport  pupils
with a disability on a regularly scheduled route shall, with the written
consent  of  the  parent,  guardian,  or  person  in  a position of loco
parentis, have maintained on  such  omnibus  the  following  information
about each such pupil:
(i) name;
(ii) nature of the disability; and
(iii)  the  name  of  such  pupil's  parent,  guardian, or person in a
position of loco parentis and one or more telephone numbers  where  such
person  can  be  reached  in an emergency, and/or the name and telephone
number of any other person designated by such parent, guardian or person
in a position of loco parentis as a person who can be  contacted  in  an
emergency.
(2)  Such  information  shall  be  used  solely  for  the  purpose  of
contacting such pupil's parent, guardian, person in a position  of  loco
parentis, or designee in the event of an emergency involving such pupil,
shall  be  kept  in a manner which retains the privacy of the pupil, and
shall not be accessible to any person other than the driver or a teacher

acting in a supervisory capacity. Provided, however, that in  the  event
that  such  driver  or teacher is incapacitated, such information may be
accessed by any emergency services provider for the  purpose  authorized
by this subparagraph.
(3)  Such  information  shall  be updated as needed, but at least once
each school year. Such  information  shall  be  destroyed  if:  parental
consent  is  revoked;  the  pupil no longer attends such school; or, the
disability no longer exists.
(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, the  term  "disability"  shall
mean  a  physical  or mental impairment that substantially limits one or
more of the major life activities of a pupil, whether of a temporary  or
permanent nature.
21.  Every  motor vehicle having a seating capacity of more than seven
passengers, and  used  primarily  to  transport  pupils  or  pupils  and
teachers  to  and  from  school,  shall  be  painted  the color known as
"national school bus chrome."
In the event, however, such a motor vehicle so painted shall cease  to
be  used  to transport pupils or pupils and teachers, the color of paint
herein provided for, shall be changed to another color,  within  fifteen
days of relicense.
21-a.  In  any  case  where  a New York state police or New York city,
Albany,  Buffalo,  Rochester,  Syracuse  or  Yonkers  police  department
vehicle  is  painted a distinctive color which would designate it in the
public's view as such a state or city police vehicle, the  purchaser  of
such  vehicle  shall  cause  the color of its paint to be altered within
fifteen days of registration.
21-b. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations for  the
use of two-way radios on school buses.
21-c.  The  commissioner,  in  consultation  with  the commissioner of
transportation, shall promulgate rules and regulations for  the  use  of
stop-arms  on  school  buses which shall include provisions for a second
stop-arm to be located on the driver's side as close as is practical  to
the rear corner of the bus. Every school bus designed with a capacity of
forty-five persons or more, and manufactured for use in this state on or
after  January  first,  two thousand two shall be equipped with a second
stop-arm in compliance with such regulations.
21-d. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations for  the
use of back up beepers on school buses.
21-e.  The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations for the
use of front crossing arms on school buses.
21-f. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations for  the
use of safety sensor devices on school buses.
21-g.  Every school bus manufactured for use in this state after April
first, nineteen hundred ninety, shall be equipped with back-up beepers.
* 21-h. It shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle  having  a  seating
capacity  of more than seven passengers, and used primarily to transport
pupils or pupils and teachers to and from school to be mounted with,  or
have  placed  or  installed  thereon  any sign, placard or other display
except as provided by law. Provided, however,  that  the  provisions  of
this  subdivision  shall not apply to such motor vehicles operating in a
city with a population of one million or more.
* NB There are 2 sub. 21-h's
* 21-h. (a) Every school bus manufactured for use in this state on  or
after  April  first,  two  thousand,  shall  be  equipped  with exterior
reflective  markings  which  comply  with  the  rules  and   regulations
promulgated  by  the  commissioner  pursuant  to  paragraph  (c) of this
subdivision.
(b) Every school bus used to transport ten or more passengers in  this
state  on  or after September first, two thousand two, shall be equipped
with exterior reflective  markings  which  comply  with  the  rules  and
regulations promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (c) of
this subdivision.
(c)  The  commissioner  shall  promulgate  rules  and  regulations for
exterior reflective markings required to be attached  on  school  buses.
Such rules and regulations:
(1)  shall  require  the  rear  of  school  buses  to  be  marked with
reflective material to outline the perimeter of the back of the bus  and
of the rear emergency exit;
(2)  shall  require the horizontal application of strips of reflective
material, not less than one and three-quarters inches  wide,  above  the
rear  windows,  and  above  the  rear  bumper from the edges of the rear
emergency exit door to both corners of  the  school  bus  with  vertical
strips of reflective material at each corner connected to the horizontal
strips;
(3)  shall  require the horizontal application of strips of reflective
material, not less than one and three-quarters inches wide,  the  entire
length  of  the  sides  of  the  school bus body and located equidistant
between the floorline and the beltline of the bus; and
(4) may require the marking of the front,  rear  or  both  bumpers  of
school buses with reflective material between one and three-quarters and
two  and  one-quarter inches wide applied thereto at a forty-five degree
angle to the center line of the road surface.
* NB There are 2 sub. 21-h's
21-i. (a) (1) Every school bus manufactured on or after January first,
nineteen hundred ninety, fueled with other than diesel fuel and used  to
transport  three or more students who use wheelchairs or other assistive
mobility devices or with a total capacity of more than eight  passengers
and  used  to  transport students who use wheelchairs or other assistive
mobility devices shall be  equipped  with  an  engine  fire  suppression
system.
(2)  Every  school  bus manufactured for use in this state on or after
September first, two thousand seven fueled with diesel fuel and used  to
transport  three or more students who use wheelchairs or other assistive
mobility devices or with a total capacity of more than eight  passengers
and  used  to  transport students who use wheelchairs or other assistive
mobility devices shall be  equipped  with  an  engine  fire  suppression
system.
(b)  The  commissioner  of  the  department  of  transportation  shall
promulgate rules and regulations establishing standards for the  use  of
engine  fire  suppression  systems  on  school  buses  used to transport
students who use wheelchairs or other assistive mobility devices.
* 21-j. (a) Every school bus which is owned and operated by  a  school
district or which is privately owned and operated for compensation under
contract  with  such  district  may  be equipped with signs, placards or
other displays giving notice to approaching motor vehicle operators that
school bus photo violation monitoring systems are in use, provided  that
such  school  district  has  entered  an  agreement  pursuant to section
twenty-two of chapter one hundred forty-five of the laws of two thousand
nineteen with a county, city, town or village which  has  established  a
demonstration  program pursuant to section eleven hundred seventy-four-a
of this chapter imposing monetary liability on the owner  of  a  vehicle
for failure of an operator thereof to comply with section eleven hundred
seventy-four  of  this  chapter.  Such signs, placards or other displays
shall  comply  with  the  rules  and  regulations  promulgated  by   the
commissioner pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subdivision.
(b)  The  commissioner  shall promulgate rules and regulations for the
content, size and placement on school buses of a sign, placard or  other
display,  as  authorized  pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision,
giving notice to approaching motor vehicle  operators  that  school  bus
photo violation monitoring systems are in use.
* NB  Repealed  December 1, 2024 and also upon specific provisions set
forth in chapter 325 of 2021 § 3
22. It shall be unlawful to operate a motor vehicle  upon  the  public
highways  of  this  state  which  is equipped with any glass which is so
broken, fractured or discolored as to distort visibility.
23. Every motor vehicle operated for hire upon the public highways  of
this  state  shall be equipped with handles or other devices which shall
permit the door or doors to the  passenger  compartment  to  be  readily
opened from the interior of the vehicle.
24.  It  shall  be unlawful to operate upon any public highway in this
state a motor vehicle which is equipped with a television receiving  set
within view of the operator or in which a television receiving set is in
operation  within the view of the operator. A motor vehicle shall not be
deemed to be equipped with a television  receiving  set  solely  because
such  set  utilizes  power  from  such  vehicle.  The provisions of this
subdivision shall not prohibit a vehicle with a weight of  ten  thousand
pounds  or  more  or  a  school bus from using closed-circuit television
receiving equipment exclusively for safety and maneuvering purposes,  in
accordance with regulations to be established by the commissioner.
24-a.  It shall be unlawful to operate upon any public highway in this
state a motor vehicle, limited use automobile, limited use motorcycle or
bicycle while the operator is wearing more than one earphone attached to
a radio, tape player or other audio device.
25. (a) On and after  the  first  day  of  January,  nineteen  hundred
seventy-four  it  shall  be unlawful to operate on any public highway or
street in this state any tractor, commercial motor vehicle,  combination
of  a  commercial  motor  vehicle  and  trailer,  or  combination  of  a
truck-tractor and semi-trailer which is not so constructed  or  equipped
as  reasonably  to bar water or other road surface substances from being
thrown by the rearmost wheels beyond the extreme rear of the vehicle  or
combination of vehicles, and to minimize side spray.
(b)  Unless  the  commercial  vehicle  or  combination  vehicle  is so
designed or constructed  to  accomplish  the  objectives  set  forth  in
paragraph   (a)  of  this  subdivision  by  reason  of  fender  or  body
construction or other means of enclosure, any such commercial vehicle or
combination vehicle shall be  equipped,  on  and  after  January  first,
nineteen  hundred  fifty-seven,  with splash guards and stone deflectors
which shall be composed of materials  substantial  enough  to  withstand
ripping  or  tearing  by  ordinary means and withstand the action of the
elements for a reasonable length of time. Such splash guards  and  stone
deflectors  shall  also  have a reasonable degree of flexibility and the
distance from the lower end thereof  to  the  ground  shall  not  exceed
one-third of the distance, measured along the ground, from the bottom of
the splash guard to the point of contact of the rear wheel.
(c)  The  commissioner  of  motor  vehicles  is  hereby authorized and
empowered to make rules and regulations with respect  to  splash  guards
and  stone deflectors, their type and construction, manner of attachment
to vehicles and all other matters requisite for the proper  effectuation
of   the  purposes  of  this  subdivision.  In  making  such  rules  and
regulations the commissioner shall be  guided  by  the  desirability  of
uniformity  in  requirements  with  regard  to  splash  guards and stone
deflectors among the several states.
(d) The provisions of  this  subdivision  shall  not  apply  to  motor
vehicles,  trailers and semi-trailers registered pursuant to subdivision
thirteen of section four hundred one of this chapter, and  not  operated
upon  the  public highways in excess of one and one-half miles by direct
route  between  farms  or  portions  of  farms  under  single  or common
ownership or operation.
26. A gong or siren whistle shall not be used  on  any  vehicle  other
than  an  authorized  emergency  vehicle. This shall not be construed to
apply to a gong or siren designed and used solely as a burglar alarm  on
a vehicle.
27.  When  a  vehicle  (a)  has  a crane, boom or other similar device
attached or (b) is loaded with  any  material,  and  such  crane,  boom,
device or material extends four feet or more beyond the front or rear of
such  vehicle,  such  vehicle shall be provided with a red flag not less
than twenty-four inches square by day and a red light visible  from  the
rear  and  an  amber  light  visible from the front for a distance of at
least five hundred feet by night on the extreme  end  of  the  extending
portion of such crane, boom, device or material.
28.  No  person  shall  operate  upon a public highway a vehicle which
emits unnecessary smoke or unnecessary offensive vapors.
28-a. Except as permitted  or  authorized  by  law,  no  person  shall
remove,  dismantle or otherwise cause to be inoperative any equipment or
feature constituting an operational element of  a  motor  vehicle's  air
pollution  control  system or mechanism required by federal or state law
or by any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
28-b. Except where inconsistent with federal law, every motor  vehicle
registered  in  this  state  and  manufactured  or  assembled after June
thirty, nineteen hundred sixty-three shall be equipped with a  crankcase
ventilating  system  of  a  type  approved  by the state commissioner of
environmental conservation for the purpose of reducing the  emission  of
pollutants  into the atmosphere. Such system shall be maintained in good
working order in continued conformity with standards promulgated by  the
state  commissioner  of  environmental conservation. For the purposes of
this subdivision the term "motor vehicle" shall exclude  diesel  powered
motor  vehicles,  motorcycles,  vehicles  driven  by  electric power and
special purpose commercial motor vehicles registered under  paragraph  F
of subdivision seven of section four hundred one of this chapter.
28-c.   Except   where   inconsistent  with  federal  law,  rules  and
regulations,  every  motor  vehicle  registered  in   this   state   and
manufactured   or   assembled   after   June  thirty,  nineteen  hundred
sixty-seven and known as a nineteen hundred  sixty-eight  or  subsequent
model  shall be equipped with an air contaminant emission control system
of  a  type  approved  by  the  state  commissioner   of   environmental
conservation.  Such systems shall be maintained in good working order in
continued conformity with emission standards promulgated  by  the  state
commissioner  of  environmental  conservation.  For the purposes of this
subdivision, "air contaminant emission control systems" may include, but
shall  not  be  limited  to,  exhaust  control  systems   and   gasoline
evaporation  control  systems  but  shall  exclude crankcase ventilating
systems.
28-d. The state commissioner of environmental conservation may  exempt
or  partially  exempt from the provisions of subdivisions twenty-eight-b
and twenty-eight-c of this section any type or class  of  motor  vehicle
for  which  no  practical  control  systems  have  been developed or are
necessary.
28-e. Standards and exemptions established by the  state  commissioner
of  environmental  conservation pursuant to subdivisions twenty-eight-b,

twenty-eight-c and twenty-eight-d of this section, shall  be  consistent
with applicable federal laws and regulations.
28-f.  (a)  Except  where  inconsistent  with  federal  law, rules and
regulations, in addition to any air contaminant emission control systems
required by  subdivisions  twenty-eight-b  and  twenty-eight-c  of  this
section,   the   commissioner   of  environmental  conservation  may  by
regulation require the installation of exhaust emission control  devices
in  proper  working  condition  on  all  or any vehicles of any class or
classes of gasoline powered motor vehicle having  a  registered  maximum
gross  weight  in  excess  of  six  thousand pounds. The commissioner of
environmental conservation shall  not  promulgate  any  such  regulation
unless  he (i) has determined, with the concurrence of the commissioner,
that any such device is, or devices are, effective  and  reliable,  (ii)
has  determined  that  the installation of any such device on all or any
vehicles of such class or classes is necessary  to  the  achievement  of
federal  ambient  air  quality  standards  pursuant  to  an approved air
quality implementation plan adopted pursuant to the  federal  clean  air
act,  as  amended (42 U.S.C. 1857 et seq.) and (iii) has determined that
the effect of such regulation will not be diluted by the  absence  of  a
comparable  requirement  in  an adjoining state; provided, however, that
the effective date of the requirements of such regulation shall  not  be
prior  to  the approval or promulgation of a transportation control plan
pursuant to the Federal clean air act as amended for those  portions  of
adjoining  states  designated  as the territorial areas forming parts of
the New  Jersey-New  York-Connecticut  Interstate  Air  Quality  Control
Region  under such act and not prior to the effective date of comparable
requirements for such vehicles registered in, required to be  registered
in,  or  operated  in any such portions. Any such requirement shall take
effect with respect to any such motor vehicle as of the date of issuance
of a registration for such vehicle in the year next succeeding the  date
on  which  the regulation requiring the installation of such a device is
promulgated by the commissioner of environmental conservation, but in no
event prior to March first, nineteen hundred seventy-six.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this  subdivision  shall  apply
only  to  gasoline  powered  vehicles  which  are  registered  in or are
required by law to  be  registered  pursuant  to  subdivision  seven  of
section  four  hundred one of this chapter in, or are regularly operated
in that portion of the state designated as the territorial area  forming
part   of   the   New   Jersey-New   York-Connecticut   Interstate   Air
Quality-Control Region under the federal clean air act, as  amended  (42
U.S.C. 1857 et seq.) or any part of such region.
(c)  Whenever a motor vehicle registered pursuant to subdivision seven
of section four hundred one  of  this  chapter  is  not  required  by  a
regulation  promulgated pursuant to this subdivision, to have an exhaust
emission control device installed in accordance with  this  subdivision,
the  applicant  for  registration  for  any  such motor vehicle shall be
required to file a  statement  as  prescribed  by  the  commissioner  in
conjunction  with  such  registration  that  such  motor  vehicle is not
required to have such a device. A false statement in  relation  to  such
exemption  shall constitute a material false statement in an application
for registration.
(d) A notation on the registration for a vehicle  and  an  identifying
sticker  on  the  vehicle,  both  of which indicate that such vehicle is
required to have an exhaust emission control device shall be presumptive
evidence that such device in proper working  condition  is  required  on
that vehicle pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
(e) The rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this  subdivision  shall  contain provisions necessary or appropriate to

implement this  subdivision,  including  the  definition  of  terms  and
exemptions  for  motor  vehicles  registered  in  areas  from  which  no
substantial numbers of motor vehicles  are  regularly  operated  in  the
portion of the state referred to in paragraph (b) of this subdivision.
(f) No registered owner shall permit a motor vehicle, required to have
an  exhaust emission control device in proper working condition pursuant
to the provisions of this subdivision, to be operated in the portion  of
the  state  to which this subdivision is applicable, unless such vehicle
is equipped with an approved exhaust emission control device  in  proper
working  condition.  Every  person  convicted  of  a  violation  of this
paragraph shall  for  a  first  violation  thereof  with  respect  to  a
particular  motor  vehicle  be punished by a fine of seven hundred fifty
dollars. Such fine may not be waived, suspended or in any  other  manner
not  levied,  except that four hundred fifty dollars of such fine may be
waived upon presentation of  acceptable  evidence  prior  to  the  final
determination  of  the  violation  that  the device required pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this subdivision has been installed on the vehicle  and
is  in  proper  working condition. Every person convicted of a second or
subsequent violation with respect  to  a  particular  vehicle  shall  be
punished by a fine of seven hundred fifty dollars, which fine may not be
waived, suspended or in any other manner not levied.
29.  (a)  A motor vehicle shall not be used to tow more than one other
vehicle.
(b)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  paragraph   (a)   of   this
subdivision,  the  following  vehicles  or  combination  of vehicles are
permitted to be operated in New York state:
1. Municipal garbage or ash collecting  systems  consisting  of  three
vehicles;
2.  A  tow  truck  or  wrecker  being  used  to tow a disabled tractor
semitrailer combination;
3. A tractor being used to tow a semitrailer and trailer  outside  the
city  of New York or counties of Nassau and Suffolk or on any qualifying
highway or access highway within the city of New  York  or  counties  of
Nassau or Suffolk;
3-a.  A  tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination of vehicles where
the two semitrailers are  connected  by  a  B-train  assembly  and  such
combinations  of  vehicles  is  operated outside the city of New York or
counties of Nassau and Suffolk or on any qualifying  highway  or  access
highway within the city of New York or counties of Nassau or Suffolk;
4.   Subject   to   rules  and  regulations  of  the  commissioner  of
transportation, a combination of an automotive  powered  cab  and  truck
chassis  being  used  to  tow  two  such  additional  vehicles in double
saddle-mount  fashion,  each  mounted  upon  a   device   designed   and
constructed  so  as  to  be  readily dismountable and which performs the
function of a conventional fifth wheel, so that while all the wheels  of
the  towing  powered  chassis  touch the roadway, only the wheels on the
rear axle of each of the towed vehicles are in contact with the roadway;
and
5.  Subject  to  rules  and  regulations  of   the   commissioner   of
transportation,  a  combination  of  an automotive powered cab and truck
chassis being used to tow  three  such  additional  vehicles  in  triple
saddle-mount  fashion  on  a  qualifying or access highway, each mounted
upon a device designed and constructed so as to be readily  dismountable
and  which  performs the function of a conventional fifth wheel, so that
while all the wheels of the towing powered chassis  touch  the  roadway,
only  the  wheels  on the rear axle of each of the towed vehicles are in
contact with the roadway.
(c) No vehicle shall be towed by a rope or other non-rigid  connection
which is longer than sixteen feet.
(d)  A  motor  vehicle  being  towed  by  a  rope  or  other non-rigid
connection must have a licensed driver in such motor vehicle  who  shall
steer it when it is being towed.
29-a.  No vehicle or mobile equipment shall be towed with the use of a
dolly unless the dolly, vehicle or mobile equipment is  secured  to  the
towing  vehicle by safety chains or cables which will prevent the dolly,
vehicle or mobile equipment from separating from the towing vehicle  and
the towed vehicle or mobile equipment is securely fastened to the dolly.
Dolly  shall  mean  a  multi-wheel  device utilized to raise a part of a
towed vehicle or mobile equipment while it is  being  towed  by  another
vehicle.
30.  It  shall  be  unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle
with any object placed or hung in or upon the vehicle,  except  required
or  permitted  equipment of the vehicle, in such a manner as to obstruct
or interfere with the view of the operator through the windshield, or to
prevent him from having a clear and full view of the road and  condition
of  traffic  behind such vehicle. Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a summons for operating  a  motor  vehicle  in  violation  of  this
subdivision  shall  only  be  issued  when  there is reasonable cause to
believe that the person operating such motor  vehicle  has  committed  a
violation  of  the  laws  of  this  state other than a violation of this
subdivision.
31. Mufflers and exhaust systems. Prevention of noise. (a) Every motor
vehicle, operated or driven upon the highways of the state, shall at all
times be equipped  with  an  adequate  muffler  and  exhaust  system  in
constant  operation  and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or
unusual noise and no such muffler or exhaust system  shall  be  equipped
with  a  cut-out,  bypass, or similar device. No person shall modify the
muffler or exhaust system of a motor vehicle  in  a  manner  which  will
amplify  or increase the noise emitted by the motor or exhaust system of
such vehicle above  that  emitted  by  the  muffler  or  exhaust  system
originally  installed  on  the  vehicle  and  such  original muffler and
exhaust system shall comply with all the requirements of this section.
(b) No person shall, in the state, sell, offer for sale or install any
of the following for the muffler or exhaust system of a motor vehicle: a
cut-out, bypass, or a similar device which will amplify or increase  the
noise  emitted by the motor or exhaust system of such vehicle above that
emitted by the muffler or exhaust system  originally  installed  on  the
vehicle.
A  muffler  is  a  device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle
plates, or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving  exhaust
gas from an internal combustion engine, and effective in reducing noise.
An exhaust system is a series of mechanical devices for the purpose of
receiving  exhaust  gas from an internal combustion engine and expelling
it into the atmosphere.
31-a. No person shall, in the state, sell, offer for sale or install a
motorcycle exhaust device without internal baffles, known  as  "straight
pipes".
31-b. No person shall, in the state, sell, offer for sale or install a
motorcycle  exhaust  device  that is intentionally designed to allow for
the  internal  baffling  to   be   fully   or   partially   removed   or
interchangeable  or that has been modified in a manner that will amplify
or increase the noise emitted by the motor of a  motorcycle  above  that
emitted  by  the exhaust system originally installed on such motorcycle.
This subdivision  shall  not  apply  to  a  motorcycle  manufactured  or
assembled  prior  to  nineteen  hundred  seventy-nine  or  a  motorcycle

registered as a limited use vehicle or an all terrain  vehicle  pursuant
to article forty-eight-A or forty-eight-B of this chapter.
32.  (a)  The  violation of any of the provisions of this section with
respect to adequate brakes except those relating to  emergency  or  hand
brakes  shall  constitute  a misdemeanor and the violation of any of the
other provisions of this section, including those relating to  emergency
or  hand brakes, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred
fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not exceeding thirty  days,  or  by
both such fine and imprisonment, except as herein otherwise provided.
(b)   Notwithstanding   the   provisions  of  paragraph  (a)  of  this
subdivision, a violation of paragraph  (b)  of  subdivision  thirty-one,
subdivision  thirty-one-a  or  subdivision  thirty-one-b of this section
shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars  or  by
imprisonment  for  not  exceeding  thirty days, or by both such fine and
imprisonment.
33. The provisions of this section shall not apply to fire and  police
vehicles,   self-propelled   combines,   self-propelled   corn  and  hay
harvesting  machines,  farm   type   tractors   used   exclusively   for
agricultural  purposes  or  for  snow  plowing  other than for hire, and
self-propelled  caterpillar  or  crawler-type  equipment   while   being
operated on the contract site except when reference is specifically made
to such vehicle.
34. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with and every passenger vehicle
registered  in  this  state  and manufactured or assembled after January
first, nineteen hundred sixty-nine, shall be equipped with at least  one
back-up  light.  Such light shall display a white light to the rear when
the ignition switch is energized and reverse gear is engaged. Such light
shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
35. Tires. (a)  The  commissioner  may  establish  standards  for  the
manufacture,  regrooving  or  retreading  of tires which are produced or
sold in this state, and for the use of tires  on  vehicles  operated  in
this state.
(b)  No  tire  shall be manufactured, distributed, offered for sale or
sold in this state if it does not comply with the standards  established
by  the  commissioner  pursuant  to paragraph (a) of this subdivision. A
violation of this paragraph shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
(c) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or a trailer on  a  public
highway  if  such  vehicle  is  equipped with tires that do not meet the
standards established by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph  (a)  of
this subdivision.
35-a.  It  shall  be  unlawful  to  operate a motor vehicle or trailer
equipped with tires having metal objects protruding from the tire  tread
upon any public highway. The prohibition contained in this section shall
not  apply  to pneumatic tires containing metal type studs, the diameter
of  which  studs  inclusive  of  the  stud  casing   does   not   exceed
three-eighths  of  an  inch  and  which do not protrude beyond the tread
surface of such tires more than three thirty-seconds of an inch and  the
contact  area  of which does not exceed three-fourths of one per cent of
the total nominal contact area of said tires determined  by  multiplying
the circumference of the outer most edge of tread times the tread width,
except that no vehicle equipped with such tires, other than school buses
and state or municipally-owned vehicles, may operate on a public highway
during  the  period  from  the  first day of May to the fifteenth day of
October, inclusive.
36. (a) (i)  The  slow-moving  vehicle  emblem  as  developed  by  the
American  Society  of  Agricultural  and  Biological  Engineers shall be
recognized as  the  official  state  slow  moving  vehicle  emblem.  The
commissioner  of motor vehicles shall adopt standards and specifications

for design, creation and use, in conformance with those  recommendations
of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for the
size, design and mounting of said slow-moving vehicle emblem.
(ii)  The  commissioner  shall  adopt standards and specifications for
design, creation and use, in conformance with those  recommendations  of
the  American  Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers standard
which  meets  the  criteria   of   the   American   National   Standards
Institute/American  Society for Testing and Materials S584 for the size,
design  and  mounting  of  a  speed  identification  symbol.   A   speed
identification symbol shall indicate the maximum speed in miles per hour
at  which  the  unit of farm machinery, implement of husbandry and other
machinery including road construction and maintenance machinery to which
it is mounted is designed by its manufacturer to operate.
(b) (i) Farm machinery and implements of husbandry and other machinery
including  road  construction  and  maintenance  machinery  designed  to
operate  at  twenty-five  miles  per hour or less, traveling on a public
highway  during  day  or  night,  whether  self-propelled  or  used   in
combination,  shall each separately display a slow-moving vehicle emblem
as specified in paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
(ii)  (A)  Farm  machinery  and  implements  of  husbandry  and  other
machinery including road construction and maintenance machinery designed
to  operate  at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour but less
than forty miles per hour, traveling on a public highway during  day  or
night,  whether  self-propelled  or  used  in  combination,  shall  each
separately  display  a  slow-moving   vehicle   emblem   and   a   speed
identification symbol as specified in paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
(B) If an agricultural tractor that is designed by its manufacturer to
operate  at  a  speed  greater  than  twenty-five miles per hour but not
greater than forty miles per hour is  being  operated  on  a  street  or
highway at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour but less than
forty miles per hour and is towing, pulling, or otherwise drawing a unit
of   farm  machinery,  the  unit  of  farm  machinery  shall  display  a
slow-moving vehicle emblem and a speed identification symbol that is the
same as the  speed  identification  symbol  that  is  displayed  on  the
agricultural tractor.
(C)  When  an  agricultural tractor is designed by its manufacturer to
operate at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour but less than
forty miles per hour is being operated on a street or highway at a speed
greater than twenty-five miles per hour, the operator shall possess some
documentation published or provided by the manufacturer  indicating  the
maximum  speed  in miles per hour at which the manufacturer designed the
agricultural tractor to operate.
(c) The use of such emblem and symbol shall  be  in  addition  to  any
lighting  devices, flags or other equipment required by law. Such emblem
and symbol shall be used  only  on  farm  machinery  and  implements  of
husbandry  on  road  construction and maintenance machinery, and on such
other  vehicles,  machinery  and  equipment  as  may  be  specified   in
regulations  issued  by the commissioner. All use shall be in accordance
with such regulations. Use of such emblem as a clearance  marker  or  on
stationary objects on the highways is prohibited.
37.   The   commissioner   shall   promulgate  rules  and  regulations
prescribing appropriate  cautionary  devices  to  be  affixed  to  motor
vehicles  engaged  in  retail  sales  of  frozen  desserts  directly  to
consumers which shall include, but not be  limited  to,  front  crossing
arms to be activated only when such vehicle is stopped and its occupants
are  engaged  in  such retail sales. Such rules and regulations shall be
designed to warn oncoming vehicles of the likelihood of  pedestrians  in
or  about  the vicinity of such sales oriented motor vehicles. No person

shall engage in the retail sale by  motor  vehicle  of  frozen  desserts
directly  to  consumers  in  violation  of  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated by the commissioner. As used in  this  subdivision,  "frozen
desserts" shall mean ice cream, frozen custard, French ice cream, French
custard   ice   cream,  artificially  sweetened  ice  cream,  ice  milk,
artificially sweetened ice milk, fruit sherbet, non-fruit sherbet, water
ices, non-fruit water ices, quiescently frozen  confection,  quiescently
frozen  dairy  confection, manufactured desserts mix, frozen confection,
mellorine frozen dessert, parevine, frozen yogurt, freezer made  shakes,
freezer made milk shakes, lo-mel, and dietary frozen dessert as all such
products  are  commonly known, together with any mix used in such frozen
desserts and any products which are similar in appearance, odor or taste
to such products, or are prepared  or  frozen  as  frozen  desserts  are
customarily  prepared  or  frozen,  whether  made with dairy products or
non-dairy products.
39. Every motor vehicle registered in this state and  manufactured  or
assembled  after  October  first,  nineteen  hundred sixty-four shall be
equipped with a defrosting  device,  in  good  working  order,  for  the
purpose  of  preventing  the  formation of snow or ice on the windshield
directly in front of the operator. For the purposes of this  subdivision
the  term  "motor  vehicle"  shall  exclude  motorcycles,  tractors used
exclusively  for   agricultural   purposes,   self-propelled   combines,
self-propelled harvesting machines and farm equipment and self-propelled
caterpillar  or  crawler-type  equipment  while  being  operated  on the
contract site.
40. Stop lamps. (a) Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, operated
or driven upon the public highways of the state, if  manufactured  prior
to  January first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, shall be equipped with at
least one stop lamp which shall display a red to amber light visible  at
least  five  hundred feet from the rear of the vehicle when the brake of
such vehicle is applied.
(b) Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, operated or driven  upon
the  public  highways  of the state, if manufactured on or after January
first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, shall be equipped with at  least  two
stop lamps, one on each side, each of which shall display a red to amber
light  visible  at  least five hundred feet from the rear of the vehicle
when the brake of such vehicle is applied.
41. Colored and flashing lights. The provisions  of  this  subdivision
shall  govern the affixing and display of lights on vehicles, other than
those lights required by law. 1. No light, other than a white light, and
no revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving white
light shall be affixed  to,  or  displayed  on  any  vehicle  except  as
prescribed herein.
2. Red lights and certain white lights. One or more red or combination
red  and  white  lights,  or  one white light which must be a revolving,
rotating, flashing, oscillating  or  constantly  moving  light,  may  be
affixed  to  an  authorized  emergency  vehicle,  and such lights may be
displayed on an  authorized  emergency  vehicle  when  such  vehicle  is
engaged  in  an  emergency  operation,  and  upon  a  fire vehicle while
returning from an alarm of fire or other emergency.
3. Amber lights. a. One or more amber  lights  may  be  affixed  to  a
hazard  vehicle, and such a light or lights which display an amber light
visible to all approaching traffic under normal  atmospheric  conditions
from  a  distance  of  five  hundred  feet  from  such  vehicle shall be
displayed on a  hazard  vehicle  when  such  vehicle  is  engaged  in  a
hazardous  operation.   Such light or lights shall not be required to be
displayed during daylight hours provided at least two red flags  visible
from  a distance of five hundred feet are placed both in or on the front

of, and to or on the rear of the vehicle and two such flags  are  placed
to  each  side of the vehicle open to traffic. Such lights or flags need
not be displayed on the  vehicle  when  the  vehicle  is  operating,  or
parked,  within  a  barricaded  work  area  and said lights or flags are
displayed on the barricade. The provisions of this subdivision shall not
prohibit the temporary affixing and display of an amber light to be used
as a warning on a disabled motor vehicle or on a motor vehicle while  it
is  stopped  on  a  highway  while  engaged  in an operation which would
restrict, impede or interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
b. In any city in this state having a population  of  one  million  or
more,  one  amber  light  may  be  affixed to any motor vehicle owned or
operated by a volunteer member of a civilian or  crime  patrol  provided
such  volunteer  civilian  or crime patrol member has been authorized in
writing to so affix an amber light by the  police  commissioner  of  the
municipality  in  which he patrols, which authorization shall be subject
to revocation at any time by the police commissioner who issued the same
or his successor in office. Such amber light may  be  operated  by  such
volunteer  civilian  or  crime patrol member in such a vehicle only when
engaged in a patrol operation as defined and  authorized  by  rules  and
regulations  promulgated  by  the police commissioner and only in such a
manner and at such times as may be authorized by the police commissioner
pursuant to said rules and regulations.
4. Blue light.  a. One blue light may be affixed to any motor  vehicle
owned  by  a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle
owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household
or by a business enterprise in  which  such  person  has  a  proprietary
interest  or  by  which  he  or she is employed, provided such volunteer
firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue  light  by
the  chief  of  the  fire  department or company of which he or she is a
member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at  any  time
by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such
blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on
such  a  vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of
blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a  volunteer
firefighter  except as otherwise provided for in subparagraphs b and b-1
of this paragraph.
b. In addition to the red and white lights authorized to be  displayed
pursuant  to  paragraph two of this subdivision, one or more blue lights
or combination blue and red lights or combination blue,  red  and  white
lights  may  be  affixed  to  a police vehicle, fire vehicle, ambulance,
emergency  ambulance  service  vehicle,  and  county  emergency  medical
services  vehicle  provided  that  such  blue  light  or lights shall be
displayed on  a  police  vehicle,  fire  vehicle,  ambulance,  emergency
ambulance service vehicle, and county emergency medical services vehicle
for  rear projection only. In the event that the trunk or rear gate of a
police vehicle, fire vehicle,  ambulance,  emergency  ambulance  service
vehicle,  and  county  emergency  medical  services vehicle obstructs or
diminishes the visibility of other emergency lighting on such  vehicles,
a  blue  light may be affixed to and displayed from the trunk, rear gate
or interior of such vehicles. Such lights may be displayed on  a  police
vehicle,  fire  vehicle, ambulance, emergency ambulance service vehicle,
and county emergency medical services vehicle  when  such  vehicles  are
engaged   in   an   emergency   operation.  Nothing  contained  in  this
subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize the  use  of  blue  lights  on
police  vehicles, fire vehicles, ambulances, emergency ambulance service
vehicles, and county emergency medical  services  vehicles  unless  such
vehicles  also  display  one  or  more  red or combination red and white
lights as otherwise authorized in this subdivision.
b-1. In addition  to  the  amber  light  authorized  to  be  displayed
pursuant to paragraph three of this subdivision, one or more blue lights
or  combination blue and amber lights may be affixed to a hazard vehicle
designed for the towing or pushing of disabled  vehicles  provided  that
such  blue  light  or lights shall be displayed on such a hazard vehicle
for rear projection only. Such blue light or lights may be displayed  on
a hazard vehicle designed for the towing or pushing of disabled vehicles
when  such  vehicle  is  engaged  in  a  hazardous operation and is also
displaying the amber light or lights required to be displayed  during  a
hazardous  operation  pursuant  to  paragraph three of this subdivision.
Nothing contained in this subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize  the
use of blue lights on hazard vehicles designed for the towing or pushing
of  disabled  vehicles  unless  such hazard vehicles also display one or
more amber lights as otherwise authorized in this subdivision.
c. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and  regulations
relating  to  the  use, placement, power and display of blue lights on a
police vehicle, fire vehicle, and hazard vehicle designed for the towing
or pushing of disabled vehicles.
* 5. Green light. (a) One green light may  be  affixed  to  any  motor
vehicle  owned  by  a  member  of a volunteer ambulance service, or on a
motor vehicle owned by a  member  of  such  person's  family,  or  by  a
business  enterprise  in which such person has a proprietary interest or
by which he is employed, provided such member  has  been  authorized  in
writing  to  so affix a green light by the chief officer of such service
as designated by the members thereof. Such green light may be  displayed
exclusively  by  such  member of a volunteer ambulance service only when
engaged in an emergency operation. The use of green lights  on  vehicles
shall  be  restricted  for use only by a member of a volunteer ambulance
service as provided for in this paragraph except as  otherwise  provided
for in subparagraph c of this paragraph.
(b) As used in this paragraph volunteer ambulance service means: (i) a
non-profit  membership  corporation  (other  than  a  fire  corporation)
incorporated under or  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  membership
corporations   law,  or  any  other  law,  operating  its  ambulance  or
ambulances on a non-profit basis for  the  convenience  of  the  members
thereof  and their families or of the community or under a contract with
a county,  city,  town  or  village  pursuant  to  section  one  hundred
twenty-two-b of the general municipal law; or
(ii)  an unincorporated association of persons operating its ambulance
or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of  the  members
and their families or of the community.
(c)(i)  In  addition  to  the  amber  light authorized to be displayed
pursuant to paragraph three of  this  subdivision,  one  or  more  green
lights  or combination green and amber lights may be affixed to a hazard
vehicle designed for ice and snow removal  owned  and  operated  by  the
state  or by a county, city, town or village. Such green light or lights
may be displayed on a hazard vehicle designed for ice and  snow  removal
owned  and  operated  by the state or by a county, city, town or village
when such vehicle is engaged  in  a  hazardous  operation  and  is  also
displaying  the  amber light or lights required to be displayed during a
hazardous operation pursuant to paragraph  three  of  this  subdivision.
Nothing  contained in this subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize the
use of green lights on hazard vehicles designed for ice and snow removal
owned and operated by the state or by a county, city,  town  or  village
unless  such  hazard  vehicles  also display one or more amber lights as
otherwise authorized in this subdivision.
(ii)  The  commissioner  is  authorized  to   promulgate   rules   and
regulations  relating  to the use, placement, power and display of green

lights on a hazard vehicle designed for ice and snow removal  owned  and
operated by the state or by a county, city, town or village.
* NB Effective until June 5, 2024
* 5.  Green  light.  (a)  One  green light may be affixed to any motor
vehicle owned by a member of a  volunteer  ambulance  service  or  by  a
member  of a mobile crisis team, or on a motor vehicle owned by a member
of such person's family, or by  a  business  enterprise  in  which  such
person  has  a proprietary interest or by which he is employed, provided
such member of a volunteer ambulance  service  has  been  authorized  in
writing  to  so affix a green light by the chief officer of such service
as designated by the members thereof,  or  provided  such  member  of  a
mobile  crisis  team  has been authorized in writing to so affix a green
light by the mobile crisis team's director  or  similar  role,  provided
further that such director or similar role or their successor may revoke
such  authorization  at  any  time.  Such  green  light may be displayed
exclusively by such member of a volunteer ambulance service, or a member
of a deployed mobile crisis team, only  when  engaged  in  an  emergency
operation.  The  use of green lights on vehicles shall be restricted for
use only by a member of a volunteer ambulance service or a member  of  a
mobile crisis team as provided for in this paragraph except as otherwise
provided for in subparagraph (c) of this paragraph.
(b)  As  used  in  this  paragraph  the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(i) "volunteer ambulance service" means: (A) a  non-profit  membership
corporation  (other  than  a  fire  corporation)  incorporated  under or
subject to the provisions of the membership  corporations  law,  or  any
other  law,  operating its ambulance or ambulances on a non-profit basis
for the convenience of the members thereof and their families or of  the
community  or  under  a  contract  with  a county, city, town or village
pursuant to section one hundred twenty-two-b of  the  general  municipal
law; or
(B)  an  unincorporated association of persons operating its ambulance
or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of  the  members
and their families or of the community; and
(ii) "mobile crisis team" shall have the same meaning as mobile crisis
teams as defined by paragraph eleven of subdivision (a) of section 36.03
of the mental hygiene law.
(c)(i)  In  addition  to  the  amber  light authorized to be displayed
pursuant to paragraph three of  this  subdivision,  one  or  more  green
lights  or combination green and amber lights may be affixed to a hazard
vehicle designed for ice and snow removal  owned  and  operated  by  the
state  or by a county, city, town or village. Such green light or lights
may be displayed on a hazard vehicle designed for ice and  snow  removal
owned  and  operated  by the state or by a county, city, town or village
when such vehicle is engaged  in  a  hazardous  operation  and  is  also
displaying  the  amber light or lights required to be displayed during a
hazardous operation pursuant to paragraph  three  of  this  subdivision.
Nothing  contained in this subparagraph shall be deemed to authorize the
use of green lights on hazard vehicles designed for ice and snow removal
owned and operated by the state or by a county, city,  town  or  village
unless  such  hazard  vehicles  also display one or more amber lights as
otherwise authorized in this subdivision.
(ii)  The  commissioner  is  authorized  to   promulgate   rules   and
regulations  relating  to the use, placement, power and display of green
lights on a hazard vehicle designed for ice and snow removal  owned  and
operated by the state or by a county, city, town or village.
* NB Effective June 5, 2024
6.  The  commissioner  is  authorized  to  promulgate regulations with
respect to the affixing and display of colored lights and to  promulgate
specifications with respect to such lights.
7.   The  provisions  of  this  subdivision  forty-one  shall  not  be
applicable to vehicles from other states or from the Dominion of  Canada
which  have  entered  this state to render police, fire or civil defense
aid, or ambulance service, while such vehicles are here or are returning
to their home stations if the lights on such vehicles  comply  with  the
laws of their home states or the Dominion of Canada and are displayed in
this  state  in  the  same  manner permitted by their home states or the
Dominion of  Canada,  nor  shall  the  provisions  of  this  subdivision
forty-one  be  deemed  to  amend,  supersede or in any manner affect the
provisions of the New York state defense emergency act as now  in  force
or as it may be amended from time to time.
8.  The  provisions of this subdivision shall not be applicable to the
driver of a vehicle from another state  or  foreign  jurisdiction  which
vehicle   has  colored  lights  affixed  but  not  revolving,  rotating,
flashing, oscillating or constantly moving if the lights on such vehicle
comply with the laws of the state or home foreign jurisdiction in  which
the vehicle is registered.
42. Every motor vehicle registered in this state which is manufactured
or  assembled  on  or after September first, nineteen hundred eighty and
operated or driven upon the highways of the state shall be equipped with
a speedometer device which is capable of measuring  the  speed  of  such
vehicle and displaying the same in miles per hour.
43.  No  dealer shall sell a motor vehicle or a trailer which is to be
registered in this state unless such motor vehicle or  trailer  has  all
the  equipment  required  for  operation  on the public highways of this
state.
44. Driver education vehicles. Any motor vehicle used for the  purpose
of  driving instruction for hire or for driver education by a school and
being operated by a person receiving such instruction or education shall
bear identification, visible to both oncoming and following traffic,  to
indicate  that  the  vehicle  is  being  driven by a student driver. The
commissioner may establish standards for such identification.
45. Hydrocarbon gas powered vehicles. It shall be unlawful to  operate
upon  any  public  highway  or street in this state a motor vehicle that
uses hydrocarbon gas as its primary or secondary fuel supply, unless the
motor vehicle conspicuously displays a reflective  placard  designed  to
alert  emergency  personnel to the extraordinary hazards which may arise
from proximity with this fuel. The commissioner  shall,  in  cooperation
with  the  state  fire  administrator,  establish  regulations as to the
location and design of this warning placard.
46. Tamper-resistant odometers or speedometers. It shall  be  unlawful
after  July  first,  nineteen  hundred  ninety-one for any person, firm,
association or corporation to sell or offer for sale in this state a new
motor vehicle which is to be registered in  this  state  and  which  was
manufactured  or  assembled  on  or  after  such date, and designed as a
nineteen hundred ninety-two or  later  model,  unless  such  vehicle  is
equipped  with  a tamper-resistant odometer or speedometer designed with
the intent to reduce the  likelihood  of  unlawful  tampering  with  the
mileage reading thereon.
The  commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations relative
to tamper-resistant odometers and speedometers on motor vehicles and the
approval of the same as are not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of
federal  law,  if any, relating thereto. Such rules shall, at a minimum,
require odometers and speedometers which indicate mileage with a minimum

of six digits exclusive of digits indicating fractions of a  mile.  This
section shall not apply to motorcycles.
47.  (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be
operated, an audio amplification system which is operated in,  installed
in  or powered by a vehicle which generates an A-weighted sound level in
excess of seventy dB (A) measured at, or  adjusted  to,  a  distance  of
twenty-five  feet  from the vehicle which is driven, standing, or parked
on a public highway, or within one hundred  feet  of  a  public  highway
unless  that system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a
hazardous  situation.  This  section  shall  not  apply  to   authorized
emergency vehicles or vehicles operated by gas, electric, communications
or water utilities. This section shall not apply to the sound systems of
vehicles used for advertising, or in parades, political or other special
events, except that the use of sound systems on those motor vehicles may
be prohibited by a local authority by ordinance or local law.
(b)  Any  person  convicted of a violation of this section shall for a
first conviction thereof be punished by a fine  of  up  to  one  hundred
fifty  dollars;  for  a  conviction of a second violation, both of which
were committed within a period of eighteen months, such person shall  be
guilty  of  a  traffic infraction and shall be punished by a fine of not
less than one hundred fifty dollars and  not  more  than  three  hundred
dollars;  upon  conviction  of  a  third or subsequent violation, all of
which were committed within a period of  eighteen  months,  such  person
shall  be guilty of a traffic infraction and shall be punished by a fine
of not less than three hundred seventy-five dollars and  not  more  than
seven hundred fifty dollars.
48.  Bumpers  or  similar  devices.  (a)  For  the  purposes  of  this
subdivision, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(i) Bumper. A system, the primary function  of  which  is  to  provide
protection  against  damage affecting front or rear external lamps, body
parts and vehicle occupants during low speed impacts.
(ii) Passenger car. A motor vehicle  whose  body  style  is  a  sedan,
hardtop,  coupe,  convertible, station wagon or hatchback but not a van,
minivan, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, tractor,  motorcycle  or
bus.
(b)  No  person  shall  operate a passenger car registered in New York
unless it is equipped with both a front and rear bumper,  each  securely
fastened and with some part of the bumper located between sixteen inches
and  twenty inches above the ground. This provision shall not apply to a
vehicle registered as an historical vehicle.
(c) Except insofar as paragraph (b) of this subdivision  shall  apply,
no person shall operate a motor vehicle designated as a nineteen hundred
ninety  or  newer model year vehicle, which is registered in this state,
except a motorcycle or special  purpose  commercial  vehicle  registered
under  schedule  F  of  subdivision seven of section four hundred one of
this chapter, which is so constructed that the body has a  clearance  at
the  front  end  of  more than thirty inches from the ground when empty,
unless the front end of the vehicle is equipped with bumpers or  devices
serving  similar purposes which shall be so constructed and located that
(i) some part of the bumpers or devices must be at least sixteen but not
more than thirty inches above the ground with the  vehicle  empty;  (ii)
the  maximum  distance  between  the  closest  points between bumpers or
devices, if more than one is used, shall not exceed twenty-four  inches;
(iii)  the maximum transverse distance from the widest part of the motor
vehicle at the front to the bumper or device shall not  exceed  eighteen
inches;   and  (iv)  the  bumpers  or  devices  shall  be  substantially
constructed  and  firmly  attached.  A  motor  vehicle  constructed  and
maintained  so  that  the  body,  chassis, or other parts of the vehicle

afford the front end protection contemplated shall be deemed  to  be  in
compliance with this section.
(d)  Except  insofar as paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall apply,
no person shall operate a motor vehicle or a  combination  of  vehicles,
designated  as  a  nineteen  hundred ninety or newer model year vehicle,
except  a  tractor,  pole  trailer,  vehicle  engaged  in   saddle-mount
operation,  motorcycle  or special purpose commercial vehicle registered
under schedule F of subdivision seven of section  four  hundred  one  of
this  chapter,  if  the  motor  vehicle is registered in this state, and
which is so constructed that the body, or the chassis  assembly  without
the  body,  has  a  clearance at the rear end of more than thirty inches
from the ground when empty, unless  the  rear  end  of  the  vehicle  or
combination  of  vehicles  is  equipped  with bumpers or devices serving
similar purposes which shall be so constructed  and  located  that:  (i)
some  part  of  the  bumpers or devices must be at least sixteen but not
more than thirty inches above the ground with the  vehicle  empty;  (ii)
the  maximum  distance  between  the  closest points between bumpers, or
devices, if more than one is used, shall not exceed twenty-four  inches;
(iii)  the maximum transverse distance from the widest part of the motor
vehicle at the rear to the bumper or device shall  not  exceed  eighteen
inches;  (iv)  the  bumpers  or  devices  shall be located not more than
twenty-four inches forward of the extreme rear of the vehicle;  and  (v)
the  bumpers  or  devices  shall be substantially constructed and firmly
attached. Motor vehicles constructed and maintained so  that  the  body,
chassis,  or  other  parts of the vehicle afford the rear end protection
contemplated shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section.
49. Truck warning lights.  (a) Every truck registered  in  this  state
and  manufactured  or  assembled after September first, nineteen hundred
ninety-two, which has a  bed  capable  of  being  tilted  or  lifted  by
controls  that  are  located  within  the cab of such truck and which is
operated upon any public highway  or  street  in  this  state  shall  be
equipped  with a warning light in its cab that is activated whenever the
bed of the truck is elevated.
(b) Every  tractor  registered  in  this  state  and  manufactured  or
assembled after September first, nineteen hundred ninety-three, which is
used  primarily  for  the towing of a trailer capable of being tilted or
lifted and which is operated upon any public highway or street  in  this
state  shall  be  equipped  with  a  warning  light  in  its cab that is
activated whenever the trailer is elevated.
50. Taxicab partitions and shields. Every taxicab registered  in  this
state  and  registered  or  licensed  by  a  city,  town  or  village of
seventy-five thousand persons or more pursuant to  section  one  hundred
eighty-one  of  the  general  municipal  law  shall be equipped with (a)
partitions or shields made of plexiglass or other shatterproof  material
located between and effectively separating the front and rear seats, and
(b)  amber  colored  distress  lights, mounted on and clearly visible to
passersby from the front and rear of  the  taxicab;  provided,  however,
that  the  requirements  of this subdivision shall not apply to taxicabs
registered or licensed by such city, town or village which elects not to
be subjected to the requirements of this subdivision pursuant to a  duly
enacted or adopted local law, ordinance or regulation. Nothing contained
herein  shall  be  construed  to  restrict  the power of a city, town or
village which elects not to be  subject  to  the  requirements  of  this
subdivision  to  adopt  or  enforce a local law, ordinance or regulation
regarding the use of taxicab partitions and distress lights.
* 51.  Taxicab,  livery  and  stretch  limousine  notices.  (a)  Every
taxicab,  livery,  and  altered  motor vehicle commonly referred to as a
"stretch limousine" which was altered on or  after  January  first,  two

thousand  twenty-one  or  retrofitted  pursuant  to subdivision one-a of
section three hundred eighty-three of this article  registered  in  this
state shall have posted therein the following notice: "Seatbelts must be
available for your use. You must buckle up, it's the law."
(b)  The  notices  required  to be posted pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this subdivision shall be posted in a manner legible and conspicuous  to
passengers in all seating positions of such vehicles. Provided, however,
that  in  addition  to  the requirements of this paragraph, such notices
posted within taxis and liveries subject to registration  and  licensing
by  cities  having  a  population  of  one million or more shall also be
provided in the top two designated citywide languages as  such  term  is
defined in section 23-1101 of the administrative code of the city of New
York.
* NB  Repealed upon notification that any federal agency determines in
writing that chapter 10 of 2020 would render New York  state  ineligible
for  the receipt of federal funds or any court of competent jurisdiction
finally determines that said chapter would render New York state out  of
compliance with federal law or regulation (see chapter 10 of 2020 § 6)
* 51.  Taxicab  and  livery  notices.  (a)  Every  taxicab  and livery
registered in this state shall have posted therein the following notice:
"Seatbelts must be available for your use. Please buckle up."
(b) The notices required to be posted pursuant  to  paragraph  (a)  of
this  subdivision shall be posted in a manner legible and conspicuous to
passengers in all seating positions of such vehicles.
* NB Effective upon repeal (see chapter 10 of 2020 § 6)
52. No police vehicle owned  by  the  state,  a  public  authority,  a
county,  town, city or village shall be sold unless, prior to such sale,
such vehicle is decommissioned and any distinctive markings and  affixed
lights  which  would  designate it in the public's view as such a police
vehicle have been removed. The commissioner of the division of  criminal
justice   services,   in   consultation  with  the  commissioner,  shall
promulgate rules and  regulations  determining  the  specifications  for
decommissioning  police vehicles and for the removal of such distinctive
markings and affixed lights prior to sale.
53. Federal motor vehicle  safety  standard  certification  label.  No
person shall, with intent to defraud, knowingly remove, deface, destroy,
cover,  alter,  or  otherwise change the form or appearance of a federal
motor vehicle safety standard certification label, issued in  accordance
with section 30115 of title 49 of the United States Code and part 567 of
title  49  of  the  code  of  federal  regulations,  on an altered motor
vehicle. No person shall, with intent to defraud, affix  to  an  altered
motor  vehicle  a  federal  motor  vehicle safety standard certification
label except in accordance with section 30115 of title 49 of the  United
States Code and part 567 of title 49 of the code of federal regulations.
A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
* 54.  Stretch  limousine  and  charter  bus commercial GPS. (a) Every
stretch limousine and charter bus registered  in  this  state  shall  be
equipped  with  commercial  global  positioning  system (GPS) technology
within no later than one year  of  the  date  upon  which  the  national
highway  traffic  safety  administration  promulgates  final regulations
establishing standards for commercial GPS.
(b) It shall be unlawful to operate or cause to be operated a  stretch
limousine  or charter bus registered in this state on any public highway
or private road open to public motor vehicle traffic unless such stretch
limousine or charter bus is equipped with commercial global  positioning
system  (GPS)  technology  as  required  by  this  subdivision  and such
commercial global positioning  system  (GPS)  technology  is  used.  The
presence  in  such stretch limousine or charter bus of commercial global

positioning system (GPS) technology connected to a power source  and  in
an  operable  condition is presumptive evidence of its use by any person
operating such stretch limousine or charter bus. Such presumption may be
rebutted  by any credible and reliable evidence which tends to show that
such commercial global positioning system (GPS) technology  was  not  in
use.
(c) For the purposes of this subdivision:
(i)  "Stretch  limousine" shall mean an altered motor vehicle having a
seating capacity of nine  or  more  passengers,  including  the  driver,
commonly  referred  to as a "stretch limousine" and which is used in the
business of transporting passengers for compensation;
(ii) "Charter bus"  shall  mean  a  bus  transporting  passengers  for
compensation in a chartered party;
(iii) "Chartered party" shall mean a group of persons who, pursuant to
a common purpose and under a single contract and at a fixed charge, have
acquired  exclusive  use  of  a  bus  to travel together as a group to a
specific destination or for a particular itinerary either agreed upon in
advance or modified after having left the place of origin by such group;
and
(iv) "Commercial global positioning  system  (GPS)  technology"  shall
mean   global   positioning  system  (GPS)  technology  which  has  been
specifically designed to assist in the navigation  of  commercial  motor
vehicles.
* NB  Repealed upon notification that any federal agency determines in
writing that chapter 11 of 2020 would render New York  state  ineligible
for  the receipt of federal funds or any court of competent jurisdiction
finally determines that said chapter would render New York state out  of
compliance with federal law or regulation (see chapter 11 of 2020 § 3)
* 55.    Stretch    limousine   roll-over   protection   devices   and
anti-intrusion bars. (a) Every  stretch  limousine  registered  in  this
state   shall   be   equipped  with  roll-over  protection  devices  and
anti-intrusion bars within no later than one year of the date upon which
the national highway traffic  safety  administration  promulgates  final
regulations  establishing  standards for commercial roll-over protection
devices and anti-intrusion bars.
(b) For the purposes of this  subdivision  "stretch  limousine"  shall
mean  an altered motor vehicle having a seating capacity of nine or more
passengers, including the driver, commonly referred  to  as  a  "stretch
limousine"  and which is used in the business of transporting passengers
for compensation.
* NB Repealed upon notification that any federal agency determines  in
writing  that  Part  K of chapter 58 of 2024 would render New York state
ineligible for the receipt of federal funds or any  court  of  competent
jurisdiction  finally  determines that such Part K would render New York
state out of compliance with federal law or regulation (see  chapter  58
of 2024 Part K § 11)
* 56.  Stretch  limousine additional equipment requirements. (a) Every
stretch limousine registered in this state shall  be  equipped  with  an
accessible  window  break tool and an operational fire extinguisher, and
the driver and passenger partition of every such stretch limousine shall
be accessible to reach an emergency egress from such  vehicle  if  other
forms  of  egress such as a roof hatch are not available in such stretch
limousine.
(b) For the purposes of this subdivision:
(i) "Stretch limousine" shall mean an altered motor vehicle  having  a
seating  capacity  of  nine  or  more  passengers, including the driver,
commonly referred to as a "stretch limousine" and which is used  in  the
business of transporting passengers for compensation; and
(ii)  "Window  break  tool" shall mean a tool that can be used to open
the windows of a stretch limousine in the event of an emergency.
* NB  Repealed upon notification that any federal agency determines in
writing that Part K of chapter 58 of 2024 would render  New  York  state
ineligible  for  the  receipt of federal funds or any court of competent
jurisdiction finally determines that such Part K would render  New  York
state  out  of compliance with federal law or regulation (see chapter 58
of 2024 Part K § 11)
* 57. Stretch limousine age and mileage parameters. (a)  It  shall  be
unlawful  to  operate  or  cause  to  be  operated  a  stretch limousine
registered in this state on any public highway or private road  open  to
public  motor  vehicle traffic if the vehicle is more than ten years old
or the cumulative mileage registered on the vehicle's  odometer  exceeds
three hundred fifty thousand miles, whichever occurs first.
(b)  For  the  purposes of this subdivision, "stretch limousine" shall
mean an altered motor vehicle having a seating capacity of nine or  more
passengers,  including  the  driver,  commonly referred to as a "stretch
limousine" and which is used in the business of transporting  passengers
for compensation.
(c)(i)  A stretch limousine with an odometer reading that differs from
the number of miles the stretch limousine has actually traveled or  that
has had a prior history involving the disconnection or malfunctioning of
an  odometer  or which appears to the commissioner to have an inaccurate
odometer reading based on prior inspection records, will be assigned  an
imputed mileage for each month from the last reliable odometer recording
through the date of inspection, as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this
paragraph.  A  motor  carrier  may  seek  review of the determination to
assign imputed mileage as  provided  pursuant  to  article  six  of  the
transportation law and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(ii)  The imputed mileage shall be calculated by adding the mileage of
the stretch limousine recorded at the two most recent stretch  limousine
inspections,   including   roadside   inspections   conducted   by   the
commissioner of transportation or division of state police, whichever is
more recent, and dividing that sum by twenty-four. The quotient  is  the
imputed monthly mileage.
(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the commissioner of transportation,
a  stretch  limousine  may  not  be operated or caused to be operated to
transport  passengers  for   compensation   or   continue   transporting
passengers  for  compensation  if  a  reliable baseline odometer reading
cannot be ascertained.
(iv) A motor carrier or operator who knows or has  reason  to  believe
that  the  odometer  reading  of  a limousine differs from the number of
miles the stretch limousine has actually traveled  shall  disclose  that
status   to   the  commissioner  or  the  department  of  transportation
immediately.
* NB Effective April 20, 2026