reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4150. Investigation of vehicles; registration according to load capacity; marking empty weight on farm trucks; marking name of registered owner or lessor on certain vehicles.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles upon registering a vehicle, under the laws of this State, which is designed and used primarily for the transportation of property or for the transportation of ten or more persons, may require information and may make investigation or tests necessary to enable it to determine whether the vehicle may be operated safely upon the highways in accordance with all the provisions of this chapter. The department may register the vehicle for a load capacity which, added to the empty or unloaded weight of the vehicle, will result in a permissible gross weight not exceeding the limitations set forth in this chapter. It is unlawful for a person to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a load capacity in excess of that for which it is registered by the department or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter. A person making application for a "farm truck" license shall declare in the form prescribed by the department the true unloaded or empty weight of the vehicle and shall stencil or mark in a conspicuous place on the left side of the vehicle the true unloaded or empty weight if the unloaded or empty weight is over five thousand pounds. A "farm truck" operating solely in intrastate commerce and otherwise specified in Section 56-5-225 is not required to have the name of the registered owner, lessor, or lessee stenciled or otherwise marked on the vehicle.
(B) A private motor truck or truck tractor equal to or exceeding 26,001 pounds gross weight and a for-hire motor truck or truck tractor must have the name of the registered owner or lessor on the side clearly distinguishable at a distance of fifty feet. These provisions do not apply to two-axle straight trucks hauling raw farm and forestry products. Except as provided in subsection (A) concerning certain "farm trucks", a truck operating pursuant to the federal motor carrier safety regulations must operate with the owner's, lessor's, or lessee's name as required.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-665; 1952 Code Section 46-665; 1949 (46) 466; 1959 (51) 391; 1977 Act No. 47; 1978 Act No. 491; 1983 Act No. 20; 1992 Act No. 498, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 39C; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1435; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 193; 2012 Act No. 180, Section 5, eff May 25, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4192. Authorization; movement of mobile homes on Saturday.

Open-end permits issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3, Title 57 shall authorize the movement of a mobile home on the highways of this State on a Saturday.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 439, Section 2; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 195.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4210. Reduced load, weight, and speed limits; special regulation or prohibition of specified classes or sizes of vehicles; posting of notices.

Anything in this article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Department of Transportation with respect to state highways and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may prescribe, by notice as herein provided, loads and weights and speed limits lower than the limits prescribed in this chapter and other laws, whenever in their judgment any road or part thereof or any bridge or culvert shall by reason of its design, deterioration, rain or other climatic or natural causes be liable to be damaged or destroyed by motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers, if the gross weight or speed limit thereof shall exceed the limits prescribed in such notice. And the Department of Transportation or such local authority may, by like notice, regulate or prohibit, in whole or in part, the operation of any specified class or size of motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer on any highways or specified parts thereof under its jurisdiction, whenever in its judgment, such regulation or prohibition is necessary to provide for the public safety and convenience on such highways or parts thereof by reason of traffic density, intensive use thereof by the traveling public or other reasons of public safety and convenience. The notice or the substance thereof shall be posted at conspicuous places at terminals of and all intermediate cross-roads and road junctions with the section of highway to which such notice shall apply. After any such notice shall have been posted, the operation of any motor vehicle or combination contrary to its provisions shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-668; 1952 Code Section 46-668; 1949 (46) 466; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1445.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4220. Local restrictions under Section 56-5-4210; approval by Department of Transportation.

No limitation shall be established by any county, municipal or other local authority pursuant to the provisions of Section 56-5-4210 that would interfere with or interrupt traffic as authorized hereunder over state highways, including officially established detours for such highways and cases where such traffic passes over roads, streets or thoroughfares within the sole jurisdiction of such county, municipal or other local authority, unless such limitations and further restrictions shall have first been approved by the Department of Transportation, except that with respect to county roads, other than such as are in use as state highway detours, the respective county road authorities shall have full power and authority to further limit the weights of vehicles upon bridges and culverts upon such public notice as they deem sufficient, and existing laws applicable thereto shall not be affected by the terms of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-669; 1952 Code Section 46-669; 1949 (46) 466; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1446.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4230. Liability for damages to highway or highway structure.

Any person driving or moving any vehicle, object or contrivance upon any highway or highway structure shall be liable for all damages which such highway or structure may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, driving or moving of such vehicles, objects or contrivances or whether such damage is a result of operating, driving or moving any vehicle, object or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weights as provided in this article but authorized by special permit issued pursuant to Section 56-5-4170. Whenever such driver is not the owner of such vehicle, object or contrivance, but is so operating, driving or moving it with the express or implied permission of such owner, the owner and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for any such damage. Such damage may be recovered in any civil action brought by the authorities in control of such highway or highway structure.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-670; 1952 Code Section 46-670; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4240. Commercial motor vehicle and its driver.

(A) Except as otherwise provided by law or through regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Safety, a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and its driver operating in intrastate commerce with a gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight (GCW), and gross combination weight rating (GCWR) equal to or exceeding 26,001 pounds must meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, as enforced exclusively by the State Transport Police Division of the Department of Public Safety.
(B) CMVs operating below 26,001 pounds are exempt from the regulations cited in subsection (A).
(C) A CMV or its driver is not exempt from the regulations cited in subsection (A) regardless of weight, if the vehicle is:
(1) designed or used to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver; or
(2) used in the transportation of hazardous materials and is required to be placarded pursuant to 49 C. F. R. part 172, subpart F.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 180, Section 2, eff May 25, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4410. Unlawful to operate unsafe or improperly equipped vehicle or to violate provisions of article.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such an unsafe condition as to endanger any person or property or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with lights, brakes, steering and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this article or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this article or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-511; 1952 Code Section 46-511; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4420. Special rules for implements of husbandry, farm tractors, and road machinery.

The provisions of this article with respect to equipment on vehicles shall not apply to implements of husbandry, road machinery or farm tractors except as herein made applicable. Every farm tractor equipped with an electric-lighting system shall at all times mentioned in Section 56-5-4450 display a red tail lamp and either a multiple-beam or single-beam road-lighting equipment meeting the requirements of Sections 56-5-4510 to 56-5-4530, 56-5-4770 and 56-5-4790, respectively.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-512; 1952 Code Section 46-512; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4430. Additional parts and accessories not prohibited.

Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories of any vehicle which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-513; 1952 Code Section 46-513; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4435. Safety equipment required for motor vehicles used in vending food.

A motor vehicle which performs business in a residential or abundant housing area and makes frequent or unscheduled stops for the purpose of vendor sales of frozen dairy products or other types of snack foods must be equipped with the following safety features:
(1) an audible alarm signal device when the vehicle is in reverse gear, but the signal must not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound;
(2) signal lamps mounted on the front and on the rear as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which are capable of displaying two alternately flashing red lights at the same level. These lights must have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet in normal sunlight;
(3) an extended mirror outside on both the right and left side of the vehicle to reflect to the driver a view of the street or highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet behind the vehicle;
(4) a rear mirror situated to provide the operator a view of the area immediately behind the vehicle; and
(5) a swing arm located on the front and rear of the vehicle that prohibits a person from walking directly in front of or behind the vehicle. The swing arm must be engaged when the vehicle is stopped for the purpose of vending products.
This section does not apply to a vehicle that delivers or distributes foods to commercial properties or construction sites only.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 303, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4440. Image display devices.

(A) As used in this section, "image display device" means equipment capable of displaying to the driver of a motor vehicle:
(1) a broadcast television image; or
(2) a visual image, other than text, from a digital video disc or other storage device.
(B) Except as provided in subsection (E) of this section, no person shall drive a motor vehicle equipped with any image display device which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or which is visible, directly or indirectly, to the driver while operating the motor vehicle.
(C) Except as provided in subsection (E) of this section, no person may install in a motor vehicle an image display device intended to be visible to a driver in the normal driving position when the vehicle is in motion and when restrained by the vehicle seat belts adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(D) A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
(E) Subsections (B) and (C) of this section do not apply to the following:
(1) emergency vehicles;
(2) image display devices that are displaying images that provide the driver with navigation and related traffic, road, and weather information;
(3) image display devices providing vehicle information or information related to the driving task;
(4) image display devices used to enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of the motor vehicle;
(5) image display devices that permit the driver to monitor vehicle occupants seated rearward of the driver;
(6) image display devices that do not display images to the driver while the vehicle is in motion; or
(7) any use of an image display device while a vehicle is parked.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-514; 1965 (54) 323; 2008 Act No. 285, Section 3, eff June 11, 2008.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4445. Unlawful to elevate or lower motor vehicle; exception for "pickup trucks".

Section effective until November 12, 2023. See, also, Section 56-5-4445 effective November 12, 2023.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a passenger motor vehicle on the highways of this State which has been elevated or lowered either in front or back more than six inches by a modification, alteration or change in the physical structure of the vehicle. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars. Provided, however, this shall not apply to motor vehicles commonly called "pickup trucks".
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 447.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4445. Unlawful to elevate or lower motor vehicle; exception for "pickup trucks".

Section effective November 12, 2023. See, also, Section 56-5-4445 effective until November 12, 2023.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a passenger motor vehicle on the highways of this State which has been elevated or lowered, yet still leveled, more than six inches by a modification, alteration, or change in the physical structure of the vehicle. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars. Provided, however, the provisions in this subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles commonly referred to as "pickup trucks".
(B)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a passenger motor vehicle, including vehicles commonly referred to as pickup trucks, on the highways of this State if, by alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of the front fender is raised or lowered four or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender. For purposes of this subsection, the height of the fender shall be a vertical measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender. As contained in this item, "fender" means the pressed and formed part mounted over the road wheels of a motor vehicle to reduce the splashing of mud, water, or similar substances.
(2) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction:
(a) for a first offense, shall be fined one hundred dollars;
(b) for a second offense, shall be fined two hundred dollars; and
(c) for a third or subsequent offense, shall be fined three hundred dollars and have his license suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles for twelve months from the date of conviction.
(3) Only offenses which occur within five years of each other, including and immediately preceding the date of the last offense, shall constitute a prior offense within the meaning of this subsection.
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 447; 2023 Act No. 24 (S.363), Section 1, eff November 12, 2023.
Editor's Note
2023 Act No. 24, Section 2, provides as follows:
"SECTION 2. This act takes effect one hundred eighty days after approval by the Governor. For a period of one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this act, only warning tickets may be issued for a violation of the provisions of this act."
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 24, Section 1, rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4450. Times when vehicles must be equipped with lights.

(A) Every vehicle upon a street or highway within this State shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices, excluding parking lights, from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and at any other time when windshield wipers are in use as a result of rain, sleet, or snow, or when inclement weather or environmental factors severely reduce the ability to clearly discern persons and vehicles on the street or highway at a distance of five hundred feet ahead as required in this article for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as provided in this article; provided, however, the provisions of this section requiring use of lights in conjunction with the use of windshield wipers shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.
(B) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined up to twenty-five dollars.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-521; 1952 Code Section 46-521; 1949 (46) 466; 1988 Act No. 532, Section 11; 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 27, eff November 19, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 89, Section 27, inserted the paragraph identifiers, and deleted the second paragraph of (A), which had related to warning tickets for failure to display the lights of a vehicle.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4460. Time when motorcycle lights must be turned on.

(1) Any person who operates a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle on public streets or highways shall, while so engaged, have the headlights of such motorcycle or motor-driven cycle turned on except for those vehicles exempted by Section 56-5-4470.
(2) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars or be imprisoned for not more than ten days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-521.1; 1973 (58) 634.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4470. Lighted lamps not required for vehicles not operated at night.

Vehicles which are not kept for use or used at any time when lighted lamps are required by Section 56-5-4450 need not be equipped with the lighting equipment otherwise required in this article for use at such times and it shall be unlawful for any person to drive or move any such vehicle or for the owner to permit such vehicle to be driven or moved on any highway during such times unless it shall comply with all provisions of this article with respect to lighted lamps and other equipment.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than sixty days or both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-522; 1952 Code Section 46-522; 1949 (46) 466; 1967 (55) 1024.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4480. Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.

Whenever a requirement is herein declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall render objects visible, such provisions shall apply during the times stated in Section 56-5-4450 in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated. Whenever a requirement is herein declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without load.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-523; 1952 Code Section 46-523; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4490. Head lamps required on motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle. Such head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this article. Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-524; 1952 Code Section 46-524; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4500. Height of head lamps from ground.

Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than fifty-four inches nor less than twenty-four inches to be measured as set forth in Section 56-5-4480. However, this section shall apply only to new vehicles sold in this State after June 30, 1949.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-525; 1952 Code Section 46-525; 1949 (46) 466; 1957 (50) 113.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4510. Tail lamps required.

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear which, when lighted as herein required, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear; provided, that in the case of a train of vehicles only the tail lamp on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-526; 1952 Code Section 46-526; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4520. Height of tail lamps.

Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than sixty inches nor less than twenty inches to be measured as set forth in Section 56-5-4480.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-527; 1952 Code Section 46-527; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4530. Illumination of rear registration plate.

Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-528; 1952 Code Section 46-528; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4540. Motor vehicles must be equipped with rear reflectors.

Every new motor vehicle sold after June 7, 1949 and operated upon a highway, other than a truck tractor, motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors meeting the requirements of this article, and every such motorcycle and every such motor-driven cycle shall carry at least one such reflector, except that vehicles of the type referred to in Section 56-5-4570 shall be equipped with reflectors as required in the sections applicable thereto.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-529; 1952 Code Section 46-529; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4550. Characteristics and mounting of rear reflectors.

Every such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than twenty inches nor more than sixty inches measured as set forth in Section 56-5-4480 and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred feet to fifty feet from such vehicle except that visibility from the greater distance is herein required of reflectors on certain types of vehicles.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-530; 1952 Code Section 46-530; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4560. Stop lamps required on motor vehicles.

From and after July 1, 1949 it shall be unlawful for any person to sell any new motor vehicle, including any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, in this State or for any person to drive such vehicle on the highways unless it is equipped with a stop lamp meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4730.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-531; 1952 Code Section 46-531; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4570. Application of succeeding sections; lighting of lamp equipment.

Those sections of this chapter which follow immediately, including Sections 56-5-4580 to 56-5-4620, relating to clearance and marker lamps, reflectors and stop lights shall apply as stated in such sections to vehicles of the type therein enumerated, namely passenger buses, trucks, truck tractors and certain trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers, respectively, when operated upon any highway, and such vehicles shall be equipped as required, and all lamp equipment required shall be lighted at the times stated in Section 56-5-4450, except that clearance and side-marker lamps need not be lighted on any such vehicle when operated within any municipality where there is sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-532; 1952 Code Section 46-532; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4580. Additional lighting equipment required on buses, trucks, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers.

In addition to other equipment required in this article, the vehicles listed below must be equipped as provided in this section when operated under the conditions stated in Section 56-5-4570:
(1) On every bus or truck, whatever its size, on the rear, two reflectors, one on each side and one stop light;
(2) On every bus or truck eighty inches or more in over-all width, in addition to the requirements in item (1),
(a) on the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side,
(b) on the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side,
(c) on each side, two side-marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear, and
(d) on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear;
(3) On every truck tractor,
(a) on the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and
(b) on the rear, one stop light;
(4) On every trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of three thousand pounds,
(a) on the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side,
(b) on each side, two side-marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear,
(c) on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear, and
(d) on the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and also two reflectors, one at each side, and one stop light;
(5) On every pole trailer in excess of three thousand pounds gross weight,
(a) on each side, one side-marker lamp and one clearance lamp, which may be in combination, to show to the front, side, and rear, and
(b) on the rear of the pole trailer or load, two reflectors, one at each side;
(6) On every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer weighing three thousand pounds gross or less, on the rear two reflectors, one on each side. If a trailer or semitrailer is loaded or is of dimensions so as to obscure the stop light on the towing vehicle then the vehicle also must be equipped with one stop light;
(7) On every pole truck or trailer, a strip of light reflecting paint, tape, or reflectors on the external sides of the pole support frame or bolsters, or both, where practical.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-533; 1952 Code Section 46-533; 1949 (46) 466; 1993 Act No. 81, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4590. Color of clearance lamps, side-marker lamps, reflectors, stop lights, and back-up lamps.

Front clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color. Rear clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color. All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop light or other signal device, which may be red, amber or yellow and except that the light illuminating the license plate or the light emitted by a back-up lamp shall be white.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-534; 1952 Code Section 46-534; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4600. Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps, and side-marker lamps.

Reflectors, when required pursuant to Section 56-5-4580, shall be mounted at a height not less than twenty-four inches and not higher than sixty inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands, except that if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than twenty-four inches the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit. The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load. Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this chapter.
Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such manner as to indicate its extreme width and as near the top thereof as practicable. Clearance lamps and side-marker lamps may be mounted in combination, provided illumination is given as required herein with reference to both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-535; 1952 Code Section 46-535; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4610. Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps, and marker lamps.

Every reflector upon any vehicle referred to in Section 56-5-4580 shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at nighttime from all distances within five hundred to fifty feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps. Reflectors required to be mounted on the sides of the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear.
Front and rear clearance lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of five hundred feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle.
Side-marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the time lights are required at a distance of five hundred feet from the side of the vehicle on which mounted.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-536; 1952 Code Section 46-536; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4620. Lighting lamps on vehicles operated in combination.

Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamp, except tail lamps, need not be lighted which, by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination, would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, but this shall not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps, nor that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-537; 1952 Code Section 46-537; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4630. Lamp or flag on projecting load.

(A) Whenever the load upon a vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle, the vehicle must be equipped with, at the times specified in Section 56-5-4450, the following safety equipment:
(1) for any commercial motor vehicle as defined in this title transporting unmanufactured forest products as defined in Department of Public Safety Regulation 38-390, one amber strobe-type lamp equipped with a multi-directional-type lens securely affixed as close as practical to the end of the projecting load, so as to be visible from the rear and side of the projecting load. If one strobe lamp fails to make the projecting load visible from both sides and the rear of the projecting load, multiple strobe lamps must be utilized to meet the visibility requirements. The strobe lamp shall flash at a rate of at least sixty flashes per minute and must be plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the sides and rear of the projecting load. The lamp must be operating any time the vehicle is operated on a highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portion of a public roadway; or
(2) a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the side or rear must be displayed at the extreme rear of the load if the strobe light required by this section becomes temporarily inoperable while transporting a load between points.
(B) The projecting load must be marked at the extreme rear of the load with a red flag or cloth not less than twelve inches by twelve inches and hung so that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear.
(C) Utility companies when responding to an emergency situation such as caused by storms or accidents are exempt from the provisions of this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-538; 1952 Code Section 46-538; 1949 (46) 466; 1985 Act No. 199, Section 1; 1996 Act No. 425, Section 5; 2008 Act No. 234, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 22, 2008).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4640. Lights on parked vehicles.

Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a street or highway during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred feet upon such street or highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle. Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise and there is not sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred feet upon such highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with one or more lamps meeting the following requirements: At least one lamp shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle and the same lamp or at least one other lamp shall display a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle, and the location of such lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle which is closest to passing traffic. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to a motor-driven cycle.
Any lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-539; 1952 Code Section 46-539; 1949 (46) 466; 1959 (51) 124.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4650. Lamps on other vehicles and equipment.

All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles and implements of husbandry, road machinery or farm tractors and other vehicles not otherwise specifically required to be equipped with lamps, shall at the times specified in Section 56-5-4450 be equipped with at least one lighted lamp or lantern exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle and with a lamp or lantern or reflector exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-540; 1952 Code Section 46-540; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4660. Spot lamps.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp, and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than one hundred feet ahead of the vehicle.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-541; 1952 Code Section 46-541; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4670. Fog lamps.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than twelve inches nor more than thirty inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that, when the vehicle is not loaded, none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-542; 1952 Code Section 46-542; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4680. Auxiliary passing lamps.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary passing lamp mounted on the front at a height not less than twenty-four inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, and every such auxiliary passing lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-543; 1952 Code Section 46-543; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4690. Auxiliary driving lamps.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary driving lamp mounted on the front at a height not less than sixteen inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, and every such auxiliary driving lamp shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-544; 1952 Code Section 46-544; 1949 (46) 466.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4700. Audible signal devices and signal lamps for authorized emergency vehicles, school buses and police vehicles; restrictions on use; effect of use.

(A) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this chapter, be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell capable of giving an audible signal.
(B) Every school bus and every authorized emergency vehicle, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this chapter, must be equipped with signal lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which must be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level, and these lights must have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet in normal sunlight. However, vehicles of a fire department or funeral home when equipped with a mounted, oscillating, rotating, or flashing red light, visible in all directions for a distance of five hundred feet in normal sunlight, are not required to have additional signal lamps.
(C) All police vehicles when used as authorized emergency vehicles must be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing blue lights. In addition to the blue lights, the police vehicle may, but need not be equipped with alternately flashing red lights as herein specified, and may, but need not be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing red lights, white lights, or both, in combination with the required blue lights. The authorized emergency police vehicle lights described herein must be visible for a distance of five hundred feet in all directions in normal sunlight. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or display on any vehicle any blue light that is visible from outside the vehicle except one used primarily for law enforcement purposes.
(D) The alternately flashing lighting described in subsection (B) of this section shall not be used on any vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle. Provided, that a school bus may use the alternately flashing red lighting described in subsection (B), or red flashing lights in the rear and amber flashing lights in the front.
(E) The use of the signal equipment described herein shall impose upon drivers of other vehicles the obligation to yield right-of-way and stop as prescribed in Sections 56-5-2360 and 56-5-2770.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-544.1; 1966 (54) 2567; 1967 (55) 131; 1970 (56) 2320; 1979 Act No. 43; 2003 Act No. 65, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4710. Use of mounted oscillating, rotating, or flashing red light by wreckers.

Wreckers may use a mounted oscillating, rotating or flashing red light only at the scene of accidents.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-544.2; 1970 (56) 2319.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4715. Forestry Commission vehicles authorized to use flashing red lights in fire emergencies.

Notwithstanding Section 56-5-4700, emergency and fire fighting vehicles of the South Carolina Forestry Commission may but not need be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing red lights for use during any fire emergency. If a red light is used, it must be visible for a distance of five hundred feet in all directions in normal sunlight. The State Forestry Commission shall determine which vehicles should have red, yellow, white, or amber lights, or a combination thereof, and determine when a fire emergency exists. A forestry vehicle equipped with a red light is not required to have a siren or any other audible signal pursuant to Section 56-5-4700(a).
HISTORY: 1991 Act No. 97, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4720. Use of oscillating, rotating or flashing red lights on Department of Transportation vehicles.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-5-4700, any Department of Transportation vehicle may use oscillating, rotating or flashing red lights during any emergency. The Department of Transportation personnel shall determine when an emergency exists.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-544.3; 1971 (57) 453; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1447; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 196.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways › Section 56-5-4730. Signal lamps and signal devices.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this chapter shall be equipped, with the following signal lamps and devices:
(1) A stop lamp on the rear which shall emit a red or yellow light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a tail lamp; and
(2) A lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or to the left and which shall be visible both from the front and rear.
A stop lamp shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of one hundred feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of one hundred feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, such lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times specified in Section 56-5-4450.
When a vehicle is so constructed or loaded that a hand-and-arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear of such vehicle, such vehicle shall be equipped with such signal devices as are described in this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-545; 1952 Code Section 46-545; 1949 (46) 466.