189.040 Front lights -- Flashing lights

(1) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped, shall be equipped with at least two (2) headlamps with at least one (1) on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this section

(2) Every motorcycle and moped shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) headlamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this section

(3) Except as hereinafter provided, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamps or the auxiliary passing lamp or combinations thereof on motor vehicles, other than a motorcycle or moped, shall be so arranged that the driver may control the selection between distribution of light projected to different elevations, subject to the following requirements and limitations: (a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least three hundred fifty (350) feet ahead for all conditions of loading; (b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver; and (c) Every new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped, registered in this state after January 1, 1956, which has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped

(4) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in KRS 189.030, the driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the requirements and limitations hereinafter set forth

(5) Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred (500) feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light or composite beam specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading

(6) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within three hundred (300) feet to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, the driver shall use a distribution of light other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section

(7) Headlamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by auxiliary driving lights shall be permitted on motor vehicles manufactured and sold prior to May 30, 1939, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment, if the single distribution of light complies with the following requirements and limitations: (a) The headlamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light shall, at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, project higher than a level of five (5) inches below the level of the center of the light from which it comes, and in no case higher than forty-two (42) inches above the level on which the vehicle stands, at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead; (b) The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet; and (c) Whenever the operator of a motor vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred (500) feet, he shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. In no case shall the high intensity portion which is projected to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle be aimed higher than the center of the lamp from which it comes at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, and in no case higher than a level of forty-two (42) inches above the level upon which the vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead

(8) Flashing lights are prohibited on all motor vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn or for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing

(9) The height of the headlamps, from the center of the lamp to level ground when the vehicle is unloaded, shall be between twenty-four (24) and fifty-four (54) inches

(10) Headlamps required under this section shall only emit white light. Halogen headlamps may have a slight yellow or amber tint. Nonhalogen headlamps may emit a slight blue tint, if the headlamps were installed by the vehicle manufacturer as original equipment in the motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped or the headlamps meet the requirements of subsection (11) of this section

(11) A motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped shall only be equipped with headlamps that meet United States Department of Transportation regulations

(12) A motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped shall not be retrofitted with a headlamp that appears to emit a solid color of light other than white

(13) A motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped shall not be retrofitted with a headlamp cover or film that changes the light emitted from the headlamp to a color other than white

(14) Except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, except as provided in KRS 189.950(3)(b), and except for vehicles exempted under the provisions of KRS 189.910 to 189.950, when operating on a highway or upon the right-of-way of a highway, any: (a) Visible front lights on a motor vehicle or any light that is affixed to the front of a motorcycle or moped, shall only be white or amber, unless installed as original equipment by the manufacturer; and (b) Visible rear lights on a motor vehicle shall only be white, amber, or red, unless installed as original equipment by the manufacturer

(15) Any violation of this section for the illumination of a solid blue light or solid blue lights shall be deemed to be a violation of KRS 189.950(3)

Effective:June 29, 2017 History: Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 79, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 2, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 349, sec. 7, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky

Acts ch. 101, sec. 2. -- Amended 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 93, sec. 8. -- Amended 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 3; ch. 50, sec. 2; ch. 73, sec. 1; and ch. 227, sec. 1. -- Amended 1964 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 1. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 54, sec

1. -- Amended 1954 Ky. Acts ch. 248, sec. 1. -- Amended 1950 Ky. Acts ch. 52, sec. 1. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739g-24