39:3-47 Illuminating devices required; violations, fines.

39:3-47  No person shall drive, move, park or be in custody of any vehicle or combination of vehicles on any street or highway unless such vehicle or combination of vehicles is equipped with lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter in this article respectively required for different classes of vehicles.

a.No person shall drive, move, park or be in custody of any vehicle or combination of vehicles on any street or highway during the times when lighted lamps are required unless such vehicle or combination of vehicles displays lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter in this article required.  Failure to use lighted lamps when lighted lamps are required may result in a fine not to exceed $50.00.  In no case shall motor vehicle points or automobile insurance eligibility points pursuant to section 26 of P.L.1990, c.8 (C:17:33B-14) be assessed against any person for a violation of this subsection.  A person who is fined under this subsection for a violation of this subsection shall not be subject to a surcharge under the New Jersey Merit Rating Plan as provided in section 6 of P.L.1983, c.65 (C:17:29A-35).

b.No person shall use on any vehicle any approved electric lamp or similar device unless the light source of such lamp or device complies with the conditions of approval as to focus and rated candlepower.

c.No person shall alter the equipment or performance of equipment of any vehicle which has been approved at an official inspection station designated by the commission with intent to defeat the purpose of such inspection, and no person shall drive or use any vehicle with equipment so altered.

Amended 1995, c.305, s.2; 2003, c.13, s.44. 39:3-48.  Visibility    (a) Whenever there shall be in this article a requirement declared as to the  distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or  within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall  apply during the times when lighted lamps are required upon a straight level  unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time  or condition is expressly stated.

    (b) The light from every required exterior lamp on a vehicle shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet in the directions set forth therefor in paragraph (d) of this section except that the light illuminating a license plate shall cause the license plate to be clearly legible from a distance of 50  feet to the rear.  Such visibility is not required when the light is obscured  by another vehicle in a combination of vehicles.

    (c) Every required Class A reflector shall be visible from all distances between 100 and 600 feet, and every required Class B reflector shall be visible  from all distances between 100 and 350 feet, when illuminated by the upper beam  of headlamps.

    (d) Light from every headlamp, other driving lamp, clearance lamp, identification lamp and single-faced turn signal mounted on or at the front of a vehicle, and front parking light, shall be visible to the front;  that from every side-marker lamp and side reflector shall be visible to the side;  that from every stop lamp, tail lamp, clearance lamp, identification lamp, back-up lamp and reflector mounted on the rear, from every turn signal mounted on the rear of a vehicle or the cab of a truck tractor, and from any rear parking lamp, shall be visible to the rear;  that from any double-faced turn signal shall be visible to the front and to the rear at the side on which such lamp is  mounted;  and that from any projecting load marker lamp or combination marker  lamp shall be visible from the direction stated in the provision requiring it.