Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 46 Motor Vehicles - Chapter 46.37 Vehicle Lighting And Other Equipment

46.37.005 State patrol -- Additional powers and duties
In addition to those powers and duties elsewhere granted, the chief of the Washington state patrol shall have the power and the duty to adopt, ...

46.37.010 Scope and effect of regulations -- General penalty
(1) It is a traffic infraction for any person to drive or move, or for a vehicle owner to cause or knowingly permit to be ...

46.37.020 When lighted lamps and signaling devices are required
Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at ...

46.37.030 Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps
(1) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or ...

46.37.040 Head lamps on motor vehicles
(1) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the ...

46.37.050 Tail lamps
(1) After January 1, 1964, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of ...

46.37.060 Reflectors
(1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two ...

46.37.070 Stop lamps and electric turn signals required
(1) After January 1, 1964, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps meeting the requirements ...

46.37.080 Application of succeeding sections
Those sections of this chapter which follow immediately, including RCW 46.37.090, 46.37.100, 46.37.110, 46.37.120, and 46.37.130, relating to clearance lamps, marker lamps, and reflectors, shall ...

46.37.090 Additional equipment required on certain vehicles
In addition to other equipment required in RCW 46.37.040, 46.37.050, 46.37.060, and 46.37.070, the following vehicles shall be equipped as herein stated under the conditions ...

46.37.100 Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps, back-up lamps, and reflectors
(1) Front clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall ...

46.37.110 Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps, and side marker lamps
(1) Reflectors when required by RCW 46.37.090 shall be mounted at a height not less than twenty-four inches and not higher than sixty inches above ...

46.37.120 Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps, and side marker lamps
(1) Every reflector upon any vehicle referred to in RCW 46.37.090 shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily ...

46.37.130 Obstructed lights not required
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 ...

46.37.140 Lamps, reflectors, and flags on projecting load
Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle there shall be ...

46.37.150 Lamps on vehicles -- Parked or stopped vehicles, lighting requirements
(1) Every vehicle shall be equipped with one or more lamps, which, when lighted, shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance ...

46.37.160 Hazard warning lights and reflectors on farm equipment -- Slow-moving vehicle emblem
(1) Every farm tractor and every self-propelled unit of farm equipment or implement of husbandry manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1970, shall be equipped ...

46.37.170 Lamps and reflectors on other vehicles and equipment -- Slow-moving vehicle emblem on animal-drawn vehicles
(1) Every vehicle, including animal-drawn vehicles and vehicles referred to in *RCW 46.37.010(3), not specifically required by the provisions of RCW 46.37.020 through 46.37.330 to ...

46.37.180 Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps
(1) Spot lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed ...

46.37.184 Red flashing lights on fire department vehicles
All fire department vehicles in service shall be identified by red lights of an intermittent flashing type, visible from both front and rear for a ...

46.37.185 Green light on firefighters' private cars
Firefighters, when approved by the chief of their respective service, shall be authorized to use a green light on the front of their private cars ...

46.37.186 Fire department sign or plate on private car
(1) No private vehicle, bearing a sign or plate indicating a fire department connection, shall be driven or operated on any public highway, except when ...

46.37.187 Green light, sign or plate -- Identification card required
Any individual displaying a green light as authorized in RCW 46.37.185, or a sign or plate as authorized in RCW 46.37.186, shall also carry attached ...

46.37.188 Penalty for violation of RCW 46.37.184 through 46.37.188
Every violation of RCW 46.37.184, 46.37.185, 46.37.186, or 46.37.187 is a traffic infraction.[1979 ex.s. c 136 § 70; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.188. Prior: 1953 ...

46.37.190 Warning devices on vehicles -- Other drivers yield and stop
(1) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive marking required by this chapter, be equipped with at least one ...

46.37.191 Implementing rules
The state patrol shall adopt rules to implement RCW 46.37.190.[1993 c 401 § 3.] ...

46.37.193 Signs on buses
Every school bus and private carrier bus, in addition to any other equipment or distinctive markings required by this chapter, shall bear upon the front ...

46.37.194 Authorized emergency vehicles -- State patrol authority, maintenance, and applicant and driver screening
The state patrol may make rules and regulations relating to authorized emergency vehicles and shall test and approve sirens and emergency vehicle lamps to be ...

46.37.195 Sale of emergency vehicle lighting equipment restricted
A public agency shall not sell or give emergency vehicle lighting equipment or other equipment to a person who may not lawfully operate the lighting ...

46.37.196 Red lights on emergency tow trucks
All emergency tow trucks shall be identified by an intermittent or revolving red light capable of 360 visibility at a distance of five hundred feet ...

46.37.200 Stop lamps and electric turn signals displayed
(1) Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this chapter shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of ...

46.37.210 Additional lighting equipment
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light ...

46.37.215 Hazard warning lamps
(1) Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps for the purpose of warning other operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic ...

46.37.220 Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment
Except as hereinafter provided, the head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles shall be ...

46.37.230 Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment
(1) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in RCW 46.37.020, the driver shall ...

46.37.240 Single-beam road-lighting equipment
Head lamp systems which provide only a single distribution of light shall be permitted on all farm tractors regardless of date of manufacture, and on ...

46.37.260 Alternate road lighting equipment
Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in RCW 46.37.020 when equipped with two lighted lamps upon the front thereof capable of ...

46.37.270 Number of lamps required -- Number of additional lamps permitted
(1) At all times specified in RCW 46.37.020, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every ...

46.37.280 Special restrictions on lamps
(1) During the times specified in RCW 46.37.020, any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than head lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary ...

46.37.290 Special lighting equipment on school buses and private carrier buses
The chief of the Washington state patrol is authorized to adopt standards and specifications applicable to lighting equipment on and special warning devices to be ...

46.37.300 Standards for lights on snow-removal or highway maintenance and service equipment
(1) The state patrol shall adopt standards and specifications applicable to head lamps, clearance lamps, identification and other lamps on snow-removal and other highway maintenance ...

46.37.310 Selling or using lamps or equipment
(1) No person may have for sale, sell, or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of the equipment of a motor ...

46.37.320 Authority of state patrol regarding lighting devices or other safety equipment
(1) The chief of the state patrol is hereby authorized to adopt and enforce rules establishing standards and specifications governing the performance of lighting devices ...

46.37.330 Revocation of certificate of approval on devices -- Reapproval, conditions
(1) When the state patrol has reason to believe that an approved device does not comply with the requirements of this chapter or regulations issued ...

46.37.340 Braking equipment required
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any combination of such vehicle operating upon a highway within this state shall be equipped with ...

46.37.351 Performance ability of brakes
Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service brakes, shall be capable ...

46.37.360 Maintenance of brakes -- Brake system failure indicator
(1) All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to ...

46.37.365 Hydraulic brake fluid -- Defined -- Standards and specifications
(1) The term "hydraulic brake fluid" as used in this section shall mean the liquid medium through which force is transmitted to the brakes in ...

46.37.369 Wheels and front suspension
(1) No vehicle shall be equipped with wheel nuts, hub caps, or wheel discs extending outside the body of the vehicle when viewed from directly ...

46.37.375 Steering and suspension systems
(1) Construction of steering control system. The steering control system shall be constructed and maintained so that no components or attachments, including horn activating mechanism ...

46.37.380 Horns, warning devices, and theft alarms
(1) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible ...

46.37.390 Mufflers required -- Smoke and air contaminant standards -- Definitions -- Penalty, exception
(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or ...

46.37.395 Compression brakes (Jake brakes)
(1) This section applies to all motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kilograms or more (10,001 pounds or more), registered and ...

46.37.400 Mirrors, backup devices
(1) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so located to reflect to the ...

46.37.410 Windshields required, exception -- Must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers
(1) All motor vehicles operated on the public highways of this state shall be equipped with a front windshield manufactured of safety glazing materials for ...

46.37.420 Tires -- Restrictions
(1) It is unlawful to operate a vehicle upon the public highways of this state unless it is completely equipped with pneumatic rubber tires except ...

46.37.4215 Lightweight and retractable studs -- Certification by sellers
Beginning January 1, 2000, a person offering to sell to a tire dealer conducting business in the state of Washington, a metal flange or cleat ...

46.37.4216 Lightweight and retractable studs -- Sale of tires containing
Beginning July 1, 2001, a person may not sell a studded tire or sell a stud for installation in a tire unless the stud qualifies ...

46.37.423 Pneumatic passenger car tires -- Standards -- Exception for off-highway use -- Penalty
No person, firm, or corporation shall sell or offer for sale for use on the public highways of this state any new pneumatic passenger car ...

46.37.424 Regrooved tires -- Standards -- Exception for off-highway use -- Penalty
No person, firm, or corporation shall sell or offer for sale any regrooved tire or shall regroove any tire for use on the public highways ...

46.37.425 Tires -- Unsafe -- State patrol's authority -- Penalty
No person shall drive or move or cause to be driven or moved any vehicle, the tires of which have contact with the driving surface ...

46.37.430 Safety glazing -- Sunscreening or coloring
(1) No person may sell any new motor vehicle as specified in this title, nor may any new motor vehicle as specified in this title ...

46.37.435 Sunscreening, unlawful installation, penalty
From June 7, 1990, a person who installs safety glazing or film sunscreening material in violation of RCW 46.37.430 is guilty of unlawful installation of ...

46.37.440 Flares or other warning devices required on certain vehicles
(1) No person may operate any motor truck, passenger bus, truck tractor, motor home, or travel trailer over eighty inches in overall width upon any ...

46.37.450 Disabled vehicle -- Display of warning devices
(1) Whenever any motor truck, passenger bus, truck tractor over eighty inches in overall width, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is disabled upon the traveled ...

46.37.465 Fuel system
(1) The fuel system shall be manufactured, installed, and maintained with due regard for the safety of the occupants of the vehicle and the public. ...

46.37.467 Alternative fuel source -- Placard required
(1) Every automobile, truck, motorcycle, motor home, or off-road vehicle that is fueled by an alternative fuel source shall bear a reflective placard issued by ...

46.37.470 Air-conditioning equipment
(1) The term "air-conditioning equipment" as used or referred to in this section shall mean mechanical vapor compression refrigeration equipment which is used to cool ...

46.37.480 Television viewers -- Earphones
(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast which is ...

46.37.490 Safety load chains and devices required
It shall be unlawful to operate any vehicle upon the public highways of this state without having the load thereon securely fastened and protected by ...

46.37.495 Safety chains for towing
(1) "Safety chains" means flexible tension members connected from the front portion of the towed vehicle to the rear portion of the towing vehicle for ...

46.37.500 Fenders or splash aprons
(1) Except as authorized under subsection (2) of this section, no person may operate any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is not equipped with ...

46.37.505 Child passenger restraint systems
The state patrol shall adopt standards for the performance, design, and installation of passenger restraint systems for children less than five years old and shall ...

46.37.510 Seat belts and shoulder harnesses
(1) No person may sell any automobile manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1964, nor may any owner cause such vehicle to be registered thereafter ...

46.37.513 Bumpers
When any motor vehicle was originally equipped with bumpers or any other collision energy absorption or attenuation system, that system shall be maintained in good ...

46.37.517 Body and body hardware
(1) The body, fenders, and bumpers shall be maintained without protrusions which could be hazardous to pedestrians. In addition, the bumpers shall be so attached ...

46.37.518 Street rods and kit vehicles
Notwithstanding the requirements of this chapter, hoods and bumpers are optional equipment on street rods and kit vehicles. Street rods and kit vehicles must comply ...

46.37.520 Beach vehicles with soft tires -- "Dune buggies" -- Inspection and approval required -- Fee
It shall be unlawful for any person to lease for hire or permit the use of any vehicle with soft tires commonly used upon the ...

46.37.522 Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- When head lamps and tail lamps to be lighted
Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle shall have its head lamps and tail lamps lighted whenever such vehicle is in motion upon a highway.[1977 ex.s. c ...

46.37.523 Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Head lamps
(1) Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one lamp which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this ...

46.37.524 Motor-driven cycles -- Head lamps
The head lamp or head lamps upon every motor-driven cycle may be of the single-beam or multiple-beam type but in either event shall comply with ...

46.37.525 Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Tail lamps, reflectors, and stop lamps
(1) Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle shall have at least one tail lamp which shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two ...

46.37.527 Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Brake requirements
Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle must comply with the provisions of RCW 46.37.351, except that: (1) Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles need not be equipped with ...

46.37.528 Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Performance ability of brakes
Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service brake, shall be capable of: (1) ...

46.37.529 Motor-driven cycles -- Braking system inspection
(1) The state patrol is authorized to require an inspection of the braking system on any motor-driven cycle and to disapprove any such braking system ...

46.37.530 Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, electric-assisted bicycles -- Helmets, other equipment -- Children -- Rules
(1) It is unlawful: (a) For any person to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle not equipped with mirrors on the left and right sides ...

46.37.535 Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or mopeds -- Helmet requirements when rented
It is unlawful for any person to rent out motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or mopeds unless the person also has on hand for rent helmets of ...

46.37.537 Motorcycles -- Exhaust system
No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of ...

46.37.539 Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles -- Additional requirements and limitations
Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall also comply with the requirements and limitations of: RCW 46.37.380 on horns and warning devices; RCW 46.37.390 on ...

46.37.540 Odometers -- Disconnecting, resetting, or turning back prohibited
(1) The legislature intends to make it illegal for persons to turn forward the odometer on a new car to avoid compliance with the emissions ...

46.37.550 Odometers -- Selling motor vehicle knowing odometer turned back unlawful
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell a motor vehicle in this state if such person has knowledge that the odometer on such ...

46.37.560 Odometers -- Selling motor vehicle knowing odometer replaced unlawful
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell a motor vehicle in this state if such person has knowledge that the odometer on such ...

46.37.570 Odometers -- Selling, advertising, using, or installing device registering false mileage
It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise for sale, to sell, to use, or to install on any part of a motor vehicle ...

46.37.590 Odometers -- Purchaser plaintiff to recover costs and attorney's fee, when
In any suit brought by the purchaser of a motor vehicle against the seller of such vehicle, the purchaser shall be entitled to recover his ...

46.37.600 Liability of operator, owner, lessee for violations
Whenever an act or omission is declared to be unlawful in chapter 46.37 RCW, if the operator of the vehicle is not the owner or ...

46.37.610 Wheelchair conveyance standards
The state patrol shall adopt rules for wheelchair conveyance safety standards. Operation of a wheelchair conveyance that is in violation of these standards is a ...

46.37.620 School buses -- Crossing arms
Effective September 1, 1992, every school bus shall, in addition to any other equipment required by this chapter, be equipped with a crossing arm mounted ...

46.37.630 Private school buses
A private school bus is subject to the requirements set forth in the National Standards for School Buses established by the national safety council in ...

46.37.640 Air bags -- Definitions
(1) "Air bag" means an inflatable restraint system or portion of an inflatable restraint system installed in a motor vehicle. (2) "Previously deployed air bag" ...

46.37.650 Air bags -- Installation of previously deployed -- Penalty
(1) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if he or she knew or reasonably should have known that an air bag he or ...

46.37.660 Air bags -- Replacement requirements
Whenever an air bag that is part of a previously deployed inflatable restraint system is replaced by either a new air bag that is part ...

46.37.670 Signal preemption devices--Prohibited--Exceptions
(1) Signal preemption devices shall not be installed or used on or with any vehicle other than an emergency vehicle authorized by the state patrol, ...

46.37.671 Signal preemption device--Possession--Penalty
(1) It is unlawful to possess a signal preemption device except as authorized in RCW 46.37.670. (2) A person who violates this section is guilty ...

46.37.672 Signal preemption device--Use, sale, purchase--Penalty
(1) It is unlawful to: (a) Use a signal preemption device except as authorized in RCW 46.37.670; (b) Sell a signal preemption device to a ...

46.37.673 Signal preemption device--Accident--Property damage or less than substantial bodily harm--Penalty
(1) When an accident that results only in injury to property or injury to a person that does not arise to substantial bodily harm as ...

46.37.674 Signal preemption device--Accident--Substantial bodily harm--Penalty
(1) When an accident that results in injury to a person that arises to substantial bodily harm as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 occurs as a ...

46.37.675 Signal preemption device--Accident--Death--Penalty
(1) When an accident that results in death to a person occurs as a proximate result of the operation of a signal preemption device which ...

46.37.680 Sound system attachment
(1) All vehicle sound system components, including any supplemental speaker systems or components, must be securely attached to the vehicle regardless of where the components ...