Arkansas Headlight and Taillight Laws

Understanding Arkansas's vehicle lighting laws is essential for ensuring road safety and compliance. This guide outlines the state's requirements for headlights and taillights, including when they must be used, equipment standards, and legal considerations.

Headlight Requirements

Number and Placement

• Motor Vehicles (excluding motorcycles and motor-driven cycles): Must be equipped with at least two headlamps, one on each side of the front of the vehicle. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

• Motorcycles and Motor-Driven Cycles: Must have at least one and not more than two headlamps. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Height Specifications

• Headlamps must be mounted at a height between 24 inches and 54 inches from the center of the headlamp to the ground. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Usage Times

Headlights must be turned on:

• From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

• During any period when visibility is insufficient to clearly discern persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet.

• When the vehicle's windshield wipers are in use due to rain, snow, or other precipitation. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Prohibited Modifications

• Any covering, coating, or alteration that reduces the illumination intensity of a headlamp is prohibited during times when headlamps are required to be used. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Taillight Requirements

Number and Placement

• Vehicles Manufactured After June 11, 1959: Must have at least two taillamps mounted on the rear, on the same level, and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

• Other Vehicles: Must have at least one taillamp mounted on the rear. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Visibility and Color

• Taillamps must emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Height Specifications

• Taillamps must be mounted at a height between 20 inches and 72 inches from the center of the lamp to the ground. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

License Plate Illumination

• Either a taillamp or a separate lamp must illuminate the rear license plate with a white light, making it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear.

• Displaying any other color of light around the license plate or using excessive white light that renders the plate illegible from 50 feet is prohibited. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Wiring Requirements

• Taillamps and any separate license plate illumination lamps must be wired to be lighted whenever the headlamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Reflectors

• Motor Vehicles (excluding truck tractors): Must carry on the rear, either as part of the taillamps or separately, two red reflectors.

• Motorcycles and Motor-Driven Cycles: Must carry at least one red reflector. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Compliance and Penalties

Failure to comply with Arkansas's headlight and taillight laws can result in fines and penalties. It's crucial for drivers to ensure their vehicle lighting systems meet the state's requirements to maintain safety and avoid legal issues.

For more information on vehicle lighting regulations and other driving requirements in Arkansas, refer to the Arkansas Code Search.