61-9-204. Taillamps. (1) 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 taillamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as hereinbefore required, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the taillamp on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. Further, every such above-mentioned vehicle, other than a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, quadricycle, or truck tractor, registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1956, shall be equipped with at least two taillamps mounted on the rear, which when lighted as herein required, shall comply with the provisions of this section.
     (2) Every taillamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches or less than 15 inches.
     (3) Either taillamp 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 50 feet to the rear. Any taillamp or taillamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
     (4) Taillamps are not required on a motorcycle that is registered under 61-3-411 as a collector's item, but such motorcycle may not be operated on a highway or street from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or when persons and vehicles are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet unless it is equipped with the required taillamps.

     History: En. Sec. 115, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-118; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 42, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 345, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 58, L. 1987.