BILL AS INTRODUCED H.413
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VT LEG #380667 v.2
H.413 1
Introduced by Representative Kimbell of Woodstock 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Motor vehicles; use of required lamps; use of required lights; 5
windshield wipers 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require 7
operators of vehicles on a highway to illuminate required lamps while 8
windshield wipers are in continuous use or as a result of weather conditions 9
that limit visibility and to require that a motor vehicle’s taillights be visible 10
from a distance of at least 300 feet behind the vehicle. 11
An act relating to use of illuminating lights and visibility of taillights 12
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 13
Sec. 1. 23 V.S.A. § 1243(b) is amended to read: 14
(b) Every A person operating a vehicle upon a highway within this State, 15
shall illuminate all front, tail or rear, and clearance lamps with which the 16
vehicle is required to be equipped pursuant to this chapter at any time all of the 17
following times: 18
(1) from From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise and 19
at any other time when. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.413
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(2) When, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric weather 1
conditions, persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a 2
distance of 500 feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices 3
as respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions 4
with respect to parked vehicles including when persons or vehicles on the 5
highway in front of the vehicle are not clearly discernible due to rain, snow, 6
fog, dust, smoke, or other particulate matter. 7
(3) When windshield wipers are in continuous, as opposed to 8
intermittent, use as a result of weather conditions. A person who violates this 9
subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty of $200.00 but shall not be 10
subject to the assessment of points against the person’s driving record. 11
Sec. 2. 23 V.S.A. § 1248 is amended to read: 12
§ 1248. TAILLIGHTS 13
(a) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, and pole trailer, and any other 14
vehicle that is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be 15
equipped with at least two red taillamps mounted on the rear that emit light 16
that is visible at a distance of 300 feet behind the vehicle, except that one 17
taillamp shall be allowed on any vehicle equipped with only one when it was 18
manufactured. Nothing shall be towed behind a motor vehicle, or mounted or 19
placed on the rear of a motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, pole trailer, or any 20
other vehicle that is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, that 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.413
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prevents the light emitted by at least two red taillamps from being visible at a 1
distance of 300 feet behind the vehicle. 2
* * * 3
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 5