W. Va. Code § 17C-15-23

Current through 2024 First Special Session
Section 17C-15-23 - Lighting equipment on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds

The head lamp or head lamps upon every motorcycle, motor- driven cycle and moped may be of the single-beam or multiple-beam type but in either event shall comply with the requirements and limitations as follows:

(1) Every head lamp or head lamps shall be of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than one hundred feet when the motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped is operated at any speed less than twenty-five miles per hour and at a distance of not less than two hundred feet when it is operated at a speed of twenty-five or more miles per hour.
(2) If the motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped is equipped with a multiple-beam type head lamp or head lamps the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth above and not exceed the limitations set forth in section twenty (a) of this article and the lowermost beam shall meet the requirements applicable to a lowermost distribution of light as set forth in section twenty (b) of this article.
(3) If the motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped is equipped with a single-beam lamp or lamps, the lamp or lamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is loaded none of the high-intensity portion of light, at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead, shall project higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
(4)
(A) Subject to paragraph (B) of this subdivision, a motorcycle may be equipped with, and an operator of a motorcycle may use, the following auxiliary lighting:
(I) Amber and white illumination;
(ii) Standard bulb running lights; or
(iii) Light-emitting diode pods and strips.
(B) Lighting under this subdivision shall be:
(I) Nonblinking;
(ii) Nonflashing;
(iii) Nonoscillating; and
(iv) Directed toward the engine and the drive train of the motorcycle to prevent interference with the driver's operation of the vehicle.

W. Va. Code § 17C-15-23

Amended by 2014 Acts, ch. 127 (HB 2477), eff. 6/6/2014.
This section is set out twice. See also § 17C-15-23, effective until 6/6/2014.