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RSA 266:44 · Tail Lamp and Reflectors

Title
XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter
266 · EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
Official source Copy section link

266:44 Tail Lamp and Reflectors. – Every motor vehicle and trailer or any combination of vehicles, when on the ways of this state at night, shall have on the rear thereof, and to the left of the axis thereof, one lamp, displaying a red light visible for a distance of at least 1000 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and a white light illuminating the registration plate of such vehicle so that the characters thereon shall be visible for a distance of at least 50 feet, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1952, shall have at least 2 tail lamps, one to either side of the axis thereof. On a combination of vehicles, only the tail lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. On vehicles equipped with more than one tail lamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. All tail lamps on any vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 20 inches from the ground, measured from the ground to the center of the reflector, and shall be placed in such manner as to indicate the extreme width of the vehicle and load and to reflect rays of light thrown upon such reflector. The visibility of such reflectors shall not be impaired at any time. Whenever a vehicle is manufactured with multiple tail lamps or multiple bulbs or filaments in the tail lamps, each of the lamps, bulbs, or filaments and any other exterior lighting equipment with which the vehicle was manufactured shall be in working order. Source. 1911, 133:7. 1913, 81:3. 1921, 119:6. PL 103:6. 1931, 82:1. 1933, 105:2. 1941, 111:2. RL 119:8. RSA 263:13. 1979, 203:2. 1981, 146:1. 2002, 252:2, eff. May 17, 2002.

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Source note

Source. 1911, 133:7. 1913, 81:3. 1921, 119:6. PL 103:6. 1931, 82:1. 1933, 105:2. 1941, 111:2. RL 119:8. RSA 263:13. 1979, 203:2. 1981, 146:1. 2002, 252:2, eff. May 17, 2002.

Source history

  • 1911, 133:7
  • 1913, 81:3
  • 1921, 119:6. PL 103:6
  • 1931, 82:1
  • 1933, 105:2
  • 1941, 111:2. RL 119:8. RSA 263:13
  • 1979, 203:2
  • 1981, 146:1
  • 2002, 252:2, eff. May 17, 2002

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1353 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    ent provisions for premium discounts on liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, specifically relating to motor vehicles that pass an annual safety inspection pursuant to RSA 266 and 263. The annual inspection shall verify major safety features including but not limited to headlights, taillights, tires, steering, and brakes. Insurers may also consider additional shop recommendations, provided th

  • 2026 HB1362 amend

    equipment specifications. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Equipment of Vehicles; Tire Tread Depth. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 48 the following new section: 266:48-a Tire Tread Depth; Measurement Requirements. I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon any way unless each tire mounted thereon has a minimum tre

  • 2026 HB1560 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    oximately $492,000 Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 METHODOLOGY: This bill, effective January 1, 2027, reenacts and updates multiple sections of RSA 260 and RSA 266 relating to vehicle inspection requirements. Under the proposed language, most vehicles would remain subject to annual inspection, however, newly purchased vehicles would be exempt from inspection requirements for up to

  • 2026 HB1560-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    oximately $492,000 Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 METHODOLOGY: This bill, effective January 1, 2027, reenacts and updates multiple sections of RSA 260 and RSA 266 relating to vehicle inspection requirements. Under the proposed language, most vehicles would remain subject to annual inspection, however, newly purchased vehicles would be exempt from inspection requirements for up to

  • 2026 HB649 amend

    of motor vehicle operators. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 69:1 New Section; Operation of Unsafe Motor Vehicle. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section RSA 266:8-a the following new section: 266:8-b Operator Vehicle Maintenance. I. No person shall drive, or permit to be driven upon any way a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: (

  • 2026 HB649-FN amend

    of motor vehicle operators. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 69:1 New Section; Operation of Unsafe Motor Vehicle. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section RSA 266:8-a the following new section: 266:8-b Operator Vehicle Maintenance. I. No person shall drive, or permit to be driven upon any way a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: (

  • 2025 HB2 reference

    ut only if the dealer presents to the customer at the time of sale a notice which states: This motor vehicle [will not pass a New Hampshire inspection and] is unsafe for operation upon the highways pursuant to RSA 266. The following defects must be corrected [before an inspection sticker will be issued]. The dealer shall list all [inspection] defects under this statement and specify the date on which the inspection was cond

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