Montana Code 61-9-203. Headlamps on motor vehicles
61-9-203. Headlamps on motor vehicles. (1) A motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, quadricycle, or motor-driven cycle must be equipped with at least two headlamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, that comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.
Terms Used In Montana Code 61-9-203
- Motor vehicle: means :
(i)a vehicle propelled by its own power and designed or used to transport persons or property on the highways of the state;
(ii)a quadricycle if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9; or
(iii)a golf cart only if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9 and is operated pursuant to 61-8-391 or by a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Motor-driven cycle: means a motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor that produces 5 horsepower or less. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Motorcycle: means a motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and that is designated to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Operator: means a person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, state agency, local government unit, another state government, the United States, a political subdivision of this or another state, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Quadricycle: means a four-wheeled motor vehicle, designed for on-road or off-road use, having a seat or saddle on which the operator sits. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
- Street: means the entire width between the boundary lines of every publicly maintained way when any part of the publicly maintained way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn on a public highway, except devices moved by animal power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Montana Code 61-1-101
(2)A motorcycle, quadricycle, or motor-driven cycle must be equipped with at least one and not more than two headlamps that comply with the requirements and limitations of this chapter. If a motorcycle is registered under 61-3-411 as a collector’s item, it need not be equipped with headlamps; however, if it is not equipped with headlamps, it may not be operated upon a highway or street from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or if persons and vehicles are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet. A motorcycle may be equipped with a means of modulating the high beam of its headlamps between high and low beam at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes a minute; however, an operator may not modulate the headlamps at that rate during periods when headlamps are required to be lighted by 61-9-201.
(3)A headlamp upon a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, quadricycle, and motor-driven cycle, must be located at a height, measured from the center of the headlamp, of not more than 54 inches or less than 22 inches, to be measured as provided in 61-9-202(2).
(4)When headlamps are required to be lighted by 61-9-201, a person may not operate a motor vehicle on a highway with headlamps that are composed of, covered by, or treated with a tinted or colored material, substance, system, or component that obscures the headlamps or diminishes the distance of visibility required by this section.
(5)This section does not prohibit the operation or sale of a motor vehicle the headlamps of which are composed of, covered by, or treated with a tinted or colored material, substance, system, or component with which the vehicle was sold or could have been equipped for sale when new as standard or optional equipment in compliance with federal statute or regulation governing the sale at the time of manufacture.