Minn. Stat. § 169.56

Current through 2024, c. 127

Section 169.56 - AUXILIARY LIGHTS

Subdivision 1.Spotlight.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed on the road surface to the left of the center of the vehicle, nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle upon which such lamps are mounted.

Subd. 2.Fog light.

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of 25 feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the above requirements may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified in section 169.60.

Subd. 3.Auxiliary low-beam light.

Except as provided in subdivision 5, any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary low-beam lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 169.60 shall apply to any combination of headlamps and auxiliary low-beam lamps.

Subd. 4.Auxiliary driving light.

Except as provided in subdivision 5, any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 169.60 shall apply to any combination of headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps.

Subd. 5.Exception for light obstructed by snowplow blade.

(a) The auxiliary lamps permitted in subdivision 3 may be mounted more than 42 inches high on any truck equipped with a snowplow blade that obstructs the required headlights. The lights may not be illuminated when a snowplow blade is not mounted on the vehicle.

(b) No other vehicle may be operated on a public highway unless the auxiliary lamps permitted in subdivisions 3 and 4 comply with the height requirements or are completely covered with an opaque material.

Subd. 6.Motorcycle ground light.

Notwithstanding section 169.64, subdivision 4a, a motorcycle may be equipped with white ground lights mounted under the motorcycle if:

(1) the bulbs or strips are not visible to operators of other vehicles; and

(2) the lights are aimed so as to project a steady, nonflashing beam not more than six feet in radius directly onto the roadway and illuminate an area around the motorcycle.

Minn. Stat. § 169.56

(2720-242) 1937 c 464 s 92; 1945 c 207 s 2; 1959 c 521 s 5; 1993 c 26 s 5-7; 1994 c 600 s 4

Amended by 2024 Minn. Laws, ch. 104,s 1-39, eff. 8/1/2024.