Motorcycles and mopeds must have specified lighting equipment, and a motorcycle may not be operated unless at least one headlamp is lit, subject to a pre-1975 motorcycle exception.
Sec. 547.801. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. (a) A motorcycle or a moped shall be equipped with: (1) not more than two headlamps mounted at a height from 24 to 54 inches; (2) at least one taillamp mounted at a height from 20 to 72 inches; (3) a taillamp or separate lamp to illuminate the rear license plate that complies with the requirements of Sections 547.322(f) and (g); (4) at least one stoplamp that complies with the requirements of Section 547.323(d); and (5) at least one rear red reflector that complies with the requirements of Section 547.325(b) and may be included as a part of the taillamp. (b) A motorcycle, other than a motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less, shall be equipped with multiple-beam lighting equipment that produces: (1) an uppermost distribution of light that reveals a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 300 feet ahead; and (2) a lowermost distribution of light that: (A) reveals a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead; and (B) is aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam on the motorcycle that is on a straight and level road under any condition of loading projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator. (c) A moped or a motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less shall be equipped with: (1) multiple-beam lighting equipment that complies with the requirements of Subsection (b); or (2) single-beam lighting equipment that: (A) emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle: (i) at a distance of at least 100 feet when the moped or motorcycle is operated at a speed less than 25 miles per hour; (ii) at a distance of at least 200 feet when the moped or motorcycle is operated at a speed of 25 miles per hour or more; and (iii) at a distance of at least 300 feet when the moped or motorcycle is operated at a speed of 35 miles per hour or more; and (B) is aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam from the lamp on a loaded moped or motorcycle projects a beam higher than the level center of the lamp for a distance of 25 feet ahead. (d) A motorcycle may not be operated at any time unless at least one headlamp on the motorcycle is illuminated. This subsection does not apply to a motorcycle manufactured before the model year 1975. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 782, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1022, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 882 (H.B. 3171), Sec. 2.16, eff. September 1, 2019.