09/29/2022 | News release | Archived content
Date: September 29, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sheriff Curtis Landers
(541) 265-0652
UNLAWFUL LIGHTS ON MOTOR VEHICLES
There appears to be some confusion among some motorists about the color of lights that can be lawfully displayed on motor vehicles while travelling on Oregon's public highways. Your Sheriff's Office receives calls from time to time inquiring if a variety of colored lamps can be lawfully displayed on motor vehicles. Some callers express concern over the use of some colored lights, especially those involving headlights.
There are a number of AFTER-MARKET bulbs and headlights appearing on some motor vehicles that emit a blueish or greenish color. The argument that a person purchased the bulbs, headlights or "light bars" at the local car parts store is not the standard used to determine if they're legal to use or not in Oregon.
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 816.050 states that headlights shall show a white light described in Standard Number 108 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
ORS 816.360 addresses the use of prohibited lighting equipment for motor vehicles in this state as well. It also identifies the penalty for not complying with this law should a motorist be cited by a police officer. As a Class C infraction, the fine imposed by a court can range from $80 to $500.
The law states the following:
Markings on headlights and their packaging typically indicate if the product is Department of Transportation (DOT) approved. If the bulb or headlight packaging doesn't include this information, more research should be conducted with law enforcement before making your purchase.
For more information and tips, visit our web site at www.lincolncountysheriff.netand Like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Oregon.