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An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 1772 By: Pederson of the Senate
and
Johns of the House
An Act relating to motor vehicles; amending 47 O.S.
2021, Sections 12-201, 12-202, 12-203.1, 12-203.2,
12-203.4, 12-213, 12-216, 12-217, 12-702, 12-703, and
12-706, which relate to lamps and lighting devices;
updating statutory language; requiring use of lamps
and illuminating devices at certain times; requiring
use of lamps and illuminating devices under certain
conditions; updating statutory language; updating
statutory references; and providing an effective
date.
SUBJECT: Motor vehicle safety
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-201, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-201. A. The United States Department of
Transportation specifications and standards for headlamps, auxiliary
driving lamps, tail lamps, signal lamps, reflectors, and other
lighting equipment and signal devices, pursuant to 49 C.F.R.,
Section 571.108, are hereby adopted by the State of Oklahoma this
state.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter Section 12-101
et seq. of this title and subject to exceptions for parked vehicles,
every vehicle upon a highway within this state shall properly
display all lamps and illuminating devices as required by law:
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1. At any time from one-half (1/2) hour after sunset to one-
half (1/2) hour before sunrise, also referred to in this chapter
Section 12-101 et seq. of this title as nighttime; and
2. At any other time when a motor vehicle’s electric windshield
wiper mechanism is in use as a result of inclement weather or, due
to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons
and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a
distance of one thousand (1,000) feet or less.
C. All lamps required by this chapter Section 12-101 et seq. of
this title shall display a steady light except as otherwise
prescribed by this chapter Section 12-101 et seq. of this title.
Any required individual lamp may be combined or incorporated with
any other required individual lamp if the combined or incorporated
lamps meet all of the individual lighting requirements of this
chapter for each individual lamp contained therein within such
combined or incorporated lamps.
D. No lamp, other than a headlamp, displayed on any vehicle
shall project a glaring light; provided, every headlamp shall comply
with Section 12-222 12-203.2 of this title.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-202, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-202. A. Any requirement of this chapter provided in
Section 12-101 et seq. of this title as to the distance from which
certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible, or within
which such lamps or devices shall be visible, shall apply during the
times stated in provided by subsection B of Section 12-201 of this
title, in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight,
level, unlighted highway, under normal atmospheric conditions unless
a different time or condition is expressly stated.
B. Any requirement of this chapter provided in Section 12-101
et seq. of this title as to the mounted height of lamps or devices
shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level
ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a
load.
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SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-203.1, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-203.1. A. At all times specified in provided in
subsection B of Section 12-201 of this title, at least two lighted
headlamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every
motor vehicle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the
regulations governing lights on parked vehicles, as provided in
Section 12-214 of this title.
B. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlamps as herein
required is also equipped with any auxiliary driving lamps or a spot
lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof of such motor vehicle
projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred (300)
candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the
front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a
highway.
C. The driver of any vehicle shall comply with the provisions
of Section 12-217 of this title regarding the use of alternate
headlamp equipment.
SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-203.2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-203.2. Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on
a roadway, or shoulder adjacent thereto to such, during the times
specified provided in subsection B of Section 12-201 of this title,
the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam,
directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons
and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject
to the following requirements and limitations:
1. Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming
vehicle within one thousand (1,000) feet, such driver shall use a
distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring
rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The
lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in
paragraph 2 of subsection C of Section 12-203 of this title shall be
deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and
loading.
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2. Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle
within six hundred (600) feet to the rear, such driver shall use a
distribution of light permissible under this chapter the provisions
of Section 12-101 et seq. of this title, other than the uppermost
distribution of light specified in paragraph 1 of subsection C of
Section 12-203 of this title.
SECTION 5. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-203.4, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-203.4. Any motor vehicle operated at a speed of
twenty (20) miles per hour or less may be operated under the
conditions specified provided in subsection B of Section 12-201 of
this title when equipped with two lighted lamps upon the front
thereof of such motor vehicle capable of revealing persons and
objects one hundred (100) feet ahead in lieu of lamps required in
Section 12-203 or 12-203.3 of this title.
SECTION 6. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-213, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-213. A. Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends
to the rear four (4) feet or more beyond the bed or body of such
vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the
load, at the time specified times provided in subsection B of
Section 12-201 of this title:
1. Two red lights and two red reflectors positioned to indicate
maximum width; and
2. One red light facing to each side positioned to indicate
maximum overhang.
The required lights and reflectors may be mounted in combination
at each side of the vehicle and shall be visible from a distance of
one thousand (1,000) feet.
B. At any other time on any such vehicle, there shall be
displayed at the extreme rear end of such load red flags not less
than twelve (12) inches square marking the extremities of such load
at each point where a lamp would otherwise be required by this
section.
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SECTION 7. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-216, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-216. A. Animal-drawn vehicles and vehicles referred
to in subsection C of Section 12-101 of this title, not specifically
required by the provisions of this chapter Section 12-101 et seq. of
this title to be equipped with lamps or other lighting devices,
shall, at all times specified provided in subsection B of Section
12-201 of this title, be equipped with at least one lamp emitting a
white light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand
(1,000) feet to the front of said such vehicle, and shall also be
equipped with two lamps displaying red light visible from a distance
of not less than one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear of said such
vehicle or, as an alternative, one lamp displaying a red light
visible from a distance of not less than one thousand (1,000) feet
to the rear and two red reflectors visible for distances of six
hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet to the rear when
illuminated by the lower beams of headlamps.
B. The failure on the part of an owner or driver of any vehicle
specified in this section to display any lamp, lighting device, or
reflector required by this section shall not relieve the operator of
a motor vehicle from negligence in the event of a collision.
SECTION 8. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-217, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-217. A. As used in this article Section 12-101 et
seq. of this title:
1. “Auxiliary driving lamp” means a lamp mounted to provide
illumination to the front of a motor vehicle;
2. “Daytime running lamp” means a lamp mounted to provide
illumination to the front of a motor vehicle that will assist to
identify its presence to other vehicles and pedestrians at times
other than those specified provided in subsection B of Section 12-
201 of this title;
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3. “Front fog lamp” means a lamp mounted to provide
illumination to the front of a motor vehicle during conditions of
rain, snow, fog, dust, or other atmospheric disturbances;
4. “Rear fog lamp” means a lamp mounted to provide illumination
to the rear of a motor vehicle during conditions of rain, snow, fog,
dust, or other atmospheric disturbances;
5. “Off-road lamp” means any lamp designed and manufactured
solely for off-road use; and
6. “Spot lamp” means a movable lamp which emits a brilliant
light with a focused beam for examining objects, street address
numbers, and other things alongside the road.
B. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
spot lamps which shall not be used in substitution of headlamps.
C. The operator of any motor vehicle:
1. Which has in use a spot lamp shall, upon the approach of
another vehicle from any direction within one thousand (1,000) feet,
immediately turn said such spot lamp off;
2. Shall not use or turn on a spot lamp when approaching or
following another motor vehicle within one thousand (1,000) feet;
and
3. Shall not use or turn on a spot lamp to cause a vehicle to
yield right-of-way or stop.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to operators
of authorized emergency vehicles.
D. 1. A motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
front fog lamps or two rear fog lamps which shall only be used when
visibility, as described in paragraphs 3 and 4 of subsection A of
this section, is limited to one-half (1/2) mile or less.
2. Front fog lamps shall be mounted on the same level on
opposite sides of the front of the vehicle at or below the level of
the headlamps. Front fog lamps may be used with lower beam
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headlamps or switch controlled in conjunction with the headlamps and
may be used, at the discretion of the driver, with either low or
high beam headlamps. Front fog lamps shall not be used in
substitution of headlamps, when headlamps are required.
E. A motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary driving lamps mounted at a height of more than forty-two
(42) inches from the ground. The auxiliary driving lamps may be
used with lower beam headlamps or switch controlled in conjunction
with the headlamps and may be used, at the discretion of the driver,
with either low or high beam headlamps.
F. Every fog lamp or auxiliary driving lamp used upon a motor
vehicle shall be so adjusted and aimed that no part of the high
intensity portion of the beam shall, at a distance of twenty-five
(25) feet, rise above the horizontal plane passing through the
center of the lamp.
G. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a A vehicle may
be equipped with off-road lamps for use as headlamps while the
vehicle is operated or driven off of a highway. The lamps shall be:
1. Mounted at a height of not less than forty-two (42) inches
from the ground;
2. Wired independently of all other lighting; and
3. Turned off whenever the vehicle is operated or driven upon a
highway.
H. 1. A motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
daytime running lamps which conform to 49 C.F.R., Section 571.108,
S5.5.11 S6.1.1.4.
2. Daytime running lamps shall not be used in substitution of
headlamps.
3. Daytime running lamps shall be mounted on the front of a
motor vehicle and shall be wired to be:
a. automatically activated when the vehicle is started,
and
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b. automatically deactivated when the headlamp control is
in any “on” position.
SECTION 9. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-702, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-702. Every bicycle in use at the times described
provided in subsection B of Section 12-201 of this title shall be
equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible
from a distance of at least one thousand (1,000) feet to the front.
This section shall not apply to a bicycle operated on a street or
highway with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or
less.
SECTION 10. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-703, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-703. Every bicycle in use at the times described
provided in subsection B of Section 12-201 of this title shall be
equipped with a lamp on the rear emitting a red light visible from a
distance of at least one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear. This
section shall not apply to a bicycle operated on a street or highway
with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less.
SECTION 11. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-706, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 12-706. Every bicycle when in use at the times
described provided in subsection B of Section 12-201 of this title
shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and
reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred (600)
feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a
motor vehicle.
SECTION 12. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
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Passed the Senate the 25th day of March, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 6th day of May, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________