347.10 Headlamp specifications for motor vehicles other than mopeds and motor bicycles.

(1) Except as provided in sub. (4), the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles other than mopeds and motor bicycles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations. No such lamp shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the lamp is in use. Such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.

(2) Multiple-beam headlamps shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading;

(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead, and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be so directed as to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

(3) No person shall sell after July 1, 1958, any new motor vehicle equipped with multiple beam headlamps and no person shall operate any motor vehicle sold new after July 1, 1958, and equipped with multiple beam headlamps unless such vehicle also is equipped with a beam indicator which is lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use and which is not otherwise lighted. Such indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles.

(4) Any motor vehicle may be operated during hours of darkness or during a period of limited visibility when equipped with 2 lighted lamps upon the front of the motor vehicle capable of revealing persons and objects 75 feet ahead in lieu of lamps required by subs. (1) to (3) if the vehicle at no time is operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour. No lighted lamp under this subsection may have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the lighted lamp is in use. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.

History: 1983 a. 243; 1995 a. 346; 2015 a. 165.