Oregon Law
Law as of Jan 1, 2026
Chapter contents
816.010Authority to adopt and enforce standards for lighting equipment; testing for compliance with standards 816.020Motor carriers under jurisdiction of Department of Transportation 816.030Selling noncomplying lighting equipment; penalty 816.040Lighting equipment standards; effect of rules 816.050Headlights; rules 816.060Auxiliary lights 816.070Passing lights 816.080Taillights 816.090Registration plate lights 816.100Brake lights 816.110Back-up lights 816.120Turn signals 816.130Parking lights 816.140Cowl or fender lights 816.150High beam indicator 816.160Rear mounted lighting system 816.170Spotlights 816.180Reflectors 816.190Marker lights 816.200Clearance lights 816.210Identification lights 816.220Exempt-vehicle safety lighting equipment 816.230Fog lights 816.240Hazard lights 816.250Police lights 816.260Bus safety lights 816.270Mail delivery lights 816.280Warning lights 816.285Fire department warning lights 816.290End load lights 816.300Operation with nonstandard lighting equipment; penalty 816.310Exemptions from lighting equipment requirements 816.320Lighting equipment required for motor vehicles 816.330Operation without required lighting equipment; penalty 816.340Exemptions from required equipment 816.350Prohibitions on number and kind of lights for certain vehicles 816.360Use of prohibited lighting equipment; penalty 816.370Exemptions from lighting equipment prohibitions

Chapter 816 — Vehicle Equipment: Lights

ORS 816.100 Brake lights

Each of the following is a requirement for brake lights as described:

(1)

Brake lights shall be placed on the rear of the vehicle. Where more than one brake light is required under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 at least one brake light shall be placed on each side of the rear.

(2)

Brake lights shall be constructed and located on a vehicle so as to give a signal of intention to stop.

(3)

Brake lights shall emit a red light. If the motor vehicle was manufactured before 1959 and the brake light is combined with the taillight in a taillight assembly, the assembly may contain an insert as described under ORS 816.080.

(4)

Except as provided in subsection (11) of this section, brake lights shall emit a steady burning light.

(5)

Brake lights shall emit a light that is plainly visible and capable of being seen and distinguished from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the vehicle in normal daylight.

(6)

Brake lights required under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 shall be mounted, so far as practicable, in such a manner as to reduce the hazard of being obscured by mud or dust thrown by the wheels.

(7)

Brake lights shall not project a glaring or dazzling light.

(8)

Brake lights may be incorporated with a taillight.

(9)

Brake lights shall be activated upon application of the service brake.

(10)

Brake lights required under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 or any parts for brake lights must comply with standards adopted by the Department of Transportation under ORS 816.010.

(11)

Brake lights for motorcycles may flash intermittently, provided that the brake lights do not override the rear turn signal function.

Official sources · 2Tap to view provenance and version history

Online copy of the published ORS edition

Provenance

Version history

Earlier statutory text is available in an ingested published ORS edition.