NEW HAMPSHIRE Headlights Law

1. In New Hampshire not more than four lights may be lighted at one time on in front of a vehicle, being a headlamp or an auxiliary lamp or spotlamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than 300 candlepower.

2. Blue colored lights and flashing lights are generally prohibited.

3. No headlamp shall be used unless it is equipped with a proper lens or other device designed to prevent glaring rays. Any vehicle 80 inches or more in width, may be equipped with not more than 5 identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber or white light without glare and with no more than 3 identificationlamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light without glare.

4. In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in New Hampshire are allowed to have additional lighting (see below).

LIGHTING LAWS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

NOTICE! THIS PAGE CONTAINS ONLY A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS.KENSUN DOES NOT GIVE ANY LEGAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO REFER TO A LAWYER, LOCAL DOT OR POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

All motor vehicles shall be equipped with multiple beam headlighting equipment, except that headlamp systems which provide only a single distribution of light shall be permitted on all farm tractors regardless of date of manufacture and on antique motorvehicles which were not originally equipped with multiple beam road lighting equipment.

I. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed 2 spot lamps and everylighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror, or occupant of anothervehicle in use, except that a spot lamp may be used by a police officer to illuminate the interior of a vehicle being stopped from the rear.

266:31 Front Lights. – Every motor vehicle driven during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, and whenever rain, snow, or fog shall interfere with the proper view of the road so that persons and vehicles on the way are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet ahead, shall display at least 2 lighted lamps on the front; provided, however, that one suitable lighted lamp on the front of a motorcycle shall be sufficient. The headlamp shall throw sufficient light ahead within the travelled portion of the way to make clearly visible all vehicles, persons, or substantial objects within a distance of 200 feet, except that the headlamps of motorcycles shall be sufficient if they make clearly visible objects within a distance of 150 feet. No headlamp shall be used unless it is approved by the director and is equipped with a proper lens or other device designed to prevent glaring rays. All headlamps on every motor vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches from the ground on an unladen vehicle.

No motor vehicle shall be used to tow another upon the ways between 1/2 hour after sundown and 1/2 hour before sunrise unless the vehicle being towed shall display at least one lighted tail lamp or auxiliary rear light to the extreme left of the rear axle.

COLORS RESTRICTIONS

266:78-b Blue Lights Restricted to Law Enforcement and Emergency Response.

I. No person other than a sworn law enforcement officer with power of arrest shall operate a vehicle equipped with blue colored lights, except in the case of a service technician driving the vehicle in connection with servicing or maintaining the vehicle or as provided under paragraph II.

II. No person other than a sworn law enforcement officer with power of arrest or an emergency response employee or volunteer of a city, town, or village district or the federal government or an employee of a private ambulance service contracted with a city, town, or village district shall operate a vehicle equipped with a rear-facing blue coloredlight, except in the case of a service technician driving the vehicle in connection with servicing or maintaining the vehicle.

EQUIPMENT RESTRICTED

On a combination of vehicles, only the tail lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. On vehicles equipped with more than one tail lamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. All tail lamps on any vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 20 inches from the ground, measured from the ground to the center of the reflector, and shall be placed in such manner as to indicate the extreme width of thevehicle and load and to reflect rays of light thrown upon such reflector.

266:78-e Other Flashing Lamps Prohibited. – Only authorized emergency vehicles, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services vehicles, and state department of transportation vehicles engaged in construction or maintenance activities, may be equipped with a device that provides for alternate flashing of headlamps.