Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-31 (2026)

Tail lights on vehicles, motorcycles and motor scooters

✓ current as of July 2026

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§291-31 Tail lights on vehicles, motorcycles and motor scooters. (a) From thirty minutes after sunset to thirty minutes before sunrise, at any time while a vehicle, other than a bicycle, motorcycle or motor scooter, is operated on any public highway, there shall be displayed at the rear thereof at least two tail lights, spaced as far apart as practicable, which shall display red lights visible not less than two hundred feet from the rear thereof; provided that vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 originally equipped with a single tail light assembly need only display a single tail light; and where a registration number plate is required by law to be carried on the rear thereof, the same shall be illuminated by a white light in such manner that the registration number thereon can be plainly distinguished at a distance of not less than fifty feet from the rear thereof.

(b) From thirty minutes after sunset to thirty minutes before sunrise, at any time while a motorcycle or motor scooter is operated on any public highway, there shall be displayed at the rear thereof, a tail light which shall display a red light visible not less than two hundred feet from the rear thereof; and if a registration number plate is required by law to be carried on the rear of the motorcycle or motor scooter, the same shall be illuminated by a white light in such manner that the registration number thereon can be plainly distinguished at a distance of not less than fifty feet from the rear thereof. [RL 1945, pt of §11707; RL 1955, §311-13; HRS §291-31; am L 1984, c 125, §1]

Cross References

Bicycle lights, see §291C-147.

Moped lights, see §291C-200.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 2001–2020 · leading case: State v. Moleta, 145 P.3d 776 (Haw. App. 2006).

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State v. Moleta, 145 P.3d 776 (Haw. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “The owner shall securely fasten the number plates on the vehicle, one on the front and the other on the rear, at a location provided by the manufacturer or in the absence of such a location upon the bumpers of the vehicle and in conformance with section 291-31 [(illuminated)],…”

Strick v. Cicchirillo, 683 S.E.2d 575 (W. Va. 2009). “1, 1957, to have at least one tail lamp); Haw.Rev.Stat. § 291-31 (2007) (providing that “vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 originally equipped with a single tail light assembly need only display a single tail light”); Nev.”

State v. Kekahuna, 27 P.3d 404 (Haw. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “(C) Defective Tail Light, HRS § 291-31 (1993). After a trial on April 7, 2000, Kekahuna was found guilty of (A) and (C) and not guilty *129 of (B) 2 .”

State v. Langdon., 472 P.3d 31 (Haw. App. 2020). · cites it 3× “As to Count 2, on or about Sep -- July 23rd, 2018, in the City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawai #i, you, David Roy Langdon, failed to securely fasten the number plate on the rear of the moped at a location provided by the manufacturer or in the absence of such a location…”

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