N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 20
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-130 (2026)

Additional permissible light on vehicle

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Spot Lamps. - Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps, except that a motorcycle shall not be equipped with more than one spot lamp, and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the beam will be directed to the left of the center of the highway nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle. No spot lamps shall be used on the rear of any vehicle. For purposes of this section, the term "motorcycle" shall not include autocycles. Autocycles shall be subject to the requirements under this section for motor vehicles.

(b) Auxiliary Driving Lamps. - Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front, and every such auxiliary driving lamp or lamps shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in G.S. 20-131, subsection (c).

(c) Restrictions on Lamps. - Any device, other than headlamps, spot lamps, or auxiliary driving lamps, which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 25 candlepower, shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the surface on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 50 feet from the vehicle.

(d) Electronically Modulated Headlamps. - Nothing contained in this Chapter shall prohibit the use of electronically modulated headlamps on motorcycles, law-enforcement and fire department vehicles, county fire marshals and Emergency Management coordinators, public and private ambulances, and rescue squad emergency service vehicles, provided such headlamps and light modulator are of a type or kind which have been approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(e) High Mounted Flashing Deceleration Lamps. - Public transit vehicles may be equipped with amber, high mounted, flashing deceleration lamps on the rear of the vehicle.

(f) Light Bar Lighting Device. - Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, and excluding vehicles described in subsection (d) of this section, and excluding vehicles listed in G.S. 20-130.1(b), no person shall drive a motor vehicle on the highways of this State while using a light bar lighting device. This subsection does not apply to or otherwise restrict use of a light bar lighting device with strobing lights. For purposes of this subsection, the term "light bar lighting device" means a bar-shaped lighting device comprised of multiple lamps capable of projecting a beam of light at an intensity greater than that set forth in subsection (c) of this section. (1937, c. 407, s. 93; 1977, c. 104; 1989, c. 770, s. 7; 2004-82, s. 1; 2015-163, s. 7; 2017-112, s. 1.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1962–1986 · leading case: Meade v. Meade, 650 F. Supp. 205 (M.D.N.C. 1986).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Meade v. Meade, 650 F. Supp. 205 (M.D.N.C. 1986). · cites it 2× “Code § 20-130(C) to the facts presented in that case.”
Underwood v. Nat'l Grange Mut. Liab. Co., 128 S.E.2d 577 (N.C. 1962). “was in full force and effect as of August 4, 1958,” and (2) “there are no circumstances in this action which might constitute a waiver or an estoppel, or render harmless the failure of defendant (insurer) to provide notice to the named insured as required by the provisions of…”
State v. Bain, 326 S.E.2d 123 (N.C. Ct. App. 1985). “20-140(c) provides: (c) Any person who operates a motor vehicle upon a highway or public vehicle area after consuming such quantity of intoxicating liquor as directly and visibly affects his operation of said vehicle, shall be guilty of reckless driving and such offense shall be…”
Bigelow ex rel. Bigelow v. Johnson, 270 S.E.2d 503 (N.C. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 2× “While the statute does not expressly describe the specifications for headlamps, it differentiates them from lamps on bicycles (N.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-130(C) — 1 case
Meade v. Meade, 650 F. Supp. 205 (M.D.N.C. 1986). “Code § 20-130(C) to the facts presented in that case.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-130(a) — 1 case
Bigelow ex rel. Bigelow v. Johnson, 270 S.E.2d 503 (N.C. Ct. App. 1980). “While the statute does not expressly describe the specifications for headlamps, it differentiates them from lamps on bicycles (N.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-130(b) — 1 case
Bigelow ex rel. Bigelow v. Johnson, 270 S.E.2d 503 (N.C. Ct. App. 1980). “While the statute does not expressly describe the specifications for headlamps, it differentiates them from lamps on bicycles (N.”
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