Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.37
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.050 (2025)

Tail lamps

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(1) After January 1, 1964, every motor vehicle, trailer, cargo extension, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in RCW 46.37.020, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of one thousand feet to the rear, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1939, shall have at least one tail lamp. 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.
(2) Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two inches nor less than fifteen inches.
(3) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
[ 2016 c 22 s 4; 1977 ex.s. c 355 s 5; 1963 c 154 s 3; 1961 c 12 s 46.37.050. Prior: 1955 c 269 s 5; prior: 1947 c 267 s 2, part; 1937 c 189 s 16, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 6360-16, part; RCW 46.40.030, part; 1929 c 178 s 7; 1927 c 309 s 27; RRS s 6362-27; 1921 c 96 s 22, part; 1919 c 59 s 10, part; 1917 c 155 s 15, part; 1915 c 142 s 21, part.]

Notes:

Intent—Effective date—2016 c 22: See notes following RCW 46.04.094.
Severability—1977 ex.s. c 355: See note following RCW 46.37.010.
Effective date—1963 c 154: See note following RCW 46.37.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2021–2021 · leading case: Taylor v. Vangesen, No. 3:18-cv-05682 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 20, 2021).
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Taylor v. Vangesen, No. 3:18-cv-05682 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 20, 2021). · cites it 3× “KCSO produced thirty-one legibly signed citations, of 14 which nine were for violations of RCW 46.37.050—the statute Taylor was charged with 15 violating.”
State Of Washington v. Roger Allen Hills, Jr., No. 80598-3 (Wash. Ct. App. Mar. 29, 2021). · cites it 2× “Here, the traffic violation the officers claimed they were enforcing was that of RCW 46.37.050(3) which provides: Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly…”
Taylor v. Vangesen, No. 3:18-cv-05682 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 25, 2021). “The Court noted that the 1 “KCSO records provided show that Taylor was the only driver who was stopped during 2 daylight hours for a violation of RCW 46.37.050, which may support an inference that 3 similarly situated white drivers were not subject to the offensive conduct here.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 46.37.050(3): 1 case
State Of Washington v. Roger Allen Hills, Jr., No. 80598-3 (Wash. Ct. App. Mar. 29, 2021). “Here, the traffic violation the officers claimed they were enforcing was that of RCW 46.37.050(3) which provides: Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly…”
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