Connecticut § 14-96c - Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate.
Full text of Connecticut Connecticut General Statutes § 14-96c — Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 14-96c. Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate.
Sec. 14-96c. Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate. (a) After October 1, 1967, every motor vehicle, trailer, 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 subsection (a) of section 14-96a, 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 October 1, 1957, and motorcycles shall have at least one such 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.
(b) Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a mounted height of not more than seventy-two inches nor less than fifteen inches.
(c) The rear registration plate shall be so illumined with a white light as to 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, except that any vehicle equipped by the manufacturer with daytime running lamps which meet federal requirements may have such daytime running lamps illuminated without illumination of the tail lamps or rear registration plate.
(d) Failure to have tail lamps or failure to illuminate the rear registration plate as required in this section shall be an infraction.
(1967, P.A. 834, S. 4; P.A. 75-577, S. 29, 126; P.A. 90-263, S. 21, 74; P.A. 96-167, S. 28.)
History: P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (d); P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute 15 for 20 inches as a minimum mounted height; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (c) to add exception for any vehicle equipped with daytime running lamps meeting federal requirements.
Cited. 11 CA 11; 30 CA 263.
Source: official Connecticut text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut § 14-96c
What does Connecticut General Statutes § 14-96c cover?
Section 14-96c ("Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate.") is part of the Connecticut General Statutes, the codified statutory law of Connecticut. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Connecticut § 14-96c?
A common citation format is "Connecticut General Statutes § 14-96c" (Connecticut). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Connecticut law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Connecticut official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Connecticut attorney.
How does Connecticut § 14-96c apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Connecticut can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.