South Carolina § 56-5-4640 - Lights on parked vehicles.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-5-4640 — Lights on parked vehicles., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 56-5-4640. Lights on parked vehicles.
Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a street or highway during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred feet upon such street or highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle. Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise and there is not sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred feet upon such highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with one or more lamps meeting the following requirements: At least one lamp shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle and the same lamp or at least one other lamp shall display a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle, and the location of such lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle which is closest to passing traffic. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to a motor-driven cycle.
Any lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 46-539; 1952 Code SECTION 46-539; 1949 (46) 466; 1959 (51) 124.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 56-5-4640
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-5-4640 cover?
Section 56-5-4640 ("Lights on parked vehicles.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. 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 South Carolina § 56-5-4640?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-5-4640" (South Carolina). 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 South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 56-5-4640 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina 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 South Carolina.