The Equipment Stop
G.S. 20-129 — sunset to sunrise, 400 feet, the wipers, and a five dollar fine for the wipers rule
When. Every vehicle on a highway has lighted headlamps and rear lamps during the period from sunset to sunrise; when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person on the highway at a distance of 400 feet ahead; and when windshield wipers are in use as a result of smoke, fog, rain, sleet, or snow, or inclement weather severely reduces the ability to discern persons and vehicles at a distance of 500 feet ahead.
The wipers rule costs five dollars. The wipers clause does not apply when wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow. A violation of it is an infraction with a fine of five dollars ($5.00) and no court costs, no license points, insurance points or premium surcharge, and no negligence or liability imputed on account of it.
Rear lamps. All originally equipped rear lamps, or the equivalent, are in good working order and exhibit a red light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. A rear lamp or a separate lamp illuminates the rear number plate with a white light so it can be read from a distance of 50 feet.
Motorcycles. The headlamps on a motorcycle are lighted at all times while it is operated on highways or public vehicular areas.
Other equipment the code requires, from brakes to mirrors, is set out in other sections that are not on this page. Whether a lamp was out, or the conditions called for lights, is a question of fact, and whether a stop on that basis was lawful is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 20-129 — Required lighting equipment of vehicles
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.