39:3-50 Color of lights, permits; cancellation or revocation of permits; fee.
574 words·~3 min read·
/nj/title-39/chapter-3/39-3-50A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
All lamps and reflectors, which display a light visible from directly in front of a vehicle as authorized by this subtitle, shall exhibit lights substantially white, yellow or amber in color.
(a)The color of light emitted or reflected by exterior lamps or reflectors on a vehicle shall be as follows, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b),
(c)and
(d)of this section:
White when the lamp is a headlamp, or spot lamp, or illuminates a license plate or a destination sign, or is located on the outside limit of a side car or other attachment on a motorcycle;
Substantially white or amber when the lamp is a side-cowl or fender lamp, running-board or other courtesy lamp, front parking lamp, back-up lamp, auxiliary driving lamp; or a turn signal on or facing the front;
Substantially red or amber when the lamp is a turn signal or a stop lamp on or facing the rear;
Red when any other lamp or any reflector is on the rear or on either side at or near the rear, except as otherwise provided in paragraph
(f)of R.S.39:3-61 for a combination marker lamp;
Amber when any other lamp or reflector is on the front or on either side other than at or near the rear.
(b)Lamps and reflectors on projecting loads shall emit or reflect light with color as provided in section 10 of P.L.1964, c.136 (C.39:3-61.4).
(c)No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any street or highway equipped with any device or lamp thereon capable of or displaying a light of any other color than permitted by this section, except: an authorized emergency vehicle, an authorized school bus, a vehicle authorized by a permit issued by the chief administrator, or a vehicle authorized to display green lights pursuant to subsection c. of R.S.39:3-54.
(d)A permit authorizing a vehicle to be equipped with a lamp capable of or displaying a flashing light, except as provided in R.S.39:3-54 or a light of a color other than permitted by this section, visible from directly in front of said vehicle, may be issued by the chief administrator when necessary, in the chief administrator’s discretion, for the reasonable and safe movement of traffic. The permit shall specify the type and color of such lamp and the conditions under which a person may drive or move the vehicle with said lamp displaying a light. The permit shall be valid only when the specifications and conditions contained therein are complied with. The chief administrator shall collect a $25 fee for the initial issuance and for each subsequent renewal of the permit for each vehicle for which the applicant seeks to use such a light, provided, however, that no fee shall be charged for a permit authorizing the use of a light that is red or blue. The fee set forth in this section shall not apply to a motor vehicle registered at no fee pursuant to R.S.39:3-27. The fees collected pursuant to this section shall be considered revenue of the commission and shall not be subject to the calculation of proportional revenue remitted to the commission pursuant to section 105 of P.L.2003, c.13 (C.39:2A-36).
The chief administrator may cancel or revoke a permit issued under authority of this section whenever the conditions for its issuance no longer exist or on any other reasonable grounds.
Amended 1951, c.24; 1964, c.136, s.3; 2007, c.242, s.5; 2025, c.209, s.2.