# Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.05: Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate

> Ohio · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.05

## Section

- **Citation:** Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.05
- **Heading:** Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate
- **Jurisdiction:** Ohio
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Ohio Revised Code / Title 45 / Chapter 4513 / § 4513.05

## Text

October 16, 2009 House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly (A) Every motor vehicle, trackless trolley, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail light mounted on the rear which, when lighted, shall emit a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the tail light on the rearmost vehicle need be visible from the distance specified. Either a tail light or a separate light shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate, when such registration plate is required, and render it legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail light, together with any separate light for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlights or auxiliary driving lights are lighted, except where separate lighting systems are provided for trailers for the purpose of illuminating such registration plate. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

## Nearby sections

- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.01 § 4513.01. Traffic laws - equipment - load definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.01.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.02 § 4513.02. Unsafe vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.02.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.03 § 4513.03. Time for lighted lights on motor vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.03.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.04 § 4513.04. Headlights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.04.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.05 § 4513.05. Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.05.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.06 § 4513.06. Red reflectors required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.06.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.07 § 4513.07. Regulations for safety lighting of commercial vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.07.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.08 § 4513.08. Obscured lights on vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.08.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.09 § 4513.09. Red light or flag required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.09.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.10 § 4513.10. Lights on parked vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.10.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.11 § 4513.11. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.11.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.12 § 4513.12. Specifications for spotlights and auxiliary driving lights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.12.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.13 § 4513.13. Cowl, fender, and back-up lights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.13.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.14 § 4513.14. Two lighted lights to be displayed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.14.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T45_C4513_S4513.05. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.