Chapter 380 – Vehicle Equipment

A. “When lighted lamps are required” means at any time from a half (½) hour after sunset to a half (½) hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead. Lighted lamps shall also be required any time the weather conditions require usage of the motor vehicle’s windshield wipers to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner as defined in Section 304.012, RSMo. The provisions of this Section shall be interpreted to require lighted lamps during periods of fog even if usage of the windshield wipers is not necessary to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.

B. When Lights Required — Violation — Penalty.

A. Except as hereinafter provided, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles other than motorcycles or motor-driven cycles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations and such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:

A. Every motor vehicle and every motor-drawn vehicle shall be equipped with at least two (2) rear lamps, not less than fifteen (15) inches or more than seventy-two (72) inches above the ground upon which the vehicle stands, which when lighted will exhibit a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear. Either such rear lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration marker and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the rear. When the rear registration marker is illuminated by an electric lamp other than the required rear lamps, all such lamps shall be turned on or off only by the same control switch at all times.

B. Every motorcycle registered in this State, when operated on a highway, shall also carry at the rear, either as part of the rear lamp or separately, at least one (1)

approved red reflector which shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be visible during the times when lighted lamps are required from all distances within three hundred (300) feet to fifty (50) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlamps. A motorcycle may be equipped with a means of varying the brightness of the vehicle’s brake light for a duration of not more than five (5) seconds upon application of the vehicle’s brakes.

C. Every new passenger car, new commercial motor vehicle, motor-drawn vehicle and omnibus with a capacity of more than six (6) passengers registered in this State after January 1, 1966, when operated on a highway shall also carry at the rear at least two (2) approved red reflectors, at least one (1) at each side, so designed, mounted on the vehicle and maintained as to be visible during the times when lighted lamps are required from all distances within five hundred (500) to fifty (50) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlamps. Every such reflector shall meet the requirements of this Article and shall be mounted upon the vehicle at a height not to exceed sixty (60) inches nor less than fifteen (15) inches above the surface upon which the vehicle stands.

D. Any person who knowingly operates a motor vehicle without the lamps required in this Section in operable condition is guilty of an ordinance violation.

A. Any person who shall place or drive or cause to be placed or driven upon or along any State highway of this City any animal-driven vehicle whatsoever, whether in motion or at rest, shall after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise have attached to every such vehicle at the rear thereof a red taillight or a red reflecting

device of not less than three (3) inches in diameter of effective area or its equivalent in area. When such device shall consist of reflecting buttons, there shall be no less than seven (7) of such buttons covering an area equal to a circle with a three (3) inch diameter. The total subtended effective angle of reflection of every such device shall be no less than sixty degrees (60°) and the spread and efficiency of the reflected light shall be sufficient for the reflected light to be visible to the driver of any motor vehicle approaching such animal-drawn vehicle from the rear of a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet.

B. In addition, any person who operates any such animal-driven vehicle during the hours between sunset and one-half (½) hour before sunrise shall have at least one (1) light flashing at all times the vehicle is on any highway of this City. Such light or lights shall be amber in the front and red in the back and shall be placed on the left side of the vehicle at a height of no more than six (6) feet from the ground and shall be visible from the front and the back of the vehicle at a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet.

C. Any person operating an animal-driven vehicle during the hours between sunset and one-half (½) hour before sunrise may, in lieu of the requirements of Subsection (B) of this Section, use lamps or lanterns complying with the rules promulgated by the Director of the Department of Public Safety.

D. Any person violating the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of an ordinance violation.

A. Signaling Devices. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a horn, directed forward, or whistle in good working order capable of emitting a sound adequate in quantity and volume to give warning of the approach of such vehicle to other users of the highway and to pedestrians. Such signaling device shall be used for warning purposes only and shall not be used for making any unnecessary noise, and no other sound-producing signaling device shall be used at any time.

B. Muffler Cutouts. Muffler cutouts shall not be used and no vehicle shall be driven in such manner or condition that excessive and unnecessary noises shall be made by its machinery, motor, signaling device, or other parts, or by any improperly loaded cargo. The motors of all motor vehicles shall be fitted with properly attached mufflers of such capacity or construction as to quiet the maximum possible exhaust noise as completely as is done in modern gas engine passenger motor vehicles. Any cutout or opening in the exhaust pipe between the motor and the muffler on any motor vehicle shall be completely closed and disconnected from its operating lever and shall be so arranged that it cannot automatically open, or be opened or operated, while such vehicle is in motion.

C. Brakes. All motor vehicles, except motorcycles, shall be provided at all times with two (2) sets of adequate brakes kept in good working order, and motorcycles shall be provided with one (1) set of adequate brakes kept in good working order.

D. Mirrors. All motor vehicles which are so constructed or loaded that the operator cannot see the road behind such vehicle by looking back or around the side of such vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so adjusted as to reveal the road behind and be visible from the operator’s seat.

E. Projections On Vehicles. All vehicles carrying poles or other objects, which project more than five (5) feet from the rear of such vehicle, shall, during the period when lights are required by this Chapter, carry a red light at or near the rear end of the pole or other object so projecting. At other times a red flag or cloth, not less than sixteen (16) inches square, shall be displayed at the end of such projection.

F. Towlines. When one vehicle is towing another, the connecting device shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet. During the time that lights are required by Sections 307.020 to 307.120, RSMo., the required lights shall be displayed by both vehicles. Every towed vehicle shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, cable or equivalent device in addition to the primary coupling device, except that such secondary coupling device shall not be necessary if the connecting device is connected to the towing vehicle by a center-locking ball located over or nearly over the rear axle and not supported by the rear bumper of the towing vehicle. Such secondary safety connecting devices shall be of sufficient strength to control the towed vehicle in the event of failure of the primary coupling device. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to wreckers towing vehicles or to vehicles secured to the towing vehicle by a fifth-wheel type connection. The provisions of this Subsection shall also not apply to farm implements or to any vehicle which is not required to be registered.

G. Commercial Motor Vehicles And Trailers. When being operated on any highway, street or road of this City, commercial motor vehicles and trailers shall be equipped with adequate and proper brakes, lighting equipment, signaling devices, steering mechanisms, horns, mirrors, windshield wipers, tires, wheels, exhaust system, glazing, air pollution control devices, fuel tank and any other safety equipment required by the State in such condition so as to obtain a certificate of inspection and approval as required by the provisions of Section 307.360, RSMo.

H. Devices attached to or towed by motor vehicles for the purpose of transporting hay shall have the protruding parts raised or retracted when not in use to a position which will not cause injury or damage to persons or property in the vicinity of such device when on the highways, streets or roads of this City.

A. All motor vehicles and every trailer and semi-trailer operating upon the public highways, streets or roads of this City and carrying goods or material or farm products which may reasonably be expected to become dislodged and fall from the

vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer as a result of wind pressure or air pressure and/or by the movement of the vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer shall have a protective cover or be sufficiently secured so that no portion of such goods or material can become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer while being transported or carried.

B. Operation of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer in violation of this Section shall be an ordinance violation, and any person convicted thereof shall be punished as provided by Section 100.220 of this Code.

A. Seat Belts And Child Restraint Devices. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, each driver and front seat passenger of a passenger car manufactured after January 1, 1968, operated on a street or highway in this City shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt that meets Federal National Highway, Transportation Act requirements, except that a child less than sixteen (16) years of age shall be protected as required in Subsection (B)(5) of this Section.

B. With respect to Subsection (A) of this Section:

A. Any person may operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun-screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, that has a light transmission of thirty-five percent (35%) or more plus or minus three percent (±3%) and a luminous reflectance of thirty-five percent (35%) or less plus or minus three percent (±3%). Except as provided in Subsection (C) of this Section, any sun-screening device applied to front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right

of the driver in excess of the requirements of this Section shall be prohibited without a permit pursuant to a physician’s prescription as described below. A permit to operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun-screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, which permits less light transmission and luminous reflectance than allowed under the requirements of this Subsection may be issued by the Department of Public Safety to a person having a serious medical condition which requires the use of a sun-screening device if the permittee’s physician prescribes its use. The Director of the Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the issuance of the permit. The permit shall allow operation of the vehicle by any titleholder or relative within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, which shall mean a spouse, each grandparent, parent, brother, sister, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, child and grandchild of a person who resides in the household. Except as provided in Subsection (B) of this Section, all sun-screening devices applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle are prohibited.

B. This Section shall not prohibit labels, stickers, decalcomania or informational signs on motor vehicles or the application of tinted or solar-screening material to recreational vehicles as defined in Section 700.010, RSMo., provided that such material does not interfere with the driver’s normal view of the road. This Section shall not prohibit factory-installed tinted glass, the equivalent replacement thereof or tinting material applied to the upper portion of the motor vehicle’s windshield which is normally tinted by the manufacturer of motor vehicle safety glass.

C. Any vehicle licensed with a historical license plate shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section.

D. Any person who violates the provisions of this Section is guilty of an ordinance violation.

A. Every person operating or riding as a passenger on any motorcycle or motortricycle, as defined in this Title, upon any highway of this City shall wear protective headgear at all times the vehicle is in motion. The protective headgear shall meet reasonable standards and specifications established by the Director of Revenue.

B. The penalty for failure to wear protective headgear as required by Subsection (A) of this Section shall be deemed an ordinance violation for which a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) may be imposed. Notwithstanding all other provisions of law and court rules to the contrary, no court costs shall be imposed upon any person due to such violation. No points shall be assessed pursuant to Section 302.302, RSMo., for a failure to wear such protective headgear.

A. No metal-tired vehicle shall be operated over any of the improved highways of this City, except over highways constructed of gravel or claybound gravel, if such vehicle has on the periphery of any of the road wheels any lug, flange, cleat, ridge, bolt or any projection of metal or wood which projects radially beyond the tread or traffic surface of the tire unless the highway is protected by putting down solid planks or other suitable material or by attachments to the wheels so as to prevent such vehicles from damaging the highway, except that this prohibition shall not apply to tractors or traction engines equipped with what is known as caterpillar treads when such caterpillar does not contain any projection of any kind likely to injure the surface of the road. Tractors, traction engines and similar vehicles may be operated which have upon their road wheels “V” shaped, diagonal or other cleats arranged in such manner as to be continuously in contact with the road surface if the gross weight on the wheels per inch of width of such cleats or road surface, when measured in the direction of the axle of the vehicle, does not exceed eight hundred (800) pounds.

B. No tractor, tractor engine or other metal-tired vehicle weighing more than four (4) tons, including the weight of the vehicle and its load, shall drive onto, upon or over the edge of any improved highway without protecting such edge by putting down solid planks or other suitable material to prevent such vehicle from breaking off the edges of the pavement.

C. Any person violating this Section, whether operating pursuant to a permit or not, or who shall willfully or negligently damage a highway, shall be liable for the amount of such damage caused to any highway, bridge, culvert or sewer, and any vehicle causing such damage shall be subject to a lien for the full amount of such damage, which lien shall not be superior to any duly recorded or filed chattel mortgage or other lien previously attached to such vehicle; the amount of such damage may be recovered in any action in any court of competent jurisdiction.

A. No person shall operate any truck, as defined in Section 301.010, RSMo., with a license gross weight of less than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds when such truck is operated within the corporate limits of this City when any person under eighteen (18) years of age is riding in the unenclosed bed of such truck. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall ride in the unenclosed bed of such truck when the truck is in operation. Any person who operates a truck with a licensed gross weight of less than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds in violation of this Section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) plus court costs.

B. The provisions of Section shall not apply to:

A. No person shall operate any passenger motor vehicle upon the public streets or highways of this City, the body of which has been altered in such a manner that the front or rear of the vehicle is raised at such an angle as to obstruct the vision of the operator of the street or highway in front or to the rear of the vehicle.

B. Every motor vehicle which is licensed in this State and operated upon the public streets or highways of this City shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers if such vehicle was equipped with bumpers as standard equipment. This Subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-highway purposes, while such vehicles are in tow, or to motorcycles or motor-driven cycles, or to motor vehicles registered as historic motor vehicles when the original design of such vehicles did not include bumpers nor shall the provisions of this Subsection prohibit the use of drop bumpers. Maximum bumper heights of both the front and