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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 1Art. 5§ 21223 Scooter Night Equipment Requirements

§ 21223 Scooter Night Equipment Requirements

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21223 Scooter Night Equipment Requirements

This law says that if you ride a motorized scooter at night, you need lights and reflectors so others can see you.

Key Takeaways

  • •At night, your scooter needs a white light in front that shines 300 feet ahead.
  • •You also need a red reflector in back that can be seen from 500 feet away.
  • •Side reflectors (white or yellow) must be visible from 200 feet away.
  • •If you don’t have these, you could get in trouble.

Example

Riding your scooter home after dark.

You must have a white light in front, a red reflector in back, and side reflectors so cars can see you.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21223 Scooter Night Equipment Requirements

(a) Every motorized scooter operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped with the following: (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a lamp emitting a white light which, while the motorized scooter is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the operator and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the motorized scooter. (2) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a red reflector on the rear that is visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. (3) A white or yellow reflector on each side visible from the front and rear of the motorized scooter from a distance of 200 feet. (b) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the motorized scooter, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). (c) A red reflector, or reflectorized material meeting the requirements of Section 25500, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, may be used in lieu of the reflector required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). (Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 722, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

distancemotionhighwayvehiclevisibilitycombination

Related Statutes

  • § 21228 Motorized Scooter Right-Side Riding
  • § 4604.5 Late Vehicle Registration Penalty
  • § 25803 Vehicle Lighting Requirements
  • § 12804.9 Driver License Exam Requirements
  • § 12810 Two-Point Violations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21223.
View Official Source