Question about hearse headlights in PA

[The Horologist]

So, I recently came across purple hi-beams specifically for hearses. The model hearse I have has four individual headlamps - a pair of low-beams and a pair of hi-beams. I know purple is use for hearses only, and isn't an emergency color. Also, the low-beams are only white.

So, would purple hi-beams be illegal to have on a privately owned hearse in PA?

[greg72982]

I know purple is use for hearses only, and isn't an emergency color. Also, the low-beams are only white.

Then you know more than me. I have never heard of any law that permits purple high beams on hearses. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but if it does please post the law.

So, would purple hi-beams be illegal to have on a privately owned hearse in PA?

As a general rule any color of headlight that doesn't come stock on the
vehicle is illegal per title 67 (PA Inspection manual)

Refer to the tables: PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual

[Silver Fox]

So, I recently came across purple hi-beams specifically for hearses. The model hearse I have has four individual headlamps - a pair of low-beams and a pair of hi-beams. I know purple is use for hearses only, and isn't an emergency color. Also, the low-beams are only white.

So, would purple hi-beams be illegal to have on a privately owned hearse in PA?

Go to your local P.D. or S.O. and ask them.

[The Horologist]

Then you know more than me. I have never heard of any law that permits purple high beams on hearses. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but if it does please post the law.



As a general rule any color of headlight that doesn't come stock on the
vehicle is illegal per title 67 (PA Inspection manual)

Refer to the tables: xxxxx PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual

Thanks for the link, but unfortunately, I couldn't find anything regarding hearse regulations aside from window tinting.

I'm unable to find any actual law on the purple hi-beams, but I have seen hearses with purple lights. Purple has a history with processions. Doing a search for "procession purple" yielded a result on Canada allowing flashing purple lights on procession vehicles, and someone in Europe asking for samples of purple/magenta lights for procession vehicles as well. I also have come across a purple procession beacon for hearses, and of course, the hi-beams. I'd post links, but I don't have enough posts yet. I wouldn't want the beacon though, I stay away from anything that flashes.

So, while I can't find any law on it, I have seen it done and purple is historical with processions/funerals.

Also, I heard that the minimum to be legal is two working white headlights. Have the purple high's would leave the two lows (which are actually pretty illuminant for lows). Any confirmation on this?

[DeltaV]

In Florida, a funeral procession not lead by a law enforcement vehicle is allowed to display either a yellow or purple rotating light on the lead vehicle. Just look up Pennsylvania's vehicle code and search for specific laws involving funeral processions. If it doesn't say that you can have purple lights, you can't have them.

[Creeker]

Are we sure you aren't refering to the HID lamps that are OEM and now available as aftermarket lighting for most any vehicle?

I've never seen a purple headlight, and think I might confuse it with a blacklight of some type.

[Piggy]

I don't think I'd want to be the guy who pulled over a hearse in the middle of a procession for an equipment violation.

[greg72982]

This was all I could find regarding funeral processions, but it sounds to me you don't work for a funeral home you just own a hearse for whatever reason.

§ 3107. Drivers in funeral processions.
(a) General rule.--The driver of a vehicle which is being
driven in a funeral procession may:
(1) Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of this
part.
(2) Proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign if
the lead vehicle in the procession started through the
intersection while the signal indicator was green or, in the
case of a stop sign, the lead vehicle first came to a
complete stop before proceeding through the intersection.
(b) Visual signals required.--The privileges granted by this
section shall apply only if each vehicle in the funeral
procession displays lighted head lamps and emergency flashers
and bears a flag or other insignia designating it as part of a
funeral procession.
(c) Right-of-way to emergency vehicles.--This section does
not relieve the driver of a vehicle which is being driven in a
funeral procession from yielding the right-of-way to an
emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals, nor
from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all
persons.

Equipment characteristics are defined by the inspection manual. I don't see there being any exceptions other than for emergency vehicles. Table IV in that link lists all equipment characteristics for passenger cars and it states two white lamps.

[RoadKingTrooper]

Purple lights on a Hearse? I thought they were to be used exclusively by Psychics when tracking fugitive cosmic entities

[The Horologist]

This was all I could find regarding funeral processions, but it sounds to me you don't work for a funeral home you just own a hearse for whatever reason.



Equipment characteristics are defined by the inspection manual. I don't see there being any exceptions other than for emergency vehicles. Table IV in that link lists all equipment characteristics for passenger cars and it states two white lamps.

Correct, I do not work for a funeral home. I own a hearse privately, and am planning on turning it into a street-legal show car.

Thanks for the list! I was unable to find anything on that stuff.

I did have one more question though; I know ornamental lights are illegal in PA, and I was wondering if only exterior after-market lights are considered ornamental or if any interior after-market lighting would be considered ornamental as well. I'd like to have some blacklights on the inside of the car (none directly in view) to give some ambient lighting inside the vehicle, but I don't want to get pulled for it.

[greg72982]

I did have one more question though; I know ornamental lights are illegal in PA, and I was wondering if only exterior after-market lights are considered ornamental or if any interior after-market lighting would be considered ornamental as well. I'd like to have some blacklights on the inside of the car (none directly in view) to give some ambient lighting inside the vehicle, but I don't want to get pulled for it.

You are safe with interior lights as long as they can't be seen while you are driving.



Also a little birdie told me the following. Here is your answer on paper:

State Law ( no exceptions for hearses)

PAVC 4301 The dept shall promulgate the regulations governing the ...color....of lamps etc.

PA Equipment Regulations regarding the 4301 reference.

Title 67 Section 175.66 ( b , c 1 & 2 , also g) Lighting and Electrical Systems.

HEADLAMP SYSTEM

(g) says that the color shall not be contrary to Tables II-IV.

Table II ( CMV'S)
Headlamps , all must be white.

Table III SUV's trucks trailers over 80 in wide.

Headlaamps must all be white.

Table IV

Passenger cars and light trucks under 80 in in width.

Headlamps must be white.



Actual insp procedure 175.80 a, 9 , v.

Lamp shows color contrary to the lighting chart , tables.
So a hearse ( or any PA vehicle ) with purple headlights would also fail state inspection.

[The Horologist]

You are safe with interior lights as long as they can't be seen while you are driving.



Also a little birdie told me the following. Here is your answer on paper:

Ah, just what I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!

[basher52]

In NYS you are good to go (funeral vehicles) with purple. They changed the law a number of years ago, but it has been slow to catch on here in NY. I have noticed more asian funeral processions with purple lighting, stobes and LEDs.