---
title: O.C.G.A. § 40-8-26. Standards for brake lights and signal devices.
collection: code
id: 40-8-26
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 40-8-26 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-8-26
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-8-26.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-8-26/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t40-ch6-16-(v29)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=97c394d6_0#page=486
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-8.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-8-25.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/40-8-27.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC / EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES / EQUIPMENT GENERALLY / LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
---

# O.C.G.A. § 40-8-26. Standards for brake lights and signal devices.

(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this article shall be equipped with the following signal lights or devices:

(1) A brake light on the rear which shall emit a red light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a taillight; and

(2) A light or lights or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or to the left and which shall be visible from both the front and the rear.

(b) Every brake light shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of 300 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime, and every signal light or lights indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 300 feet from both the front and the rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a brake light or other signal lights, such light or lights shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No brake light or signal light shall project a glaring or dazzling light.

(c) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in Code Section 40-8-20.

(d) All lenses on brake lights and signal devices shall be maintained in good repair and shall meet manufacturers’ specifications.

## History

Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 556, § 112; Code 1933, § 68E-207, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 165, § 4; Code 1981, § 40-8-26, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 165, § 10.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1991, ‘‘taillight’’ was substituted for ‘‘tail light’’ in paragraph (a)(1).