Effective January 1, 2009, the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law states - "Farm machinery … designed to operate at 25 mph or less whether self-propelled or used in combination, shall each separately display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem." The law prior to 1/1/09 requires an SMV emblem on either the tractor or the vehicle being towed, but not both. The intent of the new law is to improve visibility of farm equipment operated on public highways. The towed vehicle can block the SMV emblem on back of the tractor.
Also effective 1/1/09 - "It shall be unlawful to operate, drive, or park self-propelled agricultural equipment on any public highway or street in this state, during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and during other times as visibility for a distance of one thousand feet ahead of or behind such agricultural equipment is not clear, unless such agricultural equipment is equipped with lamps of a type approved by the commissioner which are lighted and in good working condition." This law codifies in the statute a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) existing regulation. Lights and flashers on farm equipment will make you more visible to traffic in both directions.
Required Lighting Equipment for self-propelled Agricultural Equipment
Item
Number and Color
Location
Headlamps
Two, white
Front, same level, as far apart as practicable
Tail lamps
One, red
Rear, as far to the left as practicable
Combined hazard warning and turn signal lamps
Two, amber
At least 1.1 meters (42 inches) high, same level, as far apart as practicable, visible front and rear
Rear reflectors
Two, red
Rear, same level, as far apart as practicable
For questions about the NY State Vehicle and Traffic law contact your local New York State Police Troop Traffic Section.
