Compliance scores: farm equipment lighting and marking laws in nine Midwest states compared with ASABE standards
| Lighting and marking score components* | ASABE standard | IL | IA | KS | MN | MO | NE | ND | SD | WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting score components | ||||||||||
| Tractors and SPAE | ||||||||||
| Number of headlights | 2 headlights | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Number of taillights | 2 taillights | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Required taillight colour | Red | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Flashing amber lights required | Yes | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Turn signals required | Yes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White lights to rear permitted | No | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Towed agricultural equipment | ||||||||||
| Number of taillights | 2 taillights | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Required taillight colour | Red | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Flashing amber lights required | Yes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Turn signals required | Yes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lighting and marking score components | ||||||||||
| Lighting/marking required to define outer bounds of tractor or SPAE | Yes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lighting/marking required on towed unit, if visible on towing unit | No | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lighting/marking required to define outer bounds of towed unit | Yes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Marking score components | ||||||||||
| Tractors and SPAE | ||||||||||
| Number of reflectors | 2 reflectors | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Size of reflectors | 2×4.5 inches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Required distance at which reflectors are visible | 100–1000 feet | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SMV emblem required | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Towed agricultural equipment | ||||||||||
| SMV emblem required | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Number of reflectors | 2 reflectors | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Size of reflectors on attachments | 2×4.5 inches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Required distance at which reflectors are visible | 100–1000 feet | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Standardised total combined lighting and marking score | 100 | 69 | 40 | 62 | 45 | 12 | 43 | 50 | 55 | 36 |
| Standardised total lighting score | 100 | 73 | 50 | 62 | 46 | 15 | 50 | 58 | 54 | 42 |
| Standardised total marking score | 100 | 59 | 27 | 59 | 41 | 5 | 36 | 45 | 59 | 27 |
*Lighting and marking scores: 2=meets or exceeds ASABE standard, 1=partial compliance with ASABE standard, 0=ASABE standard not addressed by statute.
Lighting and marking scores each include lighting and marking score components. Total lighting and marking score ‘counts’ lighting and marking score components only once.
ASABE, American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers; IA, Iowa; IL, Illinois; KS, Kansas; MN, Minnesota; MO, Missouri; NE, Nebraska; ND, North Dakota; SD, South Dakota; SMV, slow moving vehicle; SPAE, self-propelled agricultural equipment; WI, Wisconsin.