Section 24601 Of Article 3. Rear Lighting Equipment From California Vehicle Code >> Division 12. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 3.

. Either the taillamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear license plate during darkness and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. When the rear license plate is illuminated by a lamp other than a required taillamp, the two lamps shall be turned on or off only by the same control switch at all times.