49 C.F.R. § 393.11 Lamps and reflective devices.
Title 49 - Transportation
(a)(1) Lamps and reflex reflectors. Table 1 specifies the requirements for lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment by the type of commercial motor vehicle. The diagrams in this section illustrate the position of the lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment specified in Table 1. All commercial motor vehicles manufactured on or after December 25, 1968, must, at a minimum, meet the applicable requirements of 49 CFR 571.108 (FMVSS No. 108) in effect at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. Commercial motor vehicles manufactured before December 25, 1968, must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of subpart B of part 393 in effect at the time of manufacture. (2) Exceptions: Pole trailers and trailer converter dollies must meet the part 393 requirements for lamps, reflective devices and electrical equipment in effect at the time of manufacture. Trailers which are equipped with conspicuity material which meets the requirements of §393.11(b) are not required to be equipped with the reflex reflectors listed in Table 1 if— (i) The conspicuity material is placed at the locations where reflex reflectors are required by Table 1; and (ii) The conspicuity material when installed on the motor vehicle meets the visibility requirements for the reflex reflectors. (b) Conspicuity Systems. Each trailer of 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more overall width, and with a GVWR over 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds), manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, except pole trailers and trailers designed exclusively for living or office use, shall be equipped with either retroreflective sheeting that meets the requirements of FMVSS No. 108 (S5.7.1), reflex reflectors that meet the requirements FMVSS No. 108 (S5.7.2), or a combination of retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors that meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 108 (S5.7.3). The conspicuity system shall be installed and located as specified in FMVSS No. 108 [S5.7.1.4 (for retroreflective sheeting), S5.7.2.2 (for reflex reflectors), S5.7.3 (for a combination of sheeting and reflectors)] and have certification and markings as required by S5.7.1.5 (for retroreflective tape) and S5.7.2.3 (for reflex reflectors). (c) Prohibition on the use of amber stop lamps and tail lamps. No commercial motor vehicle may be equipped with an amber stop lamp, a tail lamp, or other lamp which is optically combined with an amber stop lamp or tail lamp. (d) Prohibition on the use of auxiliary lamps that supplement the identification lamps. No commercial motor vehicle may be equipped with lamps that are in a horizontal line with the required identification lamps unless those lamps are required by this regulation.
Title 49: Transportation
PART 393—PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION
Subpart B—Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Electrical Wiring
§ 393.11 Lamps and reflective devices.
Table 1_Required Lamps and Reflectors on Commercial Motor Vehicles-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Height above the road surface in millimeters (mm) (with Item on the vehicle Quantity Color Location Position English units Vehicles for which the devices in parenthesis) are required measured from the center of the lamp at curb weight--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Headlamps........................ 2 White.................. Front.......... On the front at Not less than A, B, C the same 559 mm (22 height, with inches) nor an equal more than number at each 1,372 mm (54 side of the inches). vertical center line as far apart as practicable.Turn signal (front). See 2 Amber.................. At or near the One on each Not less than A, B, C footnotes #2 and 12. front. side of the 381 mm (15 vertical inches) nor centerline at more than the same 2,108 mm (83 height and as inches). far apart as practicable.Identification lamps (front). See 3 Amber.................. Front.......... As close as All three on B, C footnote #1. practicable to the same level the top of the as close as vehicle, at practicable to the same the top of the height, and as motor vehicle. close as practicable to the vertical centerline of the vehicle (or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle) with lamp centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6 inches) or more than 305 mm (12 inches) apart. Alternatively, the front lamps may be located as close as practicable to the top of the cab.Tail lamps. See footnotes #5 and 2 Red.................... Rear........... One lamp on Both on the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H 11. each side of same level the vertical between 381 mm centerline at (15 inches) the same and 1,829 mm height and as (72 inches). far apart as practicable.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1_Required Lamps and Reflectors on Commercial Motor Vehicles-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Height above the road surface in millimeters (mm) (with Item on the vehicle Quantity Color Location Position English units Vehicles for which the devices in parenthesis) are required measured from the center of the lamp at curb weight--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Stop lamps. See footnotes #5 and 2 Red.................... Rear........... One lamp on Both on the A, B, C, D, E, F, G 13. each side of same level the vertical between 381 mm centerline at (15 inches) the same and 1,829 mm height and as (72 inches). far apart as practicable.Clearance lamps. See footnotes 2 Amber.................. One on each One on each Both on the B, C, D, G, H #8, 9, 10, 15 & 17. side of the side of the same level as front of the vertical high as vehicle. centerline to practicable. indicate overall width. 2 Red.................... One on each One on each Both on the B, D, G, H side of the side of the same level as rear of the vertical high as vehicle. centerline to practicable. indicate overall width.Reflex reflector, intermediate 2 Amber.................. One on each At or near the Between 381 mm A, B, D, F, G (side). side. midpoint (15inches) and between the 1,524 (60 front and rear inches). side marker lamps, if the length of the vehicle is more than 9,144 mm (30 feet).Reflex reflector (rear). See 2 Red.................... Rear........... One on each Both on the A, B, C, D, E, F, G footnotes #5, 6, and 8. side of the same level, vertical between 381 mm centerline, as (15 inches) far apart as and 1,524 mm practicable (60 inches). and at the same height.Reflex reflector (rear side)..... 2 Red.................... One on each As far to the Both on the A, B, D, F, G side (rear). rear as same level, practicable. between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,524 mm (60 inches).Reflex reflector (front side). 2 Amber.................. One on each As far to the Between 381 mm A, B, C, D, F, G See footnote #16. side (front). front as (15 inches) practicable. and 1,524 mm (60 inches).License plate lamp (rear). See 1 White.................. At rear license No requirements A, B, C, D, F, G footnote #11. plate to illuminate the plate from the top or sides.Side marker lamp (front). See 2 Amber.................. One on each As far to the Not less than A, B, C, D, F footnote #16. side. front as 381 mm (15 practicable. inches).Side marker lamp intermediate.... 2 Amber.................. One on each At or near the Not less tan A, B, D, F, G side. midpoint 381 mm (15 between the inches). front and rear side marker lamps, if the length of the vehicle is more than 9,144 mm (30 feet).Side marker lamp (rear). See 2 Red.................... One on each As far to the Not less than A, B, D, F, G footnotes #4 and 8. side. rear as 381 mm (15 practicable. inches), and on the rear of trailers not more than 1,524 mm (60 inches).Turn signal (rear). See footnotes 2 Amber or red........... Rear........... One lamp on Both on the A, B, C, D, E, F, G #5 and 12. each side of same level, the vertical between 381 mm centerline as (15 inches) far apart as and 2,108 mm practicable. (83 inches).Identification lamp (rear). See 3 Red.................... Rear........... One as close as All three on B, D, G footnotes #3, 7, and 15. practicable to the same level the vertical as close as centerline. practicable to One on each the top of the side with lamp vehicle. centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6 inches) or more than 305 mm (12 inches) apart.Vehicular hazard warning signal 2 Amber.................. Front.......... One lamp on Both on the A, B, C flasher lamps. See footnotes #5 each side of same level, and 12. the vertical between 381 mm centerline, as (15 inches) far apart as and 2,108 mm practicable. (83 inches). 2 Amber or red........... Rear........... One lamp on Both on the A, B, C, D, E, F, G each side of same level, the vertical between 381 mm centerline, as (15 inches) far apart as and 2,108 mm practicable. (83 inches).Backup lamp. See footnote #14.... 1 or 2 White.................. Rear........... Rear........... No requirement. A, B, CParking lamp..................... 2 Amber or white......... Front.......... One lamp on Both on the A each side of same level, the vertical between 381 mm centerline, as (15 inches) far apart as and 2,108 mm practicable. (83 inches).--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Legend: Types of commercial motor vehicles shown in the last column of Table 1.A. Buses and trucks less than 2,032 mm (80 inches) in overall width.B. Buses and trucks 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more in overall width.C. Truck tractors.D. Semitrailers and full trailers 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more in overall width except converter dollies.E. Converter dolly.F. Semitrailers and full trailers less than 2,032 mm (80 inches) in overall width.G. Pole trailers.H. Projecting loads.Note: Lamps and reflectors may be combined as permitted by § 393.22 and S5.4 of 49 CFR 571.108, Equipment combinations.Footnote_1 Identification lamps may be mounted on the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except where the cab is not more than 42 inches wide at the front roofline, then a single lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for identification lamps. No part of the identification lamps or their mountings may extend below the top of the vehicle windshield.Footnote_2 Unless the turn signals on the front are so constructed (double-faced) and located as to be visible to passing drivers, two turn signals are required on the rear of the truck tractor, one at each side as far apart as practicable.Footnote_3 The identification lamps need not be visible or lighted if obscured by a vehicle in the same combination.Footnote_4 Any semitrailer or full trailer manufactured on or after March 1, 1979, shall be equipped with rear side-marker lamps at a height of not less than 381 mm (15 inches), and on the rear of trailers not more than 1,524 mm (60 inches) above the road surface, as measured from the center of the lamp on the vehicle at curb weight.Footnote_5 Each converter dolly, when towed singly by another vehicle and not as part of a full trailer, shall be equipped with one stop lamp, one tail lamp, and two reflectors (one on each side of the vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable) on the rear. Each converter dolly shall be equipped with rear turn signals and vehicular hazard warning signal flasher lamps when towed singly by another vehicle and not as part of a full trailer, if the converter dolly obscures the turn signals at the rear of the towing vehicle.Footnote_6 Pole trailers shall be equipped with two reflex reflectors on the rear, one on each side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable, to indicate the extreme width of the trailer.Footnote_7 Pole trailers, when towed by motor vehicles with rear identification lamps meeting the requirements of § 393.11 and mounted at a height greater than the load being transported on the pole trailer, are not required to have rear identification lamps.Footnote_8 Pole trailers shall have on the rearmost support for the load: (1) two front clearance lamps, one on each side of the vehicle, both on the same level and as high as practicable to indicate the overall width of the pole trailer; (2) two rear clearance lamps, one on each side of the vehicle, both on the same level and as high as practicable to indicate the overall width of the pole trailer; (3) two rear side marker lamps, one on each side of the vehicle, both on the same level, not less than 375 mm (15 inches) above the road surface; (4) two rear reflex reflectors, one on each side, both on the same level, not less than 375 mm (15 inches) above the road surface to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer; and (5) one red reflector on each side of the rearmost support for the load. Lamps and reflectors may be combined as allowed in § 393.22.Footnote_9 Any motor vehicle transporting a load which extends more than 102 mm (4 inches) beyond the overall width of the motor vehicle shall be equipped with the following lamps in addition to other required lamps when operated during the hours when headlamps are required to be used.(1) The foremost edge of that portion of the load which projects beyond the side of the vehicle shall be marked (at its outermost extremity) with an amber lamp visible from the front and side.(2) The rearmost edge of that portion of the load which projects beyond the side of the vehicle shall be marked (at its outermost extremity) with a red lamp visible from the rear and side.(3) If the projecting load does not measure more than 914 mm (3 feet) from front to rear, it shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides, and rear, except that if the projection is located at or near the rear it shall be marked by a red lamp visible from front, side, and rear.Footnote_10 Projections beyond rear of motor vehicles. Motor vehicles transporting loads which extend more than 1,219 mm (4 feet) beyond the rear of the motor vehicle, or which have tailboards or tailgates extending more than 1,219 mm (4 feet) beyond the body, shall have these projections marked as follows when the vehicle is operated during the hours when headlamps are required to be used:(1) On each side of the projecting load, one red side marker lamp, visible from the side, located so as to indicate maximum overhang.(2) On the rear of the projecting load, two red lamps, visible from the rear, one at each side; and two red reflectors visible from the rear, one at each side, located so as to indicate maximum width.Footnote_11 To be illuminated when tractor headlamps are illuminated.Footnote_12 Every bus, truck, and truck tractor shall be equipped with a signaling system that, in addition to signaling turning movements, shall have a switch or combination of switches that will cause the two front turn signals and the two rear signals to flash simultaneously as a vehicular traffic signal warning, required by § 392-22(a). The system shall be capable of flashing simultaneously with the ignition of the vehicle on or off.Footnote_13 To be actuated upon application of service brakes.Footnote_14 Backup lamp required to operate when bus, truck, or truck tractor is in reverse.Footnote_15(1) For the purposes of Section 393.11, the term ``overall width'' refers to the nominal design dimension of the widest part of the vehicle, exclusive of the signal lamps, marker lamps, outside rearview mirrors, flexible fender extensions, and mud flaps.(2) Clearance lamps may be mounted at a location other than on the front and rear if necessary to indicate the overall width of a vehicle, or for protection from damage during normal operation of the vehicle.(3) On a trailer, the front clearance lamps may be mounted at a height below the extreme height if mounting at the extreme height results in the lamps failing to mark the overall width of the trailer.(4) On a truck tractor, clearance lamps mounted on the cab may be located to indicate the width of the cab, rather than the width of the vehicle.(5) When the rear identification lamps are mounted at the extreme height of a vehicle, rear clearance lamps are not required to be located as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle.Footnote_16 A trailer subject to this part that is less than 1829 mm (6 feet) in overall length, including the trailer tongue, need not be equipped with front side marker lamps and front side reflex reflectors.Footnote_17 A boat trailer subject to this part whose overall width is 2032 mm (80 inches) or more need not be equipped with both front and rear clearance lamps provided an amber (front) and red (rear) clearance lamp is located at or near the midpoint on each side so as to indicate its extreme width.
