§ 393.11 Lamps and reflective devices.

The(a)(1) followingLamps and reflex reflectors. Table 1 setsspecifies forth the requiredrequirements color,for positionlamps, andreflective requireddevices lightingand devicesassociated equipment by the type of commercial motor vehicle. DiagramsThe illustratingdiagrams thein locationsthis ofsection lightingillustrate devicesthe andposition reflectorsof the lamps, byreflective typedevices and sizeassociated ofequipment commercialspecified motorin vehicle, are shown immediately following Table 1. All lightingcommercial devices on motor vehicles placedmanufactured inon operationor after MarchDecember 725, 19891968, 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. MotorCommercial motor vehicles placedmanufactured in operation on or before MarchDecember 725, 19891968, must, meetat eithera minimum, meet the requirements of thissubpart subchapterB orof part 571393 in effect at the time of thismanufacture.
(2) titleExceptions: 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.—Required
(b) CommercialConspicuity VehicleSystems. LightingEach Equipmenttrailer 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.
Item on the vehicle Quantity Color Location Position Height above the road surface in inchesmillimeters (mm) (with English units in parenthesis) measured from the center of the lamp at curb weight RequiredVehicles lightingfor which the devices/vehicles are required
Headlamps 2 At Least White Front On the front at the same height, with an equal number at each side of the vertical centerlinecenter line as far apart as practicable Not less than 559 mm (22 inches) nor more than 1,372 mm (54 inches) A, B, C
Turn Signalsignal (Frontfront). See Footnotesfootnotes #2 &and 12 2 Amber At or Nearnear Front the front One on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable Not less than 381 mm (15 inches) nor more than 2,108 mm (83 inches) A, B, C
Identification Lamplamps (Frontfront). FootnoteSee footnote #1 3 Amber Front Mounted As onclose as practicable to the top of the vehicle, at the same height, and as 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 All) threewith onlamp samecenters levelspaced 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 vehiclecab All withthree lampon centersthe spacedsame notlevel lessas thanclose 6as inchespracticable orto morethe thantop 12of inchesthe apart motor vehicle B, C
Tail Lamplamps. See Footnotesfootnotes #5 &and 11 2 Red Rear One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable Both on the same level between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,829 mm (72 inches) A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
Stop Lamplamps. See Footnotesfootnotes #5 &and 13 2 Red Rear One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable Both on the same level between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,829 mm (72 inches) A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Clearance Lampslamps. See Footnotesfootnotes #8, 9, 10, 15 & 15 17 2 Amber One on each side of the front of the vehicle One on each side of the vertical centerline to indicate overall width Both on the same level as high as practicable B, C, D, G, H
2 2 Red One on each side of the rear of the vehicle One on each side of the vertical centerline to indicate overall width Both on the same level as high as practicable B, D, G, H
SideReflex Marker Lampreflector, Intermediate intermediate (side) 2 Amber One on each side At or near the midpoint between the front and rear side marker lamps, if overthe 30′length inof length Notthe lessvehicle thanis 15 A,more B,than D9,144 F,mm G
Reflex(30 Reflectorfeet) Between Intermediate381 mm (Side15inches) 2 Amber One on each side At or near midpoint between front and rear1,524 side reflectors if over 30′ in length Between 15 and (60 inches) A, B, D, F, G
Reflex Reflectorreflector (Rearrear). See Footnotesfootnotes #5, 6, &and 8 2 Red Rear One on each side of the vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable and at the same height Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,524 mm (60 inches) A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Reflex Reflectorreflector (Rearrear Sideside) Footnote #4 . 2 Red One on each side (rear) As far to the rear as practicable Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,524 mm (60 inches) A, B, D, F, G
Reflex Reflectorreflector (Frontfront Sideside) . See footnote #16 2 Amber One on each side (front) As far to the front as practicable Between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,524 mm (60 inches) A, B, C, D, F, G
License Plateplate Lamplamp Rear(rear). See Footnotefootnote #11 1 White At rear license plate To to illuminate the license plate from the top or sides No requirements A, B, C, D, F, G
Side Markermarker Lamplamp (Frontfront) . See footnote #16 2 Amber One on each side As far to the front as practicable Not less than 381 mm (15 inches) A, B, C, D, F
Side Markermarker Lamplamp intermediate 2 Amber One on each side At or near the midpoint between the front and rear side marker lamps, if the length of the vehicle is more than 9,144 mm (Rear30 feet) Not less tan 381 mm (15 inches) A, B, D, F, G
Side marker lamp (rear). See Footnotesfootnotes #4 &and 8 2 Red One on each side As far to the rear as practicable Not less than 381 mm (15 inches), and on the rear of trailer,trailers not more than 1,524 mm (60 inches) A, B, D, F, G
Turn Signalsignal (Rearrear). See Footnotesfootnotes #5 &and 12 2 Amber or Red red Rear One lamp on eachsideeach side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and 2,108 mm (83 inches) A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Identification Lamplamp (Rearrear). See Footnotesfootnotes #3, 7, &and 15 3 Red Rear One as close as practicable to the vertical centerline. One on each side with lamp centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6″ inches) or more than 305 mm (12″ inches) apart All three on the same level as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle B, D, G
Vehicular Hazardhazard Warningwarning Flashingsignal Lampsflasher lamps. See Footnotefootnotes #5 and 12 2 Amber Front One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and 2,108 mm (83 inches) A, B, C
2 Amber or red Rear One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and 2,108 mm (83 inches) A, B, C, D, E, F, G
2 Amber or Red Rear
Backup Lamplamp. See Footnotefootnote #14 1 or 2 White Rear Rear No requirement A, B, C
Parking Lamp lamp 2 Amber or white Front One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and 72 A
*2,108 Lightingmm Required(83 perinches) A
Legend: TypeTypes of Commercialcommercial Vehiclemotor asvehicles Shownshown Lastin Columnthe last column of Table 1.
A. SmallBuses 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 Tractorstractors.
D. LargeSemitrailers semitrailers and full trailers 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more in overall width except converter dollies.
E. Converter dolly.
F. SmallSemitrailers semitrailers and full trailers less than 2,032 mm (80 inches) in overall width.
G. Pole Trailerstrailers.
H. Projecting loads.
Note: Lamps and reflectors may be combined as permitted by Paragraphs§ 393.22 and S4S5.4 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 vehicles manufactured on andor after March 1, 1979, shall be equipped with rear side-marker lamps at a height of not less than 15381 inchesmm (38115 mminches), norand on the rear of trailers not more than 601,524 inchesmm (152460 mminches) above the road surface, as measured from the center of the lamp on the vehicle at curb weight.
Footnote—5 TheEach rearconverter sidedolly, markerwhen lampstowed shallsingly beby visibleanother in the vehicle's rearviewand mirrorsnot whenas thepart trailer is tracking straight.
Footnote—5
For purposes of thesea regulationsfull trailer, each converter dolly shall be equipped with one stop lamp, one tail lamp, and two reflectors (one on each side of the rearvertical atcenterline, eachas sidefar whenapart towedas singlypracticable) byon anotherthe vehiclerear. Each converter dolly shall be equipped with rear turn signals atand thevehicular rearhazard 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 when towed singly by another vehicle.
Footnote—6
Pole trailers willshall havebe equipped with two reflex reflectors on the rear, one on each side, placedof the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable, to indicate the extreme width of the trailer.
Footnote—7
Pole trailers, maywhen havetowed threeby identificationmotor lampsvehicles mountedwith onrear theidentification verticallamps centerlinemeeting of the rearrequirements of the§ cab393.11 ofand themounted truckat tractora drawingheight thegreater pole trailer, and higher than the load being transported, inon lieu of the threepole identificationtrailer, lampsare mountednot onrequired theto have rear verticalidentification centerline of the trailerlamps.
Footnote—8
Pole trailers shall have on the rearmost support for the load: (1) two front clearance lamps, one combinationon markereach lampside orof the vehicle, both on the same level and as high as practicable to indicate the overall width of the pole trailer; (2) two singlerear clearance lamps, showingone amberon toeach side of the frontvehicle, both on the same level and redas high as practicable to indicate the overall width of the pole trailer; (3) two rear andside marker lamps, one on each side of the vehicle, mountedboth 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, or having projections beyond the rear of such vehicles, shall be equipped with the following lamps in addition to other required lamps, havewhen theoperated loadsduring marked
Loadsthe projectinghours morewhen thanheadlamps 4are inchesrequired beyondto sidesbe of motor vehicles:used.
(1) The foremost edge of thethat projectingportion loadof atthe itsload outermostwhich extremityprojects shallbeyond be marked with an amber lamp visible from the frontside and both sides.
(2) The rearmost edge of the projectingvehicle loadshall be marked (at its outermost extremity) shall be marked with aan redamber lamp visible from the rearfront and side.
(32) IfThe anyrearmost edge of that portion of the projecting load extendswhich projects beyond both the foremostside andof rearmostthe edge,vehicle it shall be marked (at its outermost extremity) with ana amberred lamp visible from the front,rear both sides, and rearside.
(43) If the protectingprojecting 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 these 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. No rear license plate lamp is required on vehicles that do not display a rear license plate or on the rear of truck tractors while towing a trailer.
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
When(1) For the rearpurposes identificationof lamps§ are393.11, mountedthe atterm “overall width” refers to the extremenominal heightdesign dimension of athe widest part of the vehicle, rearexclusive clearanceof the signal lamps, needmarker notlamps, meetoutside therearview requirementmirrors, thatflexible theyfender extensions, and mud flaps.
(2) Clearance lamps may be locatedmounted asat closea aslocation practicableother than on the front and rear if necessary to indicate the topoverall width of thea vehicle.
[Figure, or graphicfor omitted.protection Seefrom thedamage officialduring source.]
[Figurenormal oroperation graphicof omittedthe vehicle.
(3) SeeOn a trailer, the officialfront source.]
[Figureclearance orlamps graphicmay omitted.be Seemounted theat officiala source.]
[Figureheight orbelow graphicthe omitted.extreme Seeheight if mounting at the officialextreme source.]
[Figureheight orresults graphicin omitted.the Seelamps failing to mark the officialoverall sourcewidth of the trailer.]
[Figure(4) orOn graphica omitted.truck Seetractor, clearance lamps mounted on the officialcab source.]
[Figuremay orbe graphiclocated omitted.to Seeindicate the officialwidth source.]
[Figureof orthe graphiccab, omitted.rather Seethan the officialwidth sourceof the vehicle.]
[Figure(5) orWhen graphicthe omitted.rear Seeidentification thelamps officialare source.]
Legendmounted (Usedat inthe Illustrations)
1.extreme Headlampsheight (2)-Whiteof (4a optional)
2.vehicle, Side-markerrear clearance lamps. Frontare (2)-Amber
3.not Siderequired reflectors.to Frontbe (2)-Amber
4.located Turn-signalas lamps.close Frontas (2)-Amber
4a.practicable Turn-signalto lamps.the Fronttop (2)-Amberof (Optionalthe location)
5vehicle.
Footnote—16 IdentificationA lamps.trailer Frontsubject (3)-Amber
5a.to Identificationthis lamps.part Frontthat (3)-Amberis less than 1829 mm (Optional6 locationfeet)
6. Clearancein lamps.overall Frontlength, (2)-Amber
7.including Side-markerthe lamps.trailer Reartongue, (2)-Red
8.need Side-reflectors.not Rearbe (2)-Red
9.equipped Identificationwith front side marker lamps. Rearand (3)-Red
10.front Clearanceside lampsreflex reflectors.
Footnote—17 RearA (2)-Red
11.boat Reflectorstrailer Rearsubject (2)-Red
12.to Stopthis lamps.part Rearwhose (2)-Red
13.overall Licensewidth plateis lamp.2032 Rearmm (180 inches)-White
14. Backupor lamp.more Rearneed (1)-Whitenot (locationbe optionalequipped providedwith optionalboth requirementsfront areand met)
15.rear Side-markerclearance lamps. Intermediateprovided an amber (2front)-Amber and red (ifrear) vehicleclearance lamp is 30’located at or morenear overallthe length)
16.midpoint Sideon reflectors.each Intermediateside (2)-Amberso (ifas vehicleto isindicate 30’its orextreme morewidth.
[70 overallFR length)
1748027, Aug. Turn15, signal2005, lamps.as Rearamended (2)-Amberat or72 Red
FR 32014, June 11, 2007; 72 FR 33562, June 18., Tail2007; lamps.78 RearFR (2)-Red
1958484, Sept. Parking24, lamps.2013; Front81 FR 47731, July 22, 2016; 81 FR 60634, Sept. 2-Amber, or2016; White
[5391 FR 493857873, DecFeb. 719, 19882026]