FEDERAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
IMPORTANT: Every lamp, reflex reflector, and conspicuity treatment (device) must be permanently attached in the location specified below and must comply with all applicable requirements prescribed for it by FMVSS/CMVSS 108. The face of any device on the front/rear and sides should be, respectively perpendicular and parallel to vehicle centerline, unless it is photometrically certified at installation angle. No part of the vehicle shall prevent any device from meeting its prescribed requirements unless an auxiliary device meeting all prescribed requirements is installed.
CANADA REQUIREMENTS: Manufacturers and importers of vehicles must have the proper certification test records demonstrating compliance of lighting components with all prescribed requirements.
PLEASE NOTE:The following tables summarize lighting equipment requirements contained in Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. For complete compliance requirements consult Title 49 – Code of Federal Regulations, Section 571.108. (USA) and Section 108 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Canada).
State or Provincial regulations, where they may apply, have not been included.
For your convenience, a PDF format is available for download below.
BASIC EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON ALL TRAILERS
| Area | Equipment | SAE Lens Coding | Functional Purpose | Quantity | Color | Location | Height from the Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tail Lights | (T) | Indicate vehicle’s presence and width | Minimum 2 | Red | On the rear – symmetrical as far apart as practicable | 15-72” (380-1830mm) |
| Stop Lights | (S) | Indicate braking | Minimum 2 | Red | On the rear – symmetrical as far apart as practicable | 15-72” (380-1830mm) | |
| Rear Turn Signal Lights | (I) | Indicate direction of turn | Minimum 2 | Red or Amber | On the rear – symmetrical as far apart as practicable | 15-83” (380-2110mm) | |
| Rear Reflex Reflectors | (A) | Indicate vehicle’s presence and width | Minimum 2 | Red | On the rear – symmetrical as far apart as practicable, facing rearward | 15-60” (380-1530mm) | |
| 2 | License Plate Light(s) | (L) | Illuminates license plate | Minimum 1 | White | On the rear – above or at the sides of license plate | No requirement |
| 3 | Rear Side Marker Lights (photometrically certified at installation angle) | (P2, PC* or P3, PC2*) | Front and rear side marker lights / side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle’s presence & length | Minimum 2 | Red | Each side at rear as far back as practicable | 15-60” (380-1530mm) no max. for vehicles under 80” (2032mm) wide |
| Rear Side Reflex Reflectors | (A) | Minimum 2 | Red | Each side at rear as far back as practicable, facing sideward | 15-60” (380-1530mm) | ||
| 4a | Front Side Marker Lights (photometrically certified at installation angle) | (PC, PC* or P3, PC2*) | — | Minimum 2 | Amber | Each side at front as far forward as practicable | 15” (380mm) minimum |
| 4b | Front Side Reflex Reflectors | (A) | — | Minimum 2 | Amber | Each side at front as far forward as practicable, facing sideward | 15-60” (380-1530mm) |
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR TRAILERS EXCEEDING 30′ (9.1m)
| Area | Equipment | SAE Lens Coding | Functional Purpose | Quantity | Color | Location | Height from the Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5a | Intermediate Side Marker Lights (photometrically certified at installation angle) | (PC, P3, PC* or PC2*) | Indicate presence of a long vehicle | Minimum 2 | Amber | Each side near center, facing sideward | 15” (380mm) minimum |
| 5b | Intermediate Side Reflex Reflectors | (A) | Indicate presence of a long vehicle | Minimum 2 | Amber | Each side near center, facing sideward | 15–60” (380–1530mm) |
WIDTH 80” (2032mm) OR WIDER
| Area | Equipment | SAE Lens Coding | Functional Purpose | Quantity | Color | Location | Height from the Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Rear Clearance Lights (photometrically certified at installation angle) | (P2, PC* or P3, PC2*) | Show vehicle’s width – MAY NOT be combined with tail lights | Minimum 2 | Red | At widest point – symmetrical – on the rear or near the rear – facing rearward | As high as practicable (may be lower only if ID lights are at the top) |
| 7 | Rear Identification (ID) Lights | (P2 or P3) | Indicate presence of a wide vehicle | Exactly 3 | Red | On the rear – center – horizontally spaced 6” to 12” (150mm to 300mm) apart – facing rearward | At the top (may be lower if door header narrower than 1” / 25mm) |
| 8 | Front Clearance Lights (photometrically certified at installation angle) | (P2, PC* or P3, PC2*) | Show vehicle’s width | Minimum 2 | Amber | At widest point – symmetrical – on the front or near the front – facing forward | As high as practicable |
WIDTH 80” (2032mm) OR WIDER AND GVWR 10,000 lb (4536 kg) OR MORE
| Area | Conspicuity Treatment | DOT Coding | Quantity | Color | Location | Height | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Rear Upper Body Markings | DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C4 | Exactly 2 pairs of 12” (300mm) long strips | White | On the rear upper corners – facing rearward | At the top | Reflex reflectors may not be required if replaced in required location with conspicuity treatment.
Optional in Canada: Rear lower body and side conspicuity treatment may also be solid white, solid yellow, or white and yellow. |
| 10 | Bumper Bar Marking | Continuous | — | Red/White | On the rear bumper bar’s horizontal element – full width – facing rearward | No requirement | |
| 11 | Rear Lower Body Marking | Continuous | — | Red/White (see options) | On the rear – full width of the vehicle – facing rearward | As horizontal as practicable and as close as practicable to 15”–60” (375–1525mm) | |
| 12 | Side Marking | (see location) | — | Red/White (see options) | Each side – facing sideward – continuous or evenly spaced over ≥50% of length, starting and ending as close to front/rear as practicable | As horizontal as practicable and as close as practicable to 15”–60” (375–1525mm) |
This table summarizes lighting equipment requirements contained in Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. For complete compliance requirements consult Title 49 – Code of Federal Regulations, Section 571.108. (USA) and Section 108 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Canada).
State or Provincial regulations, where they may apply, have not been included.