Required Lights for Trailers Less Than 80 Wide and Less Than 30 Long. If your trailer is less than 6 long, you do not need to have front side marker lights or front side marker reflectors. If your trailer is less than 30 wide, you only need to have 1 brake light, 1 tail light, and 1 rear reflector.

When did side marker lights become mandatory?

For 1968, federal regulators imposed the requirement for side-marker lights—amber colored ones for the front and red ones for the rear. All vehicle manufacturers complied with the rule, but it was Chrysler that created the most liberal—and austere—interpretation of the fledgling side-marker mandate.

Are marker lights a legal requirement?

Motor vehicles first used from 1 April 1991, exceeding 25mph maximum speed, and trailers manufactured from 1 October 1990 must be fitted with at least two white outline marker lamps at the front of the vehicle and two red ones at the rear in matched pairs and the lamps must be lit when the vehicle is used on the road

Why do trailers have marker lights?

“As you are likely aware, the three marker lamps at the top-rear of the trailer, mounted around the center line of the vehicle, are called identification lights. Their purpose is to alert following drivers that the vehicle equipped with these lights is wider than 80 inches.

Do trailers have to have running lights?

Trailer Lights Trailers in California are required to have reflectors, tail, brake, and license plate lights. Signal lights are also required if the tow vehicles lights are hidden. Trailers over 80 inches wide must have clearance lights.

Do side marker lights have to be Amber?

Front side markers must illuminate amber, rear side markers must illuminate red.

Are clear side markers illegal?

No, they are not officially legal. Officially, they must reflect amber like the factory ones. However, you probably wont be hassled if you have clear markers with an amber bulb that is DOT approved.

What color should your side marker lights be?

(2) At least one amber side-marker lamp on each side near the front and at least one red side-marker lamp on each side near the rear.

Are blue side marker lights legal?

so to answer your question again, blue is illegal on your side markers.

Does a trailer need reverse lights?

13.13 Reversing Lamps Number: 1 or 2 lamps must be fitted on all trailers with a length less than 6,000mm. 2 lamps must be fitted on all trailers with a length greater than 6,000mm. Electrical Connections: The lamps light up when reverse gear is engaged on the towing vehicle.

Where do lights need to be on a trailer?

Option 2 (an extended trailer that exceeds 6000mm). Trailers must have one light on either side within 1000mm from the rear and either side within 3000mm from the front of the trailer. The side marker light other than the rear lamp must show amber only and the rear light amber to the front and red to the rear.

What size trailer does not need lights?

If your trailer is less than 6 long, you do not need to have front side marker lights or front side marker reflectors. If your trailer is less than 30 wide, you only need to have 1 brake light, 1 tail light, and 1 rear reflector.

Can side markers be smoked?

Technically no they are not legal in California. California has some of the strictest traffic laws some of which are pretty ridiculous.

Whats the difference between clearance lights and marker lights?

Clearance marker lights legally combine both the clearance and the side marker functions into a single lamp. When mounted on the corner of the vehicle at a 45 degree angle, this allows them to point light to the same angles as separate clearance and marker lamps would.

Are blue lights legal on trucks?

It is illegal in all 50 US states to have red, blue, green or white flashing lights on your truck unless it is an emergency response vehicle. However, you can add colored lights to your truck, but the laws will differ from state to state and will be set by your local transport authority.

Are blue lights illegal on motorcycles?

Blue bike lights are legal in most states. Laws that specifically prohibit blue lights on motor vehicles make them legal on non-motor vehicles. States that prohibit flashing blue lights on a vehicle may allow the use of blue bike lights if they arent flashing.

What size trailer needs lights?

All trailers are required to have stop lights, tail lights, turn signals, and reflectors. Trailers that are 80 wide or wider, or that are 30 long or longer need additional lights and reflectors.

Are mudguards a legal requirement on trailers?

A trailer designed for the carriage of round timber does not require mudguards. Construction and Use Regs 1986 Regulation 63 sasy that all trailers shall be fitted with wings or similar devices to prevent mud or water being thrown up by the rotation of the wheels.

How wide can a trailer be before it needs clearance lights?

13.7 End-Outline Marker (Clearance) Lamps Presence: Must be fitted if a trailer is more than 2100 mm wide.

How much can you tow without trailer brakes?

A trailer or pole trailer is required to have brakes if its gross weight exceeds 4,500 lbs. A trailer with a gross weight between 4,500 lbs. and 15,000 lbs. is not required to have brakes if it is towed at a speed of not more than 30 mph. Trailers must be equipped with brakes if the gross weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.

Are smoked out side markers illegal?

Theyre legal to be smoked as long as the light behind them is white, yellow or amber.