You’re new to the tow truck game, but even you know that tow trucks have significantly more lights than the average vehicle.
Did you know that there are required trailer lights that govern the color, brightness, and number of lights on a tow truck? No?
Non-compliance with lighting regulations can cost you time, money, and energy.
Avoid the hassle later by learning the requirements for tow truck lights now.
Who Regulates Required Trailer Lights
There are two organizations that regulate required trailer lights.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides regulations for all new vehicles. The regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49 Part 571 Standard 108. This regulation is also known as the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides regulations for commercial vehicles. The regulations can be found at 49 CFR 393.11. The regulation describes required lights by commercial vehicle type.
The purpose of these regulations is to reduce traffic accidents by making sure that all vehicles have adequate lighting.
The regulations are very closely tied together. The FMCSA regulations require that commercial vehicles meet all the FMVSS requirements.
The Basic Required Trailer Lights for Any Vehicle
Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, the federal government requires you to have the following required trailer lights that function:
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Brake lights
- Front and rear turn signals
- Front and rear side markers (these lights are visible from the side to show the length of the vehicle)
- Front and rear clearance lights (these lights show the overall width of the vehicle)
- Backup lights that turn on when the vehicle is in reverse
Thankfully, the regulations allow lights to serve multiple purposes. For example, headlights can also serve as the front clearance lights and front side markers.
In addition to lights, all vehicles must have reflectors at the corners of the vehicle that are visible from the side and rear. In most cases, your headlights and taillights have a reflective cover that counts as your reflectors.
Lights Required By Size
Over-sized vehicles have extra required trailer lights.
Over 30 feet in length, the vehicle must have a side marker light and reflector that is mounted roughly half-way down the vehicle’s side.
Over 80 inches wide, vehicles have to have identification markers. This is a set of three lights mounted on the top front and top rear of the vehicles.
These help other drivers identify long or wide vehicles in low visibility.
Color Regulations for Lights
The color of your lights is important. So important that a regulation has decided what you can and cannot have.
Headlights have to be white. Same goes for backup lights.
The rest of your rear-facing lights have to be red. This includes your brake lights and rear side marker lights.
Any other marker and clearance lights on the vehicle have to be yellow.
Your rear turn signals can be either red or yellow. If your turn signal and your brake light is the same light, it must be red. If you have combo brake/turn lights, the turn signal must cause the brake light to flash. Basically, you have to have a blinking brake light for it to be legal.
Individual states may enact regulations for vehicle lights that are more stringent than the federal laws set by NHTSA and FMCSA.
For example, Ohio requires an amber light on emergency vehicles, road service vehicles, stationary waste collection vehicles, rural mail delivery vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, and funeral hearses.
Not red. Amber.
Other states designate blue lights for use law enforcement and white strobe lights for school buses.
Required Trailer Lights: Candlepower
Candlepower is a measurement of how bright something is. Yes, regulations exist that require the lights on your vehicle to be a certain brightness.
What’s the point of requiring lights if no one can see your lights in the dark?
Connecticut requires your lights to be visible from 1000 feet away. Although the federal regulations don’t set minimums, they do set maximums for each light.
Each state typically sets its own minimum candlepower requirements.
When Making Modifications… Be Careful
Vehicle manufacturers know the federal and state regulations. They can’t risk building a vehicle that can’t be driven on the road because it doesn’t conform to standards.
This means that any vehicle you buy off the lot will have lights that meet the federal standards.
Where you may get into trouble is after-market modifications. If you’re doing the mods yourself, or are buying a vehicle that has mods, make sure you are staying within the lines.
In general, according to federal regulations, additional lights, above what is required of you, are okay.
They’re okay as long as:
- the extra lights don’t reduce the effectiveness of the required lights;
- the extra lights don’t create confusion about what your light is indicating, and;
- the extra lights are not a prohibited color.
Triple check that your mods and extra lights follow federal and state regulations. Make sure that you know and follow any restrictions on how you use your extra lights.
Lights Required Specifically for Tow Trucks
Tow trucks have additional regulations that govern what lights have to be on the vehicle. This means that in addition to the basic lights and the lights required by size, tow trucks should have a couple extras.
Most states require tow trucks to be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or strobe lights of a specific color.
Some states require two different colors of tow truck strobe lights. One used while the tow truck is stopped on the side of the road, such as when it is hooking up a car. The other used when the truck is actively towing another vehicle.
If the lights on the rear of your tow truck are not readily visible, you have to make some changes. The rear lights of the truck have to be visible to all traffic that is following you.
If the car you’re towing is blocking those lights, you’re required to place the basic lights at the rear of the towed car.
This means that you’ll have to place the taillights, brake lights, and rear turn signals of the tow truck at the rear of the car being towed. If those lights are not visible and someone rear-ends the tow truck, the tow truck operator could be responsible for the accident.
Upgrade to Compliant Lights
Now that you have a solid understanding of what lights are required, make sure that your tow truck lights meet all the federal and state regulations.
If it doesn’t, shop here to browse our tow truck products. Let us help you get back into compliance with the regulations.
In compliance but still looking for an upgrade? We are the industry leader in waterproof tow truck lights. We’ll get your rig outfitted with the best equipment for the worst weather.
