FMVSS Requirements: Boat

Find out where your lighting and reflectors should be placed.

NOTE: All information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For full and up-to-date information,
Visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standards/conspicuity/Trlrpstr.html

Description & Mandatory Requirements
Key Equipment SAE Lens Coding Function Quantity Location Height From Ground
1 Rear Turn A Indicate vehicle's presence & width Min. 2 On rear - symmetrical as far apart as practicable 380-1830 mm (15-72 in.)
1 Sig. Lamp I Indicate breaking Min. 2 On rear - symmetrical as far apart as practicable 380-1830 mm (15-72 in.)
1 Stop Lamps/ Tail Lamps S Indicate direction of turn Min. 2 On rear - symmetrical as far apart as practicable 380-2110 mm (15-83 in.)
1 Rear Reflex Reflectors T Indicate vehicle's presence & width Min. 2 On rear - symmetrical as far apart as practicable facing rearward 380-1530 mm (15-60 in.)
2 License Plate Lamps L Illuminates license plate Min. 1 On the rear - above or at the sides of license plate No requirements
3 *Rear Side Marker Lamps (P2, PC* or P3, PC2*) Front & rear side marker lamps/side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle's presence & length Min. 2 Each side at rear as far back as practicable 380-1530 mm (15-60 in.) no max. for veh. under 2032 mm (80 in.) wide
3 Rear Side Reflex Reflectors A Front & rear side marker lamps/side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle's presence & length Min. 2 Each side at rear as far back as practicable facing sideways 380-1530 mm (15-60 in.)
4a *Front Side Marker Lamps P2, PC* or P3, PC2* Front & rear side marker lamps/side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle's presence & length Min. 2 Each side at front as far forward as practicable 380 mm (15 in.) minimum
4b Front Side Reflex Reflectors A Front & rear side marker lamps/side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle's presence & length Min. 2 Each side front as far forward as practicable facing sideways 380-1530 mm (15-60 in.)
Length 9.1 m (30 ft.) or longer & Width 2032 mm (80 in.) or wider
Key Equipment SAE Lens Coding Function Quantity Location Height From Ground
5a Intermediate Side Marker Lamps (P2 or P3) Indicates presence of a long vehicle Min. 2 Each side near center facing sideways 380 mm (15 in.) minimum
5b Intermediate Side Reflex Reflectors (A) Indicates presence of a long vehicle Min. 2 Each side near center facing sideways 380-1530 mm (15-60 in.)
6 *Rear Clearance Lamps (P2, PC* or P3, PC2*) Show vehicle's width MAY NOT be combined with tail lamps Min. 2 At widest point-symmetrical on the rear of near the rear facing rearward As high as practicable may be lower only if ID lamps are at top
7 Rear Identification Lamps (P2 or P3) Indicates presence of a wide vehicle Exactly 3 On the rear-center horizontally spaced-150 mm (6 in.) to 300 mm (12 in.) apart facing rearward At the top-may be lower if door header narrower than 25 mm
8 *Front Clearance Lamps (P2, PC* or P3, PC2*) Show vehicle's width Min. 2 At widest point-symmetrical on the front or near the front facing forward As high as practicable
Width 2032mm (80 in.) or wider & GVWR 4536 kg (10,001 lb.) or more
Key Conspicuity Treatment DOC Coding Quantity Location Height Options
9 Rear Upper Body Markings DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C4 Exactly 2 pairs of 300 mm long strips On the rear upper corners facing rearward At the top Reflex reflectors (#3) may not be required if they are replaced in their required location with conspicuity treatment. Optional in Canada:Rear lower body and side conspicuity also be solid white, solid yellow, or white & yellow.
10 Bumper Bar Markings DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C5 Continuous On the rear bumper bar's horizontal element full width of the vehicle facing rearward No requirement Reflex reflectors (#3) may not be required if they are replaced in their required location with conspicuity treatment. Optional in Canada:Rear lower body and side conspicuity also be solid white, solid yellow, or white &yellow.
11 Rear Lower Body Marking DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C6 Continuous On the rear full width of the vehicle facing rearward As horizontal & as close as practicable to the range of 375mm to 1525 mm from the ground Reflex reflectors (#3) may not be required if they are replaced in their required location with conspicuity treatment. Optional in Canada:Rear lower body and side conspicuity also be solid white, solid yellow, or white & yellow.
12 Side Marking DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C7 (see location) Each side-facing sideward continuous, or evenly spaced over minimum of 50% length starts & ends as close to the front & rear of the vehicle as practicable As horizontal & as close as practicable to the range of 375 mm to 1525 mm from the ground Reflex reflectors (#3) may not be required if they are replaced in their required location with conspicuity treatment. Optional in Canada:Rear lower body and side conspicuity also be solid white, solid yellow, or white & yellow.