FMVSS Requirements: Body

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/TBMpstr.html

Description & Mandatory Requirements
Key Equipment SAE Lens Coding Function Quantity Location Height From Ground
1 Headlamp-Lower Beam H, HR Forward road Illumination, US requires 'DOT' lettering on lens US&Canada -light code required on lens Min. 2 Front-symmetrical as far apart as practicable if 4 lamp system-outboard or above upper beams 560-1370mm (22-54 in.)
1 Headlamp-Upper Beam H, HR Forward road Illumination, US requires 'DOT' lettering on lens US&Canada -light code required on lens Min. 2 Front-symmetrical if 4 system-inboard or below lower beams 560-1370mm (22-54 in.)
1 Parking Lamps P Indicate parked vehicle vehicles less than 2032 mm wide Min. 2 Front-symmetrical as far apart as practicable 380-1830mm (15-72 in.)
1 Daytime Running Lamps Y2 Indicate in use vehicle Canada- required/US option US requires lettering on lens if not headlamps Min. 2 Front-symmetrical as far apart as practicable 380 (15 in.) min. Max. depends on DRL type
2 Front Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Lamps I Indicate direction of turn/identify disabled vehicle Min.2 Front-symmetrical as far apart as practicable 380-2110mm (15-83 in.)
2 *Front Clearance Lamps P2, PC* or P3, PC2* Show vehicle's width Vehicles 2032mm wide or wider Min. 2 At widest point-symmetrical on the front or near the front facing forward As high as practicable
3 Front Identification Lamps P2 or P3 Indicate presence of a wide vehicle Vehicles 2032mm wide or wider Exactly 3 On the front-center horizontally space 150 mm (6 in.) to 300 mm (12 in.) apart As high as practicable or the top of the cab
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 380mm (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 380-1530mm (15-60 in.)
5a *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 380mm (15 in.) minimum
5b Rear Side Marker Lamps A Front & rear side marker lamps/side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle's presence & length. Not required on Truck Tractors. Min. 2 Each side at rear as far back as practicable facing sideward 380-1530mm (15-60 in.)
6 *Rear Clearance Lamps P2, PC* or P3, PC2* Show vehicle's width MAY NOT be combined with tail lamps Vehicles 2032mm wide or wider. Not required on Truck Tractors. 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. Vehicles 2032mm wide or wider. Not required on Truck Tractors. 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 Tail Lamps T Indicates vehicle's presence and width Min. 2 Rear-symmetrical as far as practicable 380-1830mm (15-72 in.)
8 Stop Lamps S Indicate braking Min. 2 Rear-symmetrical as far as practicable 380-1830mm (15-72 in.)
8 Rear Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Lamps I Indicates direction of turn/identify disabled vehicle Min. 2 Rear-symmetrical as far as practicable 380-1830mm (15-72 in.)
8 Rear Reflex Reflectors A Show vehicle's presence & width Min. 2 Rear-symmetrical as far as practicable 380-1830mm (15-72 in.)
9 Back-Up Lamp R Illuminates ground behind the vehicle and alert road users Min. 1 Rear No requirement
10 License Plate Lamp(s) L Illuminates license plate Min.1 Rear-above or at the sides of license Plate No requirement
Length 9.1 m (30 ft.) or longer & Truck Tractors
Key Equipment SAE Lens Coding Function Quantity Location Height From Ground
9 Backup Lamp R Illuminates ground behind the vehicle and alert road users Min. 1 Rear No requirement
9 License Plate Lamp(s) L Illuminates license plate Min. 1 Rear-above or at the sides of license plate No requirement
12a Intermediate Side Marker Lamps P2 or P3 Indicate presence of a long vehicle Min. 2 Each side near center 380 mm (15 in.) minimum
12b Intermediate Side Reflex Reflectors A Indicate presence of a long vehicle Min. 2 Each side near center facing sideward 380-1530 mm (15-60 in.)
Conspicuity Requirements
Length 9.1 m (30 ft.) or longer & Truck Tractors Conspicuity Treatment DOC Coding Quantity Location Height Options
13 Rear Upper Body Markings DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C4 Exactly 2 pairs of 300 mm long strips Rear upper corners of cab facing rearward As high as practicable excluding fairings
14 Rear Marking DOT-C, DOT-C2, DOT-C3, DOT-C5 Exactly 2 sections of min. 600 mm each Rear- facing rearward- on fenders, on mud flap brackets, or within 300 mm below the top of mud flaps As horizontal as practicable and higher than 1525 mm from the ground If mud flaps not used- on the cab or frame mounted brackets