Truck equipment and projecting loads

Explanation

Trucks and buses have specific rear-lighting requirements: two red tail lamps, one rear white license plate lamp and at least one red stop lamp.

When a load or tailboard extends more than four feet past the rear:

• Between sunset and sunrise, mount one red lamp at the extreme rear. It must be visible from both sides and the rear from 500 feet.
• Between sunrise and sunset, mount one red flag at the extreme rear. It must be at least 12 square inches and visible from both sides and the rear.

Every bus, truck and tractor-trailer also needs a hazard-warning signaling system. The two front and two rear signals must flash at the same time whether the ignition is on or off.

Example

A truck carries material five feet beyond its rear. During daylight, the driver mounts a red flag of at least 12 square inches at the far end of the load. If the trip continues after sunset, the projection needs the required red lamp instead.

Common mistake

Using the daytime red flag at night. The rule changes at sunset: use the red lamp that is visible for 500 feet.

What the manual says

The lighting requirements for any truck or bus are: (2) red tail lamps, one (1) rear white license plate lamp, and at least one (1) red stop-lamp.

One red flag must be mounted at the extreme rear end of vehicle’s load between sunrise and sunset.

The signal must be capable of flashing simultaneously with the ignition on or off.