Too Many Tail Lights??

Dang, I figured an old timer would have jumped in here by now and called the three center lights by the proper name---ICC lights.

ICC lights had to be on any vehicle 96 inches or wider, but that was back in the day. Not sure if the rule still exists.

 

These might help you. The lighting section. 393.11 deals with what color and how many lights you need and where they are located.


http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.11

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...mcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.11&guidence=Y

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.22

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.25

 

Now referred to as ID lights.

 

While you're here DB... I have a question about 393.11TL. Some of our drivers have been issued citations for no reflectors across the top of the mud flaps on the tractor. None of our tractors have these reflectors and I'm trying to convince our shop guy that mine (at least) needs them on there, especially because I do bobtail home on the weekends.

He says we don't need them because the tail lights themselves are reflective. What do you say?

 

I've never messed with that, and Ive never found it. I saw another thread on it and someone referenced the section. You may want to check on that thread. My best guess would be call the State you are running through and ask them that question. But I hardly ever stop a bobtail either.

 

I got the appropriate CDL and drove school bus for a year immediately after retiring from public safety. I wanted a chance to see kids being, well, *kids*, instead of patients, victims, or suspects.
In driver training school (run by the bus company), the instructors called them "clip lights". I'd always heard them referred to as ICC lights by the other Troopers at my previous job.
Thanks for the update, folks.
-- Handlebar --

 

Ok it is driving me crazy I can't find it--I know it exists! it has changed(like original poster said)in the last few years and it is not rtroactive--This is why all the newer chicken trucks you see(for the most part)only have 5(1-3-1)across the top--instead of the usually 8-10-12 depending on manufacturer. I have an '03 Dane--that has 23 lites on back--all total top and bottom and it is legal--came right off great dane lot like this--a couple of years later (05?)the same trailer was down to 16-5 top 6 tails(3each side)5 in chrome plate between steps in middle of ICC bumper--asked service manager while I was waiting about it--he said something about new federal reg's can't put more than 5 up top--and wouldn't add for customer--but did point customer down the street to custom shop that was happy to finish lighting it for him!

 

How about the trucks and trailers that have huge arrays of various colored lights all over their fenders, running boards, and cab sides, then continue the theme down the bottom rail on the trailer, outlining the utility cabinets, etc. Some of them look like floats for parades in Bangkok, or maybe Las Vegas at the Sequin Festival. Are those still OK to put on trucks, or have those mostly been declared projecta non grata ?
Thanks,
-- Handlebar --

 

You bring up the topic of not being able to decipher whether a vehicle up in the distance is a van or a flatbed--this is a very good point.

Does anyone remember when Chevy came out with the Lumina mini-van, with the tail-lights mounted way up high on the C-pillar? I always found that it created an optical illusion at night--they seemed to be farther away than they really were, due to the lights being up higher. That being said, I can see where it is a good idea to stick to a lighting standard and not have something so radical as to cause a safety hazard.