DOT regulation Question

All lights that are installed on the truck have to be operational. This also applies to lights added after buying the truck. I doubt you'll get a ticket for it, but if you are inspected, it is a violation. I believe clearance lights are 2 points, and I think all other lights are 6 points in an inspection. If I remember right, they multiply that figure by 3, so 6 or 18 CSA points, respectively.

 

It's a violation but won't put you OOS. A non working brake light or turn signal will put you OOS.

 

The ONLY lights they can write you up for are the lights that are required by the regulations. If you add 1000 extra lights and 1/2 of them are burned out, there isn't a dern thing the DOT can write you for as long as the REQUIRED lights are working properly.

§ 393.9(a) All lamps required by this subpart shall be capable of being operated at all times. This paragraph shall not be construed to require that any auxiliary or additional lamp be capable of operating at all times.

 

May not be sufficiently grounded or a bad hot connection (probably an issue inside the assembly either way). If you've replaced the correct bulb and still doesn't work, may require an entire light assembly to correct.

 

Any light that's not working gives & excuse for the trooper or DOT to stop you. And when they stop you they may find something else that's not correct.

You need every light burning.

 

Take the light from the other side and see if it works where the bad light is,,if it does not then maybe you have a wiring problem,,if it does buy one and replace it..If your company will not reimburse you or will not allow you to have it fixed at a truckstop I would suggest you start looking for a better company,, I always even when I drove a company truck carried an extra light/bulb or two. DOT regs also require the driver to have extra fuses ,have had DOT inspectors ask to see my spare fuses..Dang Cops are just looking for something to write up to qualify fot donut credits,, Get is fixed,,

 

This is true federally, although may not be the case in all states. In PA, for example, chicken lights are flat out illegal (working or not). See Pennsylvania state reg § 175.125 (f)

 

I stand corrected. learned something new today. Thanks.