Overview
Every motor carrier and its employees must be knowledgeable of, and comply with, the requirements of the Department of Transportation (DOT). No motor carrier may operate a commercial motor vehicle, or cause or permit such vehicle to be operated, unless it is equipped in accordance with DOT requirements.
Obstructions
All lights required by this standard must be capable of being operated at all times. Lights and reflective devices must not be obscured by the tailboard or by any part of the load. They must not be covered by dirt or another added vehicle or work equipment.
Requirements
The requirements for lights and reflective devices vary by the type of commercial motor vehicle. See Table 1 in the standard for specific information. The diagrams below illustrate the position of the lights, reflective devices and associated equipment specified in Table 1. All commercial motor vehicles manufactured on or after December 25, 1968 must meet the applicable requirements in effect at the time of the manufacture of the vehicle. No commercial motor vehicle may be equipped with an amber stop light, tail light or other light that is optically combined with an amber stop light or tail light.
