New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 13 - LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Chapter 20 - ENFORCEMENT SERVICE
Subchapter 32 - INSPECTION STANDARDS AND TEST PROCEDURES TO BE USED BY OFFICIAL INSPECTION FACILITIES
Section 13:20-32.12 - Turn signals and hazard warning signals requirements, all motor vehicles; commercial motor vehicle inspection at official inspection facilities

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a noncommercial motorcycle, shall be equipped with two front and two rear turn signals, except that a passenger vehicle manufactured before July 2, 1954, is not required to be equipped with turn signals. When any motor vehicle, regardless of the date of its manufacture, is equipped with turn signals, the turn signals shall be in proper operating condition.

(b) All turn signal and hazard warning signal systems including lights, flashers, and operating units shall be of a type approved as meeting the standards of the United States Department of Transportation or, for motor vehicles manufactured prior to the adoption of such standards, the standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The letters "SAE," along with the manufacturer's name and trademark, are often on such devices. In the case of front and rear turn signal lights, the letter "I" or the letter "D" is often on the lens of such lights.

(c) Front turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall be mounted on each side of the vertical centerline at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practical. Front turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall emit a flashing white or amber light visible for a distance of 500 feet.

(d) Rear turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall be mounted on each side of the vertical centerline at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practical. Rear turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall emit a flashing red or amber light visible for a distance of 500 feet.

(e) All turn signal lights shall be permanently and securely mounted in such a manner, so as to reduce the likelihood of their being obscured by mud or dust thrown up by the wheels.

(f) A turn signal light shall not be obstructed by any part of the chassis, body, or bumper, or by any type of add-on device or material if such obstruction reduces the visible area of the turn signal light to less than three and one-half square inches on a passenger automobile, truck, or modified bus that is less than 80 inches in overall width, or reduces the visible area of the turn signal light to less than 12 square inches on a truck that is 80 inches or more in overall width.

(g) Turn signal lights shall flash from 50 to 130 times per minute. The "on" period of the flashes shall be long enough to permit the bulb filaments to reach full brightness.

(h) All turn signal light systems and components shall be in proper operating condition. Certification of a commercial vehicle shall not be refused because a turn signal light has a cracked, broken, or missing lens, provided no white light shows to the rear of the motor vehicle. However, the motorist shall be advised to have the defect corrected.

(i) An LED turn signal and hazard warning signal light is a light that contains multiple light-emitting diode (LED) elements. An LED element is a single semi-conductor light source. The number of LED elements contained within each LED light varies by manufacturer. A commercial vehicle equipped with one or more LED turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall not be refused certification because some of the lighting elements are not operative, provided that 50 percent or more of the lighting elements within each LED light are operative. However, the motorist shall be advised to have the defect corrected.