South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 38 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Article 5 - STATE TRANSPORT POLICE REGULATIONS
Subarticle 1 - UNMANUFACTURED FOREST PRODUCTS TRUCKING REGULATIONS
Part 38-393 - PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION
Subpart B - LIGHTING DEVICES, REFLECTORS, AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Section 38-393.11 - Lighting devices and reflectors
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
The following Table 1 sets forth the required color, position, and required lighting devices by type of commercial motor vehicle. Diagrams illustrating the locations of lighting devices and reflectors, by type and size of commercial motor vehicle, are shown immediately following Table 1. All lighting devices on motor vehicles placed in operation after March 7, 1989, must meet the requirements of 49 CFR 571.108 in effect at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. Motor vehicles placed in operation on or before March 7, 1989, must meet either the requirements of this regulation or part 571 in effect at the time of manufacture.
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TABLE 1 - REQUIRED COMMERCIAL VEHICLE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT |
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Qty |
Color Location |
Position |
Height above road surface in inches measured from the center of the lamp at curb weight |
Required lighting devices/ vehicles |
|
|
Headlamps |
2 |
At White Front Least |
On the front at the same height, an equal number at each side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable |
not less than 22 nor more than 54 |
A,B,C |
|
Turn Signal (Front) See Footnotes #2 & 12 |
2 |
Amber At or Near Front |
One on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable |
Not less than 15 nor more than 83 |
A,B,C |
|
Identification Lamp (Front) Footnote #1 |
3 |
Amber Front |
Mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle |
All three on same level as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle with lamp centers spaced not less than 6 inches or more than 12 inches apart |
B,C |
|
Tail Lamp See Footnotes #5 & 11 |
2 |
Red Rear |
One lamp each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable |
Both on the same level between 15 and 72 |
A,B,C,D, E,F,G,H |
|
Stop Lamp See Footnotes #5 & 13 |
2 |
Red Rear |
One lamp each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable |
Both on the same level between 15 and 72 |
A,B,C,D, E,F,G,H |
|
Clearance Lamps See Footnotes #9 & 10 |
2 |
Amber One on each side of front |
One on each side of the vertical centerline to indicate width |
Both on same level as high as practicable |
B,C,D,G,H |
|
2 |
Red One on each side of rear |
One on each side of the vertical centerline to indicate overall width |
Both on same level as high as practicable |
B,D,G,H |
|
|
Side Marker Lamp, Intermediate |
2 |
Amber One on each side |
At or near midpoint between front and rear side marker lamps, if over 30' in length |
Not less than 15 |
A,B,D,F,G |
|
Reflex Reflector Intermediate (Side) |
2 |
Amber One on each side |
At or near midpoint between front and rear side reflectors if over 30' in length |
Between 15 and 60 |
A,B,D,F,G |
|
Reflex Reflector (Rear) See Footnotes #5,6, & 8 |
2 |
Red Rear |
One on each side of vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable |
Both on same level, between 15 and 60 |
A,B,C,D, E,F,G |
|
Reflex Reflector (Rear Side) Footnote #4 |
2 |
Red One on each side (Rear) |
As far to the rear as practicable |
Both on same level, between 15 and 60 |
A,B,D,F,G |
|
Reflex Reflector (Front Side) |
2 |
Amber One on each side (Front) |
As far to the front as practicable |
Between 15 and 60 |
A,B,C,D, F,G |
|
License Plate Lamp Rear See Footnote #11 |
1 |
White At rear license plate |
To illuminate the license plate from the top or sides |
No requirements |
A,B,C,D, F,G |
|
Side Marker Lamp (Front) |
2 |
Amber One on each side |
As far to the front as practicable |
Not less than 15 |
A,B,C,D,F |
|
Side Marker Lamp (Rear) See Footnotes #4 & 8 |
2 |
Red One on each side |
As far to the rear as practicable |
Not less than 15 and on the rear of trailer, not more than 60 |
A,B,D,F,G |
|
Turn Signal (Rear) See Footnotes #3 & 12 |
2 |
Amber Rear or Red |
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable |
Both on the same level, between 15 and 83 |
A,B,C,D, E,F,G |
|
Vehicular Hazard Warning Flashing Lamps See Footnote #12 |
2 2 |
Amber Front Amber Rear or Red |
One lamp on each side of vertical centerline as far apart as practicable |
Both on same level, between 15 and 83 |
A,B,C,D, E,F,G |
|
Backup Lamp See Footnote #14 |
1 |
White Rear |
Rear |
No requirement |
A,B,C |
|
Parking Lamp |
2 |
Amber Front or White |
One lamp on each side of vertical centerline as far apart as practicable |
Both on same level, between 15 and 72 |
A |
*Lighting Required per Type of Commercial Vehicle as Shown Last Column of Table.
A. Small trucks less than 80 inches in overall width.
B. Trucks 80 inches or more in overall width.
C. Truck Tractors.
D. Large semitrailers and full trailers 80 inches or more in overall width except converter dollies.
E. Converter dolly.
F. Small semitrailers and full trailers less than 80 inches in overall width.
G. Pole Trailers & Pulpwood Trailers.
H. Projecting loads.
Lamps and reflectors may be combined as permitted by Paragraphs 38-393.22 and S4.4 of 49 CFR 571.108, Equipment combinations. Exception - Pulpwood, Longwood and Pole Trailers shall not be subject to use of side marker lamps, combination marker lamps or reflectors which require mounting at the top of the rear load standard as provided.
Footnote 1
Identification lamps may be mounted on the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except where the cab is not more than 42 inches wide at the front roofline, then a single lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for identification lamps. No part of the identification lamps or their mountings may extend below the top of the vehicle windshield.
Footnote 2
Unless the turn signals on the front are so constructed (double faced) and located as to be visible to passing drivers, two turn signals are required on the rear of the truck tractor, one at each side as far apart as practicable.
Footnote 3
The identification lamps need not be visible or lighted if obscured by a vehicle in the same combination.
Footnote 4
Any semitrailer or full trailer vehicles manufactured on and after March 1, 1979, shall be equipped with rear side marker lamps at a height of not less than 15 inches (381 mm) nor more than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the road surface, as measured from the center of the lamp on the vehicle at curb weight. The rear side marker lamps shall be visible in the vehicle's rearview mirrors when the trailer is tracking straight.
Footnote 5
For purposes of these regulations, each converter dolly shall be equipped with one stop lamp, one tail lamp, and two reflectors on the rear at each side when towed singly by another vehicle. Each converter dolly shall be equipped with turn signals at the rear if the converter dolly obscures the turn signals at the rear of the towing vehicle when towed singly by another vehicle.
Footnote 6
Pole and pulpwood trailers will have two reflectors, one on each side, placed to indicate extreme width of the trailer.
Footnote 7
Pole and pulpwood trailers may have three identification lamps mounted on the vertical centerline of the rear of the cab of the truck tractor drawing the pole trailer, and higher than the load being transported, in lieu of the three identification lamps mounted on the rear vertical centerline of the trailer.
Footnote 8
Pole and pulpwood trailers shall have on the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp or two single lamps showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted on each side to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer; and one red reflector on each side of the rearmost support for the load.
Footnote 9
Any motor vehicle transporting a load which extends more than 4 inches beyond the width of the motor vehicle, or having projections beyond the rear of such vehicles, shall be equipped with the following lamps in addition to other required lamps, have the loads marked.
Loads projecting more than 4 inches beyond sides of motor vehicles:
Footnote 10
Projections beyond rear of motor vehicle. On motor vehicles transporting loads which extend to the rear four (4) feet or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle there must be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and at any other time when windshield wipers are required to be in use as a result of rain, sleet, n=snow, or other inclement weather, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the sides or rear. The red light or lantern required is in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time of day there must be displayed at the extreme rear of the load a red flag or cloth not less than twelve inches by twelve inches and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear. South Carolina Code of Law - 56-5-4630.
Footnote 11
To be illuminated when tractor headlamps are illuminated.
Footnote 12
Every truck, and truck tractor shall be equipped with a signaling system that, in addition to signaling turning movements, shall have a switch or combination of switches that will cause the two front turn signals and the two rear signals to flash simultaneously as a vehicular traffic signal warning, required by Regulation Regulation 38-392 22(a). The system shall be capable of flashing simultaneously with the ignition of the vehicle on or off.
Footnote 13
To be actuated upon application of service brakes.
Footnote 14
Backup lamp required to operate when truck or truck tractor is in reverse.
