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. 6, June 28, 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.
TABLE 1 - REQUIRED COMMERCIAL VEHICLE LIGHTING
									 EQUIPMENT
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:
(1) The foremost edge of the
					 projecting load at its outermost extremity shall be marked with an amber lamp
					 visible from the front and both sides.
(2) The rearmost edge of the projecting load
					 at its outermost extremity shall be marked with a red lamp visible from the
					 rear and side.
(3) If any portion
					 of the projecting load extends beyond both the foremost and rearmost edge, it
					 shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides, and
					 rear.
(4) If the protecting load
					 does not measure more than 3 feet from front to rear, it shall be marked with
					 an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides, and rear, except that if the
					 projection is located at or near the rear it shall be marked by a red lamp
					 visible from front, side, and rear.
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.