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2017 Tennessee Code
Title 55 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 9 - Equipment -- Lighting Regulations
Part 4 - Lighting Regulations
§ 55-9-405. Lighting devices and reflectors on vehicles having width in excess of 80 inches, truck tractors, and trailers -- Lamp or flag on projecting load -- Penalties.
Universal Citation: TN Code § 55-9-405 (2017)
- (a) Every motor vehicle other than any passenger car, any road roller, road machinery or farm tractor having a width of eighty inches (80") or more shall be equipped with at least the following lighting devices and reflectors:
- (1) On the front, at least two (2) headlamps, an equal number at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle, or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except that where the cab is not more than forty-two inches (42") wide at the front roofline, 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;
- (2) On the rear, two (2) tail lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) stop lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) reflectors, one (1) at each side; and three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical center line of the vehicle; provided, that the identification lamps need not be lighted if obscured by a vehicle towed by the truck; and
- (3) On each side, one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the front, one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the rear; one (1) reflector at or near the front, and one (1) reflector at or near the rear.
- (b) Every truck tractor shall be equipped as follows:
- (1) On the front, at least two (2) headlamps, an equal number at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; and three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle, or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except that where the cab is not more than forty-two inches (42") wide at the front roofline, a single lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirement for identification lamps. No part of the identification lamps or their mountings may extend below the top of the vehicle windshield; and
- (2) On the rear, one (1) tail lamp; one (1) stop lamp; two (2) reflectors, one (1) at each side; and, unless the turn signals on the front are so constructed (double faced) and located as to be visible to passing drivers, two (2) turn signals on the rear of the cab, one (1) at each side.
- (c) Every semitrailer or full trailer eighty inches (80") or more in overall width, except converter dollies, shall be equipped as follows:
- (1) On the front, two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side;
- (2) On the rear, two (2) tail lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) stop lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) reflectors, one (1) at each side; and three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle; provided, that the identification lamps need not be lighted if obscured by another vehicle in the same combination;
- (3) On each side, one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the front; one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the rear; one (1) reflector at or near the front; one (1) reflector at or near the rear; and, in case of semitrailers and full trailers thirty feet (30') or more in length, at least one (1) additional side-marker lamp at optional height and at least one (1) additional reflector, the additional side-marker lamp or lamps and reflector or reflectors to be at or near the center or at approximately uniform spacing in the length of the vehicle; and
- (4) For the purposes of these regulations, "converter dolly" is a motor vehicle with a fifth wheel lower half or equivalent mechanism, the attachment of which vehicle converts a semitrailer to a full trailer. Each dolly, when towed singly by another vehicle, and not as part of a full trailer, shall be equipped with one (1) stop lamp, one (1) tail lamp, and two (2) reflectors on the rear. No lighting devices or reflectors are required on the front or sides of any dolly.
- (d)
- (1) Except as provided in subdivision (d)(2), from one-half (1/2) hour before sunset to one-half (1/2) hour after sunrise and at all other times when lights are required to be displayed, there shall be attached to the rearmost extremity of any load that projects four feet (4') or more beyond the rear of the body of the motor vehicle, or at any tailboard or tailgate so projecting, or to the rearmost extremity of any load, carried on a pole trailer, at least one (1) red lamp, securely fastened thereto, which shall be visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the sides and rear under normal atmospheric conditions. At all other times one (1) red flag, at least eighteen inches (18") square, made of cloth, synthetic or man-made material, shall be so displayed.
- (2) This subsection (d) shall apply only to:
- (A) Any noncommercial motor vehicle transporting property intrastate; and
- (B) Any commercial motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of twenty six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.) or less when such motor vehicle is transporting property intrastate.
- (3) Title 65, chapter 15, and all applicable federal rules shall apply to all commercial vehicles having a GVWR or a GCWR of more than twenty six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.).
- (e) From one-half (1/2) hour before sunset to one-half (1/2) hour after sunrise and at all other times when lights are required to be displayed, any motor vehicle or trailer transporting intrastate a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts that projects four feet (4') or more beyond the rear of the body or bed of such vehicle, when the vehicle is operated on any highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portions of such highway, shall have securely affixed as close as practical to the end of any such projecting load either:
- (1) One (1) amber strobe-type lamp, complying with SAE J595, equipped with a multidirectional type lens so mounted as to be visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load. If the mounting of one (1) amber strobe lamp cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load, multiple amber strobe lights, complying with SAE J595, shall be utilized so as to meet the visibility requirements of this subdivision (e)(1). The amber strobe lamp shall flash at a rate of at least sixty (60) flashes per minute and shall be plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') to the rear and sides at a radius of one hundred eighty degrees (180 degrees) of the projecting load. At all other times one (1) red flag, at least eighteen inches (18") square, made of cloth, synthetic or man-made material, shall be so displayed; or
- (2) One (1) amber light-emitting diode (LED) light, complying with SAE J595, equipped with a multidirectional type lens, mounted so as to be visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load. If the mounting of one (1) amber LED light cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load, multiple amber LED lights, complying with SAE J595, shall be utilized so as to meet the visibility requirements of this subdivision (e)(2). The amber LED light shall flash at a rate of at least sixty (60) flashes per minute and shall be plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') from the rear and sides at a radius of one hundred eighty degrees (180 degrees) of the projecting load. Any LED light shall be constructed of durable, weather resistant material and may be powered by the vehicle's electrical system or by an independent battery system, or both. If the LED light is powered by an independent battery system, the driver of the vehicle shall have in the driver's immediate possession charged, spare batteries for use in case of battery failure. Any solid state LED lighting that consists of multiple LED lights shall not have less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the LED lights in operable condition. At all other times one (1) red flag, at least eighteen inches (18") square, made of cloth, synthetic or man-made material, shall be so displayed.
- (f) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
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