§ 24-351. Lighting devices and reflectors on vehicles having width in excess of 80 inches; truck tractors and trailers; lamp or flag on projecting load.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Every motor vehicle other than any passenger car, any road roller, road machinery or farm tractor having a width of 80 inches or more shall be equipped with at least the following lighting devices and reflectors:

    (1)

    On the front, at least two headlamps, an equal number at each side; two turn signals, one at each side; two clearance lamps, one at each side; three 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 42 inches 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 taillamps, one at each side; two stoplamps, one at each side; two turn signals, one at each side; two clearance lamps, one at each side; two reflectors, one at each side; three identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline 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 side-marker lamp at or near the front, one side-marker lamp at or near the rear; one reflector at or near the front, and one reflector at or near the rear.

    (b)

    Every truck tractor shall be equipped as follows:

    (1)

    On the front, at least two headlamps, an equal number at each side; two turn signals, one at each side; two clearance lamps, one at each side; three 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 42 inches 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; and

    (2)

    On the rear, one taillamp; one stoplamp; two reflectors, one 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 turn signals on the rear of the cab, one at each side.

    (c)

    Every semitrailer or full trailer 80 inches or more in overall width, except converter dollies, shall be equipped as follows:

    (1)

    On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side;

    (2)

    On the rear, two taillamps, one at each side; two stoplamps, one at each side; two turn signals, one at each side; two clearance lamps, one at each side; two reflectors, one at each side; three 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; and

    (3)

    On each side, one side-marker lamp at or near the front; one side-marker lamp at or near the rear; one reflector at or near the front; one reflector at or near the rear; and, in case of semitrailers and full trailers 30 feet or more in length, at least one additional side-marker lamp at optional height and at least one additional reflector, the additional side-marker lamp and reflector to be at or near the center or at approximately uniform spacing in the length of the vehicle;

    (4)

    For the purposes of these regulations, the term "converter dolly" means 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 converter dolly, when towed singly by another vehicle, and not as part of a full trailer, shall be equipped with one stoplamp, one taillamp, and two reflectors on the rear. No lighting devices or reflectors are required on the front or sides of any converter dolly.

    (d)

    During the time when lights are required by state law to be displayed, there shall be attached to the rearmost extremity of any load which projects four feet 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 red lamp, securely fastened thereto, which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the sides and rear under normal atmospheric conditions. At all other times a red flag of cloth, synthetic or humanmade material shall be so displayed.

(Code 1992, § 20-140; Ord. No. 90, § 1, 8-5-1991)

State law reference

Time when lights required, T.C.A. § 55-9-405(d).