Additional Side Marker Lamps
Additional marker lamps are required on the following long vehicles or vehicle combinations:
- A vehicle or a combination of vehicles the overall length of which (including any load) exceeds 18.75 metres
- One lamp within 9.15 metres of the front of the vehicle, vehicles or load
- One lamp within 3.05 metres from the rearmost part of the vehicle, vehicles or load
- Such other lamps as are required to ensure that not more than 3.05 metres separate each lamp
- A combination of vehicles, the overall length of which (including any load) exceeds 12.2 metres but does not exceed 18.75 metres and carrying a load supported by any two vehicles excluding articulated vehicles.
- One lamp not forward of, or more than 1,530 millimetres rearward of, the rearmost part of the drawing vehicle; and
- If the supported load extends more than 9.15 metres rearward of the rearmost part of the drawing vehicle, one lamp no more than 1,530 millimetres rearward of the centre point of the length of the load.
The exception here concerns combinations where any vehicle being drawn has broken down, or a single vehicle carrying illuminated marker boards to indicate projections
All additional side marker lamps must be lit when the vehicle is used on a road between sunset and sunrise or in the event of seriously reduced visibility. The specifications for these additional lamps are as shown for side marker lamps.
Projecting trailers and vehicles carrying overhanging or projecting loads
Additional lighting is necessary in some circumstances when trailers project laterally beyond any preceding vehicle or when loads or equipment either overhang or obscure obligatory lighting.
This additional lighting must generally be available during darkness or seriously reduced visibility except for stop lamps, obligatory reflectors and direction indicators which are necessary at all times.
Condition
A trailer not fitted with front position lamps and which projects laterally or carries a load or equipment that projects laterally so that the outermost edge is more than 400 millimetres from the front position lamp on the preceding vehicle.
Requirement
A white lamp with its outermost part not more than 400 millimetres from the edge of the trailer, load or equipment, whichever is the outermost.
Condition
A vehicle carrying a load or equipment which projects laterally so that the outermost edge is more than 400 millimetres from any front or rear position lamp.
Requirement
Either the front and the rear lamp must be moved or additional lamps fitted so that the distance of 400 millimetres is not exceeded.
Condition
A vehicle carrying a load or equipment which projects more than 1 metre to the rear (2 metre for agricultural vehicles or vehicles carrying fire ladders).
Requirement
A red lamp visible at the rear from a reasonable distance fitted within 1 metre (2 metre) of the rear of the load or equipment.
Condition
A vehicle carrying a load or equipment which projects beyond the front of the vehicle more than 1 metre (2 metre for agricultural vehicles or vehicles carrying fire ladders).
Requirement
A white lamp visible at the front from a reasonable distance fitted within 2 metre at the front of the load or equipment.
Condition
A vehicle carrying a load or equipment which obscures any obligatory lighting.
Requirement
Either the lighting must be moved or additional equipment fitted.
The links below provide guidance and further information.
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 1994
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/2280/made