A two-axle trailer must be equipped with rear lights, brake lights, turn signals, license plate lighting, side marker lights (for longer trailers), and reflectors according to ECE R48 regulations.

In this blog, you will read:

  • Which lighting is legally required on a two-axle trailer
  • How it works for wide or open trailers
2-axle trailer lighting

Front lighting on a 2-axle trailer

Lighting/Reflectors Quantity Placement Height above road surface
City lights (white)* 2 Symmetrical on both sides of the center. No specific requirement
Reflectors (white) 2 Symmetrical on both sides of the center. Between 0.25 meters and 0.90 meters
According to ECE R48, city lights must be placed symmetrically on both sides of the center, regardless of the vehicle type. These lights are mandatory for trailers put into service after June 30, 1967, as specified in Article 3 of the RVV 1990.

Lighting at the rear of a two-axle trailer

Lighting/Reflectors Quantity Placement Height above road surface
Rear lights (red) 2 Symmetrical Between 0.35 meters and 1.50 meters
Brake lights (red) 2 Symmetrical Between 0.35 meters and 1.50 meters
Turn signals (amber) 2 Symmetrical Between 0.35 meters and 2.10 meters
License plate lighting (white)* At least one lamp that illuminates the entire license plate. Placed above the license plate on the right and positioned to evenly illuminate the entire license plate. Geen hoogte-eis
Rear fog light (red)** 1 In or to the left of the center Between 0.25 meters and 1.20 meters
Reflectors (red, triangular) 2 Symmetrical Between 0.35 meters and 1.50 meters

The lighting must be white and positioned in such a way that the entire license plate is evenly illuminated without glare. This is specified in ECE R4 and ECE R48, and it is checked during MOT inspections.

Rear fog lights must comply with ECE R38, which defines the light intensity, spread, and color. These lights may only operate when the dipped beam or high beam of the towing vehicle is activated, as required in Article 35 of the RVV 1990.

Lighting on the side of a two-axle trailer

Lighting/Reflectors Quantity Placement Height above road surface
Reflectors (amber) At least 1 per side Preferably in the middle of the trailer length Between 0.25 meters and 1.50 meters (up to 2.10 meters if structurally not possible otherwise).
Side marker lights (amber)* Verplicht bij lengtes > 6 meter Placed along the sides at intervals of no more than 3 meters Between 0.25 meters and 1.50 meters above the road surface

Side marker lights are mandatory for trailers longer than 6 meters, with the distance between the lights not exceeding 3 meters. These lights must be amber in color and have a light intensity that complies with ECE R91. For open trailers, the lights may be mounted lower if higher mounting points are structurally impossible.

What are the exceptions?

Situation Lighting/Reflectors Additional requirements
Trailers wider than 2.10 m Marker lights (front: white, rear: red) At the outermost width points; for closed trailers, at least 1.8 meters high.
Open trailers LED marker lights At lower heights: between 0.25 meters and 1.50 meters

Mounting requirements for trailer lighting

According to ECE R48, lighting must be positioned at a height that ensures optimal visibility. For example, rear lights and brake lights must be mounted between 0.35 meters and 1.50 meters above the road surface, while side marker lights must be placed between 0.25 meters and 1.50 meters.

Aspect Eis
Symmetrie Alle verlichting moet symmetrisch aan weerszijden van het midden worden geplaatst.
Height Verlichting moet binnen de voorgeschreven hoogtegrenzen worden gemonteerd (zie tabellen).
Afstand tussen zijmarkeringslichten Zijmarkeringslichten moeten worden geplaatst op regelmatige afstanden langs de zijkanten, maximaal 3 meter uit elkaar.
Afstand tot remlichten Mistachterlichten moeten minimaal 10 cm verwijderd zijn van het dichtstbijzijnde remlicht.

A two-axle trailer has specific lighting requirements that contribute to visibility and safety on the road. By correctly installing the lighting according to ECE R48 regulations, you comply with legal requirements and avoid fines or unsafe situations.

Do you have any questions or are you looking for lighting that complies with legal standards? Check out our range of LED lighting for trailers or contact us for advice.

National differences in lighting requirements

Although the ECE R48 regulations form the basis for vehicle lighting in Europe, some countries have additional checks or specific interpretations of these rules. Here are some examples:

Germany

  • During TÜV or DEKRA inspections, special attention is given to the brightness and proper alignment of lighting, such as license plate lighting. The symmetry of rear lights is also strictly checked.

Italy

  • In mountainous areas, periodic inspections often pay extra attention to the functionality of rear fog lights and side marker lights, especially for trailers that frequently operate in poor visibility.

France

  • For agricultural vehicles or trailers used in rural areas, additional requirements are imposed on side marker lights and turn signals. This is to ensure visibility on narrow or unlit roads.

United Kingdom

  • The UK imposes additional requirements for license plate lighting on trailers with their own registration plates. During the MOT test, a fault in this lighting can lead to immediate rejection.

Important to know

The basic rules from ECE R48 are almost always decisive, but these national nuances can influence the assessment during vehicle inspections. Therefore, always check the specific requirements applicable in the country where your vehicle is being inspected or used.

Complete guide to trailer lighting

Want to learn more about the lighting requirements for other types of trailers? Then read the complete guide on trailer lighting legislation.

Disclaimer:

At TRALERT®, we make every effort to keep the information in this article as accurate and up-to-date as possible, including regulations regarding vehicle lighting. However, legislation can change frequently, and while we strive to implement these updates promptly, certain updates or adjustments may not yet be reflected in this article. Therefore, we advise our readers always to check the current legislation with their local government agencies or regulatory bodies, especially concerning exceptions or specific national regulations. TRALERT

Always contact the competent authority in case of doubt to ensure that your vehicle complies with all legal requirements.