Truck and semi-trailer lighting regulations in Europe

Truck and semi-trailer lighting must comply with current European legislation at all times. Compliance with these rules is not only crucial for safety, but also prevents rejection at the MOT and high fines.

It is therefore essential to know the basics of these obligations. The guideline for all mandatory and permitted lighting on new commercial vehicles is laid down in ECE-R48 (Regulations on the mounting of lighting and light-signalling devices).

In this overview, we translate this complex legislation into practical steps.

In this blog you will read:

• Which lights are mandatory on test and how to comply with ECE-R48 requirements.
• The specific side marker lighting requirements, including mandatory placement and dimensions.
• The technical requirements and standards (such as ECE-R10) for LED lighting on your semi-trailer, essential to avoid interference.
• The rules for side marker lights and end marker lights, which are crucial for contouring your vehicle.
• National exemptions in key countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France and the UK.

Compulsory lighting & side marker lighting

The ECE-R48 defines the basic obligations. Below you can read the specifications per vehicle category, with the requirements of side marker lighting and side marker lights in particular differing.

Lighting regulations for light commercial vehicles and small trucks (N1 vehicles)

Vehicles in the N1 category have a maximum permitted weight of 3.5 tonnes. These are usually light commercial vehicles and small trucks. For these vehicles, certain lighting elements are mandatory to ensure visibility and allow safe operation on the road. Below are the main lighting requirements for this category.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Headlights	2	At least 500 mm from the ground	Low beam and high beam mandatory
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	4	Front and rear
Position lights	2	Front page	Mandatory for all newly registered trucks and buses in the EU since 2023. 12V semi-trailers and semi-trailers remain exempt.
Reversing lights	1-2		1 reversing light is mandatory for vehicles less than 6 metres long. For vehicles longer than 6 metres, 2 reversing lights are mandatory.
Reflectors	2	Rear end	Red reflectors, mandatory for all vehicles

Europe has set its standards for lighting in the ECE regulations, which are followed by the 56 UNECE member states.

• Contour markings: Mandatory for long vehicles (over 6 metres), such as N3 and O4 vehicles. These markings provide extra visibility in the dark.

Lighting regulations for medium-duty trucks (N2 vehicles)

Vehicles in the N2 category have a weight between 3.5 and 12 tonnes. These are medium-heavy trucks, which are subject to additional lighting requirements due to their size and weight. Side marker lights are particularly important for this category, especially for vehicles longer than 6 metres.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Headlights	2	At least 500 mm from the ground	Low beam and high beam mandatory
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	4	Front and rear
Position lights	2	Front page	Mandatory for all newly registered trucks and buses in the EU since 2023. 12V semi-trailers and semi-trailers remain exempt.
Reversing lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory when reversing
Fog lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory in poor weather conditions
Side marker lights	Min. 2	Side, placed every 3 metres for vehicles >6m	Mandatory for vehicles longer than 6m
Reflectors	Min. 2	Rear and side	Mandatory

 

Lighting regulations for heavy-duty trucks (N3 vehicles)

Vehicles in the N3 category are heavy trucks weighing more than 12 tonnes. Stricter lighting rules apply to this category, especially for side and contour marker lights, to increase the visibility of the vehicle, especially at night and in bad weather conditions.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Headlights	2	At least 500 mm from the ground	Low beam and high beam mandatory
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	4	Front and rear
Position lights	2	Front page	Mandatory for all newly registered trucks and buses in the EU since 2023. 12V semi-trailers and semi-trailers remain exempt.
Reversing lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory when reversing
Fog lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory in poor weather conditions
Side marker lights	Min. 2	Side, placed every 3 metres for vehicles >6m	Mandatory for vehicles longer than 6m
Contour marking lights	Min. 2	Side, around the contour of the vehicle	Mandatory for vehicles over 2.1 metres wide
Reflectors	Min. 2	Rear and side	Mandatory

Lighting on semi-trailers: technical requirements and legislation

The transition to LED lighting on semi-trailers brings specific technical requirements. Due to LED's low power consumption, modern trucks with CANbus systems can generate error messages and electromagnetic interference (EMC).

This is why the ECE R10 standard is crucial. This standard guarantees that lighting works fault-free and does not interfere with the electronics in the truck.

Since 1 January 2025, new semi-trailers (O4) and heavy semi-trailers (O3) must be equipped with side lighting that flashes synchronously with the direction indicators. This obligation stems from UNECE regulation R48 and is being introduced to improve the visibility of vehicles in the side view.

This may be via flashing side marker lights or a separate side direction indicator.
The rule applies only to vehicles newly put into service from 2025 onwards. Current vehicles will continue to be allowed unchanged.

Lighting regulations for light semi-trailers and semi-trailers (O1 vehicles)

The O1 category includes light semi-trailers and semi-trailers up to 0.75 tonnes. Because these vehicles are small and light, less stringent lighting regulations apply than for heavier semi-trailers. However, reflectors and basic lighting are still mandatory to remain visible to other road users.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	2	Rear end
Reflectors	Min. 2	Rear end	Red reflectors, mandatory

Lighting regulations for medium-weight semi-trailers and semi-trailers (O2 vehicles)

The O2 category includes semi-trailers and semi-trailers weighing between 0.75 and 3.5 tonnes. These vehicles are heavier and larger than O1 vehicles, making additional lighting, such as fog lights, mandatory to ensure visibility.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	2	Rear end
Fog lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory in poor weather conditions
Reflectors	Min. 2	Rear and side	Mandatory

Lighting rules for heavy duty semi-trailers

Since 1 January 2025, new semi-trailers (O4) and heavy semi-trailers (O3) must be equipped with side lighting that flashes synchronously with the direction indicators. This obligation stems from UNECE regulation R48 and is being introduced to improve the visibility of vehicles in the side view.

This may be via flashing side marker lights or a separate side direction indicator.
The rule applies only to vehicles newly put into service from 2025 onwards. Current vehicles will continue to be allowed unchanged.

Lighting regulations for heavy semi-trailers and semi-trailers (O3 vehicles)

The O3 category includes semi-trailers and semi-trailers from 3.5 to 10 tonnes. For this category, reversing lights and side marker lights are mandatory in addition to the standard rear lights. This increases the visibility of the vehicle, especially when manoeuvring or driving in the dark.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	2	Rear end
Reversing lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory when reversing
Side marker lights	Min. 2	Side, placed every 3 metres	Mandatory for vehicles longer than 6m
Reflectors	Min. 2	Rear and side	Mandatory

Rules for lighting heavy-duty semi-trailers and semi-trailers (O4 vehicles)

Vehicles in the O4 category are heavy duty 12V semi-trailers weighing more than 10 tonnes. Because of their size and weight, these vehicles are required to have additional lighting and contour markings to indicate their size, especially when driving at night or in poor weather conditions.

Lighting type	Number	Location	Specific requirements
Rear lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Brake lights	2	On both sides at the rear
Direction indicators	2	Rear end
Reversing lights	2	Rear end	Mandatory when reversing
Side marker lights	Min. 2	Side, placed every 3 metres	Mandatory for vehicles longer than 6m
Contour marking lights	Min. 2	Side and rear, around the contour of the vehicle	Mandatory for vehicles over 2.1 metres wide
Reflectors	Min. 2	Rear and side	Mandatory

Truck side marker lights requirements

Here are the main requirements according to European regulations (ECE R91):

• Obligation: side marker lights are mandatory for trucks longer than 6 metres.
• Number: minimum 2 side marker lights per side.
• Placement: lights must be placed along the side of the vehicle, with a maximum distance of 3 metres between individual lights.
• Light colour: side marker lights must be amber coloured.
• ECE regulations: the technical requirements for side marker lights are laid down in ECE R91. This includes aspects such as light output, reflectivity, and correct positioning.

According to ECE R48 regulations, side marker lights must be correctly positioned. The distance between the side marker lights should not be too large to ensure that the truck or semi-trailer is clearly visible, especially in the dark or in bad weather.

The ECE regulations that apply

Different ECE regulations apply to the installation and use of vehicle lighting in Europe. Here are the most important ones you need to know:

• Installation of vehicle lighting, such as the positioning, height and distance of headlights, rear lights, and indicators - ECE R48
• Regulations for direction indicators - ECE R6
• Requirements for rear lights and brake lights - ECE R7
• Reversing lights - ECE R23
• Side marker lights for long vehicles - ECE R91
• Position lights (DRL) - ECE R87

Long and Heavy Vehicles (LHVs)

Additional lighting requirements apply to Long and Heavy Vehicles (LHVs), which are longer than the standard 18.75 metres and weigh more than 60 tonnes. LHVs must be equipped with:

• Side marker lights along the entire length of the vehicle.
• Contour markings to make the full extent of the vehicle visible.

What colour lighting is permitted?

Below is an overview of the most important guidelines for the colour of truck lighting:

Red light:
Only permitted at the rear of a vehicle. The use of red light at the front is not allowed to avoid confusion.

White light:
Mandatory for vehicle front lighting such as main and low beam lights, side marker lights and position lights.

Amber-coloured light:
Permitted for direction indicators and warning signals. This type of lighting may officially only be used to warn or inform other road users.

National exceptions

Although European regulations are the same in many countries, there are some exceptions and additional requirements from country to country. Here are the main national differences:

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the rules for vehicle lighting and warning lighting are laid down in the Regeling Voertuigen and additional guidelines for agricultural vehicles and other vehicles driving slowly on public roads.

• Fog lights: rear fog lights are mandatory in case of poor visibility (less than 50 metres) due to fog or heavy rain.
• Warning lights: Agriculture and forestry vehicles must have orange warning lights when driving on public roads.
• Side marker lighting: Vehicles wider than 2.10 metres must have side marker lighting.

Source: central government - Lighting requirements for vehicles

Germany

In Germany, the rules for vehicle lighting fall under the Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO). This regulates the technical requirements for all vehicles on the road, including lighting.

• Warning lights: additional warning lights are mandatory for vehicles wider than 2.55 metres or longer than 18.75 metres.
• Side marker lights: Mandatory for vehicles longer than 6 metres, with a maximum distance of 3 metres between lights.
• Contour marking: Long and wide vehicles must have white or yellow contour markings on the sides and red on the rear.

Source: Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) - StVZO

Italy

In Italy, there are strict requirements for vehicles using tunnels, especially in mountainous areas. These rules are contained in the Codice della Strada, the Italian highway code.

• Warning lights: Additional warning lights are required in tunnels for vehicles with different dimensions.
• Reflectors: Vehicles must have additional reflectors at the front and rear to be visible in dark tunnels.
• Fog lights: the use of fog lights is mandatory in poor visibility, such as in foggy tunnels or during heavy rain.

Source: Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti - Codice della Strada

France

In France, the rules for position lights are laid down in the Code de la Route, the French highway code. This legislation is in line with European standards and places additional emphasis on the use of position lights (DRL).

• Daytime running lights (DRL): Mandatory for all trucks on all types of roads, regardless of whether they are inside or outside built-up areas.
• Fog lights: Mandatory in bad weather conditions, especially in mountainous areas and tunnels.

Source: Service Public - Règles sur l'éclairage des véhicules

United Kingdom

After the Brexit, the UK largely continues to follow European regulations (ECE), but with some adjustments specific to agricultural vehicles and reflectors. The rules are set out in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

• Reflectors on agricultural vehicles: Mandatory reflectors on agricultural vehicles, including orange and red reflectors on the rear and sides.
• Contour marking: For wider vehicles, additional contour markings are mandatory to indicate the outline of the vehicle.

Source: GOV.UK - Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations

Despite the Brexit, the United Kingdom (UK) continues to largely adhere to the vehicle lighting standards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Want to make sure your truck lighting complies with all regulations? See what we can do on truck lighting.

Disclaimer:

At TRALERT®, we do our best to keep the information in this article as accurate and up-to-date as possible, including the regulations surrounding vehicle lighting. However, legislation can change regularly, and although we make every effort to implement these changes in a timely manner, it is possible that certain updates or adjustments have not yet been incorporated into this article. We therefore always advise our readers to check the current legislation with their local government or regulatory bodies, especially when it comes to exceptions or specific national regulations. TRALERT® is not liable for any damages or fines resulting from outdated or incomplete information in this article.

If in doubt, always contact the competent authority to ensure that your vehicle meets all legal requirements.