Brake light and rear light, what's the difference?

The difference between brake lights and rear lights, we explain it to you!

The LED brake light warns other road users when you are slowing down, for example at traffic lights, to help them anticipate your movements and prevent accidents. If your car was first registered after 30 September 2001, it is compulsory to have a third brake lamp at the rear. A faulty light can result in a fine of 90 euros, regardless of whether the other two lights are working. All brake lights must be in working order during the MOT truck. The brake light is distinguished by its brightness; when you press the brake pedal, the brake lights will shine more brightly than the other lights.

Rear lights

The purpose of the LED rear light is to make you visible to other road users. This is crucial, particularly in the dark or in bad weather, but certainly also during winter conditions. Visibility is essential, and if these lights do not function properly or are not visible, this can lead to substantial fines. During the MOT truck, all rear lights must be in working order, similar to the requirements for brake lights.

Do the rules for brake lights and rear lights also apply to other vehicles?

As mentioned earlier, three brake lights and two rear lights are mandatory at the rear of a car first registered after 30 September 2001. But do these rules also apply to other vehicles, such as lorries, trailers, motorbikes and agricultural vehicles? Rear lights and brake lights are compulsory on almost every motor vehicle, but the specific rules vary depending on the type of vehicle. Below you will find the detailed regulations for each type of vehicle.

Truck traffic

The same lighting requirements for brake lights and rear lights apply to HGVs as for passenger cars, but with some additional requirements. This still includes the requirement of two brake lights and two rear lights. In addition, additional line markings and two red reflectors must be present, a requirement that applies only to truck traffic and not to passenger cars.

Trailers

For trailers, the lighting requirements are almost identical to those for passenger cars. The only difference is that only two brake lights are compulsory, rather than three. There is no distinction between trailers and passenger cars when it comes to rear lights; two must also be fitted.

Motor vehicles

Slightly more complex rules apply to motor vehicles. For motorbikes, one rear light and one brake light are mandatory. However, if you have a three-wheeled motor vehicle with a width of 1.3 metres or wider, two brake lights and two rear lights must be present. Three-wheeled motor vehicles narrower than 1.3 metres may have one brake light and one rear light.

AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES

For agricultural vehicles the same rules apply as for truck traffic. This means that two brake lights and two rear lights are mandatory on this type of vehicle.

What do brake lights and rear lights have to comply with for the MOT?

Firstly, all lights must function correctly, be moisture-proof and produce an undistorted beam pattern. Secondly, the lenses must be clear and uncoloured. Finally, brake lights must be red or amber, and rear lights must be red. The use of white is not permitted and will result in the vehicle being rejected and the lights replaced.

Difference between halogen/LED brake lights and LED rear lights

The most commonly used light sources today are halogen and LED. This also applies to rear lights and brake lights. But what exactly is the difference between these light sources and which light source does TRALERT® recommend?

Halogen lighting

Halogen lamps have some advantages, including good light output and width, relatively low purchase cost and excellent colour rendering. However, they also have disadvantages, such as shorter lifespan compared to LED lighting, generating a lot of heat and inefficient use of energy, sensitivity to high voltages. Also, they may actually not be produced since 2018 due to environmental concerns. If you are looking for new lighting, you are less likely to come across halogen lamps because of these limitations.

LED lighting

LED lights offer numerous advantages. They are extremely energy-efficient, wasting almost no energy. The service life of LED lighting is up to 35 times longer than that of halogen lamps. LED lighting comes in different shapes and light colours, withstands peak voltages and offers a wide range of light outputs. Although purchase costs are higher than halogen lighting, these costs are offset in the long term by the durability of LED lights. At TRALERT® we stand for high quality and service, which is why we recommend LED lighting over halogen lamps because of the many benefits it brings.

TRALERT® product range in LED brake lights and LED rear lights

At TRALERT® you have come to the right place for LED brake lights and LED rear lights. We offer an extensive range of high-quality products. You will find individual brake lights and rear lights in our range, as well as combination rear lights which integrate both LED brake lights and LED rear lights. These combination lights are convenient because you don't have to mount all the lights separately, everything is integrated in one light. Some of these lights are even equipped with dynamic indicator lights. Moreover, we have combination lamps with an eye-catching Lavaflow look, also called neon. Finally, some combination lamps can be fitted with licence plate lights on the bottom, left or right side, giving your vehicle a professional look.

FEATURED PRODUCT VC-2001B7.1, LED Neon rear light This combination light features a brake light, rear light, reversing lights, triangular reflector, dynamic indicator light and fog lights. This LED light is ideal for your trailer, trailer or truck.

Hamburger brake lights and rear lights

As well as combination lights, TRALERT® also offers other options in our range, such as individual lights. One example of this is the ‘hamburger’ lamps. These are round rear lights available with fog lights, reverse lights and standard lighting. If you fit these lamps side by side on your vehicle, you will still have all the required lighting. A photo has been included below to give you a better idea of what the ‘hamburger’ lamps look like.

Do the brake lights and rear lights have certificates?

As mentioned earlier, TRALERT® stands for quality in its products. This quality is clearly reflected in the products, all of which bear both a CE mark and an E-mark. The CE marking is a European standard for the safety of various products within the European Union. Would you like to know more about the CE marking? We’ve written a blog post about this too.

Why choose TRALERT®?

TRALERT® is the specialist when it comes to LED vehicle lighting. Our LED brake lights and LED rear lights are thoroughly tested for quality and continuously improved. That is why you can always count on high-quality lights. In the unlikely event that a light should fail, this is not a problem. With our service, we offer you a warranty of 2 years or even a lifetime. This ensures the quality of your purchase. Moreover, we offer technical support to help you choose the right lighting, where needed.

What is the delivery time for brake lights and rear lights?

TRALERT® guarantees excellent service, as does our fast delivery. Thanks to our large stock, in which 90% of our range is available, we can make this possible. If you order before 15:00, you will have your brake lights or rear lights delivered the next day.

Which brake light and rear light is suitable for my vehicle?

Almost all brake lights and rear lights are equipped with 9-36V multivoltage, which means they can be fitted to almost any vehicle. Moreover, our experts are always on hand to offer you technical advice. So if you are not sure, do not hesitate to call or email TRALERT®. We will be happy to help you.

Curious about our range of rear lights?