Why do so many HGVs have coloured lights on the front and side?
While driving, I have noticed a large number of trucks have now mounted additional yellow side marker lights to the fronts of their vehicles. In addition to the yellow side markers that I have seen on the fronts of these vehicles there seems to be an increasing number using blue, white and green lights. I have also seen red side marker lights fitted to the fonts of some vans and lorries, which I thought was illegal? In some cases there are often as many as ten of these lights switched on while the truck is in motion, day or night. I was wondering if you could shed some light as to the significance of these lights when they are being used in this way.
Asked on 22 February 2025 by MikeMyers
Answered by
Craig Cheetham
According to the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (1989) any vehicle over 6m long must have side marker lights and the first one must be no further than 4m along the vehicle, then they must be a maximum of 3m apart otherwise. The law is quite clear in stating that these lights must be amber, and any other colour is illegal.
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