Side Marker Lights

**MYGIA** · 09-01-2010, 08:44 PM

Does anyone know the regs on what is required for marker lights on the side of the cargo box/truck? Or, where I can find them?

Overall length of truck is about 35 feet, but the cargo box is only 22 feet. My understanding is side markers only required at front corner and middle side if box/trailer is over 25 feet.

Any helpon this? Thanks.

**cheri1122** · 09-01-2010, 08:53 PM

Get a copy of the regs, [little green book] at any truckstop - the requirements are all there, with diagrams. It's always good to have it handy, to settle any questions.
And I need to get one too, as I can't remember where I put mine, sigh.

**Doggie Daddy** · 09-01-2010, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by MYGIA

Does anyone know the regs on what is required for marker lights on the side of the cargo box/truck? Or, where I can find them?

Overall length of truck is about 35 feet, but the cargo box is only 22 feet. My understanding is side markers only required at front corner and middle side if box/trailer is over 25 feet.

Any helpon this? Thanks.

So am I to assume from your post that you only want to go with the minimum amount of lighting required?

LED lights save lives!! MORE is better !!

**greg334** · 09-01-2010, 09:34 PM

Here is the link to the regulations -

Lighting regs

The green book has a good chart with what lights are what.

The box size has little to do with it, it is the overall length of the truck for some applications but being over 10k is the key.

The box has two lights on the side, five in the back and the front as clearance lights. The clearance lights are made up of three in the center for centerline indication and two on the outside as width indicators - technically I am told the fronts should be on the box because that is the widest point. The box front side light are amber and back is red - both are to indicate height of the vehicle.

Hope that helps.

**MYGIA** · 09-01-2010, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by greg334

Here is the link to the regulations -

Lighting regs

The green book has a good chart with what lights are what.

The box size has little to do with it, it is the overall length of the truck for some applications but being over 10k is the key.

The box has two lights on the side, five in the back and the front as clearance lights. The clearance lights are made up of three in the center for centerline indication and two on the outside as width indicators - technically I am told the fronts should be on the box because that is the widest point. The box front side light are amber and back is red - both are to indicate height of the vehicle.

Hope that helps.

Thank you. This was very helpful. Much appreciated.

**MYGIA** · 09-01-2010, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by cheri1122

Get a copy of the regs, [little green book] at any truckstop - the requirements are all there, with diagrams. It's always good to have it handy, to settle any questions.
And I need to get one too, as I can't remember where I put mine, sigh.

Yes, I cannot find mine either - or at least it is not where I thought I had put it. I too will have to purchase a new one.

**MYGIA** · 09-01-2010, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Doggie Daddy

So am I to assume from your post that you only want to go with the minimum amount of lighting required?

LED lights save lives!! MORE is better !!

NO! That is a very WRONG assumption.

**cheri1122** · 09-01-2010, 10:45 PM

"How much is too much" is a matter of taste, I'd say. But it's also a matter of risk, as DOT can and will put you out of service for even one burned out light, and lights can and do burn out between the pretrip inspection and the DOT inspection. [A headlight did me in, once.]

I recently heard of a driver who was given 2 OOS violations for marker lights, and then fined $100 for each violation by his carrier, because of CSA.

**greg334** · 09-01-2010, 10:49 PM

I think you drive for FedEx, ask them to send you a new copy.

I got dinged for a marker light on my truck, no fine but it was a pita to fix, it was a bad light socket.

Speaking of Headlights, anyone seen the new LED ones?

**layoutshooter** · 09-01-2010, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by greg334

I think you drive for FedEx, ask them to send you a new copy.

I got dinged for a marker light on my truck, no fine but it was a pita to fix, it was a bad light socket.

Speaking of Headlights, anyone seen the new LED ones?

We lost a headlight the other night. Luckily no one saw and it was just a few miles to a rest stop where we could pull in and change it safely.

Not seen the LED headlights, where did you find them?

**ATeam** · 09-02-2010, 09:28 AM

I got ticketed two years ago for an inoperative marker light, top-left-rear, and was not put out of service (those four points are the only CSA points I have on my record in the last three years).

I know that because Terry O'Connell looked up Diane's and my record for us at our request. (Diane has zero CSA points in the last three years).

FedEx Custom Critical is developing a CSA resource in Terry O'Connell. While I stand by the criticisms I have leveled against the position and the way he goes about his work (and have more criticisms that I have so far kept to myself), it is also true that Mr. O'Connell is, largely by his own initiative, developing CSA knowledge from a driver's point of view that can be invaluable.

A recent FedEx Custom Critical fleet bulletin highlighted the importance of having the citing officer specify exactly which light is being cited. While it is a myth widely believed by drivers, carriers and officers, it is not true that all lights must be working at all times.

Non-required marker lights (like the 94 chicken lights we have on our truck) need not be operative to be legal. I would not have known this without the information O'Connell distributed in the fleet message. Having the errant officer specify that a non-required light is being cited will give you the ability fight the CSA points later.

Over the lunch Diane and I recently had with O'Connell and a subsequent conversation near our truck, it was clear to me that he has developed an above-average level of knowledge regarding CSA, especially as it applies to trucks and drivers.

I would suggest that FedEx Custom Critical drivers contact O'Connell with any CSA questions they may have. As much as I dislike the fact that our carrier saw fit to create a Field Safety Liaison position, we are stuck with it, at least for now, so you might as well put the resource to good use.

Giving credit where credit is due, I recommend O'Connell to FedEx Custom Critical contractors as a competent, ready and free CSA resource.

I don't know if he carries coveralls and a creeper in his van but if you can talk him into doing a level one inspection on your truck, or at least a level two or level three, you would be money ahead if violations are found. Unlike scale cops, O'Connell does not issue citations that carry CSA points.

Making such a request would also demonstrate to a company representative who documents the contacts he makes with trucks and drivers that you have the compliance attitude our carrier wishes to see.

**guido4475** · 09-02-2010, 10:31 AM

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that having the "Little green dot reg book" in a commercial vehicle is required by the dot.And a person may be fined for not having one.How can one misplace it to begin with?There should be a special place withing reach so whenyou get pulled over everything is where it is supposed to be, in order.These books are free from most carriers.How often does one check the experation dates on the permits,etc in youre permit book?It only takes 10 minutes a month, and can save alot of trouble in the long run. Shread the old ones that are out of date.Don't depend on youre safety man, they are not perfect, and have alot to do.

**MYGIA** · 09-02-2010, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by guido4475

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that having the "Little green dot reg book" in a commercial vehicle is required by the dot.And a person may be fined for not having one.How can one misplace it to begin with?There should be a special place withing reach so whenyou get pulled over everything is where it is supposed to be, in order.These books are free from most carriers.How often does one check the experation dates on the permits,etc in youre permit book?It only takes 10 minutes a month, and can save alot of trouble in the long run. Shread the old ones that are out of date.Don't depend on youre safety man, they are not perfect, and have alot to do.

Good point. That same thought occured to me last night, so I did some searching and found it in a drawer. It has now been moved to a better and more accessable location.

**greg334** · 09-02-2010, 11:51 AM

Guido, YES it is a requirement.

FedEx used to send them free on request. Panther may and so on - they are $2 a piece in quantity and ever carrier should hand the out for free. I think there is a stack of them at every training center at my carrier.

Permits are another thing, the carrier should be pm top of things with permits but it does not hurt to keep a list of those which will expire.

I think the panic over the CSA 2010 is a panic, as it has been describe to me, everyone will have some thing on their record, only the very careful and very lucky will avoid any points.

FedEx will with no doubt use it to clean house as they seem to have that habit at times, other carriers may mitigate their borderline contractors the same way but for those who have a limited amount of points and a good track record of correcting issues, it won't be a big deal.

AND phil, you redeemed yourself with the Terry issue already.

Layout, Trucklite makes them, LED Headlight

They are not cheap, a set for a round lighted truck will run about $500. They have been making them for the military for a bit now, I have two sets sitting in my shop to be put on a pickup to try them out.

I got a lesson on how lights are DOT 'approved', pretty interesting, and simple.

**layoutshooter** · 09-02-2010, 11:57 AM

Interesting Greg, I like the idea of the LED headlamps. I did not see any but the 7" round. We don't use sealed beams.

CSA 2010 should NOT be a problem to a good truck or drivers. It is, however, very open to abuse. The very idea that it has retroactive points bothers me, a lot. I don't believe that is proper, at least not in my book.