WHAT IS A POSITION LIGHT?

Position lights on a truck are the lights that show other road users where the vehicle begins and ends, as well as how wide and long it is. This is especially important on heavy vehicles such as trucks, tractor units, vehicle combinations and trailers, where the size is significantly larger than a passenger car.

The purpose is not to light up the road, but to make the vehicle visible, especially in darkness, at dusk or in poor weather conditions such as rain and snow. With the right truck position lights, the risk of other road users driving too close or misjudging the width of the vehicle is reduced.

WHERE DO YOU MOUNT POSITION LIGHTS ON A TRUCK?

On a heavy vehicle, position lights are mounted at the front, rear and along the sides, depending on the length and width of the vehicle. At the front they shine white, at the rear they shine red, and on the sides they can be amber/yellow to mark the length of the vehicle or trailer.

The larger the vehicle, the more position lights are needed to clearly mark its outline. This is why trucks almost always have more position lights than passenger cars. When installing position lights on your truck, it is important to use the correct colour in the correct direction and to make sure the lights are mounted symmetrically.

LED POSITION LIGHTS FOR TRUCKS:

LED is now the most common choice for truck position lights because it is durable, energy-efficient and handles vibrations better than older types of lights. There are round, rectangular and slim models, as well as lights with clear or coloured lenses.

Many are E-approved, allowing you to install them without issues during vehicle inspection. Choose the colour based on placement: white at the front, red at the rear and amber/yellow on the sides.

ARE POSITION LIGHTS REQUIRED?

Yes, position lights are safety lights. In most countries, vehicles driven on public roads must have functioning position lights, especially heavy vehicles. They help other road users see you in time.

Driving without working position lights can reduce safety and may cause the vehicle to fail an inspection. Therefore, make sure all lights shine with the correct colour and brightness.

WHEN DO YOU USE POSITION LIGHTS ON A TRUCK?

Position lights should be switched on when visibility is reduced, such as in darkness, at dusk, in fog, heavy rain or snowfall. They are usually switched on together with the vehicle’s other lighting.

However, keep in mind that position lights do not replace dipped beam headlights, fog lights or driving lights. They only complement them and make your vehicle more visible. If you drive with a trailer, semi-trailer or longer vehicle combination, it is especially important that all side marker lights and position lights work properly so that other road users can see the full length of the vehicle.