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Question

Difficulty: MediumExterior Lights and Reflectors Inspection

A driver conducts an exterior inspection of the lighting and reflective equipment on a tractor-trailer before beginning a night route. Which of the following observations indicates an equipment defect that violates safety standards?

  1. A
    The front clearance and cab identification lamps emit steady amber light.
  2. The side marker lamps mounted near the rear corners of the trailer display amber lenses.Answer
  3. C
    The license plate lamp illuminates the rear registration plate with white light.
  4. D
    The backing lamps illuminate with white light only when the transmission is shifted into reverse.

Answer

The side marker lamps mounted near the rear corners of the trailer display amber lenses.
Commercial motor vehicle safety regulations require all rear-facing lamps and rear side marker lamps/reflectors to be red. Amber is strictly designated for front and intermediate side positions. Installing or displaying an amber lens on a rear side marker lamp creates an equipment defect that misleads traffic regarding the vehicle's orientation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall federal and CDL color standards for commercial vehicle exterior lighting by mounting position.
Lamps and reflectors must be amber on the front and along the sides (front and intermediate), and red at the rear and rear sides.
Color coding allows other drivers to immediately determine vehicle orientation and direction of travel in the dark.
2
Evaluate the rear side marker lamp requirement against the observed conditions.
Rear side marker lamps and rear side reflectors must display red light, making amber rear side lenses a non-compliant defect.
Amber lenses mounted on the rear side corners can confuse surrounding traffic regarding which end of the trailer is facing them.

Key Concept

Exterior Lamp and Reflector Color Standards by Vehicle Location
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Exterior Lights and Reflectors Inspection

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