Friday 14th October 2022
The lighting you need all depends on when your trailer was built. You’re going to need to know what you need as it is a legal requirement to have the correct and working lights, reflectors, and markers the same as you would on a car.
The DVSA check retro reflectors for:
- Number fitted
- Colour
- Position
- Shape
- Approval marking (if required)
- Identity symbol (if required)
Before September 30th, 1990
All trailers must be fitted with the following:
- Two red side lights
- Two red stoplights
- Two red triangular reflectors
- An illuminated number plate
- Amber indicators that flash between 60-120 per minute
Built after September 30th, 1990
- Must also be fitted with front white reflectors
More than 1.3 Metres Wide
- Must also have at least one red fog lamp
More than 1.6 Metres Wide
- Must also have front position white lights
Trailers longer than 6 Metres (excluding the drawbar)
- Must also have red/white side markers. Side markers are only a legal requirement when the trailer is above 6m in height.
Built after October 2012
- Must also be fitted with a reversing light.
As well as having the correct lights, indicators, and markers there is also legal requirements for how you fit them to the trailer.
- Indicators should be between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground.
- Indicators should be a maximum of 400mm from the side of the trailer.
- Indicators should be a minimum of 400mm apart.
- Triangular reflectors should be positioned, between 250mm and 900mm from the ground, with a minimum separation of 600mm and no more than 400mm from the sides.
- Two fog lamps must be separated and positioned at opposite sides of the rear of the trailer.
- Fog lamps should be placed within 250mm and 1000mm from the ground.
- Fog lamps should be a minimum of 400mm apart.
- There should be at least 100mm of separation between the fog lights and the tail lights/indicators.
To find out more legal information about trailer lights click here
