[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR393.26]

[Page 1102]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
        CHAPTER III--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION,
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 393--PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION--Table of Contents
 
    Subpart B--Lighting Devices, Reflectors, and Electrical Equipment
 
Sec. 393.26  Requirements for reflectors.

    (a) Mounting. All required reflectors shall be mounted upon the 
motor vehicle at a height not less than 15 inches nor more than 60 
inches above the ground on which the motor vehicle stands, except that 
reflectors shall be mounted as high as practicable on motor vehicles 
which are so constructed as to make compliance with the 15-inch 
requirement impractical. They shall be so installed as to perform their 
function adequately and reliably, and except for temporary reflectors 
required for vehicles in driveaway-towaway operations, or on projecting 
loads, all reflectors shall be permanently and securely mounted in 
workmanlike manner so as to provide the maximum of stability and the 
minimum likelihood of damage. Required reflectors otherwise properly 
mounted may be securely installed on flexible strapping or belting 
provided that under conditions of normal operation they reflect light in 
the required directions. Required temporary reflectors mounted on motor 
vehicles during the time they are in transit in any driveaway-towaway 
operation must be firmly attached.
    (b) Specifications. All required reflectors except those installed 
on vehicles tendered for transportation in driveaway and towaway 
operations shall comply with FMVSS 571.108 (49 CFR 571.108) in effect at 
the time the vehicle was manufactured or the current FMVSS 571.108 
requirements.
    (c) Certification and markings. All reflectors required to conform 
to the specifications in paragraph (b) shall be certified by the 
manufacturer or supplier that they do so conform, by marking with the 
manufacturer's or supplier's name or trade name and the letters ``SAE-
A''. The marking in each case shall be visible when the reflector is in 
place on the vehicle.
    (d) Retroreflective surfaces. Retroreflective surfaces other than 
required reflectors may be used, provided:
    (1) Designs do not resemble traffic control signs, lights, or 
devices, except that straight edge striping resembling a barricade 
pattern may be used.
    (2) Designs do not tend to distort the length and/or width of the 
motor vehicle.
    (3) Such surfaces shall be at least 3 inches from any required lamp 
or reflector unless of the same color as such lamp or reflector.
    (4) No red color shall be used on the front of any motor vehicle, 
except for display of markings or placards required by Sec. 177.823 of 
this title.
    (5) Retroreflective license plates required by State or local 
authorities may be used.

[33 FR 19735, Dec. 25, 1968, as amended at 35 FR 3167, Feb. 19, 1970; 53 
FR 49397, Dec. 7, 1988]