[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 5]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR393.26]



[Page 394-395]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 393_PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION--Table of 

Contents

 

       Subpart B_Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Electrical Wiring

 

Sec. 393.26  Requirements for reflectors.



    (a) Mounting. Reflex reflectors shall be mounted at the locations 

required by Sec. 393.11. In the case of motor vehicles so constructed 

that requirement for a 381 mm (15-inch) minimum height above the road 

surface is not practical, the reflectors shall be mounted as close as 

practicable to the required mounting height range. All permanent reflex 

reflectors shall be securely mounted on a rigid part of the vehicle. 

Temporary reflectors on projecting loads must be securely mounted to the 

load and are not required to be permanently mounted to a part of the 

vehicle. Temporary reflex reflectors on vehicles transported in 

driveaway-towaway operations must be firmly attached.

    (b) Specifications. All required reflex reflectors (except reflex 

reflectors on projecting loads, vehicles transported in a driveaway-

towaway operation, converter dollies and pole trailers) on vehicles 

manufactured on or after December 25, 1968, shall meet the applicable 

requirements of FMVSS No. 108 in effect on the date of manufacture of 

the vehicle. Reflex reflectors on projecting loads, vehicles transported 

in a driveaway-towaway operation, and all reflex reflectors on converter 

dollies and pole trailers must conform to SAE J594--Reflex Reflectors, 

December 2003.

    (c) Substitute material for side reflex reflectors. Reflective 

material conforming to ASTM D 4956-04, Standard Specification for 

Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control, may be used in lieu of 

reflex reflectors if the material as used on the vehicle, meets the 

performance standards in either Table I of SAE J594 or Table IA of SAE 

J594--Reflex Reflectors, December 2003. (See Sec. 393.7(b) for 

information on the incorporation by reference and availability of these 

documents.)

    (d) Use of additional retroreflective surfaces. Additional 

retroreflective surfaces may be used in conjunction with, but not in 

lieu of the reflex reflectors required in subpart B of part 393, and the 

substitute material for side reflex reflectors allowed by paragraph (c) 

of this section, provided:



[[Page 395]]



    (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; 70 FR 48047, Aug. 15, 2005]