[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR393.26]

[Page 398-399]
 
                        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 399]]

    (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]