Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment

This document requires that the rear of truck tractors be equipped with retroreflective material similar to that required on the rear of the trailers they tow to increase nighttime conspicuity. Manufacturers may choose either retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors. In the case of truck tractors delivered with a temporary mudflap arrangement rather than permanent equipment, the requirement for retroreflective material near the top of the mudflap may be satisfied with material carried by the temporary mudflap brackets that is transferable to the permanent mudflap system. Retroreflective material is also required near the top of the cab in a pattern similar to that used on trailers. NHTSA estimates that the incidence of crashes involving truck tractors struck in the rear by other vehicles in darkness could be reduced by 15 to 25 percent by enhancing conspicuity as required by this rule.