Are Side Marker Lights Mandatory?

For trucks, this question can almost always be answered with a "Yes." More specifically: any vehicle longer than six meters requires—depending on its length—one or even several marker lights. The German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) also allow for their installation on

When Are Side Marker Lights Permitted?
Installation on vehicles shorter than 6 meters is permitted; for vehicles from 6 meters in length, it is mandatory.

How Many Side Marker Lights Are Required?
Depending on the vehicle's length, one or more lights are necessary. A maximum spacing of 3 meters applies.

How Must Side Marker Lights Illuminate?
On older vehicles, they may remain constantly illuminated, even when the direction of travel changes. On newer vehicles, the side marker lights must not only stay constantly lit but also flash in sync with the turn signals.

What Requirements Must Such a Light Meet?

As with all lighting devices on a truck, side marker lights must have an E-mark, which ensures that they meet the necessary standards regarding light output and compatibility with the vehicle's electronics. Otherwise, it is simply important to ensure that the light can be easily mounted at the desired location. This also implies that the lights are generally yellow. Red lights may only be used for side marking at the rear of the vehicle, and only if they are combined with the regular rear light.

Regardless of the vehicle's length, the lights must be mounted at a minimum height of 250 mm and a maximum of 1500 mm above the ground. Ideally, a position should be chosen where the side marker light will not become excessively dirty.

For vehicles measuring 6–7 meters in length, three side marker lights are mandatory; beyond that, one additional light is required for every further 3 meters. Two side marker lights must first be mounted as close as possible to the front and rear of the vehicle. The maximum allowable distance is 3000 mm at the front and 1000 mm at the rear.

Starting from these two lights, one or more additional lights must be installed in such a way that the distance between any two side marker lights never exceeds 3000 mm. The individual distances may vary, as long as this maximum is not exceeded. There is no minimum distance or maximum number of lights, so additional side marker lights can be installed to improve visibility without issue.

Yes, as long as the vehicle is a truck. On older vehicles, this is an optional feature where the lights blink in addition to the side turn signals, mainly to alert pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles driving alongside of a turn or lane change. For new vehicles, this is currently mandatory; on such vehicles, retrofitted marker lights must be connected to the appropriate wiring so that they blink as well.

Additionally, under certain circumstances, vehicles may use a blinking marker light instead of a side turn signal. However, this does not apply if the vehicle is originally equipped with a factory-installed side turn signal.