Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-405 (2026)
Lighting devices and reflectors on vehicles having width in excess of 80 inches, truck tractors, and trailers - Lamp or flag on projecting load - Penalties
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) Every motor vehicle other than any passenger car, any road roller, road machinery or farm tractor having a width of eighty inches (80") or more shall be equipped with at least the following lighting devices and reflectors:
- (1) On the front, at least two (2) headlamps, an equal number at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle, or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except that where the cab is not more than forty-two inches (42") wide at the front roofline, a single lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for identification lamps. No part of the identification lamps or their mountings may extend below the top of the vehicle windshield;
- (2) On the rear, two (2) tail lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) stop lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) reflectors, one (1) at each side; and three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical center line of the vehicle; provided, that the identification lamps need not be lighted if obscured by a vehicle towed by the truck; and
- (3) On each side, one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the front, one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the rear; one (1) reflector at or near the front, and one (1) reflector at or near the rear.
- (b) Every truck tractor shall be equipped as follows:
- (1) On the front, at least two (2) headlamps, an equal number at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; and three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle, or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except that where the cab is not more than forty-two inches (42") wide at the front roofline, a single lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirement for identification lamps. No part of the identification lamps or their mountings may extend below the top of the vehicle windshield; and
- (2) On the rear, one (1) tail lamp; one (1) stop lamp; two (2) reflectors, one (1) at each side; and, unless the turn signals on the front are so constructed (double faced) and located as to be visible to passing drivers, two (2) turn signals on the rear of the cab, one (1) at each side.
- (c) Every semitrailer or full trailer eighty inches (80") or more in overall width, except converter dollies, shall be equipped as follows:
- (1) On the front, two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side;
- (2) On the rear, two (2) tail lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) stop lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) turn signals, one (1) at each side; two (2) clearance lamps, one (1) at each side; two (2) reflectors, one (1) at each side; and three (3) identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle; provided, that the identification lamps need not be lighted if obscured by another vehicle in the same combination;
- (3) On each side, one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the front; one (1) side-marker lamp at or near the rear; one (1) reflector at or near the front; one (1) reflector at or near the rear; and, in case of semitrailers and full trailers thirty feet (30') or more in length, at least one (1) additional side-marker lamp at optional height and at least one (1) additional reflector, the additional side-marker lamp or lamps and reflector or reflectors to be at or near the center or at approximately uniform spacing in the length of the vehicle; and
- (4) For the purposes of these regulations, "converter dolly" is a motor vehicle with a fifth wheel lower half or equivalent mechanism, the attachment of which vehicle converts a semitrailer to a full trailer. Each dolly, when towed singly by another vehicle, and not as part of a full trailer, shall be equipped with one (1) stop lamp, one (1) tail lamp, and two (2) reflectors on the rear. No lighting devices or reflectors are required on the front or sides of any dolly.
- (d)
- (1) Except as provided in subdivision (d)(2), from one-half (1/2) hour before sunset to one-half (1/2) hour after sunrise and at all other times when lights are required to be displayed, there shall be attached to the rearmost extremity of any load that projects four feet (4') or more beyond the rear of the body of the motor vehicle, or at any tailboard or tailgate so projecting, or to the rearmost extremity of any load, carried on a pole trailer, at least one (1) red lamp, securely fastened thereto, which shall be visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the sides and rear under normal atmospheric conditions. At all other times one (1) red flag, at least eighteen inches (18") square, made of cloth, synthetic or man-made material, shall be so displayed.
- (2) This subsection (d) shall apply only to:
- (A) Any noncommercial motor vehicle transporting property intrastate; and
- (B) Any commercial motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of twenty six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.) or less when such motor vehicle is transporting property intrastate.
- (3) Title 65, chapter 15, and all applicable federal rules shall apply to all commercial vehicles having a GVWR or a GCWR of more than twenty six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.).
- (e)
- (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (e)(2) and (3), a motor vehicle or trailer transporting intrastate a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts that projects four feet (4') or more beyond the rear of the body or bed of the vehicle, when the vehicle is operated on a highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portions of the highway, must have either of the following securely affixed as close as practical to the end of the projecting load:
- (A)
- (i) One (1) amber strobe-type lamp, complying with SAE J595, equipped with a multidirectional type lens so mounted as to be visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load. If the mounting of one (1) amber strobe lamp cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load, then multiple amber strobe lights, complying with SAE J595, must be utilized so as to meet the visibility requirements of this subdivision (e)(1)(A)(i). The amber strobe lamp must flash at a rate of at least sixty (60) flashes per minute and be plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') to the rear and sides at a radius of one hundred eighty degrees (180°) of the projecting load; or
- (ii) One (1) amber light-emitting diode (LED) light, complying with SAE J595, equipped with a multidirectional type lens, mounted so as to be visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load; provided, that if the mounting of one (1) amber LED light cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load, then multiple amber LED lights, complying with SAE J595, must be utilized so as to meet the visibility requirements of this subdivision (e)(1)(A)(ii). The amber LED light must flash at a rate of at least sixty (60) flashes per minute and be plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') from the rear and sides at a radius of one hundred eighty degrees (180°) of the projecting load. The LED light must be constructed of durable, weather-resistant material and may be powered by the vehicle's electrical system or by an independent battery system, or both. If the LED light is powered by an independent battery system, then the driver of the vehicle must have in the driver's immediate possession charged, spare batteries for use in case of battery failure. Any solid state LED lighting that consists of multiple LED lights must not have less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the LED lights in operable condition; or
- (B) Two (2) red flags or two (2) fluorescent orange flags, or a combination of such flags, that are each at least eighteen inches (18") square, made of cloth, synthetic, or man-made material, must be so displayed.
- (A)
- (2) From one-half (1/2) hour before sunset to one-half (1/2) hour after sunrise and at all other times when lights are required to be displayed, a motor vehicle or trailer transporting intrastate a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts that projects four feet (4') or more beyond the rear of the body or bed of the vehicle, when the vehicle is operated on a highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portions of the highway, must have the following securely affixed as close as practical to the end of the projecting load:
- (A)
- (i) One (1) amber strobe-type lamp, or, if applicable, multiple amber strobe lights, meeting the requirements of subdivision (e)(1)(A)(i); or
- (ii) One (1) amber light-emitting diode (LED) light, or, if applicable, multiple amber LED lights, meeting the requirements of subdivision (e)(1)(A)(ii); and
- (B) At least one (1) red flag or at least one (1) fluorescent orange flag, or both, that is at least eighteen inches (18") square, made of cloth, synthetic, or manmade material, must also be so displayed.
- (A)
- (3) Notwithstanding subdivisions (e)(1) and (e)(2) to the contrary, a motor vehicle or trailer transporting a load of logs or pulpwood that protrudes at least four feet (4') beyond the end of the body or bed of the motor vehicle or trailer must have the following securely affixed to the end of the projecting load while the vehicle or trailer is loaded with the protruding logs or pulpwood:
- (A) One (1) amber strobe-type lamp or amber blinking light, or one (1) amber LED strobe light or amber LED blinking light, which must be operating while affixed to the load; and
- (B) At least two (2) red flags or at least two (2) fluorescent orange flags, which must be in good condition and visible while affixed to the load.
- (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (e)(2) and (3), a motor vehicle or trailer transporting intrastate a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts that projects four feet (4') or more beyond the rear of the body or bed of the vehicle, when the vehicle is operated on a highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portions of the highway, must have either of the following securely affixed as close as practical to the end of the projecting load:
- (f) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1
case, 2008–2008 · leading case: Carl Anderson, Ed Howell Anderson, & Gary Anderson v. U.S.A. Truck, Inc., an Arkansas Corp. & Lonzie E. Neal (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008).
Carl Anderson, Ed Howell Anderson, & Gary Anderson v. U.S.A. Truck, Inc., an Arkansas Corp. & Lonzie E. Neal (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008). “They also contended that the Plaintiffs’ trailer was not properly lit and not properly secured, in violation of statutes regarding lighting ( Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-405 ) and securing trailers ( Tenn.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-405(c): 1 case
Carl Anderson, Ed Howell Anderson, & Gary Anderson v. U.S.A. Truck, Inc., an Arkansas Corp. & Lonzie E. Neal (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008). “They also contended that the Plaintiffs’ trailer was not properly lit and not properly secured, in violation of statutes regarding lighting ( Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-405 ) and securing trailers ( Tenn.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.