What are the US regulations regarding the size and placement of marker lights?

Many Euro cars have front side markers high and to the rear of the front fenders, do they have to add something in the front to meet regs? I'm wondering how flexible the design parameters can be for these lights in the US market.

This may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting

I also found this but it's for everything but cars.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/standards/conspicuity/

Thanks for the effort PCS.

So far this is as close as it gets to the answer I'm hunting:

At front - symmetrical - as far forward as practicable - facing sideward

Vague at best (and for trucks, not cars).

I seem to recall a Sq. inch requirement...

If you ask me, these regulations need updated. Side marker lamps are eyesores and aren't as useful as they use to be.

If you ask me, these regulations need updated. Side marker lamps are eyesores and aren't as useful as they use to be.

Fender-mounted side markers are very useful from the side. I've seen too often cars from different lanes (e.g. numbers 1 and 3) trying to move into the same lane (number 2), because they didn't notice each other's front and rear turn signals.

If you ask me, these regulations need updated. Side marker lamps are eyesores and aren't as useful as they use to be.

Though they haven't been used as such for years, they used to be part of the design in a harmonious, even artful way. But, sadly, the automakers have been lazy about it for far too long. These days they are barely integrated, low-budget, boring, compliance devices.

Sad.

I've noticed a lot more cars in the US now have the Euro-style fender markers...I like those and the mirror-mounted turn signals..

I've noticed a lot more cars in the US now have the Euro-style fender markers...I like those and the mirror-mounted turn signals..

Agreed, but I believe that the regs still call for that marker light as far up toward the front as possible, either as a separate light or part of the headlight cluster. Otherwise, I don't think you'd see them on a Solstice.

I'd just like to find out what the rules are exactly.

Fender-mounted side markers are very useful from the side. I've seen too often cars from different lanes (e.g. numbers 1 and 3) trying to move into the same lane (number 2), because they didn't notice each other's front and rear turn signals.

Now those, I completely like and are far more useful than what the regulations call for.

Fender-mounted side markers are very useful from the side. I've seen too often cars from different lanes (e.g. numbers 1 and 3) trying to move into the same lane (number 2), because they didn't notice each other's front and rear turn signals.

If they even use a blinker at all....

do you live in SC too hehe?

Edited March 10, 200818 yr by cletus8269