Proper vehicle lighting is essential for safety, compliance, and visibility — but meeting lighting requirements on today’s highly customized work trucks can be surprisingly complex. This report provides a practical overview of the federal lighting standards that apply to commercial vehicles in the United States and Canada, helping upfitters, fleet managers, and vehicle purchasers understand how lighting requirements influence vehicle design and equipment installation.
This report explains how Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (F/CMVSS 108) governs lamp placement, visibility, function, and performance, while addressing common challenges created by auxiliary lighting, work equipment, liftgates, snow control equipment, and body modifications. Gain insight into lighting compliance, lamp positioning, conspicuity requirements, and ways to help ensure required lighting remains visible and effective throughout the vehicle’s service life.