How to ensure proper lighting of the trailers at night?

Using a trailer may be necessary to transport heavier equipment or machinery. In such a situation, it is worth taking care of all safety issues - especially if you will be moving after dark. Pay particular attention to lighting, thanks to which you will gain comfort while driving at night and will not pose any threat to other road users.

Proper lighting is the basis of night driving

A car with a trailer takes more space on the road, therefore it is important to marke it appropriate. Thanks to it, other drivers will know from a distance that they are dealing with a larger vehicle, which will allow them to be cautious and perform appropriate maneuvers.

The key to your safety and that of other road users is adequate lighting. If you have purchased a new trailer, all lamps will be in their place, but the use of e.g. a used vehicle should make you familiarize with the applicable regulations.

These can be found in the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure from December 31, 2002 about the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment. They indicate that the trailer must be fitted with appropriate lights, which include:

• emergency lights;
• emergency lights;
• turn signals;
• rear position lights;
• rear fog lights;
• front and side reflectors;
• rear reflectors (shaped of triangle).

Moreover, a license plate illumination is also required.

Proper marking of the trailer (both at the rear and on the sides) is extremely important, especially at night, when visibility is significantly limited. Keep this in mind before embarking on your trip after dark!

Match the lighting to your trailer!

It is worth knowing that the selection of lights and reflectors depends on the size of the trailer. The above guidelines apply to the mandatory marking of trailers. Those with larger dimensions should be equipped with additional lighting. For example, trailers longer than 6 m must have side marker lamps, trailers with a GVM over 750 kg of a reversing lamp, and trailers with a GVM of over 10 t and longer than 10 m - yellow reflective plates with a red and fluorescent circumference.

Before you go on the road, find out about the requirements for your trailer.

You don't have lighting's? Stay at home!

If your trailer is not properly marked, you should not use it on the road - not only at night, but also during the day. So it's worth checking carefully if you have the right and fully technically functional lighting and only then go on tour.

If there are any deficiencies in the marking - don't worry. On the Internet, you can easily buy both individual lamps and reflectors, as well as entire sets dedicated to specific trailers. Thanks to this, you will gain road safety and avoid a fine.

Attention: The above text applies to regulations in Poland.