Trailer lights

bj40b2

I know this has been covered before, but I cant seem to get a conclusive answer.

My question is
Are lights required on the rear of a small trailer.

The Irish statute book SI189 states



(c) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this sub-article as respects stop lamps shall not apply where the drawing vehicle is equipped with stop lamps which are at all times plainly visible to the rear of the trailer

This appears to imply that lights may not be required on a small trailer.
I my case the rear lights on the drawing vehicle can be seen clearly from behind the trailer.

TheFarrier

My understanding of it it is that once the brake lights(stop lamps) of the drawing vehicle are visible then there is no need for brake lights on the trailer, but you are still required to have tail lights on the trailer, to ensure it is visible to following motorists at night.

bj40b2

That would make sense

Del2005

bj40b2 wrote: »

I know this has been covered before, but I cant seem to get a conclusive answer.

My question is
Are lights required on the rear of a small trailer.

The Irish statute book SI189 states



(c) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this sub-article as respects stop lamps shall not apply where the drawing vehicle is equipped with stop lamps which are at all times plainly visible to the rear of the trailer

This appears to imply that lights may not be required on a small trailer.
I my case the rear lights on the drawing vehicle can be seen clearly from behind the trailer.

Are they visible when turning?

TrailerBob

At a minimum please put tail lights on the trailer. You have at least a 5ft extension on the back of your car, unmarked at night time. Regardless of whether the car's lights are visible or not, you have a responsibility to have the trailer visible. Statute books can be read over and over, but this is common sense. It's not a big expense to get a set of pre-wired lights

alta stare

Last night i passed two jeeps pulling horseboxes...neither had working lights. Dangerous thing to be doing.

quietsailor

TheFarrier wrote: »

My understanding of it it is that once the brake lights(stop lamps) of the drawing vehicle are visible then there is no need for brake lights on the trailer, but you are still required to have tail lights on the trailer, to ensure it is visible to following motorists at night.

It makes no sense to require that tail lights are required to be wired as far as the back of the trailer but brake lights aren't. I think its that even if the brake lights of the car are visible meaning no trailer brake lights are required you still have to have reflectors on the trailer so that drivers coming up behind you are able to judge where the back of the trailer is.