Trailer
Driving school
theory book
for category B+ and BE
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Lights and reflectors.
A trailer may only be equipped with mandatory or permitted lights and reflectors. Mandatory reflectors must be approved.
1. Trailer front view.
2. All trailers must have at least 2 white reflectors.
Lights and reflectors on the front of the trailer:
All trailers regardless of width must be equipped with at least 2 white front reflectors.
1. Over 1.60 meters. 2 white position lights.
Additional reflectors: Allowed, but must be placed symmetrically.
Trailers with a width over 1.60 m. Must be equipped with at least 2 forward facing white position lights.
1. Over 2.10 meters. 2 white marker lights.
Trailers over 2.10 m wide: Must be equipped with at least 2 white forward facing marker lights. The marker lights must be positioned as high as possible, taking into account the design of the trailer. The purpose is to give other road users an impression of the trailer's size. Trailers can be equipped with additional forward-facing indicators. Both position lights and marker lights must be clearly visible in the dark at a distance of 300 m. Lens and reflectors can be integrated.
1. Trailer seen from the rear.
2. Rear lights on all trailers.
Rear lights and reflectors: All trailers, regardless of width, must be fitted with rear lights and reflectors at the rear, just like a car, except for the shape of the reflectors, which we will repeat: Trailers must be fitted with at least 2 rear lights that shine red and are visible at a distance of 300 meters. License plate illumination must be provided so that the plate is legible at a distance of 20 m in the dark. Trailers must also be equipped with at least 2 rear stop lights that shine bright red when braking, and at least 2 rear turn signals that must flash yellow and be clearly visible in sunlight. Finally, trailers must be equipped with 2 rear-facing red triangular reflectors.
1. trailers over 2.10 meters must have marker lights.
If the trailer is wider than 2.10 m: it must also be fitted with at least two rearward-facing marker lamps which emit red light of the same intensity as the rear lamps and which must be positioned as high as possible, taking into account the design of the trailer. Marker lamps may be mounted on the sides of the trailer. These marker lights can be fitted to the trailer as an option if it is wider than 1.80 m. It is permitted to equip the trailer with additional rear turn signals, lights and reflectors as long as they are placed symmetrically, keeping in mind that lights in a pair must be of the same color and brightness. The lights behind the trailer can be integrated.
§ Lights and reflectors on the side:
All trailers, regardless of length, must be equipped with yellow side reflectors on both sides. Trailers longer than 6m must also be equipped with side marker lights on both sides. They must be directed to the side and shine a yellow light that is visible from a distance of 300m.
Mandatory amber side reflectors must be approved and labeled and distributed on the sides of the trailer. Side reflectors can be replaced by yellow side marker lights that are clearly visible at a distance of at least 300 meters without glare. Newer trailers must be equipped with side reflectors and, if the trailer is longer than 6 meters, also with side marker lights (side reflectors and side marker lights may be combined). The coupling device must be included in the vehicle length.
§ Auxiliary lights (or "auxiliary lights"):
Trailers can also be equipped with auxiliary lights according to the user's needs as follows: 1 or 2 work lights intended to illuminate a work site, e.g. an excavation.
- Searchlight, a rotating spotlight designed to briefly illuminate a road name, house number or similar (mostly seen on police and emergency vehicles).
- 1 or 2 rear fog lights intended for driving in dense fog or other high visibility weather.
- 1 or 2 tail lights intended to illuminate the road behind the vehicle combination when reversing in the dark. It must only be possible to switch on the rear lights when the vehicle is in reverse gear.
Remember that auxiliary lights should only be used for the specific purpose for which they are intended.
Lights etc.
Periodically check the following conditions of lights and reflectors:
- That all lights can shine.
- That the stop lights are significantly brighter than the tail lights.
- The indicators must be clearly visible in sunlight.
- That license plate lights have a white light that can illuminate the rear license plate so that it can be clearly read from at least 20 meters away.
- That lights in a pair of lights have a similar color and brightness.
- That rear reflectors are triangular and positioned with the tip facing upwards.
- That side reflectors/side marker lights are placed on both sides of the trailer.
- That lenses and reflectors are intact and clean.
Identify signs of faults:
Lights that do not work or work incorrectly may be due to a fault in the electrical connection between car and trailer, e.g. poor connection.
If the indicators are flashing significantly faster than usual, it is usually a sign that one or more indicators are not working.
When coupling without visibility, the electrical system must be a 12-volt system and the transfer of electricity from the car to the trailer must take place in either 7-pin or 13-pin standard connectors (you can "reshape" with an inserted adapter). The cable must be positioned so that it is not worn, pinched or dragged on the road.
Mirrors:
The towing vehicle must be equipped with an exterior mirror on the left side. The mirror must have a reflective surface of at least 70 cm2 for a flat mirror and at least 50 cm2 for a convex mirror. Convex means that the mirror surface curves outwards and reflects a larger angle backwards to the side. One drawback, however, is that the subject in the mirror appears somewhat diminished and it takes some practice to get used to this "optical illusion". If the trailer or its load reduces the rearward view in the interior rearview mirror, the car must also be equipped with an exterior right side mirror of a similar size.
The mirrors must also be of such a size, design and position that the driver can orientate himself to the rear along the sides of the vehicle to the required extent solely by means of them.
