N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.12 - Commercial vehicle inspection: turn signals and hazard warning signals

(a) Every commercial motor vehicle shall be equipped with two front and two rear turn signals, except that a passenger vehicle manufactured before July 2, 1954, is not required to be equipped with turn signals. When any motor vehicle, regardless of the date of its manufacture, is equipped with turn signals, the turn signals shall be in proper operating condition.

(b) All turn signal and hazard warning signal systems including lights, flashers and operating units shall be of a type approved as meeting the standards of the United States Department of Transportation or, for motor vehicles manufactured prior to the adoption of such standards, the standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The letters "SAE," along with the manufacturer's name and trademark, are often on such devices. In the case of front and rear turn signal lights, the letter "I" or the letter "D" is often on the lens of such lights.

(c) Front turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall be mounted on each side of the vertical centerline at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practical. Front turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall emit a flashing white or amber light visible for a distance of 500 feet.

(d) Rear turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall be mounted on each side of the vertical centerline at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practical. Rear turn signal and hazard warning signal lights shall emit a flashing red or amber light visible for a distance of 500 feet.

(e) All turn signal lights shall be permanently and securely mounted in such a manner so as to reduce the likelihood of their being obscured by mud or dust thrown up by the wheels.

(f) A turn signal light shall not be obstructed by any part of the chassis, body, or bumper, or by any type of add-on device or material if such obstruction reduces the visible area of the turn signal light to less than three and one-half square inches on a passenger automobile, truck, bus, or jitney which is less than 80 inches in overall width, or reduces the visible area of the turn signal light to less than 12 square inches on a truck, bus, or jitney which is 80 inches or more in overall width.

(g) Turn signal lights shall flash from 50 to 130 times per minute. The "on" period of the flashes shall be long enough to permit the bulb filaments to reach full brightness.

(h) All turn signal light systems and components shall be in proper operating condition. Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because a turn signal light has a cracked, broken, or missing lens, provided no white light shows to the rear of the motor vehicle. However, the motorist shall be advised to have the defect corrected.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.12

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016