DriveSmartBC

The lights that our vehicle is equipped with serve two important functions. They allow us to see and they allow us to be seen by other road users. The messages conveyed to others by our vehicle's lights must be clear with no opportunity for confusion.

For most of us, three colours of lights are allowed to be used. Generally, you will see white and yellow to the front and red to the rear of the vehicle. With the exception of yellow signal and white backup lights on the rear, this is a standard configuration.

The standard allows us to decide what view of a vehicle we have and how wide, high or long it is. If we see white and yellow, we should be looking at the front of a vehicle. If red, it should be the rear. If we are looking at the side, the side marker lights allow us to decide if the vehicle is facing to our left or right. Properly installed clearance and identification lights tell us dimensional information.

Lights used as a decoration have no place on our highways. Colours other than white, red and yellow are generally forbidden for the average vehicle. All lights must serve the purposes set out in Division 4 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations. These regulations specify colour, placement and lamp type. Anything else may confuse other drivers, and confusion may result in a collision.

All lights not specifically permitted to be used in Division 4 are considered to be "off road" lights. If you choose to install them, they must be covered by an opaque cover at all times when the vehicle is on the road. This applies if the vehicle is being driven or is parked.

References:

Division 4 MVAR - Lamps

Truck Lighting Requirements

Trailer Lighting Requirements