Directive 2009/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed)Show full title

6.3. Direction indicator lamps

6.3.1. Number: two per side.

6.3.2. Arrangement drawing: two front and two rear indicator lamps.

6.3.3. Position

6.3.3.1. Width:

• the edges of the illuminating surfaces furthest from the median longitudinal plane must not be more than 400 mm from the outermost part of the vehicle,

• the internal edges of the illuminating surfaces must be at least 600 mm apart,

• there must be a minimum distance between the illuminating surfaces of the indicators and the nearest dipped-beam headlamps of:

  • 75 mm in the case of a minimum indicator intensity of 90 cd,

  • 40 mm in the case of a minimum indicator intensity of 175 cd,

  • 20 mm in the case of a minimum indicator intensity of 250 cd,

  • ≤ 20 mm in the case of a minimum indicator intensity of 400 cd.

6.3.3.2. Length: the distance towards the front between the transverse plane corresponding to the extreme longitudinal rearmost extremity of the vehicle and the centre of reference of the rear indicators must not exceed 300 mm. The front direction indicator on the side-car must be ahead of the centre axis of the side-car and the rear direction indicator must be to the rear of the centre axis of the side-car.

6.3.4. Geometric visibility

Horizontal angles: see Appendix 2.

Vertical angles: 15° above and below the horizontal.

However, the vertical angle below the horizontal may be reduced to 5° if the lamps are less than 750 mm above the ground.

6.3.5. Alignment

The front direction indicator lamps may move in line with the steering angle.

6.3.6. May be grouped with one or more lamps.

6.3.7. May not be combined with any other lamp.

6.3.8. May not be reciprocally incorporated with any other lamp.

6.3.9. Electrical connections

Direction indicator lamps must switch on independently of the other lamps. All direction indicator lamps on one side of a vehicle must be switched on and off by means of one control.

6.3.10. Operational telltale: compulsory.

This may be optical or auditory or both. If it is optical it must be a green flashing light and visible under all normal operating conditions. It must be extinguished or remain alight without flashing or show a marked change of frequency in the event of the malfunction of any of the direction indicator lamps. If it is entirely auditory it must be clearly audible and show the same operating conditions as the optical telltale.

6.3.11. Other requirements

The characteristics listed below must be measured with the electrical generator supplying current only to those circuits that are essential to the operation of the engine and lighting devices.

6.3.11.1. Actuation of the light-signalling device control must be followed by illumination of the lamp within a maximum of one second and initial extinction of the lamp within a maximum of one and a half seconds.

6.3.11.2.

In the case of all vehicles the direction indicator lamps of which are supplied with direct current:

6.3.11.2.1. the flashing-light frequency must be 90 ± 30 times per minute;

6.3.11.2.2. the direction indicator lamps on the same side of the vehicle must flash at the same frequency and in phase.

6.3.11.3.

Where a vehicle is fitted with direction indicator lamps which are supplied with alternating current, when the engine speed lies between 50 and 100 % of the speed corresponding to the maximum speed of the vehicle:

6.3.11.3.1. the lights must flash at a frequency of 90 ± 30 times per minute;

6.3.11.3.2. the direction indicator lamps may flash on the same side of the vehicle either simultaneously or alternately. The front lamps must not be visible to the rear nor the rear lamps to the front within the zones defined in Appendix 1.

6.3.11.4.

Where the direction indicator lamps fitted to a vehicle are supplied with alternating current, when the engine speed lies between the idling speed specified by the manufacturer and 50 % of the speed corresponding to the maximum speed of the vehicle:

6.3.11.4.1. the flashing frequency must lie between 90 + 30 and 90 – 45 times per minute;

6.3.11.4.2. direction indicator lamps on the same side of the vehicle may flash either simultaneously or alternately. The front lamps must not be visible to the rear, nor the rear lamps visible to the front within the zones defined in Appendix 1.

6.3.11.5. In the event of failure, other than a short circuit, of one direction indicator lamp, the other must continue to flash, or remain lit, but the frequency in this state may be different from that specified.