Trucks no longer need license plate lights when towing a trailer

The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposes to remove a rule requiring license plate lights on the back of truck tractors when they are towing a trailer. This means truck drivers will not be cited for missing lights that are often blocked by the trailer anyway.

For years, truck drivers have faced fines for a safety rule that made little sense in practice. The lights on the back of a truck tractor are often obscured by the trailer it is pulling, making them useless. This change removes a minor but persistent source of frustration and unnecessary citations for truckers.