HVIA’s Trailer Status Light Working Group is putting together a submission for the Vehicle Standards Consultative Forum (VSCF) to create a category within the ADRs for externally fitted trailer status lights and give guidance on what fitment options would be compliant.
We believe a submission is required as there is no explicit ADR category for fitment of these types of lights which has created uncertainty and concerns in industry.
What Is A Trailer Status Light?
A trailer status light is a status or warning light fitted externally to a heavy trailer which is intended to inform the driver that a critical function, mechanism or piece of equipment is operational or correctly engaged.
Some examples of trailer status lights might be Trailer EBS operation and warning lights, refrigerator operation lights, reverse system driver indicator lights, fifth wheel locking lights etc.
What We Want Feedback On?
To inform this submission we are trying to understand:
1. If any members or operators in general have received infringements for externally fitted status lights in the past 12 months; and
2. What types of external status lights are currently being fitted in the field. Where are they fitted, size, brightness, do they extend past vehicle width etc?
We welcome feedback on either or both points to inform this submission and ensure we have captured the range of fitment options and types in our consideration.
If you would like to contribute, please provide preliminary information via email to Rachel Michaud at r.michaud@hvia.asn.au by November 26, 2025.