Reversing light: role, operation and maintenance

The reversing lamp is one of the lighting elements of your car. Located at the rear, it lights up when you engage reverse gear to warn motorists behind you. A reversing light is optional, even if fitted to most vehicles.

🔎 What is a reversing light for?

Le reverse light is part of the optics and vehicle lighting system. It is located at the back of your vehicle and, as the name suggests, warns drivers behind you that your vehicle is in reverse.

Hence, it is a safety device. It lights up when reversing and emits a light that won't blind the person behind you. Unlike other headlights in your car, the reversing light does not require your intervention: its operation is simple. Automatic.

In fact, the reversing light comes on when you set the gear lever to march arrier... For this, the reversing light works thanks to contactor located on the gearbox, which serves as a switch for turning on the reversing lamp.

🚘 How many reversing lights does the car have?

Maybe one or two reversing lights on the vehicle. Thus, the number of reversing lights installed on your vehicle depends on the model. If your vehicle has only one reversing light, it is located on the right side or in the center of the rear of the vehicle.

🛑 Is a reversing light required?

The French road code does not provide for not necessarily reversing light. Its article R313-15 only states that cars and trailers may be equipped with one or more reversing lamps, which in this case must emit a non-dazzling white light.

Naturally, it is desirable to have at least one reversing light, given its role in safety. Its presence allows you to warn the car following you about reversing, which reduces the risk of collision. Therefore, the vast majority of cars are equipped with reversing lights.

Therefore, it is not an offense to have a reversing light missing or not. On the other hand, the correct operation of your reversing light is checked during technical control... This cannot be considered as a failure and lead to the abandonment of technical control orreturn visit.

However, the controller will check:

• Condition and color of signs : The cabochon must not be missing, damaged or discolored, and the color of the light must be the same.
• How the reversing light works.
• Mounting reversing lights.

If your reversing light does not meet these three criteria, there may be a note on your inspection report informing you of the problem. Adjust it for a safe ride.

💡 Reversing light that no longer lights up: what to do?

Like all of your headlights, your reversing light can fail. In this case, it may not light up or, conversely, remain so constantly or blink. The reason for the failure can be different. For example, if your car has two reversing lights and only one is broken, start with change the light bulb... If this does not solve the problem, replace the fuse for this backup light.

If you only have one reversing light and it doesn't light up, or you have two and neither of them works, it might be electrical problem or on the contactor. However, check the bulbs first, then you will need to check the cables, case, fuse, etc.

If your backup light is on continuously, it is likely an electrical problem as well. Check the entire circuit in the same way, and in particular the contactor, as it is this that acts as a switch.

So now you know everything about reversing lights! As you already understood, it plays an important role for your safety and therefore it is better to keep it in good condition. To repair your reversing light in the event of a breakdown, go through our garage comparator and find a mechanic at the best price!