Rücklichtern

Rücklichter is the German term for the rear lighting assemblies of motor vehicles, commonly referred to as taillights in English. They are located at the rear of cars, trucks, and motorcycles and serve to indicate the vehicle’s presence and position to drivers behind them.

They perform several functions, including rear position lighting, brake indication, turn signaling, and reversing illumination. In many vehicles, these signals are produced by a single unit or by a pair of taillight clusters, sometimes sharing circuitry and light sources.

Color and regulatory requirements vary by country. Typically, rear position lights and brake lights are red, while reversing lights are white. Turn signals may be integrated into the same housing and can use amber or red lenses depending on local rules. The exact arrangement is specified by national or regional vehicle-safety standards.

Advances in lighting have led to the use of LEDs, better durability, and electronics that adjust brightness or alert the driver to a malfunction. Tail light design also considers visibility from wide angles and under adverse weather, contributing to overall road safety.