Do rear cargo carriers need lights and licence plates?

 Do rear cargo carriers need lights and licence plates?

When using a rear cargo carrier, it’s important to ensure that it does not obstruct your vehicle’s license plate or taillights. In many states, such obstruction may be illegal. We recommend checking your local laws and regulations to ensure compliance.

If your carrier does block the license plate or taillights, a lightboard is a practical and legal solution. Lightboards are designed to attach securely to the rear of the cargo carrier and typically connect to your vehicle’s towbar.

They are available with either 7-pin or 13-pin connectors, in both round and flat configurations. Many lightboards include one of these standard plug types. If your vehicle's socket differs, adapters are readily available to ensure compatibility between your vehicle and the lightboard.

Updated on: 15/09/2025