---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 20132"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "20132"
heading: "Visible markers for rear cars"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/20132"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Rail Programs"
  - "Part A — Safety"
  - "Chapter 201 — General"
  - "Subchapter II — Particular Aspects of Safety"
---

# §20132. Visible markers for rear cars

- (a) **General.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) of Transportation shall prescribe regulations and issue orders that may be necessary to require that—
  - (1) the rear car of each passenger and commuter train has at least one highly visible marker that is lighted during darkness and when weather conditions restrict clear visibility; and
  - (2) the rear car of each freight train has highly visible markers during darkness and when weather conditions restrict clear visibility.
- (b) **Preemption.—** Notwithstanding [section 20106 of this title](/usc/49/20106.md), [subsection (a)](#a) of this section does not prohibit a [State](/usc/49/26105.md?p=5) from continuing in force a law, regulation, or order in effect on July 8, 1976, related to lighted markers on the rear car of a freight train except to the extent it would cause the car to be in violation of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 873.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 20132(a) | 45:431(g) (1st sentence cls. (2), (3)). | Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 202(g) (1st sentence cls. (2), (3), last sentence); added July 8, 1976, Pub. L. 94–348, § 5(b), 90 Stat. 820. |
| 20132(b) | 45:431(g) (last sentence). |  |

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “within 180 days after July 8, 1976” are omitted as expired.