Red and white reverse lights- why?

So I recently finished a Tamiya R34 GT-R (really!!). Pics forthcoming, soon as I manage to take some decent ones.

But it has me wondering about something. The reverse lights (flanking the rear license plate) are not both white, the way they would be in the US or in most of Europe. One is white, and the other is red. I have a couple of other kits in my collection (Porsche Carrera GT comes to mind) like this also.

What's up with this? I'm guessing it is mostly a Japanese (and UK?) thing? Do they function as normal reverse lights, both coming on when the transmission is in reverse- just in two different colors? Anyone care to illuminate me on this?



Next, can anyone explain the yellow headlight thing in France?

With reference to the red/white, one will be a reverse light, one a fog/high visibility light or a reflector.

As for yellow lamps in France - no idea either...

"Most jurisdictions permit rear fog lamps to be installed either singly or in pairs. If a single rear fog is fitted, most jurisdictions require it to be located at or to the driver's side of the vehicle's centreline — whichever side is the prevailing driver's side (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_directionality) in the country in which the vehicle is registered.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#cite_note-R48-18) This is to maximise the sight line of following drivers to the rear fog lamp. In many cases, a single reversing lamp is mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle, positionally symmetrical with the rear fog."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Rear_fog_lamps

With reference to the red/white, one will be a reverse light, one a fog/high visibility light or a reflector.

As for yellow lamps in France - no idea either...

Yellow lamp in France is just the former generation of lamps, if right it has been replaced by clear ones in the mid 80's.
Only historic or former cars still have yellow lamps.

For the reverse and fog lights what has been said above is correct, in France and i assume in Europe in general neither two reverse nor two rear fog lamps have to be there, you can only have one of each, usually reverse on the right fog on the left.

Most of the currently sold cars now have two fog lamps and two reverse lamps, except a few small cars.

You can also notice that on some older french cars which lacked them an additionnal reverse and/or fog lamp has been added under bumper.

I too can confirm the "one reverse, one fog light" set up. :wink: Volkswagen in Australia anyways...
My 2010 Golf GTI has this set up, and to this day, nearly 4 years old, I still get people coming up saying,
"hey buddy, you know you only got 1 reverse light?" :rofl:

Correct: red fog light on the left, white reverse light on the right. On right hand drive cars, red fog light on the right, white reverse light on the left.