What is the Difference Between a Corner Light and a Side Marker Light?

Since your vehicle is equipped with several types of automotive lighting, it’s not uncommon for you to confuse two supplementary lights with each other—especially if they look similar or are mounted near the same component.

Corner lights and side marker lights are both found on the sides of your vehicle, but they have different functions. To put it simply, the latter helps other drivers see your vehicle—your position, where you’re turning, and the like—while the former provides additional lighting in low visibility situations.

Side marker lights are auxiliary safety lights that give other drivers a clear view of your vehicle’s position and direction of travel from various angles. They illuminate with your vehicle’s headlights or blink with the directionals and are usually located near your vehicle’s bumper, fender, or rear quarter panel.

Corner lights, as previously mentioned, help improve visibility when making turns. They function similarly to headlights in that they project a beam of light on a certain area of the road.

Since they are not used to signal a turn or communicate with other motorists, they are not considered indicator lights.