Turn indicator & side marker
Reliable, bright and efficient led solutions for signaling visibility and vehicle recognition
LED solutions for safety, visibility, and modern vehicle design
Turn indicators and side markers communicate a vehicle’s intent and presence, supporting safety and visibility in traffic. With the rise of dynamic signaling and increasingly slim, integrated lighting designs, these functions play a critical role in vehicle identity. ams OSRAM supports this evolution with compact, high‑performance LEDs and driver ICs that enable bright, uniform, and compliant turn‑indicator and side‑marker solutions.
What are turn indicators and side markers?
Turn indicators — also called turn signals or blinkers — are flashing amber or yellow lights mounted on the vehicle to indicate the driver’s intention to turn or change lanes. When activated on both sides simultaneously, they serve as a hazard warning signal. In some regions, additional side marker lights are required to highlight the vehicle outline when the headlamps or parking lights are on; these do not need to flash but may operate synchronously with the turn indicator.
Technology overview: LEDs and LED Modules
Turn indicators and side markers typically use ECE‑amber or yellow LEDs, while rear indicators may also use red LEDs depending on regional regulations. This page focuses on amber/yellow LEDs, which represent the majority of global turn‑indicator and side‑marker applications.
For additional information on suitable red LEDs for rear indicators or marker functions, please refer to the Rear combination light page. LEDs for turn indicators and side markers are available in multiple sizes and brightness categories to support diverse installation positions, such as mirror‑mounted indicators, or integrated rear‑lamp designs. Replaceable LED modules have also emerged to simplify servicing in vehicle platforms that prioritize maintainability.
For advanced styling, LED‑on‑foil technology in amber provides ultra‑thin, flexible, and curved lighting elements that enable unique design signatures. More details are available on our dedicated LED‑on‑Foil page.
Design aspects for turn indicator – blinking, sequential, projecting?
Turn indicators traditionally operate in a synchronized blinking mode on each side of the vehicle. Sequential turn indicators create a directional movement by illuminating LED segments in sequence, visually guiding the viewer toward the intended turning direction. LED‑on‑foil technology enables even finer segmentation, allowing smaller, smoother, and curved lighting elements for advanced design concepts. Recently, turn indicators with ground‑projection features have emerged, projecting an amber pattern onto the road surface to support assisted turning. Amber LEDs for these applications are referenced in this section; information on white LEDs for ground illumination or imager‑based projection systems can be found in the respective application pages.
FAQ: Below are some of the most common questions about side marker and turn indicator
Turn indicators are flashing amber/yellow lights used to signal direction changes or hazards. Side markers outline the vehicle body contour in some regions and typically remain steady‑lit.
In ams OSRAM terminology, “amber” refers to a slightly reddish‑amber tone, while ECE amber corresponds to the regulatory yellow‑amber range.
No. Autonomous‑driving indicator signals typically require cyan LEDs and are covered separately under “Car body illumination”.
LED‑on‑foil supports curved, thin, smooth, and even see‑through lighting elements, offering significantly greater design freedom for turn‑indicator applications.
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