Looking at the long brake-looking light across the back of a truck? The usual name is a tailgate light bar or LED tailgate light bar. The small factory brake lamp up high above the rear window is usually called the third brake light or center high-mounted stop lamp.
That difference matters when you are trying to buy the part, explain a repair, or add an extra rear light without confusing it with the factory lamp. Search the wrong name and you end up in the wrong aisle fast.
We see this one a lot in truck lighting. Same rear of the vehicle, totally different part.
Quick summary
- A high brake light above the rear window is usually a third brake light or center high-mounted stop lamp.
- A long strip across the tailgate is usually a tailgate light bar, LED tailgate light bar, brake light bar, or auxiliary rear light bar.
- A tailgate light bar can support brake, running, turn-signal, and hazard effects when the product and wiring support those functions.
- Do not treat an aftermarket tailgate light bar as a replacement for required factory brake lights.
- Before ordering, measure the rear mounting path and check that the light will not block the handle, camera, license plate, hitch, or factory lights.
What the bar brake light is called
Picture the rear of a pickup at night. There is a small red light centered high above the back glass, and then there may be a long red or red/amber strip across the tailgate area. People call both of them “that bar brake light,” but they are not the same thing.
That high factory lamp is the third brake light. In more formal language, you will also see center high-mounted stop lamp, often shortened to CHMSL. That term belongs to the high-mounted stop lamp position, not every long red light on the rear of a truck.
A long strip across the lower tailgate is usually a tailgate light bar. When it also reacts to braking, people may call it a brake light bar, auxiliary brake light, LED tailgate strip, rear signal light bar, or truck tailgate light bar.
Small naming detail. Big search difference.
Common rear brake-light terms
If you are searching for a part, use the name that matches the position on the truck. Here is the plain-English split.
| Term | Where it usually sits | What it usually means | Good search phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third brake light | High and centered, often above the rear window or on the cab. | The extra factory-style high brake lamp drivers see above the main tail lamps. | third brake light replacement |
| Center high-mounted stop lamp | Same high center position. | The more formal technical name for the third brake light position. | center high mounted stop lamp |
| Tailgate light bar | Across the lower tailgate, rear bumper area, or rear body line. | An aftermarket rear strip used for pickup styling and added brake/running/signal effects when supported. | pickup tailgate light bar |
| Brake light bar | Usually a rear strip or auxiliary light across the back of a vehicle. | A casual name people use when the strip lights during braking. | LED brake light bar for truck |
| Auxiliary brake light | Extra rear lighting, depending on the vehicle and product. | A supplemental lamp, not a reason to remove or cover factory required lights. | auxiliary rear brake light |
Where a pickup tailgate light bar fits
A pickup tailgate light bar is for the truck owner who wants the rear end to look wider, brighter, and more finished after dark. It is not trying to replace the factory tail lamps or the high third brake light. Think of it as extra rear lighting, not the main brake system.
Our pickup tailgate light bar is a fishbone-style LED strip for the rear tailgate area. Verified functions include brake light, running light, left turn signal, right turn signal, and double-flash hazard effects. It comes in 48-inch and 60-inch options, with adhesive mounting and a 4-pin connector setup.
Here is the catch: this is a wired exterior light, not a peel-and-forget decoration. You still need to measure the rear mounting path, protect the wiring, and test every function before final routing.
What to call this product
For everyday shopping, call it a pickup tailgate light bar or LED tailgate light bar. If you are describing what it does, “rear brake and signal light bar” also makes sense.
Best fit: pickup tailgates and suitable rear mounting paths where 48 or 60 inches gives a clean, centered line.
Do not call it: a third brake light replacement. It is an added rear light bar, not the factory high-mounted stop lamp.
View the pickup tailgate light bar
Wiring and road-use notes
Rear lighting gets sensitive because other drivers read it as brake, turn, and hazard information. That is why we keep the advice conservative: do not cover factory lights, do not block the backup camera, license plate, hitch, or handle, and do not randomly splice into unknown wires.
For this Tutu Car Light tailgate bar, the product facts call for the included 4-pin connector and wiring harness. The install notes also say to test brake, running light, left turn signal, right turn signal, and hazard functions before final cable routing. Keep wiring away from moving tailgate parts, sharp edges, exhaust heat, and spots where water can sit.
In the United States, required vehicle lamps and reflective equipment are covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. NHTSA guidance on auxiliary lighting also points back to a practical standard: extra lighting should not impair the effectiveness of required lighting equipment. In plain English, an added bar should support rear visibility, not confuse the signals your truck already has.
FAQ
What is the bar brake light called?
If the light is a long strip across the lower tailgate, it is usually called a tailgate light bar, LED tailgate light bar, brake light bar, or auxiliary rear light bar. If it is the small high lamp above the rear window, it is usually called the third brake light or center high-mounted stop lamp.
Is a tailgate light bar the same as a third brake light?
No. A third brake light sits high and centered. A tailgate light bar usually runs across the lower rear tailgate area as an added rear lighting accessory.
Can a tailgate light bar replace my factory brake lights?
No. Treat it as an added rear light, not a replacement for factory brake lights, turn signals, tail lamps, or the high-mounted stop lamp.
What size tailgate light bar do I need?
Measure the rear mounting path before ordering. The Tutu Car Light pickup tailgate light bar comes in 48-inch and 60-inch options, so the right size depends on your tailgate width and where the strip can sit cleanly.
Does a tailgate light bar need wiring?
Yes. This is not a rechargeable light. The Tutu Car Light version uses a 4-pin connector and wiring harness, so you should test every function before final routing.
Is a tailgate light bar street legal?
Rules can vary by state and by how the light is wired, placed, and used. Keep factory required lights visible, avoid confusing brake or turn signals, and check local requirements before relying on any aftermarket rear lighting on public roads.
Buying the long strip across the truck tailgate? Search for “pickup tailgate light bar.” Replacing the high lamp above the rear window? Search for “third brake light” or “center high-mounted stop lamp.” Different names, different parts, fewer returns.
Choose a pickup tailgate light bar