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Conspicuity (Reflective) Tape - Guidance & Requirements

Technical guidance on UNECE Regulation 104 and related Regulation 48 requirements for conspicuity (reflective) tape on goods vehicles and trailers.

Overview

On January 4, 2010, changes to the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (RVLR) introduced new rules requiring reflective markings on large goods vehicles (LGVs). These markings make vehicles more visible at night by reflecting light from the headlights of vehicles behind them. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), these markings could help prevent up to 76 serious or fatal accidents each year

Scope & Application

MAM & dates: Mandatory conspicuity markings apply to goods vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) greater than 7.5 tonnes first used on or after 10 July 2011, and to trailers with MAM greater than 3.5 tonnes manufactured on or after 10 July 2011.

 

Exemptions: 

Vehicles with MAM ≤ 7.5 t.

Trailers with MAM ≤ 3.5 t.

Incomplete vehicles intended for completion or sale (not yet first used).

Tractor units (traction heads).

Vehicles or trailers with a width ≤ 2.1 m (no rear markings required).

Vehicles or trailers with a length ≤ 6 m (no side markings required).

Rear Markings - Requirements

The rear must be fitted with full contour markings (horizontal and vertical reflective lines outlining the vehicle’s rear profile). Rear markings should be positioned as close as practicable to the vehicle’s outer edges and should cover approximately 80% of the vehicle width.

Markings shall not obscure mandatory lamps. Allow a clearance of at least 200 mm from any mandatory stop lamp when affixing rear conspicuity tape.

 

Placement for rear contour markings:

 

Lower line: typically between 250 mm and 1,500 mm above ground level; in some vehicle geometries lower markings may be placed up to 2,500 mm above ground where necessary.

Upper line: should be located within 400 mm of the top of the vehicle.

 

Example - width coverage: A vehicle 2.55 m wide should have rear contour marking arranged so that roughly 2.04 m (≈80%) of width is delineated by reflective  lines placed as close to the outer edges as practicable while maintaining required lamp clearances.

 

Side Markings - Requirements

Side markings must cover 80% of the vehicle length, excluding the cab. However, the cab area must also have a minimum marking extending 600mm from the front of the vehicle, with markings at least 50mm high by 50mm wide.

If the side markings cover 80% of the length from the rear of the cab to the vehicle’s rear, gaps between the cab markings and the rest of the vehicle’s markings can be ignored.

To meet the 80% requirement, the side markings must extend within 600mm of each end of the vehicle

 

 

            Example: On a rigid vehicle where the rear-of-cab → rear = 8 m, side marking must cover at least 6.4 m (80%)       

 

Breaks, Gaps & Continuity

Breaks in the marking are permitted where necessary (doors, fittings, design), but:

 

Any gap must be less than 50% of the shortest adjacent marking element.

If a gap exceeds 50% it must be as short as possible and must not be greater than 1 metre.

Gaps in excess of 50% usually require justification by the vehicle manufacturer to the type-approval authority.

Orientation & Positioning

Markings should be as close to vertical or horizontal as practicable; where this is not achievable they should follow the outer contour of the vehicle while maintaining correct legibility and retroreflective performance. Avoid steep diagonal placement that reduces conspicuity from typical approach angles.

 

Material & Dimension Specifications

Requirement

Specification

Minimum area allocation (Reg.48)

60 mm minimum width allocation for the marking area.

Reg.104 marking material width    

50 mm nominal with tolerance +10 / -0 mm (i.e. 50 mm nominal, may be up to 60 mm).

Approval

Material must be E-marked / approved to UNECE Regulation 104 to be compliant for mandatory markings.

Performance

Material must meet prescribed reflectivity, colour and durability tests in Regulation 104.

Use Reg.104 E-marked materials and ensure the vehicle fitment accommodates the 60 mm allocation required by Reg.48.

Colours & Compliance

Markings should be as close to vertical or horizontal as practicable; where this is not achievable they should follow the outer contour of the vehicle while maintaining correct legibility and retroreflective performance. Avoid steep diagonal placement that reduces conspicuity from typical approach angles.

 

     Rear: red or yellow reflective material.      

     Sides: yellow or white reflective material.      

     Make sure: only E-marked materials should be used for mandatory conspicuity markings - non E-marked products are not compliant for regulatory fitment.    

Fitment & Installer Notes

  1. Confirm vehicle MAM and first-use/manufacture dates to determine mandatory application.
  2. Prepare and clean the surface prior to applying tape (remove corrosion, grease, paint failure).
  3. Plan the marking pattern: use measurements to ensure side coverage ≥ 80% and side markings lie within 600 mm of each end.
  4. Observe vertical placement (lower = 250–1,500 mm; up to 2,500 mm if necessary). For rear upper lines, ensure within 400 mm of the top of vehicle if fitted.
  5. Maintain ≥ 200 mm clearance from mandatory stop lamps on the rear.
  6. Keep gaps <50% of the shortest adjacent marking element; where gaps exceed 50% ensure they are ≤1 m and have manufacturer justification.
  7. Record material E-mark details, batch numbers and photos of fitment for fleet audit and compliance records.

Operator Compliance Checklist

Vehicle

Confirm MAM and first use/manufacture date.

Confirm whether vehicle type (rigid, trailer, tractor unit) requires markings.

Measure length and width for coverage requirements.

Marking

Side coverage ≥ 80% (rear-of-cab → rear).

Side markings within 600 mm of each end.

Lower markings: 250–1,500 mm (or up to 2,500 mm when necessary).

Rear upper line (if fitted): within 400 mm of top.

Rear coverage ≈ 80% width; keep ≥ 200 mm from stop lamps.

Gaps < 50% of adjacent element (or ≤ 1 m if justified).

   Shop E-Marked Reflective Tape    

Operator Compliance Checklist

Mandatory where
Goods vehicles > 7.5 t MAM first used on/after 10 Jul 2011; trailers > 3.5 t MAM manufactured on/after 10 Jul 2011.


Side coverage
80% of length (rear-of-cab → rear). Side markings within 600 mm of each end. Lower 250–1,500 mm (up to 2,500 mm).


Rear
Full contour marking; ≈80% width; ≥200 mm from stop lamps. Upper line (if fitted) within 400 mm of top.


Materials
UNECE Reg.48 allocation 60 mm; Reg.104 marking material nominal 50 mm (+10 / -0). E-mark required.


Colours
Rear - red or yellow. Sides - yellow or white.

   Shop E-Marked Reflective Tape    

 

 

This guide is based on the HGV conspicuity marking rules published on the UK Government website. These pages are to be used as guidance only - please 
check anything that you feel may apply to you on the official website - https://www.gov.uk/. 
Parma Group is not liable for any mistakes made due to this guide - it is the responsibility of the reader to check anything written.