Conspicuity Marking Requirements On Goods Vehicles: Logistics UK Compliance Guide

When do you need to display reflective ‘conspicuity’ markings on your vehicle?

This information provides details of the legislation regarding conspicuity markings and guidance on how to comply with the marking requirements including examples of various vehicle body types and designs. It has been produced for information purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the full legislative details contained in UN ECE Regulations or the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

Conspicuity Marking Requirements on Goods Vehicles: FTA Compliance Guide (GOV.UK)

NOTE: FTA (Freight Transport Association) is now Logistics UK.

Conspicuity marking requirements on goods vehicles: FTA compliance guide
Published: Edition 3: September 2013
Type(s): 12 page PDF booklet – FTA compliance guide
Product code: n/a
Price: Free
Summary: Download this PDF guide which aims to explain how the Department for Transport (DfT) has committed to implementing European legislation on the fitment of conspicuity markings to large goods vehicles.
These markings effectively illuminate the outline of a vehicle at night by reflection from the headlights of vehicles following behind.
This guide provides details of and how to comply with European conspicuity marking legislation which says they must be fitted to all HGVs.
DfT research estimates they would potentially prevent 76 deaths and serious accidents each year if they were fitted to all goods vehicles.
The guide is not intended to be a substitute for the full legislative details contained in UN ECE Regulations or the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

» Additional useful information can also be found here: conspicuity markings for goods vehicles

» To browse our range of compliant reflective conspicuity tapes, click here.

Introduction

The Department for Transport (DfT) has committed to implementing European legislation on the fitment of conspicuity markings to large goods vehicles.
These markings effectively illuminate the outline of a vehicle at night by reflection from the headlights of vehicles following behind.

DfT’s research estimates the potential to prevent 76 killed and serious injury accidents per year if all goods vehicles were fitted with conspicuity markings.

These requirements were intended to be transposed into the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations and enter into force on 10th October 2009.
However, in September 2009, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that the requirement for heavy goods vehicles to be fitted with conspicuity markings had been postponed and would be introduced from 10th July 2011.

This guide provides details of the legislation regarding conspicuity markings and guidance on how to comply with the marking requirements including examples of various vehicle body types and designs. It has been produced for information purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the full legislative details contained in UN ECE Regulations or the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

Edition 2 of the guide incorporates amendments to UN ECE Regulation 48 which entered into force on 9th December 2010 concerning derogations and changes to height requirements for conspicuity markings.

Background

Currently, the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (RVLR) require certain motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes to be fitted with retro-reflective rear marker plates approved to the European Regulation, UNECE Regulation 70.00. (The latest version of this regulation is known as Regulation 70.01, however the UK still permits the use of Regulation 70.00 marker plates.)

These plates are fitted in addition to rear lights and reflectors and are intended to make the vehicle more conspicuous to other drivers so they are aware of the presence of a large, potentially slow moving vehicle.

Some vehicle operators also fit conspicuity markings to their vehicles.
These are vertical and horizontal lines of retroreflective material which emphasise the length and shape of the vehicle and also warn other drivers of their presence.
UNECE Regulation 104 (R104) provides a technical specification for these conspicuity markings and their use on vehicles in the UK is optional at present under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations.

UNECE Regulation 48 (R48) is a European regulation that sets out harmonised installation requirements for vehicle lights and reflectors.
It is broadly equivalent to the RVLR and the UK cannot refuse registration of vehicles approved to this regulation on the grounds of their lighting.

Recently R48 was amended to mandate R104 specification conspicuity markings on certain new H.G.V.’s and trailers.