Vehicle livery, chevron kits & EC104

Rules and regulations

Chapter 8 part 2 section O5.2.3 (of the Traffic Signs manual) requires that on high-speed roads (50 mph+), all vehicles stopping on the highway for purposes of works or inspections shall be equipped with high visibility rear markings. It also requires or allows for other markings too, for example, to the sides of long vehicles that are used in temporary traffic management situations.

• Permitted markings include chevrons comprising alternate strips of fluorescent orange-red retroreflective material and fluorescent yellow non-retroreflective material.

• Each strip of the chevron must be not less than 150mm in width, inclined at 45-60° to the horizontal and pointing upwards.

• An alternative to chevrons is a solid block of fluorescent orange-red retroreflective material.

• Red retroreflective tape must also be applied to all rear facing edges of open doors, guardrails and equipment lockers, and to the face of any device that obscures the markings and is displayed to the rear.

• The reflective markings must be ‘Class RA2’ or ‘microprismatic’ (e.g. 3M™ Diamond Grade™ DG³ reflective sheeting) in the case of rear markings and ‘high visibility fluorescent or non-fluorescent yellow reflective’ in the case of side markings.

From July 2011, all newly registered HGVs over 7.5 tonnes and trailers over 3.5 tonnes must have reflective markings that clearly outline the rear and sides of the vehicle to make it visible for up to 1000 metres at night. ECE104 specifies the standard for the reflective materials used, and where and how it must be positioned on the vehicle or trailer.

• ECE104 requires that homologated retroreflective markings be applied to rigid, curtain and tanker vehicles with a mass over 7.5 tonnes or trailers that have a mass over 3.5 tonnes.

• The reflective material must carry the “E-mark” which means the tape meets the minimum requirements of the regulation.

• Markings have been mandatory in the UK from July 2011, and may be complete or partial as per the diagrams shown.

• Red or yellow markings must be used for the rear of the vehicle, as close as practicable to the edge of the vehicle.

• Yellow or white markings may be used for the side of vehicles, covering at least 80 per cent of its length

• The reflective markings must be ‘Class RA2’ or ‘microprismatic’ (e.g. 3M™ Diamond Grade™ DG³ reflective sheeting) in the case of rear markings and ‘high visibility fluorescent or non-fluorescent yellow reflective’ in the case of side markings.