Since we started helping our customers by supplying Australia's best vehicle and compliance signage, we can't help noticing how many heavy vehicles are on our roads sporting non-compliant rear marker plates (and oversize, long vehicle signs, you name it). They may be faded, not the correct reflective material, damaged, or missing altogether!
We thought it was time to answer any questions our customers may have around this issue - like at what stage do my rear marker plates become non-compliant? and what reflective material should be used?
Above: As a road user, which rear marker plate is safer and more visible to you?
Our friends at RoadBase have helped us put this article together for everyone's benefit - no heavy vehicle operator wants to find themselves in an accident that could have been prevented by having compliant signs, markers, beacons or other vital safety equipment.
First things first, under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, a defective heavy vehicle is defined as a heavy vehicle that: (a) contravenes the heavy vehicle standards, or (b) has a part that does not perform its intended function, or has deteriorated to the extent that it cannot be reasonably relied on to prefer its intended function.
Vehicle Standards Guide (VSG) 29, which covers the requirements of rear marking plates and do not overtake turning vehicle (DNOTV) signs then clearly states: "Rear marking plates that are faded, damaged, incorrectly fitted or no longer clearly marked with all required information must be replaced with Class 1A, 400 or UNR70 plates." Click here to download a copy of VSG 29.
All RoadBase rear marker and DNOTV plates feature fully compliant Class 1A retro-reflective material (look for the 'honeycomb' style), not the older Class 2, flat reflective material.
VSG 19, which covers the requirements of vehicle warning signs for combinations longer than 22m (i.e. long vehicles and road trains), also says that signs must "(be) displayed so that the entire sign is visible, and be maintained so that it can be easily read by other road users". Click here to download a copy of VSG 19.
Long vehicle and road train signs can either use Class 400 (Class 1) or Class 2 reflective material as specified under AS 1906.
So while there isn't really a measurable standard to determine if your faded signs are compliant, you must ensure all road users can easily read them. They must not have deteriorated to an extent they cannot be reasonably relied on to perform their intended function.
But hey - why not upgrade your signs if not 100% sure? Take pride in your equipment, and keep all road users safe.
As a guide though, we've included below some examples of signs on heavy vehicles, and have commented if we think they are compliant or not.
Above: the road train sign is very faded and needs cleaning. The DNOTV and rear marker plates are also faded, meaning the truck/trailer could be marked as being defective.
Above: this rear marker plate is very faded, and is the older style Class 2 reflective material. It could be marked defective, and should be upgraded to a sign with Class 1A reflective material.
Above: these rear marker plates are faded, damaged and non-compliant. They would definitely be marked as defective!
Above: while this sign is readable, it is the older reflective material and should be replaced with a Class 400 rear marker plate if it fades any more.
Above: this operator has done the right thing - the signs are very visible and are fully compliant.
Above: these signs, while older, are still visible and are compliant for the time being, but will need to be replaced with newer style Class 1A rear marker plates at some stage.
If you have any further questions or need any assistance with rear marker or vehicle warning sign compliance, please call us on 1300 880 448, or send us an email: sales@ultimax.com.au.
For more National Heavy Vehicle Regulator resources, please click here.