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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), along with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for vehicle manufacturers, require interstate motor carriers to equip their tractors and trailers with conspicuity systems, usually consisting of reflective tape and/or reflectors.
Scope
These requirements apply to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in interstate commerce, including trailers and semitrailers at least 80 inches wide with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 393.13 — Retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors, requirements for semitrailers and trailers manufactured before December 1, 1993
- 49 CFR 571.108: S 8.2 — Conspicuity systems
Key definitions
- None
Summary of requirements
Each trailer or semitrailer of 80 inches (2,032 mm) or more in overall width, and with a GVWR over 10,000 lbs., and truck tractors must be equipped with:
- Retroreflective sheeting,
- Reflex reflectors, or
- A combination of retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors.
Application pattern. Retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors must be applied in a pattern of alternating white and red color segments to the sides and lower rear of each trailer and to the lower rear of each truck tractor. The sheeting or reflex reflectors on the upper rear corners of each trailer/semitrailer and truck tractor must be white.
Neither red nor white sheeting or reflex reflectors must represent more than two-thirds of the aggregate of any continuous strip marking the width of the trailer, or any continuous or broken strip marking its length.
Rear of trailer/semitrailer. Retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors must be applied to the rear of the trailer/semitrailer as follows:
- Alternating red and white segments at least two inches (50 mm) wide applied to the rear of the vehicle in a continuous horizontal strip and as close to the edges as possible,
- Pairs of 12-inch (300 mm) white strips applied horizontally and vertically to the upper right and left corners of the rear of the vehicle, and
- A single strip of red and white sheeting across the full width of the rear underride bar.
Side of trailer/semitrailer. Alternating red and white segments that are at least two inches (50 mm) wide must be applied horizontally to the sides of the vehicle so that not less than 50 percent of its length is covered — with the spaces between the sheeting being as equal as possible.
Rear of truck tractor. Retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors must be applied to the rear of a truck tractor as follows:
- Two strips in red and white alternating colors, at least 24 inches (600 mm) long, must be placed as close to the edges of the rear fenders, mudflaps, or mudflap support brackets as possible to mark the width of the truck tractor; and
- Two pairs of white strips (each pair consisting of strips 12 inches (300 mm) long), must be applied as horizontally and vertically as possible, to the right and left upper contours of the cab, as close to the top of the cab and as far apart as possible.
The following illustrations demonstrate several types of conspicuity treatment.
Exception. These requirements do not apply to straight trucks.