New Standards for Rear Marking of Heavy Vehicles in Australia

15 January 2021

Brendan

Find out more about the new rear marking standards for heavy vehicles in Australia.

It is a regulatory requirement that marking plates be placed on the rear of certain motor vehicles and trailers in order to improve their visibility and to provide the DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE warning to other motorists.

Class 2 reflective rear marking plates already fitted to vehicles are being phased out gradually. Operators will be permitted to continue using Class 2 reflective plates that are already fitted to their vehicle until they require normal replacement because the plates are damaged, have faded or are being replaced as they are incorrectly fitted.

From 1 January 2021, when an operator needs to replace the Class 2 plates fitted to a vehicle, the plates must be replaced with Class 1A, Class 400 or UNECE R70 reflective rear marking plates.

From 31 December 2020, the fitting of new Class 2 plates to a vehicle after this date is prohibited.

What vehicles MUST be fitted with ‘Do Not Overtake’ signs:

• Vehicles or combinations 7.5 metres or more in length that have to straddle lanes or turn from an adjacent lane to turn left or right at intersections.

What vehicles MAY be fitted with ‘Do Not Overtake’ signs:

• Any motor vehicle less than 12 tonnes GVM

• Any trailer less than 10 Tonnes GVM

What signs are needed?

• If space permits – use Category 33 and Category 34 as first choice.

• If Category 33 are selected, use either Category 31L or Category 33L as well.

• If Category 34 is selected, use Category 33 on the right, or use Category 34 on both sides

• If no room on the vehicle for Category 33 or 34, then Category 31 or Catergory 33L can be used. Use in conjunction with rear marker plates (Candy stripes)

• Candy Stripes to be used wherever space will permit to show each extremity of the vehicle.

Installation of Do Not Overtake signs:

• Maximum of 500mm space from each side of the vehicle

• Maximum of 2000mm gap from ground to the bottom of the sign

New Standards for Rear Marking of Heavy Vehicles in Australia

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