Trailer Conspicuity Retrofit Rule Takes Effect

Under federal requirements, trailers and semitrailers manufactured before Dec 1, 1993, now must be retrofitted with retroreflective tape or an array of reflex reflectors. The final date for compliance was June 1, 2001.

This rule applies to trailers and semitrailers that have an overall width of 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more and a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 4,536 kilograms (10,001 pounds). The exceptions are trailers manufactured exclusively for use as offices or dwellings, pole trailers, and trailers transported in a driveaway-towaway operation.

Trailers built after the 1993 date are delivered from the factory with reflective tape and do not need to be retrofitted.

Retrofit rules require retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors to be installed along the sides, lower rear, and upper rear of applicable trailers and semitrailers. Sheeting or reflectors along the sides and lower rear area are to be in an alternating red-and-white pattern. However, the rule says, “Retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors in colors or color combinations other than red and white may be used on the sides or lower rear area of the semitrailer or trailer until June 1, 2009.” The conspicuity treatments then will have to be identical to those on new trailers.

Alternative colors do not apply to the upper rear area of the trailer. “The retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors on the upper rear area of the trailer must be white and conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (Section 5.7),” says the rule.