Rules in detail: Retro-reflectors and yellow material

Retro-reflector on motorcycles

What the rule says. You may not ride a motorcycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar or a motor tricycle on a public road unless a red retro-reflector is fitted on the rear of it.

Why it matters. A reflector lets others see you in the lights of their vehicle, and a motorcycle is small and easy to miss in the dark. The rule covers three kinds of machine: the motorcycle, the motorcycle with a sidecar and the motor tricycle.

In practice. A rider with a sidecar combination checks the rear of the machine before a trip. One red retro-reflector must be fitted there, the same as on a solo motorcycle.

Key idea: Motorcycle, sidecar or tricycle: one red rear reflector.

Retro-reflectors on light motor vehicles

What the rule says. A light motor vehicle must be fitted on the rear with two red retro-reflectors, one on each side.

Why it matters. Two reflectors show the width of the vehicle as well as its presence. This rule is for the light motor vehicle, so it differs from the single reflector needed on a motorcycle. Both reflectors are red and both go on the rear.

In practice. Before a night trip you walk around your car and see only one reflector on the rear. That is not enough, because two are required, one on each side.

Key idea: Light motor vehicle: two red rear reflectors, one each side.

Rear retro-reflectors on heavy motor vehicles

What the rule says. A heavy motor vehicle may not be used on a public road unless two red retro-reflectors are fitted on the rear at the same height, one on each side.

Why it matters. This rule applies to heavy motor vehicles, so a truck needs the same two-reflector arrangement as a light motor vehicle, with the added height requirement. Matching height makes the vehicle's width easy to judge from behind.

In practice. A truck has its left rear reflector mounted lower than the right one. The reflectors must be at the same height, so this must be corrected.

Key idea: Heavy motor vehicle: two red rear reflectors, same height, one each side.

Yellow side retro-reflectors

What the rule says. A heavy motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles may not be used on a public road if its overall length is more than 7 metres, unless yellow retro-reflectors are fitted on each side of it. There must be enough of them that no two successive yellow retro-reflectors are more than 3,6 metres apart. If yellow reflective strips are fitted to a goods vehicle, yellow retro-reflectors are not necessary.

Why it matters. Reflectors along the side show the length of a big vehicle at night.

In practice. A combination 10 metres long is over 7 metres, so each side needs yellow reflectors spaced no more than 3,6 metres apart, or yellow reflective strips instead.

Key idea: Over 7 m long: yellow side reflectors at most 3,6 m apart.

Yellow reflective material on goods vehicles

What the rule says. From 1 January 2001, yellow reflective material as prescribed must be fitted to the sides and rear of all goods vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of more than 10 000 kilograms. Goods vehicles with a GVM of 10 000 kilograms or less may be fitted with the strips on the sides and rear, but it is not compulsory.

Why it matters. Strips make large vehicles visible from the side and behind.

In practice. A goods vehicle with a GVM of 11 000 kilograms must carry the strips. One with a GVM of 8 000 kilograms may carry them, but does not have to.

Key idea: Compulsory above 10 000 kg GVM; optional at 10 000 kg or less.

Quick recap

• Motorcycle, sidecar or tricycle: one red rear retro-reflector
• Light motor vehicle: two red rear retro-reflectors, one each side
• Heavy motor vehicle: two red rear retro-reflectors at the same height
• Over 7 metres long: yellow side retro-reflectors
• Yellow side retro-reflectors: no more than 3,6 metres apart
• Yellow reflective strips make yellow retro-reflectors unnecessary
• Goods vehicle over 10 000 kg GVM: yellow material on sides and rear