Requirements for Conspicuity DOT-C2 Reflective Tape to Meet Federal DOT Regulations

Why Is Conspicuity Reflective Tape Required On Large Trucks?

These requirements were set up by the FMCSA to help improve visibility in low light conditions and help reduce potentially fatal motor vehicle crashes into the sides or back of stopped or parked trucks and tractor trailers at night or in poor visibility. On December 10, 1992, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA published a final rule requiring that trailers manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, which have an overall width of 80 inches or more and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds, (with the exception of pole trailers and trailers designed exclusively for living or office use) be equipped on the sides and rear with a means for making them more visible on the road.

Is Trailer Reflective Tape Always Required?

The NHTSA ruling allows trailer manufacturers to install either red and white retro reflective tape or sheeting or reflex reflectors. This tape is commonly referred to as DOT C2 reflective tape and is thus marked for easy identification.

Who Should Use DOT C2 Trailer Reflective Tape?

Trucks over 10,000 pounds and wider than 80 inches must use DOT C2 approved reflective tapes to mark their trailers.

What Is DOT C2 Tape?

• DOT C2 is a reflector tape that meets minimum reflective criteria in an alternating pattern of white and red. It must be 2” wide and it must be stamped with the DOT C2 marking. Two patterns are accepted, you may use the 6/6 (6″ red and 6″ white) or 7/11 (7″ white and 11″ red).
• An evenly spaced pattern of strips 12”, 18” or 24” long may be used on each side of the trailer so long as at least 50% of each side is covered. At the back of the vehicle, two continuous strips must be used in the lower rear and two inverted L shapes of solid white must mark the top corners of the trailer. Trucks must be marked with reflector tape in a similar fashion. See images below.

Locations For DOT Reflective Tape Conspicuity Treatment

• Sides of the Trailer
• Rear of Truck
• Lower Rear Area of the Trailer
• Upper Rear Area of the Trailer

Applying Reflective Safety Tape to the Sides Of The Trailer

The 2″ DOT C2 retro reflective sheeting need to be applied to both sides of the trailer or semitrailer. Each strip of retro reflective sheeting must be positioned as horizontally as practicable, beginning and ending as close to the front and rear as practicable. The conspicuity treatment is not required to be continuous. However, the sum of the length of all of the segments must be at least half of the length of the trailer and the spaces between the segments of the strip must be distributed as evenly as practicable. The centerline for each strip of retroreflective sheeting (or reflex reflector) must be between 375 mm (15 inches) and 1,525 mm (60 inches) above the road surface when measured with the trailer empty or unladen, or as close as practicable to this area. If necessary to clear rivet heads or other similar obstructions, 50 mm (2 inches) wide retro reflective conspicuity tape sheeting may be separated into two 25 mm (1 inch) wide strips of the same length and color, separated by a space of not more than 25 mm (1 inch).

Lower Rear Area Of The Trailer DOT C2 Tape Application

The rear of each trailer and semitrailer must be equipped with retro reflective sheeting (or reflex reflectors). Each strip of retro reflective sheeting (or reflex reflector) must be positioned as horizontally as practicable, extending across the full width of the trailer, beginning and ending as close to the extreme edges as practicable. The centerline for each of the strips of retro reflective sheeting (or each reflex reflector) must be between 375 mm (15 inches) and 1,525 mm (60 inches) above the road surface when measured with the trailer empty or unladen, or as close as practicable to this area.

Conspicuity Tape for Upper Rear Area Of The Trailer

Two pairs of white reflective tape strips of retro reflective sheeting (or reflex reflectors), each pair consisting of strips 300 mm (12 inches) long, must be positioned horizontally and vertically on the right and left upper corners of the rear of the body of each trailer and semitrailer, as close as practicable to the top of the trailer and as far apart as practicable. If the perimeter of the body, as viewed from the rear, is not square or rectangular, the reflective conspicuity tape treatments may be applied along the perimeter, as close as practicable to the uppermost and outermost areas of the rear of the body on the left and right sides.

Rear Of Truck DOT Reflective Tape Applications

On August 8, 1996, the NHTSA published a final rule requiring that truck tractors manufactured on or after July 1, 1997, be equipped with red-and-white retroreflective material similar to that required on the rear of the trailers they tow to increase nighttime conspicuity. Manufacturers may choose either retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors. In the case of truck tractors delivered with a temporary mudflap arrangement rather than permanent equipment, the requirement for retroreflective material near the top of the mudflap may be satisfied with material carried by the temporary mudflap brackets that are transferable to the permanent mudflap system. Retroreflective material is also required near the top of the cab in a pattern similar to that used on trailers. (This is a summary of the regulation. For an exact copy of the law you can refer to the actual FMCSA document)

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