Reflective Safety Markings for Heavy Goods Vehicles
Escort vehicles are equipped with several signalling elements, which differ from country to country. The following text refers to German law only. If your country stipulates other marking films or elements, feel free to contact us!
Many escort vehicles show variable message signs that are required for safeguarding oversize or abnormal loads.
According to German law, there are four types of escort vehicles: BF2, BF3, BF3 Plus and BF4. The table below shows the differences in features as well as the required markings.
| Vehicle Type (as per German law) | BF2 | BF3 | BF3 Plus | BF4 |
| Signalling direction | backwards | backwards | backwards | forwards, backwards and sideways |
| Maximum number of variable message signs | - | 3 | 11 | 11 |
| Required safety markings | rotating beacons | • chevron film on the rear and the sign structure (reflectivity class RA2) • reflective marker boards saying ‘Schwertransport’ • rotating beacons | • chevron film on the rear and the sign structure (reflectivity class RA2) • reflective marker boards saying ‘Schwertransport’ • rotating beacons | • chevron film on the front, sides, rear and on the sign structure (reflectivity class RA2) • white conspicuity tape on the sides • 4 reflective marker boards saying ‘Schwertransport’ • rotating beacons • side marker lights |
The Different Marking Products for Escort Vehicles
As described in the table above, escort vehicles need to be equipped with several safety elements in order to increase conspicuity in poor light conditions. In the following, the individual safety markings are explained in more detail.
- Chevron film: The chevron film is a reflective vinyl film with stripes in red and white. These stripes have a width of 180 mm each and are arranged at a 45° angle. The chevron marking film has to conform to reflectivity class RA2.
In the case of BF4 escort vehicles, the side markings have to be removable, i. e. with the reflective film laminated onto a magnetic film.
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Marker boards ‘Schwertransport’: A reflective white marking panel showing the word ‘Schwertransport’ (German for "heavy load") needs to be attached to the BF3 vehicle rear. In case of BF4 vehicles, you need four marker boards – one for each side.
Important note: The marker boards must be removed or covered if the vehicle is not used for escorting abnormal loads! Therefore, the magnetic version of the marker board is very popular: You can remove or install it within minutes.
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Rotating beacons: All four escort vehicle types need to have rotating beacons in order to draw the attention of the other road users to the risks of the abnormal load transport. The signalling lights need to comply with ECE regulation 65.
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Conspicuity tape: Only BF4 escort vehicles are required to have white conspicuity tape on their sides. Conspicuity tape is made of highly reflective vinyl film. In order to be used on escort vehicles, it must comply with ECE regulation 104.
The aim of all signalling elements on escort vehicles is to make them more visible – in daytime and at night. Other road users should be able to recognise the abnormal load in an instance and hence be aware of the risks and danger involved in such an overweight transport.