Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules

Road Traffic Act

(Chapter 276, Sections 6 and 140)

Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules

R 18

REVISED EDITION 1990

(25th March 1992)

[1st April 1981]

Citation

1.  These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules.

Definitions

2.—(1)  In these Rules —

“Agreement” means the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted and/or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these Prescriptions (formerly known as the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts) adopted at Geneva on 20th March 1958;

“approval mark” means an approval mark under —

(a) paragraph 5 of Regulation 104 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Retro-Reflective Markings for Heavy and Long Vehicles and their Trailers) of Addendum 103 to the Agreement; or

(b) such specifications for retro-reflective markings as the Registrar may approve from time to time;

“rear marking” means a rear marking of the type shown in —

(a) Diagrams 1 to 5 set out in paragraph (A) of Part I of the Schedule; or

(b) Diagrams 7, 8 and 9 set out in paragraph (A) of Part IA of the Schedule;

“side marking” means a side marking of the type shown in —

(a) the diagram set out in paragraph (B) of Part I of the Schedule; or

(b) the diagram set out in paragraph (B) of Part IA of the Schedule.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

(2)  Any reference to a rear marking by a numbered diagram shall be construed —

(a) in rule 3 and Parts II and III of the Schedule, as a reference to the rear marking shown in the diagram in paragraph (A) of Part I of the Schedule bearing the corresponding number; and

(b) in rule 4, as a reference to the rear marking shown in the diagram in paragraph (A) of Part IA of the Schedule bearing the corresponding number.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

(3)  Any reference to a combination of vehicles is a reference to a motor vehicle and any trailer or trailers drawn thereby.

General powers of Registrar or authorised officer

2A.—(1)  The Registrar or an authorised officer may, by notice, require the owner of a vehicle to furnish evidence that the vehicle complies with all or any of the provisions of these Rules.

(2)  The Registrar or an authorised officer may, in any particular case, upon the application of any person, waive the operation of any provisions in these Rules in relation to that person or a vehicle that is the subject of that application, subject to such conditions as the Registrar or the authorised officer may impose.

(3)  In this rule, “authorised officer” has the same meaning as in section 6(4) of the Act.

[S 469/2017 wef 24/08/2017]

Rear markings and side markings on long vehicles

3.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (1A), this rule shall apply to —

(a) every goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres;

(b) every trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres; and

(c) every trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

(1A)  This rule shall not apply to any goods vehicle or trailer which has been fitted with —

(a) a rear marking in accordance with rule 4; and

(b) where applicable, at least 3 pairs of side markings in accordance with rule 4A.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

(1B)  The following vehicles shall be fitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 1, 2, 4 or 5 except that where the rear of such goods vehicle is so constructed that it is impracticable, without undue expense or risk of damage to a rear marking as in Diagram 1 or 2, for that marking to be fitted in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Schedule, a rear marking as in Diagram 3 may be fitted instead:

(a) every goods vehicle, the length of which exceeds 10 metres but does not exceed 13 metres; and

(b) every trailer if it forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres but does not exceed 13 metres.

(2)  Every goods vehicle, the length of which exceeds 13 metres, and every trailer, if it forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 13 metres shall be fitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 4 or 5.

(3)  Every trailer the overall length of which exceeds 5 metres shall be fitted with a pair of side markings of the type shown in paragraph (B) of Part I of the Schedule.

(4)  A rear or side marking fitted to a vehicle under this rule shall —

(a) be of the size and colour shown in the diagram relating to the marking set out in paragraphs (A) and (B) of Part I of the Schedule subject to the provisions of Part II of that Schedule; and

(b) be so fitted as to comply with such of the provisions set out in Part III of that Schedule as relate thereto.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

(5)  Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the Registrar may approve any other type of rear or side marking to be fitted to a vehicle.

New rear markings on long vehicles

4.—(1)  This rule shall apply —

(a) with effect from 1st August 2005, to —

(i) every goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres;

(ii) every trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres;

(iii) every trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres; and

(iv) every mobile crane the length of which exceeds 10 metres,

which is registered on or after that date; and

(b) with effect from 1st August 2007, to —

(i) every goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres;

(ii) every trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres;

(iii) every trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres; and

(iv) every mobile crane the length of which exceeds 10 metres,

which is registered before 1st August 2005.

(2)  Subject to paragraph (3), every vehicle to which this rule applies shall be fitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 7 or 8.

(3)  Where the rear of any vehicle to which this rule applies is so constructed that it is impracticable for that vehicle to be fitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 7 or 8 without undue expense or risk of damage to the rear marking, that vehicle may instead be fitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 9.

(4)  The rear marking on a vehicle to which this rule applies shall meet the following requirements:

(a) it shall be made of red retro-reflective material which complies with —

(i) the specifications for retro-reflective markings of Class C set out in Regulation 104 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Retro-Reflective Markings for Heavy and Long Vehicles and their Trailers) of Addendum 103 to the Agreement; or

(ii) such other specifications as the Registrar may approve from time to time;

(b) it shall be legibly and permanently marked with the approval mark of the red retro-reflective material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) and shall bear the trade name or trade mark of the manufacturer of the material;

(c) it shall be of at least the dimensions set out in Diagram 7, 8 or 9, as the case may be;

(d) it shall be fitted at the rear of the vehicle;

(e) its lower edge shall be at a height of not less than 250 mm above the ground, whether the vehicle is laden or unladen;

(f) its upper edge shall be at a height of not more than —

(i) 1,500 mm above the ground; or

(ii) where the rear of the vehicle is so constructed that it is impracticable for the upper edge to be at a height of not more than 1,500 mm above the ground, 2,100 mm above the ground,

whether the vehicle is laden or unladen;

(g) it shall be clearly visible at all times when viewed from within a reasonable distance to the rear of the vehicle;

(h) it shall be maintained in a clean and effective condition while the vehicle is on a road.

(5)  Any owner of a vehicle to which this rule applies who fails to ensure —

(a) that the vehicle complies with paragraph (2) or (3); or

(b) that the rear marking on the vehicle complies with paragraph (4),

shall be guilty of an offence.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

New side markings on long vehicles

4A.—(1)  This rule shall apply —

(a) with effect from 1st August 2005, to —

(i) every goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres; and

(ii) every trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres,

which is registered on or after that date; and

(b) with effect from 1st August 2007, to —

(i) every goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres; and

(ii) every trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres,

which is registered before 1st August 2005.

(2)  Every vehicle to which this rule applies shall be fitted with at least 3 pairs of side markings of the type shown in paragraph (B) of Part IA of the Schedule.

(3)  The side markings on a vehicle to which this rule applies shall meet the following requirements:

(a) each side marking shall be made of yellow retro-reflective material which complies with —

(i) the specifications for retro-reflective markings of Class C set out in Regulation 104 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Retro-Reflective Markings for Heavy and Long Vehicles and their Trailers) of Addendum 103 to the Agreement; or

(ii) such other specifications as the Registrar may approve from time to time;

(b) each side marking shall be legibly and permanently marked with the approval mark of the yellow retro-reflective material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) and shall bear the trade name or trade mark of the manufacturer of the material;

(c) each side marking shall be of at least the dimensions set out in the diagram in paragraph (B) of Part IA of the Schedule;

(d) at least 3 side markings shall be fitted on each side of the vehicle and —

(i) in the case of a goods vehicle —

(A) one side marking shall be fitted within one metre from the front end of the cargo compartment of the vehicle;

(B) one side marking shall be fitted within one metre from the rear end of the vehicle; and

(C) one side marking shall be fitted at the midpoint of the vehicle; or

(ii) in the case of a trailer —

(A) one side marking shall be fitted within one metre from the front end of the trailer;

(B) one side marking shall be fitted within one metre from the rear end of the trailer; and

(C) one side marking shall be fitted at the midpoint of the trailer;

(e) the lower edge of each side marking shall be at a height of not less than 250 mm above the ground, whether the vehicle is laden or unladen;

(f) the upper edge of each side marking shall be at a height of not more than —

(i) 1,500 mm above the ground; or

(ii) where the side of the vehicle is so constructed that it is impracticable for the upper edge to be at a height of not more than 1,500 mm above the ground, 2,100 mm above the ground,

whether the vehicle is laden or unladen;

(g) each side marking shall be clearly visible at all times when viewed from within a reasonable distance to the side of the vehicle;

(h) each side marking shall be maintained in a clean and effective condition while the vehicle is on a road.

(4)  Any owner of a vehicle to which this rule applies who fails to ensure —

(a) that the vehicle complies with paragraph (2); or

(b) that the side markings on the vehicle comply with paragraph (3),

shall be guilty of an offence.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

Vehicles carrying a projecting load

5.—(1)  This rule shall apply to a vehicle carrying a load which projects to the rear of the vehicle making the rear marking, fitted in accordance with rule 3(4)(b), so obscured by the load that the marking is not clearly visible within a reasonable distance to the rear of the vehicle.

(2)  A vehicle to which this rule applies need not be fitted with a rear marking in accordance with rule 3(4)(b), if the marking which, but for paragraph (1), would be required by that rule to be fitted to the vehicle, is instead fitted to the load it is carrying.

(3)  In relation to a rear marking fitted to such a load in the course of being carried, the provisions of Part III of the Schedule shall apply to that marking, subject to the following modifications:

(a) in paragraphs 1, 4, 5 and 8 of that Part for any reference to the vehicle there shall be substituted a reference to the load; and

(b) in paragraph 5(1) of that Part, for the words from “except while” to the end of that paragraph there shall be substituted the words “except while the load is being mounted on or removed from the vehicle”.

Exception

6.  Notwithstanding rules 3(1), 4(1) and 4A(1), these Rules shall not apply to vehicles registered for use exclusively on roads which are not repairable at public expense.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

THE SCHEDULE

Rule 2

Part I

(A)  Size, colour and type of rear markings

Part IA

(A)  Size, colour and type of rear markings

(B)  Size, colour and type of side markings

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

Part II

Additional Provisions Relating to Form of Rear or Side Markings

1.  Any variation in a dimension (other than as to the height of a letter) specified in any of the diagrams in Part I shall be treated as permitted for the purposes of these Rules if the variation —

(a) in the case of a dimension so specified as 250 mm or as over 250 mm, does not exceed 2½% of that dimension;

(b) in the case of a dimension so specified as 40 mm or as over 40 mm but as under 250 mm, does not exceed 5% of that dimension; or

(c) in the case of a dimension so specified as under 40 mm, does not exceed 10% of that dimension.

2.  Any variation in a dimension as to the height of a letter specified in any of the said diagrams shall be treated as permitted for the purposes of these Rules if the variation —

(a) in the case of a dimension so specified as 105 mm, does not exceed 2½% of that dimension; or

(b) in the case of a dimension so specified as 70 mm, does not exceed 5% of that dimension.

3.  Any variation in a dimension as to the angle of hatching specified in any of the said diagrams shall be treated as permitted for the purposes of these Rules if the variation does not exceed 5 degrees.

4.  Rear and side markings shall be illuminated by the use of red fluorescent material in the shaded areas shown in any of the said diagrams and by the use of yellow reflex reflecting material in any of the areas so shown, being areas not shaded and not constituting a letter.

5.  A rear marking as in Diagram 1 or 4 shall be constructed in the form of a single plate, and a rear marking as in Diagram 2, 3 or 5 shall be constructed in the form of two plates of equal size and shape, and such plates shall be legibly and permanently marked with the specification number B.S. AU 152 to indicate that the rear marking complies with the requirements laid down by the British Standard Institution’s specification for Rear Marking Plates for Vehicles under the number B.S. AU 152:1970 or any other standards approved by the Registrar.

6.  All letters incorporated in any rear marking shall have the proportions and form of letters as shown in Part I and shall be coloured black.

7.  Side markings shall be constructed in the form of a plate of the size and shape shown in Paragraph B of Part I and comply with a standard approved by the Registrar.

Part III

Provisions As to Position on Vehicle, Maintenance, Etc., of Rear and Side Markings

1.  A rear marking shall be fitted at the rear of the vehicle.

2.  The lower edge of a rear marking shall be horizontal and at a height of not more than 1700 mm nor less than 400 mm above the ground, whether the vehicle is laden or unladen, and in the case of a rear marking as in Diagram 2, 3 or 5, the lower edge of each half of the marking shall be at the same height above the ground.

3.  Every part of a rear marking shall lie within 20 degrees of a transverse vertical plane at right angles to the vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that —

(a) in the case of a rear marking as in Diagram 1 or 4, the vertical centre line of the marking lies on that vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and

(b) in the case of a rear marking as in Diagram 2, 3 or 5, each half of the marking lies in the same vertical plane and the innermost vertical edges of each half of the marking are equidistant from the vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

4.  A rear marking as in Diagram 2, 3 or 5 shall lie so that each half of the marking is as near as is practicable to the outermost edge of the vehicle on the side thereof on which it is fitted.

5.—(1)  A rear marking shall be so fitted that every part thereof is clearly visible at all times when viewed from within a reasonable distance to the rear of the vehicle, except, while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded, if the vehicle is so constructed at the rear that it is impracticable for the marking to be so fitted, without undue expense or risk of damage to the marking.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

(2)  A side marking for a trailer shall be fitted on either side of the trailer as near as practicable to the front end without protruding beyond the trailer.

(3)  A side marking shall be so fitted that every part thereof is clearly visible at all times when viewed from within a reasonable distance to the side of the trailer.

[S 450/2005 wef 11/07/2005]

6.  The top edge of a side marking shall be at a height of not more than 1,700 mm nor less than 800 mm above the ground whether the vehicle is laden or unladen and shall stay within a plane parallel to the top level of the trailer.

7.  Rear and side markings shall be securely attached to the vehicle so that no part of the markings projects beyond the outermost part of the vehicle on either side.

8.  Rear and side markings shall be maintained in a clean and efficient condition while the vehicle is on a road.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules

 

This Legislative History is provided for the convenience of users of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules. It is not part of these Rules.
1.	G. N. No. S 70/1981—Motor Vehicles (Rear and Side Markings) Rules 1981
	Date of commencement	:	1 April 1981
2.	1990 Revised Edition—Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules
	Date of operation	:	25 March 1992
3.	G. N. No. S 281/1998—Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) (Amendment) Rules 1998
	Date of commencement	:	30 April 1998
4.	G. N. No. S 450/2005—Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) (Amendment) Rules 2005
	Date of commencement	:	11 July 2005
5.	G.N. No. S 469/2017—Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) (Amendment) Rules 2017
	Date of commencement	:	24 August 2017