Trailer Reflective Tape (Conspicuity) Rules
A trailer that is 80 inches or more wide and has a GVWR over 10,000 pounds needs a conspicuity system: retroreflective tape, reflex reflectors, or both (49 CFR 393.11(b)). On a trailer built on or after December 1, 1993 the pattern is red and white. The tape runs along each side for at least half the trailer's length, across the full width of the rear, and on the upper rear corners. Tractors have rules too (FMVSS 108).
Facts checked October 17, 2026
Key Points
- The rule covers a trailer 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more wide with a GVWR over 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds), built on or after December 1, 1993. Pole trailers and trailers built only for living or office use are out (49 CFR 393.11(b))
- Older trailers (built before December 1, 1993, 80 inches or wider, GVWR 10,001 pounds or more) also needed sheeting or reflex reflectors, by June 1, 2001, or December 1, 2001 for container chassis (49 CFR 393.13)
- The system may be retroreflective sheeting (tape), reflex reflectors, or both, and it must meet FMVSS 108 (49 CFR 393.11(b))
- New-style sheeting is at least 50 mm (2 inches) wide for grade DOT-C2, and carries the letters DOT-C2, DOT-C3 or DOT-C4 on it (FMVSS 108, S8.2.1)
- The pattern is alternating red and white segments, each about 300 mm (12 inches) long, with a margin of 150 mm (6 inches). Neither color may be more than two thirds of a strip (FMVSS 108, S8.2.1.4)
- On the sides, the tape runs front to back, covers at least half the trailer's length, and sits as close as practicable to a centerline 375 to 1,525 mm (about 15 to 60 inches) above the road with the trailer at curb weight (FMVSS 108, S8.2.3.2)
- No commercial motor vehicle may have an amber stop lamp or tail lamp (49 CFR 393.11(c))
Where the conspicuity tape goes on a trailer (FMVSS 108, S8.2.3)
| Place | What goes there | |
|---|---|---|
| Each side | A strip of red and white tape or reflectors, as level as possible, from as near the front to as near the rear as possible. It may have gaps if it covers at least half the length of the trailer and the gaps are spread evenly. Centerline 375 to 1,525 mm (about 15 to 60 inches) above the road. | |
| Rear, lower | A red and white strip across the full width of the trailer, as close to the edges as possible, at the same 375 to 1,525 mm height. | |
| Rear, upper corners | Two pairs of white strips, each strip 300 mm (12 inches) long, set level and upright on the left and right upper corners, as high and as far apart as possible. Not required on container chassis or platform trailers without bulkheads. | |
| Rear underride bar | A strip of DOT-C2 sheeting at least 38 mm (about 1.5 inches) wide, or reflectors, across the horizontal member of the underride guard. Not required on a trailer without an underride guard. |
Which trailers need reflective tape?
A trailer that is 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more wide and has a GVWR over 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) must have a conspicuity system if it was built on or after December 1, 1993 (49 CFR 393.11(b)). Pole trailers and trailers built only for living or office use are left out. Trailers built before that date, with the same width and a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more, also needed sheeting or reflex reflectors under 49 CFR 393.13. Carriers had until June 1, 2001 to comply, and until December 1, 2001 for container chassis. A utility trailer that is narrower than 80 inches, or has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, is outside this tape rule. State laws may still ask for reflectors or lights.
What kind of tape does a trailer need?
The system can use retroreflective sheeting, reflex reflectors, or both (49 CFR 393.11(b)). The sheeting must be a smooth, flat film that meets the ASTM D 4956-90 requirements for Type V sheeting, apart from photometry. It comes in three grades, and the grade sets the minimum width. Grade DOT-C2 must be at least 50 mm (2 inches) wide. DOT-C3 must be at least 75 mm (3 inches), and DOT-C4 at least 100 mm (4 inches). The letters DOT-C2, DOT-C3 or DOT-C4 must appear at least once on every white or red segment. The characters must be at least 3 mm high and permanent. Reflex reflectors carry the letters DOT-C.
What color pattern must the tape follow?
The standard calls for alternating red and white. Each white and red segment is 300 mm (12 inches) long, with a margin of 150 mm (6 inches). A segment may be trimmed to clear an obstruction. Neither color may be more than two thirds of any continuous strip across the width of the trailer, or any continuous or broken strip along its length. Reflectors use two or three white reflectors, then two or three red ones, with the centers no more than 100 mm (4 inches) apart. Older trailers have an extra rule. A carrier that does not retrofit a pre-1993 trailer to the red and white pattern could use other colors on the sides and lower rear only until June 1, 2009. Red may not be used along the sides unless it is part of a red and white pattern (49 CFR 393.13(b)).
Where does the tape go?
The table above has the places. On the sides, run the tape from near the front to near the rear. It does not have to be continuous, but it must cover at least half the trailer's length and the gaps must be spread evenly. The centerline sits 375 to 1,525 mm (about 15 to 60 inches) above the road with the trailer at curb weight. It must not be hidden by other equipment or by cargo. At the rear, a red and white strip goes across the full width, and two pairs of white 12-inch strips go on the upper corners. If the trailer has an underride guard, a strip goes on its horizontal bar. The standard does not require tape on outside ribs, stake pickets on platform trailers, protruding beams, door hinges, lamp bodies, body joints or drip rails.
How close can tape be to the lamps?
The edge of white sheeting must be at least 75 mm (about 3 inches) from the edge of the lens of any red or amber lamp the standard requires. The edge of red sheeting must be at least 75 mm from the lens of any amber lamp. A strip that has to be cut to clear a lamp may be shorter than the usual segment. Separately, no commercial motor vehicle may have an amber stop lamp or tail lamp, or any lamp optically combined with one (49 CFR 393.11(c)).
Do tractors need tape too?
FMVSS 108 also requires a conspicuity system on each truck tractor (S6.1.1.1). It calls for two red and white strips, each at least 600 mm (about 24 inches) long, at the rear fenders, mudflaps or mudflap brackets to mark the width of the tractor. It also calls for two pairs of white 300 mm (12 inch) strips on the upper corners of the cab. At most 25 percent of their area may be hidden by other equipment. Check the standard for a tractor with no mudflaps. A vehicle must meet the version of FMVSS 108 in effect when it was built (49 CFR 393.11(a)), so older tractors follow older rules.
Related Free Tools
Annual DOT Inspection Checklist
Every item from the federal minimum periodic inspection standards as a checklist, with your next due date and what the report must show.
Pre-Trip / Post-Trip DVIR Checklist
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Used Truck Inspection Checklist
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is reflective tape required on semi trailers?+
Yes, on a trailer 80 inches or more wide with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds. A trailer built on or after December 1, 1993 follows 49 CFR 393.11(b) and FMVSS 108. A pre-1993 trailer of that size follows 49 CFR 393.13.
Do utility trailers need reflective tape?+
Not under this rule, if the trailer is narrower than 80 inches or has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less (49 CFR 393.11(b)). Check your state's law for smaller trailers.
How much reflective tape is required on the side of a trailer?+
At least half the length of the trailer, spread evenly along it if the strip has gaps. The tape is red and white, and its centerline is 375 to 1,525 mm (about 15 to 60 inches) above the road (FMVSS 108, S8.2.3.2).
Where does the reflective tape go on a semi trailer?+
On each side, across the full width of the lower rear, on the two upper rear corners in white, and on the horizontal bar of the rear underride guard if the trailer has one (FMVSS 108, S8.2.3).
What is DOT-C2 reflective tape?+
It is retroreflective sheeting of Grade DOT-C2, at least 50 mm (2 inches) wide. The letters DOT-C2 must appear on each white or red segment to show it meets the standard (FMVSS 108, S8.2.1).
How long is each red and white segment?+
About 300 mm (12 inches), with a margin of 150 mm (6 inches). Neither color may be more than two thirds of a continuous strip (FMVSS 108, S8.2.1.4).
Can reflective tape be a color other than red and white?+
For trailers built on or after December 1, 1993, the pattern is red and white. For older trailers, other colors on the sides and lower rear were allowed only until June 1, 2009. Red may not be used on the sides unless it is part of a red and white pattern (49 CFR 393.13(b)).
Can I use reflex reflectors instead of tape?+
Yes. A trailer may use sheeting, reflex reflectors, or a combination, if the system meets FMVSS 108 (49 CFR 393.11(b)). Reflex reflectors are installed in repeating groups of two or three white and two or three red, with centers no more than 100 mm (4 inches) apart.
Do tractors need reflective tape?+
FMVSS 108 requires a conspicuity system on each truck tractor. It has two red and white strips at least 600 mm (about 24 inches) long at the rear, and white strips on the cab's upper corners. Older tractors follow the rules in effect when they were built (49 CFR 393.11(a)).
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- Hours of Service Exceptions and Exemptions
- Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements
- CDL Classes, Endorsements and ELDT Training
- DOT Physical and Medical Card Requirements
- Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Requirements
- Cargo Securement Rules for Trucks
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- USDOT Number and Biennial Update Requirements
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- Federal Truck Size and Weight Limits
- California Clean Truck Check (HD I/M)
- Truth-in-Leasing Rules for Owner-Operators
- Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax
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- CDL Disqualification: Major and Serious Offenses
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- Truck Brake Rules: Pushrod Stroke, Lining Thickness and ABS
- Driver Conduct Rules: Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue, Passengers and Pre-Trip Checks
- English Language Proficiency for Truck Drivers: The 391.11(b)(2) Rule
- Weigh Station Rules: Who Must Stop and What Happens If You Skip
- Truck Lighting Rules: Required Lamps and Reflectors (49 CFR 393)
- Driver Road Test Rules: The Company Road Test and Certificate (49 CFR 391.31)
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Sources
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This is a plain-language summary for reference, not legal advice. Check the official rule text before you rely on any detail. Ask a compliance professional about your own operation.