Safety signs on vehicles: rules, classes and mounting

In this article, we discuss the current regulations for flashing beacons and safety signalling on trucks, trailers, agricultural machinery and construction vehicles.

In this article, you will read:

• When you are legally allowed (and required) to carry warning lights
• Which class (Class 1 or 2) best suits your application
• The practical mounting instructions and national differences

Why safety signalling is crucial for truck, agricultural, construction and special vehicles

A vehicle driving too slowly, being very wide or standing still on public roads poses a risk for other road users and the driver. Flashing lights, beacons and beacor bars are then not an accessory, but an essential part of road safety and liability mitigation.

What types of safety signs exist in practice?

In the worlds of truck and trailer, agriculture and construction, four main categories are used:

• Flashing lights (beacons) - 360° visibility, ideal for tractors, tow trucks and smaller work vehicles.
• Warning lights - Compact units for in the grille, bumper or on the cab.
• Beacor bars - Powerful, multiple modules, widely used in salvage and road management. To the complete overview of professional LED beacon bars.
• LED bars with warning light functions - 2-in-1 solution: work lights + official R65 signalling function.

View TRALERT®’s ECE R65 lighting

European basis: ECE R65 and ECE R48

Technically, all lights must comply with ECE Regulation 65 (photometry, colour and intensity). For mounting, the rules of ECE Regulation 48 apply (visibility and installation).

Would you like to understand the technical background to ECE R65?
Then read our specialist article: ECE Regulation 65 explained.

ECE R65 consists of 2 gradations: Class 1 vs Class 2

The choice depends on your working conditions (according to Annex 5 of R65):

Class	Intensity	Typical application in practice
ClassClass 1	Intensity: Standard light output	Typical practical applications: Night-time work, agriculture on country roads, internal transport
ClassClass 2	Intensity: Higher light output (often with day/night mode)	Typical real-world applications: During the day, onmotorways, with wide machinery, in bad weather, and during recovery operations

Laws and regulations for beacor bars

Use beacor bars on public roads only if the vehicle, the work and the situation allow it. Especially with roadwork vehicles, assess when orange signalling is permitted or mandatory. Read the article on regulations for beacor bars on public roads and choose signalling that suits your application.

Mounting safety signs in practice

Incorrect mounting can limit the visibility of the warning lamp and thus reduce the effectiveness of the warning signal.

• Light must be visible 360° all round
• No obstruction by crane, load, wind trap or surface mounting
• Wide vehicles often require several lights or additional warning lights
• Usually mounted at the highest point (cabin roof)

National regulations for use

The technical requirements are European, but use is country-specific:

• Netherlands: Allowed for work in progress, slow-moving traffic and exceptional transport (Regulation on optical and acoustic signals 2009).
• Germany: strict regulations via StVZO §52, often additional requirements for exceptional transport.
• Belgium: Similar to the Netherlands, but stricter controls in civil protection.
• France: Mandatory for road work and exceptional transport.
• UK: Amber warning beacons are used on vehicles carrying out work or pose a risk to other road users (Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8).
  

Looking for specific advice for the Netherlands? Read our article: Are orange beacons permitted?

Checklist for purchase:

Use this checklist on your next purchase to determine which ECE R65 class you need:

• Is the vehicle used during the day and on public roads? → Class 2
• Is the vehicle wider than 2.60 m? → Consider additional lights or beam
• Should the light also serve as work lights? → LED bar with separate circuit
• Do you work in several countries? → Always choose Class 2 with ECE R65 + R10

TRALERT® solutions for professionals

TRALERT® develops and supplies professional warning lights for lorry, semi-trailer, agriculture and construction applications. Our products comply with ECE R65 and ECE R10 and are used daily by vehicle builders, dealers and distributors throughout Europe.

• Flashing beacons
• Warning lights
• LED lightbars with warning light functions
• Beacor bars

Disclaimer: At TRALERT® we make every effort to keep the information in this article as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Legislation may change. We always recommend checking current legislation with your local authority. TRALERT® is not liable for damages or fines due to outdated information.