Chapter 8 chevrons: what you need to know

Some forms of vehicle livery are a legal must, depending on the sector that you work in.

These are laid out in the UK Traffic Signs Manual’s Chapter 8, and are known as chevron markings. This blog will detail everything that you need to know about them.

What are they?

Chevron markings are a type of livery made up of upwards facing V-shaped diagonal stripes.

They are required to be a minimum of 150mm in width and generally alternate in colour. A common mix of colours for them is reflective red in R3B grade and fluorescent yellow. These shades have been chosen because they are high contrast and stand out at all distances, both at night and during the day.

What are they for?

The purpose of these chevrons is to make the vehicles visible to other drivers and pedestrians, particularly when it is dark or overall visibility levels are poor. The legal requirement is for them to be added to the backs of the vehicles, covering as broad an area as is viable without concealing the registration plates, back lights or windows.

What vehicles need them?

They must be added to any vehicle used for work purposes on public highways. That includes slow-moving ones like trucks, public utility cars or vans, and ones used in road maintenance work. All vehicles weighing less than 7.5 tonnes are advised to have them.

At Ainsley Signs, we provide all forms of vehicle graphics in Manchester, including chevrons. Call now for details.