VOSA examiners will check that rear marker plates are fitted to vehicles which normally require them to be fitted (vehicles over 7,500kg and trailers over 3,500kg). if no rear marker plates are fitted, but the trailer is instead fitted with compliant rear conspicuity marking, then this will be acceptable and the vehicle/trailer will not fail the check.
Rear conspicuity markings
If conspicuity markings are fitted in place of the rear marker boards, VOSA examiners will carry out checks to confirm the following compliance requirements:
1. The lowest edge of the markings is between 250mm to 1500mm from the ground. If 1500mm is not practicable this can be increased to 2100mm.
2. The maximum height is as high as practicable but no lower than 400mm from the upper extremity of the vehicle/trailer.
3. The conspicuity markings must not comes within 200mm of a stop lamp.
4. The vertical aspects of the conspicuity markings should be as close to the edge of the vehicle/trailer as practicable.
5. The rear conspicuity markings shall be coloured red or yellow.
6. The width of the conspicuity marking should be no less than 50mm and no more than 60mm.
VOSA does not intend inspecting the side conspicuity markings until they becomes compulsory under the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations from 10 July 2011.
