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The legal requirements and standards for warning markings

The legal framework for adequate warning markings forms the basis for our products. We are familiar with the high requirements imposed by legislators on warning markings for emergency or special vehicles. The rules of the Highway Code and the relevant standards are explained in more detail below.

Warning markings serve to identify your vehicle as one with special rights and enable you to exercise these rights with the correct identification.

Who must display warning markings and what special rights do they confer?

Vehicles with warning markings have special rights in road traffic, which allow them to move through traffic more quickly and safely. These special rights may vary depending on the country and legislation, but generally include the following:

  • Right of way: Vehicles with warning markings have right of way over other road users in certain situations, such as when travelling to an emergency site or escorting convoys.
  • Use of special privileges: Vehicles with warning markings may exercise special privileges such as exceeding speed limits, running red lights or parking in no-stopping zones if this is necessary for the operation.
  • Special rights in use: When in use, vehicles with warning markings may have the right to overtake other road users, change lanes or close the road for the operation.
  • Overriding parking restrictions: Municipal vehicles with warning markings are permitted to park on the hard shoulder of motorways, for example to carry out work there. In general, parking restrictions do not apply to vehicles with such markings in built-up areas, as long as they are carrying out specific activities at the locations in question.

The former rights primarily concern emergency services. These include police cars, ambulances, fire engines and emergency vehicles. In addition to special warning markings, these vehicles also have corresponding lettering on the vehicle and a special signalling system.

Legal requirements and standards for warning markings

In Germany, the special rights of certain vehicles in road traffic are regulated by the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO). The relevant regulations can be found primarily in sections 35 to 38 of the StVO. Here are the most important points:

  • 35 StVO – Right of way
  • 36 StVO – Special rights
  • 38 StVO – Vehicles with special rights: police, fire brigade and rescue vehicles, but also tow trucks, emergency vehicles used for disaster control and vehicles used for civil protection and disaster control.

Special rights according to §35 (6) StVO require the vehicle to be equipped with warning markings that comply with the specifications of DIN 30710. Our warning markings and warning marking sets comply exactly with these specifications! The basic requirements include the properties of the special warning marking film and the type and size of its application on the respective vehicle.

Properties of warning markings according to DIN 30710

DIN 30710 is a standard that specifies the requirements for retro-reflective warning markings on vehicles and trailers. It regulates the properties, application and characteristics of retro-reflective materials used to mark vehicles in road traffic. The most important aspects include: material, retro-reflective effect, colours and contrasts, durability and application. The latter is discussed in more detail in the next section. The material is a special microprismatic film, which means it has a retro-reflective effect when illuminated. The colours typically specified are signal red and white. Alternatively, a combination of red and yellow is also common. These foil warning markings impress with their durability: they are extremely long-lasting and resistant to UV radiation, precipitation, many cleaning agents and mechanical impact to a certain degree. They represent a long-term solution, but must be replaced promptly if damaged.

Application and size of warning markings according to DIN 30710

When applying warning markings, reference is made to so-called standard areas. These are either left- or right-facing and measure: 141 × 141 mm (corresponding to approximately 0.02 m2). A total of eight of these standard areas must be affixed to the front and rear of the vehicle. This means four on the front left, front right, rear left and rear right. These specifications are the minimum requirement for red and white warning markings on a vehicle, for example. However, it is permissible to equip a motorway maintenance vehicle with more areas of this type.

Do you have any further questions about the correct warning markings on vehicles with special rights? Then please feel free to contact us. You can find tips for installing our warning marking sets in our installation videos.