Confused concerning the regulation for displaying a purple / white striped signal on the again of your motorhome or campervan when travelling in Europe?
So had been we, so we’ve completed the analysis for you. Right here’s all the things you should know to remain authorized when you have an overhanging load in your van in Europe.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE Europe motorhoming guidelines under to recollect all the things else you should deliver!
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Purple & White striped boards – do you want one?
If you’re travelling in sure international locations in Europe and have ANYTHING which overhangs the size of your motorhome, you MUST show a panel board (typically known as a chevron board) which has reflective stripes (or slashes, when you favor) in purple and white.
The stripes should run at 45 levels and have to be displayed on ANY car with something extending the size. This is applicable to vehicles, caravans, motorhomes and campervans.
The reflective warning signal have to be displayed on the rear of your motorhome/ camper, behind the load (so not on the again of your precise motorhome.)
You’ll want them when you have a:
- storage field (like ours)
- bicycle rack (even when nothing is on it)
- tow bar rack (even when nothing is on it)
- when you have a surfboard or one thing on the roof which extends past the again bumper
- If in case you have something which makes the car wider, it’s essential to show two boards, one on either side.
You do NOT want one when you have a trailer.
It’s unclear when you want one when you simply have a towbar and nothing else on it. My intestine feeling is no- in any case, the place would you connect it to?- however I can’t discover any definitive reply.
Which international locations are they obligatory in?
These again marker boards are obligatory if motorhoming in Italy and Spain, though they’re ‘beneficial’ in a number of others.
You don’t want one within the UK if the overhang is lower than 1m.
They don’t seem to be at the moment obligatory when motorhoming in France, Germany or every other European nation except the load extends over 10% of the car size, however nonetheless price having- simply in case you’re like us and go detouring into random international locations with little or no planning!
What dimensions do the purple/ white board must be?
The board have to be not less than 50×50 cm (minimal space of 2500cm²)
Does it matter what number of stripes?
I’ve learn that Spain requires ones with not less than 3 purple/ 3 white hatched, reflective stripes, whereas Italy appears to require 5 stripes
We now have one with 5 purple stripes. We figured, if unsure, extra is healthier.
Does it matter what the board is constructed from?
Yep.
In Italy, the board have to be constructed from aluminium and have a reflective floor ‘throughout’. I’ve learn that that is just for autos over 12m lengthy, however can’t discover the rule to substantiate this. Personally, we went for an aluminium one and haven’t had any hassle in Italy or when motorhoming in Spain.
I’ve additionally learn that the Italians are much less involved concerning the materials if it has the 4 ‘reflective circles/ cats eyes’ within the corners. Nonetheless, Fiamma (an ITALIAN firm!) say that the plastic boards will not be authorized in Italy.
What makes that much more absurd/ complicated, is that Fiamma themselves solely promote the plastic boards. Which makes completely no sense!
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
How do you connect the board?
The purple & white striped indicators are often simply hooked up to the overhanging object with elastic bungees (not often supplied with buy so be sure you purchase some- these are good). There’s often a gap in every nook for the bungees (or string, when you favor) to connect to.
Which means spherical does the stripes must level?
The stripes MUST level into the centre of the street within the nation you’re driving in. In fact, in Europe they might at all times go from high proper to backside left (see photograph).
I assume technically within the UK it is best to cease and switch the board round to level the opposite means, however we’ve got pushed all around the UK and infrequently forgotten to do that.
Can I simply use reflective tape as an alternative of an indication?
No. I believe you run the danger of being fined. Get a correct reflective rear warning board.
Which rear warning board to purchase?
Personally, I just like the purple and white warning signal sorts under and have by no means had an issue.
New to motorhome or camper journey in Europe? You may discover these posts useful:
See all our Europe motorhoming posts right here
NEED GEAR? If you happen to want any equipment or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, right here’s what we suggest and the place to seek out it
Final replace on 2024-05-28 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API