Italy Updates Road Safety: New Sign Rules for Cargo, Trailers
Italy has updated its road safety regulations for vehicles with rear cargo or bike trailers. The changes, also affecting Spain and Portugal, aim to enhance safety and standardize warning sign usage.
In Italy, the standard warning sign for cars must now be 50 x 50 cm, red and white striped with five red stripes, reflective, made of metal sheet, and securely attached. The obligation to carry these signs at the vehicle rear is not abolished, but Italy has eased the requirement for trailer bike carriers with lighting and repeat sign, effective January 1, 2025. If the bike trailer has its own lighting and signaling devices and displays a repeating rear sign, the car itself no longer needs to carry a rear warning triangle, provided the trailer fully complies with Italian regulations.
In Spain and Portugal, overhanging cargo must also be marked with a red and white striped warning sign, but with only three red stripes. The width of the load may not exceed the car width by more than 30 cm on a legally compliant rear carrier. Drivers caught without a warning sign on mandatory labeled cargo in Italy can expect a fine of at least 87 euros. Fines for non-compliance in Portugal start at 120 euros, and in Spain, 200 euros or more.
The changes apply to vehicles of categories M1 (passenger cars, SUVs, motorhomes) and N1 (light commercial vehicles). Reflective warning signs are no longer needed if the bike carrier or rear box has its own lighting and signaling device. However, vehicles with overhanging load not transported on a compliant trailer carrier must still be marked with red-white signs. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, so drivers are advised to familiarize themselves with the updated regulations.
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