United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulationsrequire certain large vehicles to mark their vehicles with retroreflective tape — also known as reflective tape and DOT tape. This measure has proven effective, reducing the annual number of accidents significantly.
DOT tape keeps you and others safe. It reflects light to the source, helping improve night visibility, particularly out on the road. As a retroreflective tape, it only lights up when hit by light. It doesn’t glow on its own.
Tape Jungle provides safety tapes in a variety of colors, allowing you to stay compliant with both DOT and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
Our tapes use high-quality adhesives and withstand adverse weather conditions for prolonged periods. They’ll help you stay safe for the long haul.
DOT Tape for Trailers
DOT tape is also known as conspicuity tape because its purpose is to make vehicles more conspicuous. Trucks and trailers over 80 inches wide or 10,000 pounds in weight need to mark their sides and rear with DOT tape.
This highly rated reflective tape is two inches wide and alternates red and white stripes. Owners should apply it to at least 50% of each side. In the rear, two strips of white should mark the bottom, and the top corners should be marked with white inverted Ls.
Most DOT reflective tape is made in one of two ways:
- Glass-bead DOT tapedisperses light more broadly and less efficiently. It also tends to be less heavy and more flexible.
- Prismatic DOT tapereflects a more intense, tighter beam and lasts longer. However, it can be more expensive and more cumbersome to use.
Tape Jungle only offers best-in-class products. Whichever type you choose, you can rest easy knowing that your purchase meets the highest standards.
Reflective Tape for Cars
You can also put reflective tape on your cars for additional visibility during late-night drives. However, there are a few legal restrictions:
- Youcannotput red safety tape on the front of your vehicle or white on the back.
- Youcannotobstruct visibility by covering windows and mirrors.
- Youcannotcover manufacturer-standard reflective areas such as taillights.
In addition, you should investigate state laws, which may provide additional parameters.
So long as you stay within the law, reflective tape can be a strong and affordable safety measure.
Reflective Tape for Emergency Vehicles
Emergency vehicles have to follow another set of federal regulations. At least 50% of the vehicle must be covered in reflective strips, and the back should be covered with red and yellow chevron stripes. There’s less restriction on colors for the front and sides.
Unlike trailers, emergency vehicles do not have to use DOT tape. You can get by with less expensive, less reflective options such as engineering-grade reflective tapeor high-intensity prismatic tapes.
Note that most new, specialized emergency vehicles come with the required reflective sheeting. For older models and retrofits, you may need to add your own.
Reflective Tape for Marine Vehicles
Make safety a priority in the water as well as on land. The U.S. Coast Guard has established regulations for reflective tape on lifesaving devices.
Tapes that meet the high standards for endurance and reflectivity are generally known as SOLAS tapes. SOLAS stands for “safety of life at sea.”
Other Uses for Reflective Tape
You don’t have to limit your safety tape to things that go. There are plenty of uses for reflective tapeat home and work.
Use fluorescent tape to mark:
- Walking passages
- Ledges
- Low-hanging dangers
- Bicycles and motorcycles
- Clothing for late jogs or walks
- Warehouse machinery
- Farm equipment
- Emergency supplies
- Camping gear
You can even explore your creative side with arts-and-crafts applications. Reflective tape can be used for costumes, safety or rave clothing, and decorative objects.
Or let it light up brick-and-mortar locations, using reflective tape for marketingpurposes. Direct consumer attention where you want it.
Best DOT Reflective Tapes and Dispensers
If you’re not putting the tape on a vehicle, you’ll be well-served by a fluorescent tape or other Tape Jungle safety tapes, which tend to cost less. But if you need DOT tape, you have a few strong options.
Alanson Products DOT-C2 Reflective Conspicuity Tape
Alanson Products DOT-C2 tapeis a highly reflective and weatherproof tape that uses encapsulated glass beads to achieve its effect. The tape is also highly durable, rated to last up to ten years, and endure temperatures from -4 degrees Fahrenheit/-20 degrees Celsius to 176 degrees Fahrenheit/80 degrees Celsius.
It comes in both of the DOT-approved patterns of red and white:
- 6 inches white - 6 inches red
- 7 inches white - 11 inches red
You can buy it by the roll or by the case.
Oralite DOT-C2 Reflective Conspicuity Tape
The Oralite DOT-C2 tapeis a prismatic tape designed for rugged outdoor use. It meets or exceeds all relevant industry regulations and returns a bright, tightly focused beam when hit with light.
The tape comes in several options that allow you to customize your purchase. You can specify:
Durability:It comes with either a 5-year or a 10-year guarantee.
Pattern:It comes in both approved red-and-white patterns.
Width:
- 1 inch (25 millimeters)
- 1.5 inches (38 millimeters)
- 2 inches (50 millimeters)
- 3 inches (75 millimeters)
- 4 inches (100 millimeters)
- 6 inches (150 millimeters)
Cutting:It comes in kiss-cut and solid.
As with the Alanson tape, you can order it by the roll or case.
Oralite V92 Daybright in Solid Colors
Oralite also makes conspicuity tape in solid colors. The Oralite V92 Daybright tapemeets the standards set by the 5-year DOT-C2 tape.
It comes in a variety of colors and widths.
Colors:
- Blue
- gold
- green
- orange
- red
- white
Widths:
- ½ inch (12.5 millimeters)
- ¾ inch (19 millimeters)
- 1 inch (25 millimeters)
- 1.5 inches (38 millimeters)
- 2 inches (50 millimeters)
- 3 inches (75 millimeters)
- 4 inches (100 millimeters)
- 6 inches (150 millimeters)
- 30 inches (762 millimeters).
Buy it by the roll, subpack, or case.
Dispensers
Don’t forget a tape dispenserto help you make the most of your purchase.
Tape Jungle offers a variety of dispensers — from our bestselling ATG-700 Tape Dispenserto larger models that can handle any of our reflective tapes.
Let Tape Jungle Handle All Your Taping Needs
Use our easy online checkout system or contact uswith any questions. Tape Jungle values your safety even more than your business. Let us handle both with the right reflective tape for you.