We start our journey in August, where do you buy those do not over take turning vehicle sign? We live in brisbane

Boroma577 · Guru

We start our journey in August, where do you buy those do not over take turning vehicle sign? We live in brisbane

Boroma577 · Guru

There are also very specific requirements as to where you place them on your van. They are only for vehicle and trailer (caravan) with an combined overall length of 7.5 metres or greater.

Side of vehicle edge to outer edge of mounted plate - 500mm maximum

Height from road surface to underside edge of mounted plate - 400mm minimum and 2000mm maximum. Height of the vehicle is to be determined when the vehicle is unladen and parked on a flat horizontal surface. (Probably not much of an issue with a van)

The above are the requirements for a class 1 plate which is 300 x 100; a 31L plate. The plate is also to be mounted on the left hand side of the van.

-- Edited by Boroma577 on Sunday 26th of February 2012 12:01:54 AM

Yuglamron · Guru

I was talking to my mechanic today and he is in the process of getting some printed up on magnetic strips.It is a requirement he says if towing.The combined length must be 7.5 meters or longer.Not allowed under 7.5m.It makes it illegal for someone to overtake if you are indicating you are turning.Means you can straddle the lanes to turn safely.

It makes the legal onus on the vehicle behind giving way.The "Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle" rules vary somewhat so it is best to check your own State or Territories rules although they are supposed to be uniform.

Better safe than sorry so best to check.

In Brisbane there is also a Truck accessory place at Virginia next to The Todds Hi-Fi store.They sell the Signs also. Diesel Spares in Ipswitch as well.

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Sunday 26th of February 2012 12:25:55 AM

Golly · Member

confuse

Happywanderer · The Master

Have you tried somewhere like Supercheap Auto. I know they have lots of signs. Oh and Welcome to the forum.

Golly · Member

THANKS FOR THAT, ON LIST FOR MONDAY

Golly · Member

SUPERCHEAP DOESNT SELL THEM BUT BOROMA HAS LEAD ME TO A PLACE.

THANKS FOR THE WELCOME,SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THE LIST IS GETTING SHORTER THAT WE NEED TO DO

Boroma577 · Guru

Golly wrote:
THANKS FOR THAT, ON LIST FOR MONDAY

You are welcome, happy to help.

tezza · Senior Member

do these signs have any standing legally when on a van. I think it would still be your responsibility to ensure you had room to turn and therefore such signs if they have no standing could lead to a false sense of security.

Cruising Granny · Guru

The signs are accepted as a legal warning, even on a caravan.
Towing a van means we should always be on our toes with our eyes on the mirrors at all time, but there's always the gherkin operating a motor vehicle who will ignore the logic to be cautious.
So it's still up to us to exercise all caution.
Make sure you have given adequate indication of your intentions.
I use the intersection sign as the distance to start indicating and tapping the brake pedal gently as you slow down on the approach to the intersection, driveway or whatever.
The idea of the sign is to warn other motorists of the possibility of tow-in as you turn, which could result in a collision if they attempt to overtake on the inside as you negotiate the corner/turn.
Unfortunately we can't do it for them, so we have to be the careful and aware ones.
Safe, happy travels.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome Golly, you must be getting excited about your trip, enjoy here and out there.

The "Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle" signs are just a warning sign to all travelling behind, it is to let them know your rig is long and you need to come out wider to do your turning, you must do this with caution because as CG said earlier and I liked her description that some "Gherkins" don't take notice or care.

As for a "Give Way" sign on the rear right of a BUS they are a legal sign and by law all vehicles behind a bus that is INDICATING to come out from a curb or bus stop MUST give way to that bus. Again, there are plenty of "Gherkins" (I like that CG) that don't care and off cause there are a lot of people for some reason don't actually know it is THE LAW. Check your road rules book. I'll leave it at that or I will be on that soap box of mine again. Have a great day and enjoy.

Antique Pete · Senior Member

Try driving on the gold coast the bus drivers seem to think they have the right of way to pull out on you even when you are nearly up to their drivers window, its no wonder so many get abused on the coast.They indicate and pull out no matter where you are and expect you to veer to the other lane

Dougwe · Chief one feather

True AP and not only up there, unfortunately SOME bus drivers are gherkins too. It's a two way street. The point of the matter is, just be courteous and careful, if we were all like that there would be fewer accidents and fatalities out there.

jimricho · Guru

If you check this site http://www.lets-getaway.com/overtakingsignageforcaravans.htm you'll find an explanation.

It's my understanding that without this sign one must remain in the left lane when turning left (also right lane if turning right in a one way street). A near impossibility with a large rig in some circumstances.

rodandjean · Member

I don't think the authorities would be too strict on the placement of the signage when you look at the back of trucks and see where it is placed. See photo of rear of our van. Also If your van has treatment, eg Vantec, stickers may not adhere properly.

Golly · Member

Thanks everyone for your help. what a great site.

justcruisin01 · Guru

I have checked this out just recently with the RTA, NSW, the only legal sighn is to be placed on the LEFT SIDE of the van/trailer over 7.5 mtrs & ONLY entitles you to use additional lane space to turn LEFT.

IF some one slips up the left side when you are turning & you have the sighn displayed then you are coverd & they are in the wrong.

IF you use additional lane space to turn right you will be fined.

A do not overtake sighn on the right side is illegal.

A stick on sighn that runs right accross the rear is illegal.

IF using one of these stick on ones you need to cut it into sections & place it on the LEFT side only.

TOO many people think that putting the stick on type right accross the back covers them in both directions, THIS IS WRONG.

IF you look at trucks there is a pair of reflective sighns, one each side as a saftey device, BUT the worded sighn is only on the LEFT.

DONT GET CAUGHT.

JC.

Ma · Guru

Thanks for that Jim. That makes the one we have on the back Illegal. Will rectify that as soon as we get home.

rodandjean · Member

This has been a ruling for vehicles over 7.5m for 20+ years. I cannot understand why any caravan over 7.5m in length or car and caravan combination over 7.5m in length have not had to put on these signs when registering the rv or why the caravan sales company do not place these on when you buy your van and hook up for the first time. I would be very surprised to find anybody from the Dept of Transport or Police Dept who would stop you on the side of the road for an infringement unless you had done something else to upset them.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Mine is also illegal according to Rod's rules, but there is no space on the left of the van where I can put it. I have a window across the back to the left. I have used the stickers in 2 sections on the right, in line with the window, as there is no where else to put it.
The fact it's there is warning enough. The screw on ones are too small in my opinion. Especially on the back of semi-trailers. They get lost in the dirt and dust.
Magnets won't work on aluminium, so it's glue or screw in the most appropriate place.
Some of the stringent regulations just waste paper, and once again, the rules are made by people to whom the rules never apply.
In the case of vans, the sign just covers our a.ss so to speak, rather than abiding by any law. Fifth wheelers would be something else I would imagine.
It's a bit like piloting. The sign on the roof must be of specific dimenstions. After that the rest of the rigmerol is specific to each state and there are some vast differences. Stop and slow lolly pop signs, triangles or witches hats, hand signals or no hand signals. Leaving the vehicle or not leaving the vehicle. Using the vehicle to control traffic or not using the vehicle. Too hard.
Let common sense be your guide. Common sense is not so common.

Boroma577 · Guru

I agree...it is not so much about the law and whether or not you will be fined but more about INSURANCE and whether or not they will PAY up in case of an accident as a result of the turning left from the right hand lane.

It is also my understanding that unless the sign is placed in the correct position on the van....you still will not be covered. No, I have not tested this to the letter of the law.

The smaller 31L plate (300x100) is quite visible on the back of a van....unless the back is already covered with stickers and then it might be a visibility issue.