87 euros could easily be saved. At least that's how much holidaymakers in Italy had to pay as a fine if they did not secure their load at the rear with the prescribed warning sign. The rectangular metal plate, hatched with five red stripes and measuring 50 x 50 centimetres, costs less than 20 euros in car accessory shops. After several changes to the labelling requirement over the past 24 months, the authorities have now decided that the warning sign is no longer required for certain transport systems. All carrier systems that are attached to the ball head of the towbar and are equipped with their own lighting and a repeat licence plate are now exempt from the warning plate.
It does not matter whether the carrier system is used to transport bicycles, skis or a transport box. The regulation applies to all vehicles in categories M1, i.e. passenger cars and motorhomes, as well as group N1, light commercial vehicles. But be careful: rear carriers that are permanently attached to the rear doors, as in some panel vans converted into camper vans, or to the rear wall in other body types, do not benefit from the relief. They must still be labelled with the warning sign described above. If the load extends beyond the dimensions of the bodywork on both sides, which may well be the case with large e-bikes, the regulatory authorities even require the warning sign to be fitted twice, one on the right-hand side and one on the left-hand side. (aum)