Reflective Tape Grades Explained: Which Class Do You Actually Need?

Quick facts

• Standard: AS/NZS 1906.1 — Retroreflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes
• Common classes: Class 1, Class 1X, Class 2 (with “diamond grade” referring to a highperformance product tier, not a separate class)
• Where used: Vehicle and trailer marking, road signs, mine-site equipment, fixed safety signage

I’m Doug Lindqvist, General Manager of Pinnacle Signage. “Reflective tape” sounds like a single product, but the class you choose actually determines whether your vehicle or signage meets legal visibility requirements — or just looks shiny in the shop lights.

Class 1 vs Class 1X vs Class 2

Reflective materials sold in Australia are generally classed under AS/NZS 1906.1, with performance grades including:

• Class 1: Standard-performance reflective tape, suited to general vehicle marking and lower-risk applications.
• Class 1X: A higher-intensity grade (often marketed under “diamond grade” style branding), delivering stronger retroreflectivity for demanding conditions such as mine sites or high-speed roads.
• Class 2: Used in specific fixed-signage and road-control applications where the standard specifies this grade.

The right class depends on what you’re marking and where it operates, rather than simply choosing the most expensive option by default.

Vehicles vs Fixed Signage

Vehicle and trailer contour marking (the reflective outline you see on the sides and rear of trucks) typically uses tape rated for vehicle conformity requirements, since it needs to remain visible to approaching traffic at speed, day and night.

Fixed safety signage, on the other hand, is chosen based on the sign’s own visibility requirements — a warehouse warning sign under indoor lighting has very different needs to a roadside sign exposed to headlights at 100km/h.

Mixing these up — using a lower-grade tape on a vehicle that needs high-speed nighttime visibility — can leave you technically non-compliant even if the tape looks reflective under normal light.

UV and Weathering in Australian Conditions

Reflective performance degrades over time, and Australia’s UV exposure accelerates that more than milder climates.

Tape that’s been on an outdoor sign or vehicle for several years in full sun should be checked for fading, cracking, or lifting at the edges — reflectivity that’s degraded below the original rating may no longer meet the standard it was sold under, even if it still looks intact from a distance.

Choosing the Right Tape

Pinnacle Signage stocks a range of AS/NZS 1906.1-compliant Reflective Tapes suited to vehicles, fixed signage, and machinery. Browse the range, or get in touch if you’re not sure which class your application needs.

• Fast Dispatch: Most orders dispatched within 48 hours.
• Free Shipping: On orders over $100 AU wide (exceptions apply).
• Local Pickup: Available from our East Wagga Wagga, NSW warehouse, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.

This article is general information only. Confirm the specific class required for your application against AS/NZS 1906.1 and any relevant vehicle or road authority requirements.