As a fleet manager or business owner, you likely know investing in fleet graphics is a smart choice for your business. Fleet graphics help build your brand identity, build consumer trust, and have a great ROI. However, as with anything related to operating a fleet, graphics come with their own governmental rules and regulations.
Successful fleet graphics should stay mindful of the best practices in fleet graphic design and comply with all regulations and requirements where your fleet operates. Each state is different, making things tricky if your fleet crosses state lines. In this article, we’ll delve into some best practices you can implement to ensure your fleet looks beautiful and remains compliant.
Fleet Graphics Compliance Best Practices
The best way to ensure compliance across state lines is to know your important national regulatory agencies and then get organized. The US government relies on two primary agencies to administrate transportation infrastructure and regulations: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). These agencies are responsible for creating and publishing national regulations.
Next, creating processes that will help you stay organized and on top of specific requirements is important. Incorporating time for regulatory compliance into your normal workflow will streamline your fleet graphics process and prevent unpleasant surprises down the road.
- Identify the types of vehicles in your fleet to understand the regulations specific to your industry. For example, cargo and delivery vehicles are required to have USDOT numbers which may be different from what the state and local requirements are for law enforcement and emergency vehicles.
- Conduct an audit to document all current regulations and compliance requirements. Your audit should encompass all national regulations and any state and local requirements in your area of operation. This initial audit will serve as a starting point for your team and be an excellent reference to cross-check the compliance of any of your designs.
- Stay updated on any regulatory changes. Set aside time in your calendar to inform yourself about any changes to regulations and compliance requirements pertinent to your fleet. As an added measure, be sure to sign up for notifications from the appropriate government agencies and trade groups to get alerts between your regularly scheduled reviews.
- Review regulation and compliance requirements before any fleet graphics refresh. In addition to your regular compliance review, it’s a good idea to build in a regulation review to any graphics refresh project to ensure that you won’t be surprised by new information late in the design process, or worse, fines and penalties once your fleet is out on the road.
Lastly, when it comes to compliance, quality materials matter. Choosing high-quality materials for your fleet graphics means your materials, whether they are required reflective vinyl or specific USDOT numbers, are less likely to warp, fade, or degrade to a level that undermines your regulatory compliance.
Work with A Company That Knows Regulations
The easiest way to navigate regulations for fleet graphics is to work with a company that ensures you follow every guideline and regulation within your entire service area.
Signature Graphics supports high-revenue corporations nationwide, each with thousands of design adaptations and operation locations. We’re familiar with the ins and outs of regulations and are ready to deploy our powerful knowledge and software to ensure compliance at every level. Don’t navigate the world of fleet graphics regulatory compliance alone. Let us help! Get in touch today.
We proudly use 3MTM graphic films and overlaminates.