Transporting flagpoles in Germany: rules for long loads

Flagpoles are long, slender and often longer than the vehicle used to collect them. A 6-metre aluminium pole is light, but on a car roof rack or a small trailer it projects a long way beyond the vehicle. The rules for this are in section 22 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO).

Rear overhang

Under the StVO, parts of the journey outside its area of application do not count towards the 100-kilometre rule.

Marking from 1 metre

If the outermost end of the load projects more than 1 metre beyond the vehicle’s rear reflectors, under section 22(4) StVO it is to be marked, at least with:

1. a bright red flag of at least 30 × 30 cm, held open by a crossbar,
2. a bright red sign of the same size, hung so that it swings across the direction of travel, or
3. a vertically mounted cylindrical body of the same colour and height with a diameter of at least 35 cm.

These markers may not be mounted higher than 1.50 metres above the road. When visibility requires it, for example in the dark, at least one red light is to be fitted at the same point, plus a red reflector no higher than 90 cm. With a flagpole on a roof rack, the end of the pole is often well above 1.50 metres; under section 22 StVO, the marking still has to be fitted at the prescribed height.

Forward overhang

Under section 22(3) StVO, the load may not project forwards beyond the vehicle up to a height of 2.50 metres. Above that, a forward overhang of at most 50 cm is permitted. For a pole on a car roof rack, this means it may project at most 50 cm at the front, and most of the overhang is at the rear.

Side overhang

Under section 22(5) StVO, individual poles or posts and other objects that are hard to see may not project to the side. A pole projecting sideways beyond the vehicle is therefore not permitted. Vehicle and load together may not be wider than 2.55 metres or higher than 4 metres.

Load securing

Under section 22(1) StVO, the load is to be stowed and secured so that it cannot slip, tip over, roll back and forth or fall off even under full braking or a sudden evasive manoeuvre; the recognised rules of technology apply. With long poles, the following is common:

• several support points, so that the pole does not sag or swing,
• ratchet straps at at least two points,
• padding at the supports, so that the surface and coating are not damaged,
• transporting the pole head and pulley separately, because they stick out and break off easily.

Roof rack or trailer

On a roof rack, the pole lies high, so the marking at the end of the pole does not readily hang at the prescribed height of at most 1.50 metres. On a trailer, the load lies lower, and the rear overhang is then measured from the trailer. Sectional poles made of several segments can often be transported entirely inside the vehicle.

Poles on site

After delivery, the pole usually lies on the property until installation. Storage on several wooden beams, dry and without sagging, protects the coating and shape. How erection works and what building law requires is described in the guide to flagpole installation.