The difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis is how much fluorescent background fabric and retroreflective tape the garment carries. Class 3 needs at least 0.80 m² of fluorescent fabric and 0.20 m² of reflective tape — 60% more fluorescent fabric than Class 2 (0.50 m² and 0.13 m²) — and it must cover the torso with reflective bands on the sleeves, on full-length trouser legs, or both. That makes a Class 3 wearer visible from further away and from every angle, which is why it is the class for work near fast traffic.
All three classes come from EN ISO 20471, the standard for high-visibility clothing used across the UK and Europe. The class depends on the amount of visible material, not on the type of garment.
| Class | Fluorescent fabric | Reflective tape | Typical garments | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² | Hi-vis trousers on their own | Low risk, away from traffic |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² | Hi-vis vests and waistcoats, some polos and T-shirts | Most general site, yard and car park work |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² | Sleeved hi-vis jackets, coveralls, jacket-and-trouser suits | Near fast traffic, at night and in poor visibility |
Class 2 or Class 3: which do you need?
Your risk assessment decides, and the biggest factor is the speed of traffic around your people. A common rule of thumb used by manufacturers is Class 1 where vehicles travel below about 20 mph (30 km/h), Class 2 up to about 40 mph (60 km/h), and Class 3 above that. Move up a class when the conditions make people harder to see:
- Work beside roads with traffic at speed, including motorways and dual carriageways
- Night work, dawn and dusk, rain, fog and snow
- Busy, cluttered backgrounds where a vest can get lost among plant, signage and lights
- Long sight lines, where drivers and plant operators need to spot people from a distance
Then check what your client requires. Principal contractors, highways authorities and rail sponsors often set their own minimum, and their rule applies on their site even if your own assessment would accept less.
Can a hi-vis vest be Class 3?
No. Class 3 needs reflective bands on sleeves or full-length trouser legs, and a sleeveless vest has neither, so a vest on its own tops out at Class 2. For Class 3 from a single garment, choose a sleeved hi-vis jacket, sweatshirt or coverall.
Combining garments to reach Class 3
A Class 2 jacket or waistcoat worn with Class 1 trousers can give a Class 3 outfit, but only when the manufacturer has certified that combination — the label or user information will say so. Two garments that are each certified on their own do not automatically add up to Class 3. Some clients, including many UK highways contracts, require the upper-body garment to be Class 3 by itself, so check before relying on a combination.
Check the class on every size
A garment is certified on its smallest size, and because small sizes carry less fabric and tape, some styles are Class 3 in most sizes but only Class 2 in the smallest ones. The label inside each garment shows its class, so check the labels when you kit out a team with a spread of sizes.
Rail and highways
For Network Rail work, hi-vis must be orange and meet RIS-3279-TOM, which builds on EN ISO 20471 with a Class 2 minimum. Many rail contractors ask for more, so follow your sponsor's rules. On roadworks, follow the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 and your client's specification — for work beside high-speed traffic, that normally means Class 3.
Keep it compliant in service
Hi-vis only works while the fluorescent fabric stays bright and the reflective tape stays intact. Garments fade and tape cracks with washing and wear, and many labels state a maximum number of wash cycles, so inspect regularly and replace anything dirty, faded or damaged — a washed-out jacket may no longer meet the class on its label. The same applies to branded hi-vis: a logo must not cover so much fluorescent fabric that the garment drops a class.
This is general guidance. Always follow your own risk assessment and any client or sector-specific hi-vis requirements, such as RIS-3279-TOM for rail.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
- Class 3 has more visible material: at least 0.80 m² of fluorescent fabric and 0.20 m² of reflective tape, against 0.50 m² and 0.13 m² for Class 2. It must also have reflective bands on the sleeves or full-length legs, so the wearer is visible from every angle.
- Can a hi-vis vest be Class 3?
- No. A sleeveless vest has no sleeve or leg bands, so on its own it can reach Class 2 at most. For Class 3 choose a sleeved jacket or coverall, or a combination the manufacturer has certified as Class 3.
- Do Class 1 trousers and a Class 2 vest make Class 3?
- Only if the manufacturer has certified that combination as Class 3, which the label or user information will state. Some clients, including many UK highways contracts, require the upper-body garment to be Class 3 on its own.
- Which hi-vis class do I need?
- Your risk assessment and your client decide. As a rule of thumb, Class 2 covers most general site work and Class 3 is needed near traffic above about 40 mph, at night and in poor visibility.
- Does washing affect the hi-vis class?
- Yes. Fading and cracked tape reduce the visible area, and many garments are only certified up to a stated number of washes. Replace garments that are faded, dirty or damaged.