<<The white reflective stripes alone at the height you have them is
illegal in all 50.
Got any links to documentation on this? California Vehicle Code shows no
reference whatsoever to height with regard to reflective material. The
only stipulation is that the sum total of everything on the back that
reflects "perceptible light of 0.05 candela or more per foot-candle of
incident illumination" must be "predominantly red". So long as his tail
lights provide 51% of the reflected light, he should be OK>>

I have a current DOT rules and regulations book at work to keep the
trucks there legal.

The only white reflective tape ( alone )
 is to outline the L/H and R/H upper corner's of the top of the rear of
any vehicle.

Look at the back of any UPS delivery truck.

They of anybody are always up to date on the current rules, and all of
them here have the correct marking on the back of their trucks here.

When I do come up with the specific DOT  documentation and  reference
number's do I think this will change anybodies mind of what is to go
where?

Nope.

The rear of every new semi comes from the factory with the appropriate
reflective tape in place just where I said it was to be.
Every new trailer has them in the proper place also, on the sides and
the rear.
If you install any reflective materials on the back of anything, it must
be the correct color located in the proper place.

Every new class 5 & 6 straight trucks have them too.

They even have a spacing and placement regulations.

On the side of any vehicle the end of the reflective material must end
at the rear of the vehicle with the color red, and start with the color
white. ( in front )

So on the sides of a 53' trailer you have to do some planning to start
in white and end in red.

On the rear of any vehicle both sides must end in red reflective
material ( to indicate the corner's.)

(More planning ahead.)

It's a federally mandated highway law, which overrides any and all state
law's, which is regulated, and enforced by the DOT.

If this Van simply had red tape in between the white tape the Van would
be legal.

Wait till this guy's ride glares white in the puss of some state squad,
or some county mountie on some dark road late at night.

He'll soon find out what the rules of the road are.

Just be sure to say; "Thank you Very Much Sir"- ~: )