Entrance and exit

6-3 PSV entry and exit steps, ramps and hoists (light PSVs)

Note An unmodified vehicle is not required to comply with Summary of legslation 1-5, or Reasons for rejection 1-4, provided that it complies with either:

  • UN/ECE 36 and UN/ECE 66; UN/ECE 107 and UN/ECE 66; UN/ECE 52 or Directive 2001/85/EC.

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory requirements

1. A permanent external step or ramp on the side of the passenger service vehicle:

a) extends more than 20mm beyond the adjacent body line of the vehicle, or

b) could injure a person (eg is not pedestrian friendly).

2. A manually operated extending step on the side of the vehicle:

a) does not have an audible or visual alarm to warn the driver when the vehicle is moving that the steps are extended more than 20mm beyond the adjacent bodyline of the vehicle , or

b) could injure a person (eg is not pedestrian friendly).

3. On a vehicle with a power operated retractable step:

a) the movement of the step is not synchronised with the operation of the associated door, or

b) the vehicle is able to move under its own power when the step is extended, or

c) if the associated door is not within the driver’s direct view, the door is able to be closed with a passenger on the step (compliance with this requirement may be demonstrated by placing a weight of 15kg at the centre of the step), or

d) the step protrudes more than 10mm beyond the adjacent line of the body work when the associated door is closed.

4. On a vehicle with a mechanically operated retractable step, the step protrudes more than 10mm beyond the adjacent line of the body work when the associated door is closed.

5. A ramp is not:

a) at least 800mm wide, or

b) at least 760mm wide with a 20mm high safety ridge along the side edges.

6. A fully extended ramp from a vehicle parked on a flat level surface has a gradient that is steeper than 1 in 4.

7. A handhold on steps or a ramp has a cross section dimension:

a) smaller than 20mm, or

b) greater than 45mm.

8. A vehicle does not comply with the requirements relating to mandatory requirements set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 6-3.

Condition and performance

9. A vehicle does not comply with a requirement relating to condition or performance set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 6-3.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory requirements

1. Permanent external steps and ramps on the side of the passenger service vehicle must not extend more than 20mm beyond the adjacent body line of the vehicle, and must be constructed so that they are not likely to injure any person.

2. Manually operated extending steps on the side of the passenger service vehicle must:

a) be constructed so that they are not likely to injure any person, and

b) protrude no more than 20mm beyond the adjacent body line of the vehicle when they are folded away, and

c) if the steps extend more than 20mm beyond the adjacent body line of the vehicle, have an audible or visual alarm system that alerts the driver if the vehicle is moving and the steps are extended.

3. Retractable steps must comply with the requirements of the version of UN/ECE Regulation No. 52, UN/ECE Regulation No. 107 or Directive 2001/85/EC, which was applicable either:

a) if they were fitted before the vehicle entered service as a PSV in New Zealand, at the time when the vehicle entered service as a PSV in New Zealand, or

b) if they were fitted after the vehicle entered service as a PSV in New Zealand, at the time the steps were fitted.

4. Power operated retractable steps must meet the following requirements:

a) the movement of the step must be synchronised with the operation of the associated door, and

b) the vehicle must not be able to move under its own power when the step is extended, and

c) if the associated door is not within the driver’s direct view, the door must not be able to be closed with a passenger on the step (compliance with this requirement may be demonstrated by placing a weight of 15kg at the centre of the step), and

d) the step must not protrude more than 10mm beyond the adjacent line of the body work when the associated door is closed.

5. Mechanically operated retractable steps must not protrude more than 10mm beyond the adjacent line of the body work when the associated door is closed.

6. Ramps must be at least 800 mm wide, or at least 760mm wide with a 20mm high safety ridge along the side edges.

7. A ramp which is fully extended from a vehicle parked on a flat level surface must not have a gradient that is steeper than 1 in 4 .

8. The cross section dimension of handholds on steps or ramps must have no dimension smaller than 20mm or greater than 45mm.

9. A vehicle must comply with the requirements relating to mandatory requirements set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 6-3.

Condition and performance

10. A vehicle must comply with the requirements relating to condition and performance set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 6-3.

Page amended 1 November 2017 (see amendment details).

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