Vehicle interior

7-13 Audible warning devices

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

1. A motor vehicle is:

a) not fitted with a horn, or

b) fitted with a bell or whistle (Note 2), or

c) not an emergency vehicle (Note 1) and is fitted with a siren (Note 2).

2. A horn cannot be easily operated from the driver’s seating position.

Performance

3. The horn does not operate when activated.

4. The horn operates when not activated.

5. The sound from the horn is not steady and continuous, eg the horn plays a tune.

6. The horn is not audible at a distance of 100 m.

7. A siren fitted to an emergency vehicle operates when not activated.

Note 1

Emergency vehicle means a vehicle used for the attendance of emergencies and operated:

a) by an enforcement officer, or

b) by an ambulance service, or

c) as a fire service vehicle, or

d) as a civil defence emergency vehicle, or

e) as a New Zealand Defence Force emergency vehicle.

Note 2

A vehicle may be fitted with a bell, whistle or siren that is part of an anti-theft car alarm, personal security alarm or reversing warning device.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment

1. A vehicle must be fitted with a device (horn) that is audible to other road users.

Permitted equipment

2. A vehicle may be fitted with a bell, whistle or siren only as follows:

a) a siren fitted to an emergency vehicle (Note 1), or

b) a siren, bell or whistle that is part of an anti-theft car alarm, personal security alarm or a reversing warning device.

Performance

3. The device must be in good working order.

4. The device must be capable of giving a warning that is audible under normal traffic conditions from a distance of at least 100 m.

Modification

5. An audible warning device that is affected by a modification:

a) must meet the requirements for equipment and performance, and

b) does not require LVV specialist certification.

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