Lighting
4-12 Rear-reg.-plate illumination lamps
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment
1. A motorcycle is not fitted with at least one rear-registration-plate illumination lamp.
Condition
2. A lamp is insecure.
3. A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter.
4. A reflector, or lens, is damaged or has deteriorated so that light output is reduced.
Performance
5. The lamp emits a light that is not:
a) substantially white, or
b) steady, or
c) diffuse.
6. The lamp does not illuminate the registration plate (eg either the lamp or plate have been moved, or the lamps orientation has been changed).
7. The light source of a lamp is visible from the rear of the motorcycle.
8. A motorcycle (eg a vintage or veteran motorcycle) does not meet standard rear-registration-plate illumination lamp requirements, and does not:
a) have a valid vehicle identity card with a lighting equipment endorsement, or
b) meet the conditions of the lighting equipment endorsement in its vehicle identity card.
9. An overlay has been applied that reduces or distorts the light emitted from the lamp (eg a tinted cover).
Note 1 Definitions
Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component, or equipment, but does not include repair.
Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.
Rear registration-plate illumination lamp means a lamp designed to illuminate the rear registration plate of a vehicle.
Note 2
A vehicle originally manufactured with a rear registration-plate illumination lamp arrangement that differs from what is required or permitted in this section may retain the original rear registration-plate illumination lamps provided they remain fitted in their original position and perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. At least one rear-registration-plate illumination lamp.
2. A motorcycle (eg a vintage or veteran motorcycle) manufactured without lamps, or with lamps that cannot meet lamp requirements, may obtain a WoF if:
a) the motorcycle has a valid vehicle identity card with a lighting equipment endorsement, and
b) the motorcycle meets the conditions of that endorsement.
Performance
3. A rear-registration-plate illumination lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
4. A lamp must emit a diffused light that is substantially white.
5. A rear-registration-plate illumination lamp must emit a steady light.
6. The light source of the lamp must not be visible from the rear of the motorcycle.
7. A lamp must illuminate the figures and letters of the plate so that they are visible from 20 m during normal darkness.
8. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.
Modifications
9. A rear-registration-plate illumination lamp that is affected by a modification must meet equipment, condition and performance requirements.
Page amended 2 December 2019 (see amendment details).