Lighting
4-5 Direction indicator lamps
Reasons for rejection
Permitted equipment
1. A forklift is fitted with more than:
a) two pairs of lamps at the rear, or
b) two pairs of lamps at the front, or
c) two side-facing lamps on each side.
2. A forklift is fitted with a lamp that is not in a pair.
3. A retrofitted pair of lamps is not:
a) symmetrically mounted, or
b) mounted as far towards each side of the forklift as is practicable.
Condition
4. A lamp is insecure.
5. A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter.
6. A reflector is damaged or has deteriorated so that light output is reduced.
Performance (Note 2)
7. When switched on, a direction indicator lamp:
a) does not operate, or
b) does not begin flashing within one second of switching on, or
c) flashes:
i. faster than two flashes per second, or
ii. slower than one flash per second, or
iii. at a different rate from other lamps on the same side.
8. When switched on, a direction indicator lamp emits a light that is:
a) not substantially amber or red to the rear, or
b) not substantially white or amber to the front, or
c) not substantially amber to the side, or
d) not approximately equal in colour or intensity to the other lamp in a pair, or
e) not bright enough to be visible from 100m in normal daylight and from 200m in normal darkness, eg due to modification, deterioration, dirt or an incorrect light source, or
f) too bright causing significant dazzle to other road users, eg due to an incorrect light source, or
g) altered, eg due to damage or modification.
9. On a forklift of American origin fitted with combined stop and indicator lamps, the stop lamp function is not overridden by the indicator function.
10. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.
Note 1
Direction indicator lamp means a lamp designed to emit a flashing light to signal the intention of the driver to change the direction of the vehicle to the right or to the left.
Note 2
A rear- or side-facing direction indicator lamp that does not comply with equipment, condition and performance requirements must be made to comply or disabled so that it does not emit a light.
Note 3
A vehicle originally manufactured with a direction-indicator-lamp arrangement that differs from what is required or permitted in this section may retain the original direction indicator lamps provided they remain fitted in their original position and perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Permitted equipment
1. A forklift may be fitted with one or two pairs of lamps to the front and rear of the vehicle.
2. A forklift may be fitted with one or two side-facing lamps on each side.
3. A suitable device may be fitted that indicates to the driver the failure of a mandatory lamp.
4. A retrofitted pair of lamps must be mounted symmetrically as far towards each side of the forklift as is practicable.
5. On forklifts of American origin, the stop lamp and direction indicator lamp function may be combined in one lamp.
Condition
6. A direction indicator lamp must be in sound condition.
Performance
7. A direction indicator lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
8. A direction indicator lamp must emit a light that is substantially:
a) red or amber to the rear, and
b) white or amber to the front, and
c) amber to the side.
9. A lamp must flash at a fixed frequency in the range of 1 to 2 Hertz.
10. Each lamp in a pair must, when operated, emit a light of approximately equal intensity, colour and frequency.
11. The lamp-failure indicating device, if fitted, must function.
12. A lamp must emit a light that is visible from 100m during normal daylight and 200m in normal darkness.
13. If a vehicle of American origin is fitted with combined stop and indicator lamps, the indicator lamps may override the stop lamps so that the stop lamps operate as direction indicators.
14. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.