Lighting
4-10 Stop lamps
Reasons for rejection
Permitted equipment
1. A forklift is:
a) is fitted with more than three pairs of stop lamps (including top-mounted stop lamps), or
b) is fitted with a stop lamp that is not in a pair.
2. A retrofitted stop lamp, other than a top-mounted lamp, is fitted at a height from the ground exceeding 2.1m.
3. A retrofitted pair of lamps is not:
a) symmetrically mounted, or
b) mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
4. A pair of top-mounted lamps is not mounted as far as is practicable to the top of the bodywork of the vehicle.
Condition
5. A lamp is insecure.
6. A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter.
7. A reflector is damaged or has deteriorated so that light output is reduced.
Performance
8. A lamp operates when the service brake is not applied.
9. A lamp emits a light that is not:
a) substantially red, or
b) diffuse, or
c) steady, or
d) projected to the rear, or
e) approximately equal in colour or intensity to the other lamp in a pair, or
f) bright enough to produce a light that is visible from a reasonable distance in normal daylight, eg due to modification, deterioration, dirt or an incorrect light source.
10. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.
12. On a vehicle of American origin fitted with combined stop and direction indicator lamps, the stop lamp function is not overridden by the indicator function.
Note 1
Stop lamp means a lamp that is designed to operate when the service brake is activated.
Note 2
A permitted stop lamp that does not comply with equipment, condition and performance requirements must be made to comply or be disabled so that it does not emit a light.
Note 3
A vehicle originally manufactured with a stop-lamp arrangement that differs from what is required or permitted in this section may retain the original stop 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 stop lamps at the rear which emit a light that is visible from a reasonable distance.
2. A retrofitted pair of stop lamps must be symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
3. A retrofitted stop lamp must be fitted at a height from the ground not exceeding 2.1m.
4. A forklift may be fitted at the rear with an additional pair of stop lamps provided they are positioned as close as is practicable to the top of the bodywork of the vehicle (top-mounted lamps).
Condition
5. A stop lamp must be in sound condition.
Performance
6. A stop lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
7. The light emitted from a stop lamp must be diffuse light that is substantially red.
8. A stop lamp must operate when a service brake is activated.
9. A stop lamp must emit a steady light.
10. If a vehicle of American origin is fitted with combined stop and direction indicator lamps, the indicator lamps may override the stop lamps so that the stop lamps will operate as direction indicators.
11. Where a stop lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.
Page amended 1 November 2012 (see amendment details).