Lighting

4-10 Stop lamps

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A trailer first registered in NZ on or after 1 April 2012:

a) is not fitted with one pair of stop lamps, or

b) is fitted with more than two pairs of stop lamps, or

c) is fitted with a stop lamp that is not in a pair.

2. A trailer first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978:

a) is not fitted with one pair of stop lamps (Note 1) if the trailer is so constructed that the driver’s arm signals or the towing vehicle’s stop lamps cannot be seen from behind the trailer, or

b) is fitted with more than two pairs of stop lamps, or

c) is fitted with a stop lamp that is not in a pair.

3. A trailer first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978:

a) is not fitted with one stop lamp if the trailer is so constructed that the driver’s arm signals or the towing vehicle’s stop lamps cannot be seen from behind the trailer, or

b) is fitted with more than four stop lamps.

4. A stop lamp is fitted at a height from the ground exceeding 1.5m (or 2.1m where fitting below 1.5m is not practicable due to the shape of the bodywork of the trailer).

5. A pair of lamps is not:

a) symmetrically mounted, or

b) mounted as far towards each side of the trailer as practicable.

Condition

6. A lamp is insecure or, if a mandatory lamp, contains moisture in the form of large droplets, runs or puddles.

7. A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter.

8. A reflector is damaged or has deteriorated so that light output is reduced.

Performance

9. When the service brake is activated:

a) a mandatory lamp does not operate, or

b) a lamp does not remain steadily illuminated.

10. A lamp operates when the service brake is not activated.

11. A lamp emits a light that is:

a) not substantially red, or

b) not diffuse, or

c) not projected to the rear, or

d) not approximately equal in intensity from the other lamp in a pair, or not bright enough to produce a light that is visible from 100m in normal daylight, eg due to modification, deterioration, dirt or an incorrect light source.

12. A mandatory lamp emits a light that is not visible within (Figure 4-10-1):

a) 15˚ above and below the horizontal, or

b) 45˚ inboard and outboard

13. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.

14. On a trailer 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 (ie non-mandatory) 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.

Figure 4-10-1. Stop lamp beam angles

Stop lamp beam angles

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A trailer first registered in NZ before 1 January 1978 must be fitted with one stop lamp, or one or two pairs of stop lamps, if the trailer is so constructed that the driver’s arm signals or the towing vehicle’s stop lamps cannot be seen from behind the trailer.

2. A trailer first registered in NZ between 1 January 1978 and 31 March 2012 must be fitted with one or two pairs of stop lamps if the trailer is so constructed that the driver’s arm signals or the towing vehicle’s stop lamps cannot be seen from behind the trailer.

3. A trailer first registered in NZ on or after 1 April 2012 must be fitted with one or two pairs of stop lamps.

4. A pair of stop lamps must be symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the trailer as is practicable.

5. A stop lamp must be fitted at a height from the ground not exceeding 1.5m, or if this is not practicable due to the shape of the bodywork of the trailer, not exceeding 2.1m.

Condition

6. A stop lamp must:

a) be in sound condition, and

b) not be obscured (if a mandatory lamp).

Performance

7. A stop lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.

8. The light emitted from a stop lamp must be diffuse light that is substantially red.

9. A required stop lamp must operate when a service brake is activated.

10. A required stop lamp must provide sufficient light output to fulfil its intended purpose.

11. A stop lamp must emit a steady light.

12. A mandatory stop lamp must emit a light that is visible within the angles of 15˚ above and below the horizontal, and 45˚ inboard and outboard.

13. If a trailer of American origin is fitted with combined stop and direction indicator lamps, the indicator lamps must override the stop lamps so that the stop lamps will operate as direction indicators.

14. Where a stop lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.

Page amended 28 April 2013 (see amendment details).

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