Tyres, wheels and hubs

10-3 Mudguards

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

1. A mudguard over a road wheel is missing where it is reasonable and practicable to fit a mudguard, unless the vehicle is:

a) in an unfinished condition legally used under the authority of trade plates, or

b) not capable of exceeding a speed of 30km/h, or

c) has a valid mudguard exemption issued by the New Zealand Hot Rod Association (Figure 10-3-4).

2. A mudguard does not cover the full tread width (Note 2) of a tyre or tyres fitted to a road wheel (Figure 10-3-1 and Figure 10-3-2), except when the mudguard is fitted to a vehicle designed for industrial purposes and it is not practicable to fit a full mudguard due to the vehicle’s construction.

3. On a vehicle with twin or close-spaced multiple tyres a mudguard fitted over a wheel on the rear axle is more than one-third higher than the horizontal distance between the vertical lines of the lowest point of the mudguard and the centre of the wheel (Figure 10-3-3), except when:

a) the mudguard is fitted to a vehicle designed for industrial purposes and it is not practicable to fit a full mudguard due to the vehicle’s construction.

4. A truck used for transporting round timber does not have mudguards over steer axles (Figure 10-3-6).

5. A truck used for transporting round timber does not have at least partial guards fitted to the front and rear tyres of the drive axle set (Figure 10-3-6).

Mudguard condition

6. A mudguard is not securely fixed to the vehicle.

7. A mudguard is so constructed or damaged that it is likely to present a hazard to road users (Note 2).

Modification (see also Introduction 3.1.2: Note 3)

8. A modification affects a mudguard, and:

a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 10-3-1), and

b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:

i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or

ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card, or

iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13.

Note 1 Definitions

Mudguard means a fitting, inclusive of any portion of the vehicle and of any mudflaps attached, that serves to intercept material thrown up by a wheel more or less in the plane of the wheel.

Tyre tread means the portion of a tyre that contacts the road.

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.

Note 2

Damage on full mudguards fitted to logging trucks is permissible if it is above a horizontal line on top of the tyre (Figure 10-3-5), and that damage is unlikely to result in the mudguard presenting a hazard to road users.

Table 10-3-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification

Fitting of or modification to

LVV certification is not required provided that:

Modified mudguards, including flared wheel arches or the addition of mudguard extensions

  • A mudguard has not been cut during modification, and
  • modified mudguards or extensions have no sharp protrusions, and
  • mudguard extensions are securely attached to the vehicle, and
  • the mudguard/mud flap is no less effective than OE.
  • Note: Mudguards flared via rolling do not require certification.

Fitting of or modification to

LVV certification is never required:

Any modification for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services

  • in-service requirements for condition and performance must be met.
Figure 10-3-1. Position of individual mudguard in relation to tyre tread

Position of individual mudguard in relation to tyre tread

Figure 10-3-2. Position of body panel mudguard in relation to tyre tread

Position of body panel mudguard in relation to tyre tread

Figure 10-3-3. Size and position of mudguards for the rear wheels of a vehicle fitted with dual wheels or close-spaced multiple wheels

Size and position of mudguards for the rear wheels of a vehicle Size and position of mudguards for the rear wheels of a vehicle

Figure 10-3-4. LVV Authority Card: New Zealand Hot Rod Association

LVV Authority Card: New Zealand Hot Rod Association

Figure 10-3-5. Permissible damage area on logging truck mudguards (Note 2)

Permissable damage area on logging truck mudguards

Figure 10-3-6 . Heavy vehicle mudguard requirements

HV mudguard requirements

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment

1. A vehicle must be fitted with a mudguard over each road wheel if it is reasonable and practicable to do so (Note 1).

2. A mudguard must cover no less than the width of the tyre tread on each road wheel (Figure 10-3-1 and Figure 10-3-2).

3. A vehicle fitted with twin tyres or close-spaced multiple tyres must be fitted with a mudguard over each wheel on the rear axle that provides continuous protection from a horizontal line tangent to the top of the tyre tread (Note 2) to a line with a slope of 1 in 3 rising rearward from the tyre’s contact point on the road (Figure 10-3-3).

4. A vehicle designed for industrial purposes may be fitted with partial mudguards if the vehicle’s construction makes it impracticable to fit full mudguards.

5. The following vehicles are not required to be fitted with mudguards:

a) a vehicle in an unfinished condition used under the authority of trade plates and operated in accordance with the Compliance Rule

b) a vehicle not capable of exceeding a speed of 30 km/h

c) a vehicle with a valid LVV authority card (Figure 10-3-4).

Mudguard condition

6. A mudguard must be securely fixed to the vehicle and must be constructed so that it does not present a hazard to road users.

Modification

7. A modification that affects a mudguard must be inspected and certified by a Low Volume Vehicle specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:

a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV certification (Table 10-3-1), and

b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.

Page amended 29 April 2020 (see amendment details).

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