Lighting

4-11 High-mounted stop lamps

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A class MA vehicle first registered or manufactured on or after 1 January 1990 is not fitted with one high-mounted stop lamp.

2. A vehicle is fitted with more than two high-mounted stop lamps.

3. A lamp is not fitted in a central high-mounted position.

4. A lamp fitted to a group M or N vehicle, except one that does not have a rear window, or that does not have a rear window visible from the rear, has an illuminated surface that is lower than 150mm below the bottom edge of the rear window.

5. A vehicle (eg a vintage or veteran vehicle) does not meet standard stop lamp requirements, and:

a) does not have a valid vehicle identity card with a lighting equipment endorsement, or

b) does not meet the conditions of the lighting equipment endorsement in its vehicle identity card.

Condition

6. A lamp is insecure.

7. A mandatory lamp (Note 2) is obscured, or contains moisture in the form of large droplets, runs or puddles.

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

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

Performance

10. When the service brake is activated:

a) a mandatory (Note 2) lamp does not operate, or

b) a lamp does not remain steadily illuminated.

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

12. A lamp emits a light that is not:

a) substantially red, or

b) diffuse, or

c) projected to the rear, or

d) bright enough to be visible from 100m in normal daylight, eg due to modification, deterioration, dirt or an incorrect light source

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

Note 1 Definitions

High-mounted stop lamp means a stop lamp that is designed to be fitted in a central, high-mounted position at the rear of a vehicle.

Stop lamp means a lamp that is designed to operate when the service brake is activated.

Note 2

Mandatory lamp – the vehicle must have one high-mounted stop lamp that meets the equipment, condition and performance requirements. Any other high-mounted stop lamp is a permitted lamp. The permitted lamp is not required to operate, but if it does operate, it must meet the equipment, condition and performance requirements, although it may be obscured.

Note 3

A vehicle originally manufactured with a high-mounted stop lamp arrangement that differs from what is required or permitted in this section may retain the original high-mounted stop lamps provided they remain fitted in their original position and perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A class MA vehicle first registered or manufactured on or after 1 January 1990 must be fitted with one or two high-mounted stop lamps.

2. Any other vehicle may be fitted with one or two high-mounted stop lamps.

3. A lamp on a group M or N vehicle must be fitted in a central high-mounted position at the rear of the vehicle.

4. No part of a lamp’s illuminated surface must be lower than 150mm below the bottom edge of the rear window, except where there is no rear window fitted or visible from behind the vehicle.

5. A vehicle (eg a vintage or veteran vehicle) manufactured without lamps, or with lamps that cannot meet specified requirements, may obtain a WoF if:

a) the vehicle has a valid vehicle identity card with a lighting equipment endorsement, and

b) the vehicle meets the conditions of that endorsement.

Condition

6. A high-mounted stop lamp must be in good condition.

7. At least one high-mounted stop lamp must not be obscured.

Performance

8. A high-mounted stop lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.

9. The light emitted from a high-mounted stop lamp must be diffuse light that is substantially red.

10. A high-mounted stop lamp must emit a steady light.

11. At least one unobscured lamp must operate when the vehicle’s service brakes are activated.

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

Modifications

13. An overlay has been applied that reduces or distorts the light emitted from the lamp (eg a tinted cover).

14. A high-mounted stop lamp that is affected by a modification:

a) must meet equipment, condition and performance requirements, and

b) does not require LVV specialist certification.

Page amended 2 December 2019 (see amendment details).

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