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Lighting

4-16 Heavy vehicle lighting identification and requirements

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Heavy vehicle lights identification and requirements

Information

Identifying heavy vehicle lights – front of vehicle

front

Heavy vehicle front mandatory lamps totals (Note 1) (Note 2)

Type of front lamp	Minimum number	Maximum number	Other requirements
Headlamps - dipped beam	1 pair	1 pair	2 pair may be fitted if registered 01/01/1977 - 31/03/1980
Direction indicator lamps	1 pair	2 pair	Vehicle first registered anywhere from 01/07/1967
Direction indicator side lamps	1 pair	2 pair	Vehicle first registered from 01/01/1978, and exceeds 9.2m length
Forward facing position lamp	1 pair	1 pair	Vehicle first registered from 01/01/1978 that exceeds 1.5m width, or vehicle exceeds 2m width
End outline marker lamps	2 (Cab roof)	Unlimited	Vehicle first registered before 27/02/2005, and GVM exceeds 11,300kg, or combination exceeds 9.2m length
End outline marker lamps	2 (Cab roof)	12	Vehicle manufactured before 01/04/2011, and GVM exceeds 11,300kg, or combination exceeds 9.2m length
End outline marker lamps	2	12	Vehicle manufactured from 1/04/2011, and vehicle GVM/GCM exceeds 12,000kg, or combo exceeds 2.1m width
End outline marker lamps	2	6	Vehicle manufactured from 1/04/2011, and vehicle exceeds 2.1m width

Identifying heavy vehicle lights – rear of vehicle

rear

Heavy vehicle rear mandatory lamps totals (Note 1) (Note 2)

Type of rear lamp	Minimum number	Maximum number	Other requirements
Direction indicator lamps	1 pair	2 pair	Vehicle first registered anywhere from 01/07/1967
Direction indicator side facing lamps	2	4	Vehicle first registered in NZ after 01/01/1978 that exceeds 9.2m length
Rearward facing position lamp	1	1 or 2 pair	Vehicle first registered before 01/01/78 that exceeds 1.5m width
Rearward facing position lamp	1 pair	2 pair	Vehicle first registered after 01/01/78 that exceeds 1.5m width
Stop lamps	1	2 or 4	Vehicle first registered NZ before 01/01/78 where construction or load mean driver's arm signals cannot be seen
Rear registration plate lamp	1	Unlimited

Heavy trailer mandatory lamps totals (Note 1) (Note 2)

Type of lamp	Minimum number forward facing	Maximum number forward facing	Minimum number rearward facing	Maximum number rearward facing	Other criteria
Direction indicator lamps			1 pair	2 pair	Trailer first registered in NZ 01/04/2012 or after, or 1st registered in NZ before 01/04/2012 but driver's arm signals cannot be seen
Rearward facing position lamp			1 lamp	2 pair	Trailer first registered NZ before 01/01/1978, and less than 1.5m width
Rearward facing position lamp			1 pair	2 pair	Trailer first registered after 01/01/1978, and exceeds 1.5m width
Side marker lamps			2	Unlimited	Trailer with 2 or more axles, or articulated veh exceeds 9.2m length
Forward facing position lamp	1 pair	1 pair			Trailer more than 2m wide
Stop lamps - Rear -			1 lamp	2 pair	Trailer first registered before 01/01/1978
Stop lamps - Rear			1 pair	2 pair	Trailer first registered after 01/01/1978 but before 31/03/2012, fitted If drivers arm signals can not be seen -
Stop lamps - Rear			1 pair	2 pair	Trailer first registered after 01/04/2012
Rear registration lamps			1 lamp	Unlimited

Note 1

Land Transport Rule Vehicle Lighting 2004, s1.4(3) Lighting equipment that, before 27 February 2005, was approved for fitting to a vehicle under any enactment in force immediately before the commencement of this rule, whether or not the lighting equipment was required to be fitted, may remain fitted on or after 27 February 2005 if it complies with the relevant safety requirements in this rule.

Note 2

Definition: Position lamp – a low intensity lamp to indicate the presence and dimensions of a vehicle, being: a forward facing position lamp (front side lamp), a rearward facing position lamp (rear side lamp or tail lamp), a side marker lamp, an end outline marker lamp (indludes cab roof lamp).