Lighting
4-10 Stop lamps
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory and permitted equipment
1. A class LE vehicle first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 is not fitted with one stop lamp.
2. A class LE vehicle is fitted with more than two stop lamps.
3. A group M or N vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978:
a) is not fitted with one stop lamp if the vehicle is so constructed that the driver’s arm signals cannot be seen from behind the vehicle, or
b) is fitted with more than four stop lamps.
4. A group M or N vehicle first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 is:
a) not fitted with one pair of stop lamps, or
b) fitted with more than two pairs of stop lamps, or
c) fitted with a stop lamp that is not in a pair, or
d) an emergency vehicle and is fitted with more than three pairs of lamps, including top-mounted lamps.
5. An emergency vehicle is fitted with:
a) more than one pair of top-mounted lamps, or
b) top-mounted lamps that are not mounted as close as is practicable to the top corners of the bodywork.
6. A vehicle (eg 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.
7. A retrofitted stop lamp, other than a top-mounted lamp on an emergency vehicle, 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 vehicle).
8. A retrofitted pair of lamps is not:
a) symmetrically mounted, or
b) mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
Condition
9. A lamp is insecure or, if a mandatory lamp, contains moisture in the form of large droplets, runs or puddles.
10. A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage that allows moisture or dirt to enter.
11. A reflector is damaged or has deteriorated so that light output is reduced.
Performance
12. When the service brake is activated:
a) a mandatory lamp does not operate, or
b) a lamp does not remain steadily illuminated.
13. A lamp operates when the service brake is not applied.
14. 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
e) 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, or
f) is altered, eg due to damage or modification.
15. A non-OE mandatory lamp mounted outside the original position 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.
16. A modification to the vehicle has reduced the visibility angles of a mandatory lamp to less than (Figure 4-10-1):
a) 15˚ above and below the horizontal, or
b) 45˚ inboard and outboard.
17. An overlay has been applied that reduces or distorts the light emitted from the lamp (eg a tinted cover).
18. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.
19. 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 Definitions
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.
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
An original equipment (OE) lamp is one that is fitted by the vehicle manufacturer in the original position, or is an equivalent replacement or aftermarket lamp suitable for the position provided by the vehicle manufacturer for that lamp. All other lamps are considered retrofitted (ie non-OE).
Note 4
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.
Figure 4-10-1. Stop-lamp visibility angles
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory and permitted equipment
1. A class LE vehicle:
a) first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978 may be fitted with one or two stop lamps.
b) first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 must be fitted with one or two stop lamps
2. A group M or N vehicle:
a) first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978:
i. may be fitted with one, two or four stop lamps, or
ii. must be fitted with one, two or four stop lamps if its construction, equipment or loading prevents an arm signal given by the driver from being seen from behind the vehicle.
b) first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 must be fitted with one or two pairs of stop lamps that emit a light that is visible from 100m.
3. An emergency vehicle may be fitted with an additional pair of lamps that must be symmetrically mounted as near the top corners of the bodywork of the vehicle as is practicable (top-mounted lamps).
4. 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.
5. A retrofitted pair of stop lamps must be symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
6. A retrofitted stop lamp, other than a top-mounted 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 vehicle, not exceeding 2.1m.
7. 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
8. A stop lamp must:
a) be in sound condition, and
b) not be obscured (if a mandatory lamp).
Performance
9. A stop lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
10. The light emitted from a stop lamp must be diffuse light that is substantially red.
11. A required stop lamp must operate when a service brake is activated.
12. A required stop lamp must provide sufficient light output to fulfil its intended purpose.
13. A stop lamp must emit a steady light.
14. A retrofitted 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.
15. If a vehicle 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.
16. Where a stop lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.
Modifications (Note 1)
17. A stop lamp that is affected by a modification must meet equipment, condition and performance requirements.
Page amended 2 December 2019 (see amendment details).