Lighting
4-5 Direction indicator lamps
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory and permitted equipment
1. A vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 2006 that is so constructed that the driver’s arm signals cannot be seen from behind the vehicle is not fitted with one pair of rear direction indicator lamps.
2. A vehicle first registered on or after 1 January 2006 is not fitted with one pair of rear direction indicator lamps.
3. A vehicle is fitted with more than:
a) two pairs of lamps at the rear (other than top-mounted lamps), or
b) one pair of top-mounted lamps at the rear, or
c) two pairs of forward-facing lamps, or
d) two side-facing lamps on each side of the vehicle.
4. A vehicle is fitted with a lamp that is not in a pair.
5. A retrofitted lamp, other than a top-mounted lamp, is mounted 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).
6. A pair of top-mounted lamps is not fitted as close as is practicable to the top corners of the bodywork.
7. A retrofitted pair of lamps is not:
a) symmetrically mounted, or
b) mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
8. A vehicle is not fitted with a suitable device that indicates to the driver that a lamp has failed.
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 lamp’s reflector is damaged or has deteriorated so that light output is reduced.
12. A visual lamp-failure warning device is obscured from the driver in the driver’s seating position.
Performance
13. When switched on, a direction indicator lamp:
a) does not operate, or
b) does not begin flashing within one second of switching on, or
c) flashes:
i. faster than two flashes per second, or
ii. slower than one flash per second, or
iii. at a different rate from other lamps on the same side.
14. When switched on, a direction indicator lamp emits a light that is:
a) not substantially amber or red to the rear, or
b) not substantially white or amber to the front, or
c) not substantially amber to the side, or
d) not approximately equal in colour or intensity to the other lamp in a pair, or
e) not bright enough to be visible from 100 m in normal daylight and from 200m in normal darkness, eg due to modification, deterioration, dirt or an incorrect light source, or
f) too bright, causing significant dazzle to other road users, eg due to an incorrect light source, or
g) altered, eg due to damage or modification.
15. A mandatory lamp mounted outside the original position emits a light that is not visible within (Figure 4-5-1):
a) 15° above and below the horizontal, or
b) 45° inboard or 80° outboard.
16. A modification to the vehicle has reduced the visibility angles of a mandatory lamp to less than (Figure 4-5-1):
a) 15° above and below the horizontal, or
b) 45° inboard or 80° outboard.
17. On a vehicle of American specification fitted with combined stop and indicator lamps, the stop lamp function is not overridden by the indicator function.
18. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.
19. A lamp failure warning device does not operate.
Note 1
Direction indicator lamp means a lamp designed to emit a flashing light to signal the intention of the driver to change the direction of the vehicle to the right or to the left.
Note 2
A permitted (ie non-mandatory) rear- or a side-facing direction indicator lamp that does not comply with equipment, condition and performance requirements must be made to comply or 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
Vehicles first registered in New Zealand before 27 February 2005 may have rear direction indicator lamps that also function as reversing lamps.
Note 5
A vehicle originally manufactured with a direction-indicator-lamp arrangement that differs from what is required or permitted in this section may retain the original direction indicator lamps provided they remain fitted in their original position and perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Figure 4-5-1. Direction indicator beam angles
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory and permitted equipment
1. A vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 2006 must be fitted with one or two pairs of rearward-facing lamps if the vehicle is so constructed that it prevents an arm signal given by the driver from being seen behind the vehicle.
2. A vehicle first registered anywhere on or after 1 January 2006 must be fitted with one or two pairs of lamps fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
3. A vehicle may be fitted with an additional pair of lamps at the rear of the vehicle that must be symmetrically mounted as far towards the top corners of the bodywork of the vehicle as is practicable (top-mounted lamps).
4. A vehicle may be fitted with one or two pairs of forward-facing lamps.
5. A vehicle may be fitted with one or two side-facing lamps on each side.
6. A suitable device must be fitted that indicates to the driver the failure of a mandatory lamp.
7. A retrofitted pair of lamps must be mounted:
a) symmetrically as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable, and
b) 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.
8. On vehicles of American specification, the stop lamp and direction indicator lamp function may be combined in one lamp.
Condition
9. A direction indicator lamp must:
a) be in sound condition, and
b) not be obscured (if a mandatory lamp).
Performance
10. A direction indicator lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
11. A direction indicator lamp must emit a light that is substantially:
a) red or amber to the rear, and
b) white or amber to the front, and
c) amber to the side.
11. A lamp must flash at a fixed frequency in the range of 1 to 2 Hertz.
12. Each lamp in a pair must, when operated, emit a light of approximately equal intensity, colour and frequency.
13. The lamp-failure indicating device must function.
14. A lamp must emit a light that is visible from 100 m during normal daylight and 200 m in normal darkness.
15. A mandatory lamp must emit a light that is visible within angles of:
a) 15° above and below the horizontal, and
b) 45° inboard, and
c) 80° outboard.
16. If a vehicle of American specification is fitted with combined stop and indicator lamps, the indicator lamps must override the stop lamps so that the stop lamps operate as direction indicators.
17. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.