Lighting
4-10 Stop lamps
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory and permitted equipment
1. A 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 a stop lamp that is not in a pair.
2. A vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978 is:
a) not fitted with one single lamp or one pair of lamps, or
b) fitted with more than one single lamp.
3. A vehicle is fitted with more than:
a) two pairs of lamps other than top-mounted lamps, or
b) one pair of top-mounted lamps.
4. A retrofitted stop lamp other than a top-mounted lamp 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).
5. A pair of top-mounted lamps is not fitted as far as is practicable towards the top corners of the bodywork of the vehicle.
6. 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
7. A lamp is insecure.
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.
10. A mandatory lamp is obscured, or contains moisture in the form of large droplets, runs or puddles.
Performance
11. When the service brake is activated:
a) a mandatory lamp does not operate, or
b) a lamp does not remain steadily illuminated.
12. A lamp operates when the service brake is not applied.
13. 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 colour or 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. On a vehicle of American specification fitted with combined stop and direction indicator lamps, the stop lamp function is not overridden by the indicator function.
17. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.
Note 1
Stop lamp means a lamp that is designed to operate when the service brake is applied.
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 vehicle first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 must be fitted with one or two pairs of stop lamps.
2. A vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978:
a) may be fitted with one stop lamp or one or two pairs of stop lamps, or
b) must be fitted with one stop lamp or one or two pairs of stop lamps if the vehicle is so constructed that it prevents the driver’s arm signal from being seen from behind the vehicle.
3. A retrofitted pair of stop lamps must be symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
4. A retrofitted stop 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.
5. A vehicle may be fitted at the rear with an additional pair of stop lamps provided they are positioned as close as is practicable to the top of the bodywork of the vehicle (top-mounted lamps).
Condition
6. A stop lamp must:
a) be in sound condition, and
b) not be obscured (if a mandatory lamp).
Performance
7. A stop lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
8. The light emitted from a stop lamp must be diffuse light that is substantially red.
9. A required stop lamp must operate when a service brake is activated.
10. A required stop lamp must provide sufficient light output to be visible from 100m.
11. A stop lamp must emit a steady light.
12. 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.
13. If a vehicle of American specification 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.
14. Where a stop lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.
Page amended 28 April 2014 (see amendment details).