Lighting
4-10 Stop lamps
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory and permitted equipment
1. A self-propelled vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978:
a) is not fitted with one lamp, or one pair of lamps, 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 two pairs of lamps.
2. A self-propelled vehicle first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978:
a) is not fitted with one pair of lamps, or
b) is fitted with more than two pairs of lamps, or
c) is fitted with a lamp that is not in a pair.
3. A trailer:
a) is not fitted with one pair of stop lamps, or
b) is fitted with more than two pairs of stop lamps, or
c) is fitted with a stop lamp that is not in a pair.
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 retrofitted pair of lamps is not:
a) symmetrically mounted, or
b) mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
6. A top-mounted stop lamp is:
a) fitted to a light trailer, or
b) not mounted as far as is practicable to the top of the bodywork of the vehicle, or
c) not fitted in a pair, or
d) fitted additional to the maximum of one pair of top-mounted lamps.
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 deteriorated so that light output is reduced.
10. A mandatory lamp is obscured or contains visible 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 not:
a) substantially red, or
b) diffuse, or
c) projected to the rear, or
d) approximately equal in colour or intensity to the other lamp in a pair, or
e) 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. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), fewer than 75% of these operate.
17. 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
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 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 self-propelled vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978:
a) must have one lamp, or one or two pairs of lamps, if the vehicle is so constructed that the driver’s hand signals cannot be seen from behind the vehicle, and
b) may have one lamp, or one or two pairs of lamps, fitted.
2. A self-propelled vehicle first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 must be fitted with one or two pairs of lamps.
3. A trailer:
a) may be fitted with one or two pairs of lamps, and
b) must be fitted with one or two pairs of lamps if the driver’s arm signals cannot be seen from behind the vehicle combination.
4. A retrofitted pair of stop lamps must be symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable.
5. 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.
6. A self-propelled vehicle or heavy trailer 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 stop lamps).
Condition
7. A stop lamp must not be obscured (if a mandatory lamp).
Performance
8. A stop lamp must operate in a way that is appropriate for the lamp and the vehicle.
9. The light emitted from a stop lamp must be diffuse light that is substantially red.
10. A required stop lamp must operate when a service brake is activated.
11. A required stop lamp must provide sufficient light output to fulfil its intended purpose and be visible in daylight from 100m away.
12. A stop lamp must emit a steady light.
13. A 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.
14. If a vehicle of American origin is fitted with combined stop and direction indicator lamps, the indicator lamps may override the stop lamps so that the stop lamps will operate as direction indicators.
15. Where a stop lamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs), at least 75% of these must operate.