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Contents

Objective of the Rule

Extent of consultation

Section 1     Application

• 1.1     Title
• 1.2     Commencement
• 1.3     Scope of Rule

Section 2     Amendments to Rule requirements

• 2.1     Fifth wheel assemblies
• 2.2     Skid plates and kingpins

 

Objective of the Rule

Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles Amendment 2015 (the amendment Rule) amends Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 (the Heavy Vehicles Rule). The Heavy Vehicles Rule sets out safety requirements and standards for vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of more than 3,500 kilograms.

The objective of the amendment Rule is to:

• insert fifth wheels that comply with ‘UN/ECE Regulation 55’ into the list of heavy vehicle inspection and certification requirements;
• insert kingpins that comply with ‘UN/ECE Regulation 55’ into the list of heavy vehicle inspection and certification requirements;
• align the provisions for fifth wheels that comply with ‘UN/ECE Regulation 55’ with the new clauses relating to kingpins;
• include ‘UN/ECE Regulation 55’ as an allowable standard for vehicles where the kingpins and associated skid plates have been installed and certified by the manufacturer of the vehicle as meeting this standard;
• clarify references to certain dates relating to 90 mm diameter kingpins.

 

Extent of consultation

For the purposes of consultation, amendments proposed to the Heavy Vehicles Rule and two other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single Rule, Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2015 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule). Following consultation, the provisions in the Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into three separate amendment Rules.

The NZ Transport Agency sent details of the amendment proposals by letter or email to approximately 1,405 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended. The Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the NZ Transport Agency’s Contact Centre and, together with Questions and Answers, was also available on the NZ Transport Agency’s website. The availability of the amendment proposals for comment was publicised in the daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and in the New Zealand Gazette.

The NZ Transport Agency received 12 submissions on the Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which one commented on the proposed amendments to the Heavy Vehicles Rule. The submissions received were taken into account in finalising the amendment Rule following which it was submitted to the Associate Minister of Transport for signing.

 

Section 1     Application

1.1     Title

This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles Amendment 2015.

 

1.2     Commencement

This Rule comes into force on 1 November 2015.

 

1.3    Scope of Rule

This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004.

 

Section 2     Amendments to Rule requirements

2.1     Fifth wheel assemblies

2.1(1)    In clause 1.2(4), after “4.7(2),”, insert “4.7(2A),”.

2.1(2)    In clause 1.2(4), after “4.8(2),”, insert “4.8(2A),”. 

2.1(3)    Replace clause 4.7(2A) with:

• “4.7(2A)     Despite 4.7(2) and subject to 4.7(2B), an imported vehicle may, instead of complying with 4.7(2), have fitted as original equipment a 50 mm diameter fifth wheel that complies with UN/ECE Regulation 55: Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Mechanical Coupling Components of Combinations of Vehicles E/ECE/324 Rev.1/Add.54/Rev.1 E/ECE/TRANS/505.”

2.1(4)    Replace clause 4.7(2B) with:

• “4.7(2B)     A modification or repair to a 50 mm diameter fifth wheel that complies with 4.7(2A) must comply with 4.7(2)(a) or 4.7(2)(b).”

2.1(5)    In clause 4.7(3A), replace “six months after the date on which the amendment Rule comes into force” with “29 December 2007”.

2.2     Skid plates and kingpins

2.2(1)    Replace clause 4.8(2) with:

• “4.8(2) A 50 mm diameter kingpin and associated skid plate fitted to a vehicle must comply with:

• “(a)    New Zealand Standard 5451: 1989, Coupling Devices for Articulated Vehicles — Fifth Wheel Kingpins; or
• “(b)    all of the following:
  • “(i) Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.1-2003: Heavy-road vehicles – Mechanical coupling between articulated vehicle combinations – Design criteria and selection requirements for fifth wheel, kingpin and associated equipment; and
  • “(ii) Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.2-2003: Heavy-road vehicles – Mechanical coupling between articulated vehicle combinations – Testing and installation of fifth wheel and associated equipment; and
  • “(iii) Australian Standard 2174-2006: Articulated Vehicles – Mechanical coupling between prime movers and semitrailers – Interchangeability requirements.”

2.2(2)     After clause 4.8(2) insert:

• “4.8(2A)    Despite 4.8(2), and subject to 4.8(2B), an imported vehicle may, instead of complying with 4.8(2), have fitted as original equipment a 50 mm diameter kingpin and associated skid plate that complies with UN/ECE Regulation 55: Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Mechanical Coupling Components of Combinations of Vehicles E/ECE/324 Rev.1/Add.54/Rev.1 E/ECE/TRANS/505.
• “4.8(2B)   A modification or repair to a 50 mm diameter kingpin and associated skid plate that complies with 4.8(2A) must comply with 4.8(2)(a) or 4.8(2)(b).”

2.2(3)    In clause 4.8(3A), replace “six months after the date on which the amendment Rule comes into force” with “29 December 2007”.

2.2(4)    In clause 4.8(4A), replace “six months after the date on which the amendment Rule comes into force” with “29 December 2007”.