Land Transport Rule

Vehicle Lighting Amendment (No 2) 2007

Rule 32005/3

Note: This Rule should be read in conjunction with the consolidated version of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004, which includes previous Rule amendments.

Contents

Objective of the Rule

Extent of consultation

Section 1     Application

Section 2     Amendments relating to vehicle lighting

Section 3     Amendment to definitions

Objective of the Rule

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting Amendment (No 2) 2007 amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004, which sets out safety requirements and standards for lighting equipment that is fitted to a vehicle. The requirements are aimed at ensuring that vehicles can be operated safely under all driving conditions, and not endanger the safety of other road users.

The objectives of this amendment Rule is:

Extent of consultation

For the purposes of consultation, amendments proposed to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 and nine other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single draft Rule, Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2007 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule).

On 3 August 2007, Land Transport New Zealand sent details of the amendment proposals by letter or email to approximately 2500 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended, seeking submissions. The draft Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the Land Transport NZ Help Desk and, together with Questions and Answers, was also available on the Land Transport NZ website. The availability of the draft for comment was publicised in the metropolitan daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and in the New Zealand Gazette. Land Transport NZ received 35 submissions on the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which five commented on the proposed amendments in this Rule.

Following consultation, the provisions in the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into 10 separate amendment Rules, including this Rule. The submissions that were received were taken into account in drafting this amendment Rule before it was submitted to the Minister for Transport Safety for signing.

Section 1     Application

1.1     Title

1.1(1)     This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting Amendment (No 2) 2007.

1.1(2)     This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004.

1.2     Date when Rule comes into force

This Rule comes into force on 17 January 2008.

Section 2     Amendments relating to vehicle lighting

2.1     General safety requirements

2.1(1)     Subclause 2.1(7) is amended by substituting “Except as provided in 2.1(7A), a forward-facing lamp” for “A forward-facing lamp”.

2.1(2)     Clause 2.1 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

“2.1(7A) A Class NC vehicle first registered in New Zealand before 27 February 2005 may be fitted with a forward-facing position or cosmetic lamp that is not maintained in accordance with 2.1(7) provided the lamp does not emit light when turned on.”

2.2     Fitting and performance requirements for stop lamps

Clause 4.3 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

“4.3(8A) Despite 4.3(8), in the case of a heavy motor vehicle or an emergency vehicle, the lamps in 4.3(5), 4.3(6) and 4.3(7) may be fitted as follows:

  • “(a) one lamp or one pair:
    1. “(i) at a height not exceeding 1.5 m from the ground; or
    2. “(ii) at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground, if the shape of the bodywork of the vehicle makes it impracticable to comply with the 1.5-m height restriction; and
  • “(b) a second pair at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground.”

2.3     Fitting and performance requirements for direction-indicator lamps

Clause 6.3 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

“6.3(9A) Despite 6.3(9), in the case of a heavy motor vehicle or an emergency vehicle, the lamps in 6.3(3)(b) or 6.3(4) may be fitted as follows:

  • “(a) one pair:
    1. “(i) at a height not exceeding 1.5 m from the ground; or
    2. “(ii) at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground, if the shape of the bodywork of the vehicle makes it impracticable to comply with the 1.5-m height restriction; and
  • “(b) a second pair at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground.”

2.4     Fitting and performance requirements for rearward-facing position lamps

Clause 7.4 is amended by inserting the following subclause:

“7.4(6A)     Despite 7.4(6), in the case of a heavy motor vehicle or an emergency vehicle, the lamps in 7.4(4) or 7.4(5) may be fitted as follows:

  • “(a) one lamp or one pair:
    1. “(i) at a height not exceeding 1.5 m from the ground; or
    2. “(ii) at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground, if the shape of the bodywork of the vehicle makes it impracticable to comply with the 1.5-m height restriction; and
  • “(b) a second pair at a height not exceeding 2.1 m from the ground.”

2.5     Fitting and performance requirements for end-outline marker lamps

2.5(1) Subclause 7.6(3) is amended by:

2.5(2) Clause 7.6 is amended by substituting the following subclauses for subclause 7.6(4):

2.6     Optional lamps

Clause 10.9 is amended by substituting “cosmetic lamps” for “lamps that are not otherwise specified in this Rule”.

Section 3     Amendment to definitions

3.1     Insertion of new definition

Part 2 is amended by inserting the following definition in the appropriate place:

“cosmetic lamp
means a lamp that is not a headlamp, stop lamp, direction-indicator lamp, position lamp, rear registration plate illumination lamp, reflector, fog lamp, daytime running lamp, cornering lamp, reversing lamp, reflective material, interior lamp, work lamp, flashing or revolving beacon or illuminated vehicle-mounted sign.”

Land Transport Rule - Vehicle Lighting Amendment (No 2) 2007 - Rule 32005/3
Land Transport New Zealand, Ikiiki Whenua Aotearoa