4.2 Direction Indicators, Position Lamps, Side Markers & End-Outline Lamps

Signalling is more than “it flashes”

The inspector must verify equipment, condition, colour, timing, intensity, pairing, visibility angles, and any modification. Start with direction indicators, then identify the type of every position or marker lamp.

Direction-indicator equipment

For a vehicle other than class LE first registered anywhere on or after 1 July 1967, one front pair and one rear pair are mandatory. Class LE uses separate New Zealand first-registration rules, including the 1 January 1978 date. Use the table for older vehicles and permitted additional side-facing lamps rather than transferring one date to every class.

Retrofitted lamps must be in pairs, symmetrically mounted and located as the page requires. A mandatory lamp’s failure-indicating device must function where required or where the applicable original-equipment rule applies.

Condition and performance

Reject a lamp that is insecure; a mandatory unit with significant moisture; a breached lens; a deteriorated reflector; or an obscured warning device. When switched on, an indicator must:

• begin flashing within one second;
• flash at a fixed one to two flashes per second;
• emit the permitted colour for its direction and configuration;
• match the paired lamp approximately in colour, intensity, and frequency;
• provide enough output to be visible from 100 m in normal daylight and 200 m in normal darkness; and
• preserve the specified visibility angles when non-OE or affected by a modification.

Where an indicator uses an array of sources, at least 75% must operate. Count sources as the lamp is designed, not reflections in the lens.

On a vehicle of American origin with combined stop/indicator lamps, the indicator function must override the stop-lamp function so the signal remains unambiguous. Some combined DRL/position/indicator units temporarily dim or extinguish the corresponding DRL during signalling; that design behaviour can be normal.

Position and marker lamps

Pages 4-6 through 4-9 separately cover:

Identify class, dimensions, date, and whether the lamp is mandatory or permitted. Then verify count, pairing, location, colour, steady operation, visibility, condition, and modification effects. Do not call every small amber side lamp an indicator, or apply tail-lamp rules to an end-outline marker.

A tinted cover or overlay that reduces or distorts output is a modification reason for rejection. Body accessories, trays, bicycle racks, and repairs can also reduce required viewing angles even though the lamp itself works.

Practical inspection

1. Switch on position lamps and walk around to classify and compare them.
2. Operate left and right indicators and hazards; observe start time and frequency.
3. Confirm dashboard or audible indication and lamp-failure behaviour as applicable.
4. View mandatory lamps from relevant angles and distances; look for obstruction by accessories.
5. Count functioning sources in arrays where partial failure exists.
6. Apply the dedicated page to side markers and end-outline markers.
7. Record the lamp, side, function, and exact defect.

Scenario

A right indicator starts after two seconds but then flashes at 1.5 Hz. The frequency is acceptable, yet the delay exceeds the one-second requirement, so the vehicle is rejected. A correct final flash rate does not cure delayed operation.

Colour and visibility reasoning

Judge emitted light, not merely lens colour. A clear lens with the correct coloured source can comply; a faded amber source emitting near-white light cannot be passed because the lens is original. Dirt, condensation, voltage faults, mismatched sources and smoked film can reduce required visibility without total lamp failure.

Hazard operation is useful for comparing pairs but does not replace testing each direction from the driver control. A failure indicator may change flash rate when a source is out; measure the actual lamp frequency and check the driver indication. Side markers and end-outline lamps become mandatory only for the vehicles described on their pages, so record class and dimensions before failing an absent unit.

Final signalling checkpoint

After individual tests, operate all required lamps together—position lamps, brake, hazards and headlamps—to expose voltage drops, shared-earth faults or a combined lamp whose functions mask one another. Verify the result from outside the vehicle rather than trusting only dashboard indicators. Where a permitted lamp is defective, follow that page’s make-compliant, disable or remove instruction; do not leave misleading partial operation.