brake light/ indicator

[yatesr32]

Hi I was wondering if it was alright to get rid of my rear indicators and use my brake lights vehicle is an r32 skyline as there is two brake lights either side I was planning on using the two outer brake lights as indicators but they would act as normal stop tail until an indicator is used. I have been told this is alright by a friend but want to know before I start wiring it up

[Leon]

Good Morning YatesR32

To check if this vehicle would be able to obtain a Warrant of Fitness with that lighting configuration, you should contact NZTA.

0800 108 809 or [e-mail]

The summary of legislation on the subject of direction indicator lamps suggests that it might not be legal unless it was an American vehicle.

vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/lighting/direction-indicator-lamps

Then from there, click the summary of legislation tab, where you will see the following note

10. On vehicles of American origin, the stop lamp and direction indicator lamp function may be combined in one lamp.

[yatesr32]

Thanks for the reply I emailed explaining what I intend to do and they told be to get in touch with LVVTA so I'm back here this is what I sent to NZTA

Hello

I intend to remove/cover up the center indicator between the brake lights (refer to picture please)

I thought of two options

1. was to use the outer brake light as indicator but when not as an indicator acts as a normal stop/tail but I was unsure of a red emitting indicator but I see American cars and in Section 4 lighting number 22 "On a vehicle of American origin fitted with combined stop and indicator lamps, the stop lamp function is not overridden by the indicator function." in my case it would not interrupted but being a Jap car I was unsure if it was allowed.

2. To use a LED strip underneath the rear light assemble on both sides but was unsure if there is a size length rule in the legislation



I'd prefer option one but I was unsure.



Any help would be appreciated








and they said

"In order to change the indicators from the original state they have been manufactured in you would need to speak with the Low Volume Vehicle Association as doing so would be making a modification and you would therefore need to have the changes certified."  

So would this be certifiable? I intend on other things to be certified anyway but I thought this was a little extreme but I can see a reason for a need to check its done correctly and it meets the right criteria. 

[Leon]

Good morning again,

Following consultation with a Senior Engineer in NZTA, we have received the advice that the modifications you have discussed here in this thread can not be certified.

The specific points being raised as an issue are:

Reducing the brake lighting on your vehicle.

The requirement for lighting to meet a specific standard required for direction indicator lamps (both in terms of your current outer pair of brake lights, and also any fitment of an LED strip replacement)

American vehicles with the combined brake/indicator feature, are designed and manufactured to carry out that combination of duties, and are allowed under the applicable US standard (FMVSS 108).

If you can also advise your friend who suggested that this combined indicator/stop lamp would be legal on your vehicle, that NZTA does not agree with him. So potentially, other similar vehicles with this modification might be looking at failing a WOF, and/or being on the receiving end of a ticket by the Police.