The rule
The Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule covers two issues:
- standards compliance for imported, modified or New Zealand-built heavy vehicles
- in-service brake testing to ensure adequate braking in all loading conditions.
The brake testing method
The in-service brake testing regime is now in place. You should now know which of two testing methods your Transport Service Delivery Agent testing station will apply:
- load simulation by axle or chassis tie-down (a technique where an artificial load is applied directly by hydraulic or mechanical pressure to a vehicle's axles or chassis using strops or clamps), or
- actual load (this option may require more than one visit to the testing station).
Test protocols and procedures
Technical details about heavy vehicle brake testing can be found in the heavy vehicle certificate of fitness and entry certification brake test protocol and procedures.
For more information, contact a heavy vehicle testing station:
- The Automobile Association (AA) (external link)
- Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ) (external link)
- Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) (external link)
