104Operation and visibility of direction indicator lights

104 Operation and visibility of direction indicator lights

(1) A direction indicator light fitted to a motor vehicle must: (a) when operating, display regular flashes of light at a rate of not over 120, and: (i) for a motor vehicle with 4 or more wheels—at least 60, flashes a minute; and (ii) for another motor vehicle—at least 45, flashes a minute; and (b) be able to be operated by a person in the normal driving position; and (c) be wired to an audible or visible device in the vehicle that tells the driver that the direction indicator light is operating; and (d) flash at the same time and rate as any other direction indicator lights fitted on the same side of the vehicle. (2) A direction indicator light fitted to a side of a trailer must, when operating, flash at the same time and rate as the direction indicator light or lights fitted to the same side of the motor vehicle towing the trailer. (3) The flashes of light displayed by a direction indicator light must be: (a) if the light faces forwards—white or yellow; and (b) if the light faces backwards: (i) yellow; or (ii) for a vehicle built before July 1973—yellow or red; and (c) if the light faces out from the side of the vehicle: (i) white or yellow towards the front and side; and (ii) for a vehicle built before July 1973—yellow or red towards the rear and side; and (iii) for a vehicle built after June 1973—yellow towards the rear and side.

Note: The ADRs only allow yellow direction indicator lights.

(4) If a motor vehicle’s direction indicator lights display only yellow light, the vehicle may be equipped to allow the lights to operate simultaneously on both sides of the vehicle, if a visible or audible signal tells the driver when the lights are operating simultaneously. (5) When on, a direction indicator light must be visible 30 metres from: (a) if the light faces forwards—the front of the vehicle; or (b) if the light faces backwards—the rear of the vehicle; or (c) if the light faces out from the side of the vehicle—that side of the vehicle. (6) When on, each direction indicator light in at least 1 pair of lights fitted on or towards the front of a prime mover, or a motor vehicle over 7.5 metres long, must be visible at a point: (a) 1.5 metres at right angles from the side of the vehicle where the light is fitted; and (b) in line with the rear of the vehicle.