This rule specifies the types of brakes that must be fitted in most types of light vehicle, and the requirements for those brakes.
Note: Both of these pages will also provide links to the consultation material – such as summary of submissions and FAQs (questions and answers) – for each version and amendment.
Questions and answers are provided to accompany a new rule or amendment when they are signed. These and other consultation documents on this page have not been updated to take into account any later rule amendments and are retained for historic interest only.
Electronic stability control (ESC) is a low cost vehicle crash prevention system that intervenes to help a driver retain control if the vehicle begins to lose traction.
Some manufacturers have different names for the system, including Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Vehicle Skid Control (VSC).
ESC works by integrating information from sensors around a vehicle to determine and correct any difference between the intended path of the vehicle and its actual path. The sensors include speed sensors in each wheel, a sensor that detects the vehicle’s direction of movement, and a steering wheel sensor that detects the driver’s input.
If the system determines that the vehicle is not following the path intended by the driver – for example, because the vehicle is skidding out of control – ESC is able to independently control the braking of each wheel, and (usually) the torque provided by the engine, to bring the vehicle back to the intended path. While there are limits to what it can achieve, ESC is extremely effective in assisting a driver to regain control of a vehicle in an emergency.
International research indicates that ESC has the potential to reduce loss-of-control crashes by between 20 and 30 percent. For Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), the potential reduction is even greater. Because of its proven effectiveness, Europe’s New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) require ESC to be fitted as standard in order for a vehicle model to be eligible for the highest rating of five stars.
The number of light vehicles (up to 3500 kg) with ESC entering the New Zealand fleet is increasing, which is expected to prevent 410 deaths and 1890 serious injuries over the next two decades. However, without mandating ESC in New Zealand, vehicles without ESC will continue to be imported into New Zealand and the full safety benefits of this technology will not be realised. Making ESC mandatory will ensure all light vehicles entering the fleet are fitted with ESC, which is expected to prevent a further 22 deaths and 102 serious injuries.
Vehicles coming into New Zealand are required to have ESC as follows:
Safer Journeys – New Zealand’s Road Safety Strategy 2010-2020 adopts a Safe System approach. Its goal is a safe road system increasingly free of death and serious injury. This requires a forgiving vehicle fleet that helps to reduce or avoid error, recover from error and absorb crash forces. As ESC is proven to reduce the risk of crashes as a result of driver error, the Safer Journeys Action Plan 2013-2015 included an action to mandate ESC for all light passenger and commercial vehicles entering the fleet.
Yes. The United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the European Union have all mandated ESC for new light passenger vehicles and, in most cases, light commercial vehicles.
Most used vehicles imported into New Zealand come from Japan. Although most recent models in Japan have ESC, many older vehicles do not. Used imports will be required to have ESC from later dates to ensure enough suitable vehicles will be available for the New Zealand market.
ESC is an inexpensive feature and has little effect on the price of a new or used vehicle. It is possible that importers of used vehicles will have to change the mix of models they import to ensure that they are fitted with ESC, but it’s unlikely that this will affect the price of cars in New Zealand.
Almost all new vehicles are available with ESC, as it’s mandatory in the largest international markets. The requirement for imported used vehicles will be introduced later to ensure that enough vehicles are available. The overall supply of vehicles is unlikely to be affected but, for a short time, there may be restrictions on particular models.
Vehicles fitted with ESC may have an indicator light on the dashboard and often have a switch to temporarily disable or reduce the influence of the system (which may be useful if the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow).
The requirement only applies to vehicles imported into New Zealand after the change comes into force. Vehicles already in the fleet will not be required to have ESC. However, if your vehicle does have ESC it will need to be maintained in good working order. This will be checked at warrant of fitness inspections.
ESC systems are tailored to the precise characteristics of a vehicle at the time of manufacture and cannot practically be retro-fitted.
ESC has been mandated for light vehicles by making an amendment to Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002 (the Light-vehicle Brakes Rule).
The draft amendment Rule, overview document and questions and answers were released for public comment on 11 March 2014. The consultation was advertised in major daily newspapers and in the New Zealand Gazette. The NZ Transport Agency received 30 submissions on the proposed changes, which were taken into consideration in finalising the Rule.
This is an amendment Rule and, therefore, contains only the amending provisions. The amendment Rule should be read in conjunction with the principal Rule: Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002.
A copy of the final amendment Rule will be available for purchase from selected bookshops that sell legislation or from Wickliffe Solutions, telephone 0800 226 440. Final rules are available on our website.
Rules can also be read free of charge, at the Transport Agency’s national office and regional offices.
Further information about the Rule amendment is available from the Transport Agency website or by calling the Transport Agency’s contact centre direct on freephone 0800 699 000.
A newsletter outlining the Rule changes will be sent to the groups and individuals who have registered their interest in the Light-vehicle Brakes Rule. The Transport Agency will advise relevant industry groups of the changes.
Where required, the Transport Agency will update factsheets and other information about new and used light motor vehicles.