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GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSED CHANGES TO VEHICLE EQUIPMENT (EXHAUSTS) RULES 2007
Proposal in a
Nutshell
A.
Land Transport New Zealand has issued a draft amendment to the Vehicle Equipment
Rules applying to exhaust systems for "light vehicles" (3,500kg or less).
The main changes are:
1.
The introduction of a two stage test for exhausts at a Warrant of Fitness check.
(a)
The first test is a subjective test requiring that the noise output from a
standard or repaired exhaust system: must be less than, or similar to the noise
output from the vehicle's original exhaust system; or
(b)
Must not exceed the applicable maximum decibel level listed in Schedule 3 of the
Vehicle Equipment Rules (this is the objective test).
2.
The Vehicle Equipment Rule is to be further amended to record that if an exhaust
is modified so as to increase the vehicle's noise output the exhaust system must
be certified in accordance with the Land Transport Rule but this certification
does not apply if the vehicle's increased exhaust noise output is clearly
below the maximum decibel levels specified in Schedule 3.
3.
If the motor vehicle with a modified or deteriorating exhaust fails the proposed
subjective test then it is proposed the vehicle owner will have two options:
(a)
The owner can decide to repair or replace the faulty exhaust system and present
the vehicle again for a Warrant of Fitness check; or
(b)
The Warrant of Fitness tester can refer the vehicle for an objective noise test
at the vehicle owner's cost.
4.
The proposed maximum noise levels for light or passenger vehicles is:
|
Maximum Noise Level db(A) |
Circumstances of Vehicles |
|
95 |
All light vehicles first
registered in New Zealand before 1 January 2010 |
|
90 |
All new vehicles entering
the New Zealand fleet after 1 January 2010 but permitted to rise to 93 db(A)
once the vehicle has entered service |
|
93 |
For all used vehicles
first registered in New Zealand after 1 January 2010 |
|
95 |
First registered in New Zealand
after 1 January 2010 but manufactured before 1 January 1985 |
|
Exempt Vehicles |
Those vehicles which have passed
one of the internationally recognised drive-by tests at the time of entry into
New Zealand and which has not been subsequently modified or if it has been
modified the resulting noise must be less than or similar to the vehicle's
original exhaust system however this must not exceed the new maximum levels. |
B.
Noise Off View of the Proposed Changes
1.
The Government legitimised the current problem in 2004 by legalising substantial
modifications to exhausts systems so long as the resulting noise was not
"noticeably and significantly louder" than it would have been when the vehicle
was manufactured with its original exhaust system.
The
result of this disastrous change to the Vehicle
Equipment Rule is that there is now more than 180,000 exhaust systems that
exceed 90 db(A) 50,000 of which exceed 95 db(A). This compares to
Australia that has had a maximum level for in-service vehicles of 90 db(A) since
1983.
2.
Subjective Test: Noise Off supports the proposed wording of the
subjective test.
3.
95 db(A) for vehicles in the fleet prior to 2010: Noise Off's view is
that this should be 90 db(A) applying to all vehicles from May 2008.
However in 2004 the Government legitimised the modification of vehicles up to
"noticeably and significantly louder" and 95 db(A) accords with the maximum
permitted drive-by test currently applying in New Zealand of 81 db(A). We
therefore consider it would be unreasonable to require those vehicles which have
already modified their exhausts in accordance with the Government's previous
rules to be re-modified if they are 95 db(A) or less.
4.
90 db(A) after 2010: Noise Off supports this level but says there is no
need to delay the introduction to 1 January 2010. This level should apply
from the date that the new rule becomes effective which is expected to be in May
2008. This is because all new vehicles other than some super-performance
vehicles are already less than 90 db(A). New vehicles fitted with standard
exhausts emit noise of between 82 and 85 db(A).
5.
93 db(A) for new vehicles once in service registered in New Zealand after 1
January 2010: We do not agree that an increase in decibel level is necessary
for new vehicles once they are in service. Only modified or exempt
vehicles would exceed 90 db(A). If new vehicles are modified then it
should be incumbent on the manufacturer and owners to ensure that the resulting
noise does not exceed the maximum level of 90 db(A). This additional level
has only been included to allow for deterioration of modified exhaust systems.
It is not necessary.
6.
95 db(A) for vehicles manufactured prior to 1985: Noise Off agrees with
this proposal.
7.
Exempting vehicles from the new maximum decibel levels if they have already
passed one of the internationally recognised drive-by tests and are not
subsequently modified: Noise Off agrees with this proposal so long as the
maximum decibel levels for light or passenger vehicles emitted in a drive-by
test are reduced from the 81 db(A) recorded in new Schedule 2 to 76 or 74 db(A).
74 db(A) is now the current level applicable in Australia and Europe under the
comparable drive-by test.
C.
Your Submission - Noise Off's Submission
To
ensure that meaningful changes are made to the Vehicle Equipment Rules we ask
that you make a submission
by Fax, Mail or Email by selecting one of the
options below
download Noise Off's suggested submission in MS Word format
download Noise Off's suggested submission in Adobe PDF format
or Create
your
own submission online at
LTA Q&A & LTA Overview.
Please note the deadline for submissions is: 19
April 2007
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