The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, a very useful document, states in Part 8.5 (Use of Beacons) that a beacon must be approved before use.

As well as outlining the use of red, blue, green and white beacons, the rules say that an amber beacon may be fitted to a vehicle in accordance with a traffic management plan approved by a road-controlling authority.

It also allows for the use of an amber beacon when the vehicle is going to be stopped or driven slowly and where other road users need to be aware of this.

In all of these cases, the beacon must be approved.

 Use of beacons

  • (1) A person must not operate a beacon fitted to a vehicle unless the beacon has been approved for fitting to the vehicle, and is—

    • (a) a blue beacon or a red beacon fitted to a vehicle operated by an enforcement officer in the course of that officer's duty; or

    • (ab) a blue beacon fitted to a vehicle operated by—

      • (i) a customs officer (as defined in section 2(1)of the Customs and Excise Act 1996) to exercise a power to stop conferred on the officer under section 144 of that Act; or

      • (ii) a fishery officer (as defined in section 2(1)of the Fisheries Act 1996) to exercise a power to stop conferred on the officer under section 199 of that Act; or

      • (iii) a ranger (as defined in section 2of the Marine Reserves Act 1971) to exercise a power to stop conferred on the ranger under section 18of that Act; or

    • (b) a red beacon fitted to an emergency vehicle that is being operated in an emergency; or

    • (c) a green beacon fitted to a vehicle operated by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse or registered midwife while on urgent medical service; or

    • (d) a white forward-facing beacon fitted to an emergency vehicle being operated in an emergency and that is also operating a red beacon or a blue beacon or both a red beacon and a blue beacon; or

    • (e) an amber beacon or a purple beacon fitted to a vehicle operated in compliance with Land Transport Rule 41001: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002; or

    • (f) an amber beacon fitted to a vehicle operated in accordance with a traffic management plan approved by a road controlling authority; or

    • (g) an amber beacon fitted to a vehicle for use when the vehicle is stationary or being driven slowly and the operation of the beacon is necessary to warn other road users of a hazard due to the presence of the vehicle or of persons carrying out a lawful activity on the road in the vicinity of the vehicle.

    (2) A device that allows headlamps to flash alternately may be used by—

    • (a) an emergency vehicle being operated in an emergency:

    • (b) a pilot vehicle being operated in compliance with Land Transport Rule 41001: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.

    (3) The device referred to in subclause (2) may not be used during the hours of darkness.

    Compare: SR 1976/227 r 67

    Clause 8.5(1)(ab): inserted, on 1 November 2009, by clause 31of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 (SR 2009/253).

    Clause 8.5(2): amended, on 1 October 2007, by clause 8of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2007 (SR 2007/240).