Braking
4. For the purposes of this chapter:
(a) The term “wheels of one axle” means wheels which are arranged
symmetrically, or largely symmetrically, in relation to the vehicle’s median longitudinal
plane, even if they are not placed on the same axle (a tandem axle is counted as
two axles);
(b) The term “service brake” means the device normally used to
slow down and stop the vehicle;
(c) The term “parking brake” means the device used to hold the
vehicle stationary in the driver’s absence, or, in the case of trailers, when the
trailer is uncoupled;
(d) The term “secondary (emergency) brake” means the device designed
to slow down and stop the vehicle in the event of failure of the service brake.
A. Braking of motor vehicles other than motorcycles
5. Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall have brakes which can be easily
operated by the driver when in his driving position. These brakes shall be capable
of performing the following three braking functions:
(a) A service brake capable of slowing down the vehicle
and of stopping it safely, rapidly and effectively, whatever its conditions of loading
and whatever the upward or downward gradient of the road on which it is moving;
(b) A parking brake capable of holding the vehicle stationary,
whatever its conditions of loading, on a noticeable upward or downward gradient,
the operative surfaces of the brake being held in the braking position by a device
whose action is purely mechanical;
(c) A secondary (emergency) brake capable of slowing down
and stopping the vehicle, whatever its conditions of loading, within a reasonable
distance, even in the event of failure of the service brake.
6. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 5 of this Annex, the devices providing
the three braking functions (service brake, secondary brake and parking brake) may
have parts in common; combination of the controls shall be permitted only on condition
that at least two separate controls remain.
7. The service brake shall act on all the wheels of the vehicle.
8. The secondary (emergency) brake shall be capable of acting on at least one wheel
on each side of the vehicle’s median longitudinal plane; the same provision shall
apply to the parking brake.
9. The service brake and the parking brake shall act on braking surfaces permanently
connected to the wheels through components of adequate strength.
10. No braking surface shall be capable of being disconnected from the wheels. Nevertheless,
such disconnection shall be permitted in the case of some of the braking surfaces,
on condition:
(a) That it is only momentary, as for example, during
a change of gear;
(b) That so far as concerns the parking brake, it
can be effected only by the action of the driver; and
(c) That so far as concerns the service or secondary
(emergency) brake, braking remains possible with the efficiency prescribed in paragraph
5 of this Annex.
10 bis. All vehicle equipment contributing to braking
shall be so designed and constructed that the efficacy of the service brake is ensured
after prolonged and repeated use.
10 ter. The service braking action shall be properly
distributed and synchronized among the various axles of the vehicle.
10 quater. If the control of the service brake is assisted,
partially or totally, by an energy source other than the muscular energy of the
driver, it shall be possible to stop the vehicle within a reasonable distance even
in the event of the failure of the energy source.
B. Braking of trailers
11. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 17 (c) of this Annex, every
trailer, with the exception of a light trailer, shall have brakes as follows:
(a) A service brake capable of slowing down the vehicle and of stopping it safely,
rapidly and effectively, whatever its conditions of loading and whatever the upward
or downward gradient of the road on which it is moving;
(b) A parking brake capable of holding the vehicle stationary, whatever its conditions
of loading, on a noticeable upward or downward gradient, the operative surfaces
of the brake being held in the braking position by a device whose action is purely
mechanical. This provision shall not apply to trailers which cannot be uncoupled
from the drawing vehicle without the use of tools, provided that the requirements
for parking brakes are satisfied for the combination of vehicles.
12. The devices providing the two braking functions (service and parking) may have
parts in common.
13. The service brake shall act on all the wheels of the trailer. The braking action
shall be properly distributed and synchronized among the various axles of the trailer.
14. The service brake shall be capable of being brought into action by the service
brake control of the drawing vehicle; if, however, the permissible maximum mass
of the trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg, the brakes may be such as to be brought
into action, while the trailer is in motion, only by the trailer moving up on the
drawing vehicle (overrun braking).
15. The service brake and the parking brake shall act on braking surfaces permanently
connected to the wheels through components of adequate strength.
16. The braking devices shall be such that the trailer is stopped automatically
if the couplingdevice breaks while the trailer is in motion. This requirement shall
not apply, however, to trailers with only one axle or with two axles less than 1
m apart, provided that their permissible maximum mass does not exceed 1,500 kg and,
except for semi-trailers, that they are fitted, in addition to the coupling device,
with a secondary attachment.
C. Braking of combinations of vehicles
17. In addition to the provisions of parts A and B of this Chapter relating to separate
vehicles (motor vehicles and trailers), the following provisions shall apply to
combinations of such vehicles:
(a) The braking devices on each of the component
vehicles shall be compatible;
(b) The service braking action shall be properly
distributed and synchronized between the various axles of the combination;
(c) The permissible maximum mass of a trailer without
a service brake shall not exceed half of the sum of the unladen mass of the drawing
vehicle and the mass of the driver.
D. Braking of motorcycles
18. (a) Every motorcycle shall be equipped with two brakes, one of which acts at
least on the rear wheel or wheels and the other at least on the front wheel or wheels;
if a side-car is attached to a motorcycle, braking of the side-car wheel shall not
be required. These braking devices shall be capable of slowing down the motorcycle
and of stopping it safely, rapidly and effectively, whatever its conditions of loading
and whatever the upward or downward gradient of the road on which it is moving;
(b) In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, motorcycles
having three wheels symmetrically arranged in relation to the vehicle’s median longitudinal
plane shall be equipped with a parking brake that fulfils the conditions stated
in paragraph 5 (b) of this Annex.
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