Answer grounded in published legislation
Your question
On a semi-trailer with double axles and gvm is less than 3499 kg, do both axles needs brakes?
The supplied provisions do not state that each axle of a double-axle semi-trailer must have brakes. They prescribe brake requirements for the trailer as a whole, not separately for every axle. 12
For a trailer with a mass and load of 750 kg or less, and not exceeding half the drawing vehicle’s tare, at least a parking brake or other device to keep it stationary is required. 2 Where the trailer’s GVM exceeds the drawing vehicle’s tare or 3,500 kg, it must have a parking brake and a service brake; the service brake must be operable by the driver while the vehicles are moving. 1
Therefore, a GVM below 3,499 kg does not, from these extracts alone, answer whether both axles need braking. The requirement depends also on the trailer’s mass, load and the drawing vehicle’s tare, and the sources provided contain no axle-by-axle braking rule. 12
Verified sources
Where this answer comes from
Cited source
trailer is equipped with a parking brake and either an overrun brake or a serv ice brake; or (c) the gross vehicle mass of the trailer exceeds the tare of the drawing vehicle or 3500 kilograms, as the case may be, unless that trailer is equipped w ith a parking brake and a service brake, and where more than one trailer is drawn by a drawing vehicle , the foregoing requirements applies in respect of each such trailer, and in such event the gross vehicle mass must be construed as the total of the gross vehicle masses of all trailers so drawn. [The verb “applies” should be “apply” to accord with the subject “requirements”.] (2) The service brake of a trailer must be capable of being operated by...
Road Traffic and Transport Act 22 of 1999-Regulations 2001-053
(1) Subject to subregulation (4), a perso n may not operate a trailer on a public road if - (a) the mass of the trailer and any load thereon is 750 kilograms or less and - (i) does not exceed half of the tare of the drawing vehicle, unless that trailer is equipped with at least a parking brake or other device for keeping that trailer stationary; or
Cited source
1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 1,95 [Tables A-D amended by GN 98/2016 to correct a typographical error which actually appeared only in Tables A and C. ] (2) Compliance with the requirements contemplated in subregulation (1)(a) and (b) is determined by - (a) actual road tests conducted on a road with a reasonably level, dry, smooth and hard surface which is free from loose material and with the stopping distance measured from the moment the particular brake is applied with the engine disengaged until the vehicle comes to rest; (b) a suitable mechanical test; or (c) both tests contemplated in paragraphs (a) and (b), (3) When testing a brake on a combination of motor vehicles, the...
Road Traffic and Transport Act 22 of 1999-Regulations 2001-053
referred to in regulation 235, a rear underrun protection device which complies with the standard specification SABS I 055 “ Rear underrun protection device ” must be fitted to - (a) a trailer with a gross vehicle mass which exceeds 3 500 kilograms, first registered on or after 1 January 1988; (b) any other goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass which exceeds 12 000 kilograms, first registered on or after 1 January 1988, but after 1 January 2002, such rear underrun protection device must be fitted to any trailer with a gross vehicle mass which exceeds 3 500 kilograms and any goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass which exceeds 12 000 kilograms. Axle or axle unit to be fitted to semi-traile...
Road Traffic and Transport Act 22 of 1999-Regulations 2001-053
(1) Subject to subregulation (2), a person may not, after 1 January 2002, operate on a public road a goods vehicle , with a gross vehicle mass which exceeds 3 500 kilograms, a minibus, bus or tractor which was registered for the first time on or af ter 1 January 1986, unless the brakes fitted thereto comply with the Standard Specification SABS 1207: 1985 “Motor vehicle safety standard specification for braking” published by the South African Government Notice No. 6 of 3 January 1986 or the Standard Specification SABS 1 051: 1980 “Motor vehicle safety specification for braking” published by the South African Government N otice No. 463 of
Road Traffic and Transport Act 22 of 1999-Regulations 2001-053
(1) A person may not operate on a public road a motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles w hich, in terms of these regulations - (a) must be equipped with a service brake, unless such brake at all times - (i) in the case of a motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles, capable of exceeding a speed of 35 kilometres per hour, when it is applied from an initial speed of 35 kilometres per hour, complies with the requirements for braking performance set out in Table A hereunder; or (ii) in the case of a motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles, not capable of exceeding a speed of 35 kilometres per hour, when it is applied from the maximum speed which the motor vehicle or com...