Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1977
Reprinted as at 7 September 2001
Guide for using this reprint
What the reprint includes
Endnotes, Compilation table, and Table of provisions that have not come into operation
1.Details about the original regulations and legislation that has amended its text are shown in the Compilation table in endnote 1, at the back of the reprint. The table also shows any previous reprint.
2.Transitional, savings, or other provisions identified in the Compilation table may be important. The table may refer to another endnote setting out the text of these provisions in full.
3.A table of provisions that have not come into operation, to be found in endnote 1a if it is needed, lists any provisions of the regulations being reprinted that have not come into operation and any amendments that have not come into operation. The full text is set out in another endnote that is referred to in the table.
Notes amongst text (italicised and within square brackets)
1.If the reprint includes a regulation that was inserted, or has been amended, since the regulations being reprinted were made, editorial notes at the foot of the regulation give some history of how the regulation came to be as it is. If the regulation replaced an earlier regulation, no history of the earlier regulation is given (the full history of the regulations is in the Compilation table).
Notes of this kind may also be at the foot of Schedules or headings.
2.The other kind of editorial note shows something has been —
·removed (because it was repealed or deleted from the law); or
·omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4) (because, although still technically part of the text, it no longer has any effect).
The text of anything removed or omitted can be found in an earlier reprint (if there is one) or one of the written laws identified in the Compilation table.
Reprinted under the Reprints Act 1984 as at 7 September 2001
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1977
CONTENTS
Part 1 — Preliminary and general provisions
101.Citation1
102.Revocation1
103A.Application2
103B.Limited application of regulations to vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 19883
104.Interpretation3
105.Penalties13
106.Offences18
107.Vehicles may be ordered off the road20
108.Offence of tampering with a speed limiter device22
109.Power to test vehicles22
110.Height of lamps and devices23
111.Steering gear23
112.Turning circle25
113.Driver’s view25
114.Television receivers25
115.Engine number25
116.Reverse gear25
117.Physical disability of driver — special construction of vehicle26
118.Requirements for automatic transmission26
119.Head restraints26
120.Internal sun visors27
121.Glare reduction27
122.Location of instruments27
123.Instrument panel27
124.Chassis body or equipment extensions or alterations28
125.Particulars of vehicles to be supplied30
126.Vehicle identification number31
Part 2 — Lighting equipment — lamps and reflectors
201.Lamps32
202.Headlamps32
203.Headlamps on motor cycles and three‑wheeled vehicles32
204.Headlamps: General requirements34
205.Alternative headlamps37
206.Parking lamps37
207.Rear lamps38
208.Rear reflectors39
209.Stop lamps40
210.Signal lights42
211.Lights on vehicles under tow43
212.Reversing signal lamps44
Part 3 — Additional lamps and reflectors required on large vehicles
301.Requirements for certain motor vehicles45
302.Rigid motor vehicles45
303.Articulated vehicles45
304.Trailers46
305.Motor vehicles hauling pole‑type trailers47
306.Pole‑type trailers47
307.Cranes48
308.Colours of clearance lamps, sidemarker lamps and reflectors49
309.Mounting of clearance lamps, sidemarker lamps and reflectors49
310.Visibility of clearance and lamps and sidemarker lamps51
311.Rear marking plates51
312.Installation51
313.Specifications52
Part 4 — Optional lamps and reflectors
401.Optional rearward facing lamps and reflectors56
402.Optional forward facing lamps and reflectors56
403.Interior lighting57
404.Flashing warning lights57
405.Fog lamps61
406.Spot or search lamps62
407.Optional clearance and sidemarker lamps on rigid motor vehicle of 2.2 m or more in width62
408.Fitting of illuminated signs62
Part 5 — Lamps and reflectors — general provisions
501.Lamps — General requirements64
502.Lamps and reflectors to be provided unless vehicle exempted64
503.Requirements in regard to reflectors64
504.Electric wiring65
Part 6 — Braking equipment
601.Brakes66
602.Brakes on motor cycles70
603.Brakes on trailers70
604.Performance ability of brakes72
605.Brake systems74
606.Heavy trailer braking systems74
607.Testing of efficiency of brakes75
Part 7 — Provision of mudguards
701.Mudguards on wheels on foremost axle76
702.Mudguards for wheels on rearmost axle76
703.Width of mudguard77
704.Motor cycle mudguards78
705.Condition of mudguards79
706.Visibility of mudguards79
Part 8 — Tyres and rims
801.Provision of pneumatic or flat metal tyres80
802.Requirements for tyres80
803.Carrying capacity for tyres and rims81
804.Safety rims82
Part 9 — Signalling devices
901.Signalling devices — requirements83
902.Requirements of signalling devices generally83
903.Construction and fitting of signalling devices84
904.Flashing lamp turn right and turn left signalling devices85
905.Fitting of flashing lamp devices in certain cases86
Part 10 — Other equipment
1001.Drip trays88
1002.Safety glass88
1003.Windows89
1004.Warning device89
1005.Windscreen wiper90
1006.Rear vision mirror91
1007.Fittings for licence plates93
1008.Silencer93
1009.Motor vehicle noise93
1010.Seat belts and anchorages94
1011.Seats and seat anchorages96
1012.Windscreen washers97
1013.Pipes and tubing97
1014.Door latches and hinges97
1015.Demisting of windscreens98
1016.Forward body panel latches98
1017.Anti‑theft locks98
1017A.Requirement to fit immobilizers99
1017B.Classes of vehicles to be fitted with immobilizers100
1018.Child‑restraining devices101
1019.Speedometers101
1020.Fuel tanks102
1021.Emission control102
1022.Crank case and fuel system emissions103
1023.Side doors104
1024.Front, side and tail boards to be fitted to certain vehicles104
1025.Cigarette lighters104
1026.Conditions applying to Liquefied Petroleum Gas105
1027.Speed limiter devices106
Part 11 — Loading and dimensions of vehicles
1101.Axle group configurations permitted on vehicles107
1102.Maximum length110
1103.Rear overhang111
1104.Maximum projection of load and equipment113
1105.Ground clearance114
1106A.Roads or routes for use of oversize vehicles115
1107.Special permits to exceed prescribed dimensions116
Part 11A — Construction, equipment and other requirements for vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 1988
1108.Vehicles to conform to Australian Design Rules120
Part 12 — Danger and annoyance
1201.Avoidance of danger, smell, smoke, etc.121
1202.Lubrication, fuel control and exhaust121
1203.Noise and vibration121
1204.Dangerous fittings122
Part 13 — Trailer couplings and safety chains
1301.Trailer coupling123
1302.Trailer couplings general specifications123
1303.Part not applicable to motor cycle125
Part 14 — Mass limits
1401.Restrictions on mass of vehicles126
1401A.Roads or routes for use of overmass vehicles137
1402.Special permits to carry excess mass138
1403.Ascertainment of laden masses or tare140
Part 15 — General provisions for public passenger carrying vehicles
1501.Ventilation142
1502.Fire extinguishers142
1503.First aid kit142
1504.Speedometer143
Part 16 — Special provisions for omnibuses and school buses
1601.Aisle and aisle width144
1602.Entrance and exit144
1603.Head room (interior height)145
1604.Steps146
1605.Guard rails and safety partitions147
1606.Inside mirror147
1607.Hand straps147
1608.Floor147
1609.Fuel tank and filler pipe148
1610.Emergency exits148
1611.Seats for passengers150
1612.Driver’s seat151
1613.Interior doors151
1614.Passenger stop signal151
1615.Signalling device for driver151
1616.Furniture and appointments151
1617.Interior lighting152
1618.Special requirements for double deck omnibuses152
1619.Painting numbers and signs152
1620.Construction and alteration of chassis153
1621.Cleaning of omnibus153
1622.Number of passengers to be carried153
Part 17 — Special conditions for particular classes of vehicles
1701.Ventilation156
1702.Forward control, rear engine and underfloor engine type vehicles — protection for driver156
1704.Steam vehicles — brakes156
1705.Articulated vehicle157
1706.Sleeper berths157
1707.Trailer type caravans158
1708.Compression ignition engines159
1709.Lavatories and wash basins on motor vehicles and trailers159
1710.Rear end protection160
1711.Visibility of tray161
Part 18 — Special provisions for motor cycles
1801.Side‑car162
1802.Fittings for number plates162
1803.Motor cycle and trailer162
1804.Pillions and footrests162
1805.Handlebars163
1806.Chain guard163
1807.Rear vision mirrors163
Part 20 — Vehicles drawn by animal power
2001.Interpretation165
2002.Front and rear lights165
2003.Rear reflectors166
2004.Front clearance lamps166
2005.Rear clearance lamps or reflectors167
2006.Requirements in regard to reflectors167
2007.Light on projecting load168
2008.Maximum dimensions168
2009.Projecting loads168
2010.Brakes169
Part 30 — Special provisions for pedal cycles
3001.Brakes170
3002.Bell170
3003.Handle bar170
3004.Rake and angle of front forks170
3005.Width of load170
3006.Reflector171
3007.Lights171
3008.Colour of rear mudguard172
3009.Reflectors172
3010.Child carrying seats172
Notes
Compilation table174
Defined Terms
Reprinted under the Reprints Act 1984 as at 7 September 2001
Road Traffic Act 1974
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1977
Part 1 — Preliminary and general provisions
These regulations may be cited as the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1977 1.
[Regulation 101 amended in Gazette 28 Sep 1990 p. 5073.]
(1)The Road Traffic (Vehicle Weights) Regulations 1975, published in the Government Gazette on 29 May 1975 and all amendments thereto are revoked.
(2)The Vehicle Standards Regulations 1975, published in the Government Gazette on 29 May 1975 and all amendments thereto are revoked.
[103.Repealed in Gazette 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684.]
(1)Subject to subregulation (3), in so far as these regulations apply to vehicles, with the exception of regulation 1403(6), they apply to vehicles on roads and the prohibition of, or the restriction on, the standing, using or driving of vehicles relates to the doing of those things on roads.
(2)The prohibition by these regulations of the standing, using or driving of vehicles does not apply where any of those things are done in conformity with a limited licence issued, or a limited registration effected, under the Act or any other Act, or are done in conformity with a permit lawfully issued by a competent authority.
(3)Notwithstanding subregulation (1), these regulations shall not apply to vehicles where the vehicles are —
(a)used for the purpose of road maintenance or road construction;
(b)situated between traffic signs on a road maintenance or road construction site;
(c)operated by or under the control of a competent authority; and
(d)fitted with a lamp displaying intermittent flashes as described in regulation 404.
(4)When there is an inconsistency between a provision of these regulations and a provision of the Road Traffic (Towed Agricultural Implements) Regulations 1990 2, the latter provision prevails to the extent of that inconsistency.
[Regulation 103A amended in Gazette 8 Sep 1989 p. 3175; 28 Sep 1990 p. 5073; 22 Sep 2000 p. 5439.]
103B.Limited application of regulations to vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 1988
The following provisions do not apply to vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 1988 to which the Australian Design Rules apply —
(a)in Part 1, regulations 110, 111(2), (3), (4), (5), (8) and (9), 112, 115, 116 and 118 to 123 inclusive; and
(b)Parts 2 to 11 inclusive, 13, 15, 16 and 18 (other than regulations 307, 404, 408, 607, 802, 803(5), 1002(4), 1004, 1008, 1017A, 1017B, 1027, 1104, 1107, 1503, 1619 and 1622).
[Regulation 103B inserted in Gazette 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684; amended in Gazette 22 Feb 1991 p. 909; 13 Dec 1991 p. 6244; 2 Feb 1999 p. 354.]
(1)In these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears —
“aggregate mass”, in relation to a vehicle means the maximum permitted laden mass of the vehicle, calculated or determined in accordance with Part 14;
“alternative headlamp” means a lamp which is lighted in place of a headlamp by a dipping device;
“articulated vehicle” means a motor vehicle hauling a semi‑trailer;
“Australian Design Rule” means —
(a)in relation to a vehicle manufactured before 1 July 1988, a design rule contained in the publication titled “Australian Design Rules for Motor Vehicle Safety — 2nd Edition”, issued by the Commonwealth Department of Transport as at 30 June 1988; and
(b)in relation to a vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 1988, a design rule contained in the publication titled “Australian Design Rules for Motor Vehicles and Trailers — 3rd Edition”, issued by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Communications as at 1 January 1992;
“axle” means the axis of rotation of wheels whether power driven or freely rotating and whether in one or more segments which are nominally in line and regardless of the number of wheels carried thereon;
“bicycle” means —
(a)any 2 wheeled vehicle, not being a scooter, that is designed to be propelled solely by human power;
(b)any 3 wheeled vehicle, intended for use on a road, that is designed to be propelled solely by human power; or
(c)a 2 wheeled or 3 wheeled vehicle which is a power assisted pedal cycle;
“braking system” includes all the mechanism by which a brake on a motor vehicle is operated;
“centre of an axle or an axle group” means a transverse line extending the full width of the vehicle located —
(a)in the case of one axle at the centre of that axle;
(b)in the case of an axle group with 2 axles —
(i)where both axles are fitted with equal numbers of tyres, midway between those 2 axles;
(ii)where one axle is fitted with twice the number of tyres as the other, one third of the way from the axle fitted with the greater number of tyres towards the axle fitted with the lesser number of tyres;
and
(c)in the case of an axle group with 3 or more axles, midway between the extreme axles of the group;
“clearance lamp” means a lamp that, when lighted, provides an indication of the width of a motor vehicle together with its load or equipment, either from the front or from the rear of the vehicle;
“competent authority” means any government department, government instrumentality, statutory authority or municipality;
“converter dolly trailer” means a unit consisting of an axle or axle group, a lower half of the fifth wheel coupling and a draw‑bar, which is designed and used for attachment towards the front of a semi‑trailer;
“derivative”, in relation to a passenger car, means a motor vehicle of the same make as a factory produced passenger car and in which the forward part of the body form and the greater part of the mechanical equipment are the same as those in the passenger car;
“dipped” in relation to the main beam of light projected by the headlamp of a motor vehicle, means directed downward and sideward in accordance with these regulations; and when the beam is so directed, the light is said to be on low beam, otherwise the light is on high beam;
“dipping device” means a device by which the driver of a motor vehicle, while retaining his normal driving position, can cause the main beam or beams of light from the headlamp or headlamps of his vehicle to be dipped;
“draw bar length” means the horizontal distance from the centre line of the towing pivot to the centre of the leading axle or axle group of the trailer;
“goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle constructed, equipped or fitted for the conveyance of goods or merchandise, and includes a trailer and a tractor which is designed and used for drawing other vehicles and so constructed as not to carry any load thereon either directly or imposed as part of the weight of the vehicle being drawn;
“gross combination mass”, in relation to a road train or an articulated vehicle or a motor vehicle towing a trailer means the maximum permitted laden mass of the combination vehicle, calculated or determined in accordance with Part 14;
“gross trailer mass rating” means the manufacturers specified maximum loaded trailer or semi‑trailer mass for which compliance with the Australian Design Rule referred to in regulation 606 has been or can be established, or where no gross trailer mass rating is specified by the manufacturers, the maximum practical laden mass determined in accordance with Part 14;
“ground clearance” means the minimum vertical distance from the underside of a motor vehicle or trailer or other vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle, except the tyres, wheels and wheel hubs, to the surface of a road, when the motor vehicle, trailer or other vehicle is standing on a flat level surface under any conditions of loading;
“hours of darkness” means the hours falling between sunset and sunrise;
“laden mass” in relation to a vehicle, means the mass of the vehicle and its load borne by the surface on which it is standing or running, as ascertained in accordance with the provisions of regulation 1403;
“left hand side” means that side of the vehicle to the left of the longitudinal centre line thereof when viewed from the rear;
“loadmeter” means a portable mechanical or electronic device capable of ascertaining the mass supported on part of a motor vehicle;
“load sharing system” means an axle group suspension system that utilises hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical or other means as approved by the Director General to effect substantially equal sharing by all the ground contact surfaces of an axle group of the total load carried by that axle group and has effective damping characteristics on all axles of the group;
“manufacturer’s gross combination mass” means the value recorded by the Director General as the maximum of the sum of the laden mass of the vehicle plus the laden mass of vehicles being towed as a trailer or semi‑trailer recommended by the manufacturer, by specification or otherwise, as the maximum laden mass at which that vehicle, or a vehicle of the same make and class or series, or a similar class or series, should be operated;
“manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass” means the mass of a goods vehicle recorded by the Director General as the maximum laden mass recommended by the manufacturer, by specification or otherwise, at which that vehicle or a vehicle of the same make and class or series, or a similar class or series, should be operated;
“manufacturer’s warranted maximum rim load” in relation to a rim means the load recorded by the Director General as the maximum mass recommended by the manufacturer, by specification or otherwise, as the maximum load at which that rim or a rim of the same make and class or series, or of a similar class or series, should be operated;
“manufacturer’s warranted maximum tyre load” in relation to a tyre means the load recorded by the Director General as the maximum recommended by the manufacturer, by specification, or otherwise, as the maximum load at which that tyre or a tyre of the same make and class or series, or of a similar class or series, should be operated;
“motor cycle” means any motor vehicle that has 2 wheels, or where a sidecar is attached thereto, has 3 wheels;
“motor vehicle” means any self‑propelled vehicle, motor cycle or tractor used on a road, but does not include a vehicle used on a railway or a power assisted pedal cycle;
“mudguard” means a fitting or device, which is so constructed and fitted that it will, so far as is practicable, catch or deflect downwards any stones, mud, water or other substance thrown up by the rotation of the wheel for which the fitting or device is provided;
“multi axle group” means a group of more than 3 consecutive axles, of which the centres of those axles located at the extremities of the group are included between parallel, transverse, vertical planes spaced more than 3.2 metres apart, extending the full width of the vehicle, incorporating a load sharing system;
“multi‑purpose passenger car” means a motor vehicle designated principally for the conveyance of not more than 8 persons, and which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for off road operation;
“non load sharing axle group” means an axle group of 2 or more consecutive axles on the same vehicle or component part of a combination vehicle, other than a twin steer axle group, which does not incorporate an approved load sharing system;
“omnibus” means any motor vehicle equipped to seat more than 8 adult persons (including the driver) used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward;
“overall axle spacing” in relation to a vehicle means the distance between the centre of the foremost axle and the centre of the rearmost axle on a vehicle or on a combination of vehicles;
“overmass vehicle” means a vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not comply with regulation 1401;
“oversize vehicle” means a vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not comply with regulation 1101, 1102 or 1103;
“Part” means a Part of these regulations;
“passenger car” means a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, an omnibus or a multi‑purpose passenger car, constructed principally for the conveyance of persons, and excludes a goods vehicle;
“passenger car derivative” means a motor vehicle of the kind known as a coupe utility, or panel van of the same make as a factory produced passenger car, and in which the forward part of the body form and the greater part of the mechanical equipment are the same as in the said passenger car;
“
the Cities of Armadale, Bayswater,
the Towns of Bassendean,
the Shires of Kalamunda, Mundaring, Peppermint Grove, Rockingham, Serpentine‑Jarrahdale, Swan;
“pole‑type trailer” means a trailer that is attached to the towing vehicle by means of a pole, or by an attachment fitted to the pole and that is ordinarily used for transporting loads such as logs, pipes or structural members capable, generally, of supporting themselves as beams between supports;
“prime mover” means a motor vehicle that is a tractive unit designed for hauling a semi‑trailer;
“rear overhang” means the distance measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle between the rearmost point of the vehicle and its loading and equipment, and the line from which the rear overhang is measured, which is a transverse line extending the full width of the vehicle and which is defined in these regulations as the centre of an axle or axle group, but where the rear axle group includes —
(a)a retractable axle; or
(b)a steerable axle within a group where all axles within that group are not steerable,
the centre of the axle group shall be found without regard to the presence of the retractable axle or steerable axle;
“regulation” means one of these regulations;
“retractable axle” means an axle which has a means of adjustment to enable it to be raised or lowered to substantially vary the axle load distribution between the axles of any axle group;
“right hand side” means that side of the vehicle to the right of the longitudinal centre line thereof when viewed from the rear;
“road train” means —
(a)a motor vehicle towing 2 or more trailers; or
(b)an articulated vehicle towing one or more trailers;
“route service omnibus” means any omnibus providing a public passenger transport service along a route within the Perth Region or along a route within a city or town declared under the Local Government Act 1960 4;
“school bus” means an omnibus that is used solely or principally for the carriage of children to and from school;
“semi‑trailer” means a vehicle that has an axle or axle group towards the rear part of the vehicle and which is so constructed that by partial imposition the front part can be attached to the vehicle drawing it in such manner as to cause a substantial part of the mass of the unit to be borne by the vehicle drawing it; and the term includes a pole‑type trailer;
“side‑car” means any car, box or other receptacle attached to the side of a motor cycle and for the support of which a third wheel is provided;
“side marker lamp” means a lamp or a combination of 2 lamps that, when fitted to the side of a vehicle, is capable of displaying light through an angle of 180 degrees, from the front to the rear of the vehicle, on the side on which it is fitted;
“single axle” means either one axle or 2 axles with centres between parallel, transverse, vertical planes less than one metre apart with an approved suspension system or 3 axles with centre of those axles located at the extremities of the group included between parallel, transverse, vertical planes less than 2.0 metres apart with an approved suspension system;
“specification” includes any catalogue, handbook or other written matter issued by the manufacturer relating to any motor vehicle, plant, machinery or equipment;
“specified road or route” means a road or route that is specified in a notice under regulation 1106A or 1401A, as the case requires;
“speed limiter device” means a device which when fitted to a vehicle limits the maximum speed at which the vehicle is capable of being driven;
“tandem axle group” means a group of 2 consecutive axles other than a twin steer axle group of which the centres of adjacent axles are included between parallel, transverse, vertical planes, spaced more than one metre apart and not more than 2.0 metres apart, extending the full width of the vehicle, incorporating a load sharing system;
“tare” means the unladen mass of the vehicle including 10 litres of fuel and any equipment required to be carried upon or fitted to the vehicle by these regulations;
“the Act” means the Road Traffic Act 1974;
“tractor” has the same meaning as “Tractor (other than prime mover type)” and “Tractor plant” in the First Schedule in the Act;
“trailer” means any vehicle without motive power of its own, designed for attachment to a motor vehicle for the purpose of being towed, but does not include a semi‑trailer or side‑car;
“triaxle group” means a group of 3 consecutive axles, of which the centres of those axles located at the extremities of the group are included between parallel, transverse, vertical planes, spaced not less than 2.0 metres apart and not more than 3.2 metres apart, extending the full width of the vehicle, incorporating a load sharing system;
“twin steer axle group” means a combination of 2 single tyred axles contained within 2 transverse, vertical, parallel planes not less than 1 metre and not more than 2.0 metres apart and connected to the same steering mechanism;
“tyre section width” means the nominal linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tyre;
“wide profile tyre” means a single tyre intended by the manufacturer to perform the function of dual tyres and having a tyre section width of not less than 375 mm;
“widespread tandem axle group” means a group of 2 consecutive axles other than a twin steer axle group the centre of which are located outside 2 transverse, vertical, parallel planes 2.0 m apart incorporating a load sharing system;
(2)Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference in these regulations to the visibility of a light, or to the capability of a light of illuminating and rendering a person in dark clothing easily discernible, is a reference to its visibility or that capability, under normal atmospheric conditions, during the hours of darkness.
(3)A reference, however expressed, in these regulations to the date on which a vehicle is first registered shall be construed as a reference to the date of the first occasion after the manufacture of the vehicle on which the vehicle was so licensed or registered under the laws of this or any other State or Territory of the Commonwealth or overseas country as to permit its use on roads.
(4)Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions used in these regulations have the same respective meanings as are given them, in and for the purpose of the Act.
(5)In these regulations —
(a)the expression “mass supported on a tyre” or similar expression means the total mass transmitted to the road by the tyre, including the mass of the tyre; and
(b)the expression “mass supported on an axle or on an axle group” (whether by reference to a single axle, a tandem axle group, a widespread axle group, a triaxle group, a twin steer axle group, a multi axle group, a non‑load sharing axle group or one axle of an axle group) or similar expression, means the total mass transmitted to the road by the axle or the axle group, including the mass of any wheels, tyres and other attachments or fittings attached or fitted to the axle or axles.
[Regulation 104 amended in Gazette 11 May 1979 p. 1222; 4 Sep 1981 p. 3833; 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 25 May 1984 p. 1385; 3 May 1985 p. 1540; 29 May 1987 p. 2222; 24 Dec 1987 p. 4562; 8 Sep 1989 p. 3176; 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684; 13 Dec 1991 p. 6244‑5; 24 Dec 1991 p. 6467; 3 Mar 1992 p. 1093; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685; 17 Nov 1998 p. 6255.]
(1)Every person who commits an offence against any of these regulations, other than offences referred to in subregulations (2), (4), (5), (6) and (7), is liable —
(a)for a first offence to a penalty not exceeding eight penalty units (8 PU); and
(b)for a subsequent offence, to a penalty not exceeding sixteen penalty units (16 PU).
(2)Any person who commits an offence against regulation 1401(19) or regulation 1403(6) is liable —
(a)for a first offence, to a penalty of twenty‑four penalty units (24 PU); and
(b)for a subsequent offence, to a penalty of not less than forty‑eight penalty units (48 PU) irreducible in mitigation notwithstanding the provisions of any Act and not more than one hundred and forty‑four penalty units (144 PU).
(3)For the purpose of subregulations (4), (5) and (6) the expression “percentage excess mass” means the amount by which the mass supported on a tyre, axle, or axle group or the laden mass of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles or part of a combination of vehicles (as the case may be) exceeds the permissible maximum supported mass or laden mass under regulation 1401 or under a permit issued pursuant to regulation 1402 expressed as a percentage of that permissible maximum.
(4)Any person who commits an offence against —
(a)regulation 1401(4)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j), (o), (r), (t), (w), (y), (aa) or (bb);
(b)regulation 1401(4a); or
(c)regulation 1402(3)(b),
in relation to the maximum supported mass permitted on a tyre or a single axle (as the case may be) is liable to a penalty that is not less than the minimum penalty shown in column 2 of the table to this subregulation for the appropriate percentage of excess mass set out in column 1 and that penalty shall be irreducible in mitigation notwithstanding the provisions of any Act and not more than the appropriate maximum penalty shown in column 3 of that table.
Table
|
Column 1 Percentage Excess Mass on |
Column 2 Minimum Penalty PU |
Column 3 Maximum Penalty PU |
|
Not more than 11% |
2 |
6 |
|
More than 11% but not more than 16% |
4 |
10 |
|
More than 16% but not more than 21% |
6 |
14 |
|
More than 21% but not more than 26% |
8 |
18 |
|
More than 26% but not more than 31% |
10 |
22 |
|
More than 31% but not more than 36% |
12 |
26 |
|
More than 36% but not more than 41% |
14 |
30 |
|
More than 41% but not more than 46% |
16 |
34 |
|
More than 46% but not more than 51% |
18 |
38 |
|
More than 51% but not more than 56% |
20 |
42 |
|
More than 56% |
20 |
|
|
and for each additional 5% |
2 |
4 |
(5)Any person who commits an offence against regulation 1401(4) other than an offence mentioned in subregulation (4) or who commits an offence against regulation 1402(3)(b) in relation to the maximum supported mass permitted on a twin steer axle group tandem axle group, triaxle group, multi axle group or non load sharing axle group (as the case may be) is liable to a penalty that is not less than the minimum penalty shown in column 2 of the table to this subregulation for the appropriate percentage of excess mass on an axle group set out in column 1 and that penalty shall be irreducible in mitigation notwithstanding the provisions of any Act and not more than the appropriate maximum penalty shown in column 3 of that table.
Table
|
Column 1 Percentage Excess Mass on Axle Group |
Column 2 Minimum Penalty PU |
Column 3 Maximum Penalty PU |
|
Not more than 10% |
2 |
10 |
|
More than 10% but not more than 12% |
4 |
14 |
|
More than 12% but not more than 14% |
6 |
18 |
|
More than 14% but not more than 17% |
8 |
22 |
|
More than 17% but not more than 19% |
10 |
26 |
|
More than 19% but not more than 22% |
12 |
30 |
|
More than 22% but not more than 25% |
14 |
34 |
|
More than 25% but not more than 27% |
16 |
38 |
|
More than 27% but not more than 30% |
18 |
42 |
|
More than 30% but not more than 32% |
20 |
46 |
|
More than 32% |
20 |
|
|
and for each additional 2% |
2 |
4 |
(6)Any person who commits an offence against regulation 1401(1), (2), (2a), (3) or (6) or who commits an offence against regulation 1402(3)(b) in relation to the maximum laden mass permitted on a vehicle or on a combination of vehicles (as the case may be) is liable to a penalty that is not less than the minimum penalty shown in column 2 of the relevant table (based on the aggregate mass of the vehicle) to this subregulation for the appropriate percentage of excess mass on a vehicle, or the actual excess mass on a vehicle (as the case requires), set out in column 1 and that penalty shall be irreducible in mitigation notwithstanding the provisions of any Act and not more than the appropriate maximum penalty shown in column 3 of that table.
Table 1
Vehicle having an aggregate mass equal to or in excess of 4.5 tonnes exceeding the mass limits on a vehicle or combination of vehicles
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
|
Not more than 11% |
2 |
10 |
|
More than 11% but not more than 15% |
4 |
16 |
|
More than 15% but not more than 18% |
6 |
22 |
|
More than 18% but not more than 21% |
8 |
28 |
|
More than 21% but not more than 25% |
10 |
36 |
|
More than 25% but not more than 28% |
12 |
42 |
|
More than 28% but not more than 31% |
14 |
48 |
|
More than 31% but not more than 35% |
16 |
60 |
|
More than 35% but not more than 38% |
18 |
70 |
|
More than 38% but not more than 41% |
20 |
78 |
|
More than 41% |
20 |
|
|
and for each additional 3% |
2 |
8 |
Table 2
Vehicle having an aggregate mass of less than 4.5 tonnes exceeding the mass limits on a vehicle or combination of vehicles
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
|
Not more than 0.5 tonne |
1 |
5 |
|
More than 0.5 tonne but not more than 1.0 tonne |
|
|
|
More than 1.0 but not more than 1.5 tonne |
3 |
9 |
|
More than 1.5 tonne but not more than 2.0 tonne |
|
|
|
More than 2.0 tonne but not more than 2.5 tonne |
|
|
|
More than 2.5 tonne but not more than 3.0 tonne |
|
|
|
More than 3.0 tonne but not more than 3.5 tonne |
|
|
|
More than 3.5 tonne |
8 |
19 |
(7)Any person who drives a goods vehicle equal to or in excess of 4.5 tonnes aggregate mass, without a permit issued under regulation 1107(1), and who commits an offence against —
(a)regulation 1102(1)(d);
(b)regulation 1102(3);
(c)regulation 1102(4)(c);
(d)regulation 1102(5); or
(e)regulation 1104(1),
is liable —
(f)for a first offence, to a penalty not exceeding sixteen penalty units (16 PU); and
(g)for a subsequent offence, to a penalty not exceeding thirty‑two penalty units (32 PU).
[Regulation 105 inserted in Gazette 25 May 1979 p. 1384‑7; amended in Gazette 4 Jan 1980 p. 3; 14 Aug 1987 p. 3168; 30 Mar 1990 p. 1661‑2; (Erratum 6 Apr 1990 p. 1767); 31 Dec 1992 p. 6392‑3; 23 Dec 1997 p. 7441‑3; 23 Jun 1998 p. 3342‑4; 14 Sep 1999 p. 4537.]
(1)A person shall not stand, use or drive a vehicle on a road, or permit or suffer a vehicle to be stood, driven or used on a road unless —
(a)its construction, equipment and loading (if any) and every appliance fitted to the vehicle, whether obligatory or optional conforms to these regulations;
(b)every part of, or appliance fitted to, the vehicle, whether or not prescribed by these regulations, is serviceable;
(c)the vehicle, or its load or any attachment is in such a condition as to be unlikely to occasion danger or unreasonable annoyance to any person or damage to any property; and
(d)the mass supported by the vehicle or any part thereof conforms to these regulations.
(1a)Where a person stands, drives or uses a vehicle on a road and —
(a)the loading of the vehicle does not conform to these regulations; or
(b)the mass supported by the vehicle or any part thereof does not conform to these regulations,
the owner of that vehicle shall be deemed to have also contravened subregulation (1).
(2)All motor vehicles shall, where required by these regulations, comply with or conform to Australian Design Rules, unless either specifically or generally exempted by the Director General.
(3)Where, pursuant to these regulations, every vehicle or every vehicle of a specified class is required at the time of first registration to comply with any provision of these regulations, that requirement for compliance shall be taken to continue in force for so long as the vehicle is used.
(4)Where, pursuant to these regulations, every vehicle or every vehicle of a specified class is required to have equipment or fittings of a specified kind complying with one of a number of Australian Design Rules determined by reference to the date of manufacture of the vehicle, a vehicle which has equipment or fittings of that kind complying with an Australian Design Rule applicable to vehicles manufactured after the date of manufacture of that vehicle shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of these regulations in relation to that equipment or those fittings.
[Regulation 106 amended in Gazette 4 Jan 1980 p. 3; 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 25 May 1984 p. 1385; 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
107.Vehicles may be ordered off the road
(1)Where a member of the Police Force is of the opinion that —
(a)a vehicle does not conform to the requirements of the Act, or these regulations, or is in such a condition as to occasion danger or unreasonable annoyance to any person, or damage to any property, he may order that —
(i)the vehicle be not used thereafter; or
(ii)the vehicle be not used on or after a specified date,
unless, after the making of the order, the vehicle has been submitted to the Director General or an authorised vehicle examiner for examination, and found to be fit for use;
(b)a vehicle —
(i)is of a tare that does not conform with the tare shown on the licence issued in respect of that vehicle, or the tare required by these regulations to be painted on that vehicle; or
(ii)requires repair, adjustment, or reconditioning, or the supply, fitting, or removal of any equipment, or any other attention,
he may order that the vehicle be not used on or after a specified date unless, after the making of the order, the vehicle has been submitted to the Director General or an authorised vehicle examiner for examination, and found to be fit for use.
(2)Where, in respect of a vehicle, an order is made under subregulation (1) —
(a)where the driver of the vehicle is not the owner —
(i)the member of the Police Force making the order shall cause a copy of the order to be served on the owner; and
(ii)the driver of the vehicle shall bring the order to the notice of the owner; and
(b)the member of the Police Force making the order shall attach to the vehicle a notice of the order prohibiting the use of that vehicle.
(2a)Where a vehicle in respect of which an order has been made under this regulation is submitted to an authorised vehicle examiner for examination that authorised vehicle examiner may, in respect of that vehicle, make any order that could be made under subregulation (1) by a member of the Police Force, and where an authorised vehicle examiner makes such an order he shall attach notice thereof to the vehicle.
(3)A person shall not —
(a)use or permit or suffer the use of a vehicle during a period when the use of that vehicle is prohibited by an order made under this regulation unless —
(i)the faults specified in the order have been rectified;
(ii)the vehicle is being taken for the purpose of examination from the place where the faults have been rectified directly to an authorised vehicle examiner or to a place established by the Director General for the examination of vehicles whichever is nearest the place where the faults were rectified; and
(iii)the vehicle is licensed or the subject of a permit for the journey issued under section 26 of the Act;
(b)except where authorised by the Director General to do so, wilfully remove, damage or obliterate a notice attached to a vehicle under this regulation.
(4)In this regulation “authorised vehicle examiner” means a person authorised in accordance with regulation 3A of the Road Traffic (Licensing) Regulations 1975, as amended, to examine and test vehicles.
[Regulation 107 inserted in Gazette 11 May 1979 p. 1222‑3; amended in Gazette 10 Oct 1980 p. 3462; 31 Dec 1981 p. 4428; 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 1 Sep 1989 p. 3021; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
108.Offence of tampering with a speed limiter device
Where —
(a)under regulation 1027; or
(b)under regulation 1108 (by the application of a requirement in an Australian Design Rule),
a vehicle is fitted with a speed limiter device, any person who tampers with or modifies that device and thereby causes the vehicle to be capable of being driven at a speed that exceeds 100 kilometres per hour commits an offence.
Penalty: Twenty penalty units (20 PU).
[Regulation 108 inserted in Gazette 13 Dec 1991 p. 6245; amended in Gazette 23 Dec 1997 p. 7443.]
(1)A member of the Police Force may examine and test drive a vehicle, and the person driving or using the vehicle shall, upon the request of the member of the Police Force permit him to examine and test drive the vehicle and shall not obstruct the examination or test.
[(2)repealed]
[Regulation 109 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 21 Oct 1988 p. 4240.]
110.Height of lamps and devices
In these regulations, a requirement of the mounted height of lamps, reflectors or devices, shall be taken by measurement from the centre of the lamp, reflector or device, to the level of the ground upon which the vehicle stands, when the vehicle is without a load.
(1)Except in the case of a motor cycle or other motor vehicle that is steered by means of handlebars, and except as provided by subregulation (6), the steering wheel shall be located on the right hand side of the motor vehicle.
(2)In the case of a motor cycle or other motor vehicle that is steered by means of handlebars, the steering control may be central, but shall not be located on the left hand or near side of the vehicle.
(3)The vehicle shall be capable of being readily steered, with all steering arms and connections so designed as to eliminate danger of any accidental detachment or overlocking, and all steering connections shall be secured with bolts, fitted with nuts that are locked or pinned.
(4)Unless otherwise approved by the Director General, any component of the steering system of a motor vehicle which is essential to the steering operation shall be designed to transmit energy by mechanical means only.
(5)Where the steering mechanism is placed in a position in which it may be affected by impact with any vehicle or obstacle it shall be suitably protected.
(6)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1) a motor vehicle may have the steering wheel or control other than on the right hand side of the vehicle if —
(a)it was licensed in the State prior to 3 June 1947, and has been continually licensed since; or
(b)it is a vehicle of the tractor (other than prime mover) type; or
(c)it is the subject of a temporary authority issued by or a limited licence or registration effected with, the Director General under the provisions of the Road Traffic (Licensing) Regulations 1975 as amended from time to time.
(7)A motor vehicle that is licensed or authorised to be used on a road under subregulation (6) shall —
(a)be equipped with the appropriate signalling devices, prescribed by these regulations; and
(b)have painted on the rear of that vehicle, in a conspicuous position on the right hand side, the words, “CAUTION — LEFT HAND DRIVE” in letters of not less than 75 millimetres in height, but where the motor vehicle has the steering wheel or control located at or near the centre of the vehicle, the Director General may dispense with the need for the sign required by paragraph (b).
(8)Passenger cars and derivatives thereof manufactured on and after 1 January 1971 shall at the time of first registration have a steering column which shall comply with Australian Design Rule No. 10A — Steering Columns.
(9)All passenger cars and derivatives thereof, manufactured on or after 1 January 1973, shall, at the time of first registration, have steering columns which comply with Australian Design Rule No. 10B — Steering Columns.
[Regulation 111 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
A motor vehicle shall be capable of turning, in either direction, in a circle not exceeding 25 m in diameter, as determined by reference to the extreme outer edge of the tyre track at ground level.
A motor vehicle shall not be so constructed, loaded or equipped, nor may anything be fitted to it in such a manner, as to prevent the driver from having a sufficient view of traffic, on either side of the vehicle and in all directions in front of the vehicle, to enable him to drive the vehicle with safety.
A television receiver, when placed in a vehicle, shall be installed so that —
(a)no part of the screen, is directly visible to the driver from the driving position;
(b)no part of the screen can distract the attention of the driver of any other motor vehicle; and
(c)the controls, other than the sound volume control and the main switch, are not within the driver’s reach.
An engine number shall be as such as is legibly and durably stamped or engraved upon the main component of an engine to be installed in a vehicle, at the time of the engine’s manufacture; and shall be located in such a position as to render it readily visible after the engine has been installed in the vehicle.
A motor vehicle that weighs more than 300 kilograms, when unladen, shall be capable of being so worked, that it may travel either backward or forward.
117.Physical disability of driver — special construction of vehicle
The Director General may require that a motor vehicle or trailer shall be specially constructed, equipped or adapted, in a manner not provided for in these regulations, where the vehicle is to be used by a person who is suffering from a physical disability.
[Regulation 117 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
118.Requirements for automatic transmission
All motor vehicles, except motor cycles, manufactured on or after 1 January 1972 and equipped with an automatic transmission shall comply at the time of first registration with Australian Design Rule No. 9 for Standard Controls for Automatic Transmissions.
(1)Every —
(a)passenger car and derivative thereof manufactured on and after 1 January 1972; and
(b)multi‑purpose passenger car manufactured on and after 1 January 1974,
shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with head restraints that conform to Australian Design Rule No. 22 for Head Restraints.
(2)Every —
(a)passenger car and derivative thereof; and
(b)multi‑purpose passenger car,
manufactured on and after 1 January 1975 shall, at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 22A for Head Restraints.
Any internal sun visor fitted to —
(a)a passenger car or derivative thereof, manufactured on or after 1 January 1972;
(b)a multi‑purpose passenger car, manufactured on or after 1 January 1973; or
(c)a motor vehicle, except a motor cycle or specially constructed vehicle, manufactured on or after 1 July 1973,
shall at the time of first registration of the vehicle comply with Australian Design Rule No. 11 — Internal Sun Visors.
All passenger cars, passenger car derivatives and multi‑purpose passenger cars manufactured on or after 1 January 1973, and all other motor vehicles, except motor cycles and specially constructed vehicles, manufactured on or after 1 July 1973, shall at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 12 — Glare Reduction in Field of View.
Any instrument located in a passenger car or derivative thereof manufactured on or after 1 January 1973 shall at the time of first registration of the vehicle comply with Australian Design Rule No. 18 — Location and Visibility of Instruments.
Any instrument panel in a passenger car or derivative thereof, manufactured on or after 1 January 1973, shall at the time of first registration of the vehicle comply with Australian Design Rule No. 21 — Instrument Panels.
124.Chassis body or equipment extensions or alterations
(1)A motor vehicle or trailer not being a passenger car or derivative thereof shall not be altered from the manufacturer’s specifications, or from its form on the occasion of its first registration in regard to chassis, frame, wheels, suspension, steering, brakes, axles, engine, body structure or exhaust system without the prior approval of the Director General.
(2)A passenger car or derivative thereof shall not without the prior approval of the Director General be altered from —
(a)the manufacturer’s specifications; or
(b)its form on the occasion of its first registration in respect of any part of its constructions, equipment or fittings which was effected, manufactured or constructed in accordance with an Australian Design Rule by —
(i)fitting an engine of greater displacement volume than an engine that was available as an option for the vehicle with the same braking system;
(ii)making modifications to braking systems which include the fitting of smaller diameter brake drums, or narrower brake drums or brake shoes which reduce the swept area of braking surface or which reduce the weight of the brake drum or disc;
(iii)fitting any wheel rim with more than a single weld around the circumference, or which does not conform to one of the dimensional standards for wheel rims set down in the Tyre and Rim Standards Manual issued by the Tyre and Rim Association;
(iv)widening the wheel track of front or rear wheels by more than 25 millimetres beyond the maximum specified by the vehicle manufacturer;
(v)fitting spacers between wheels and hubs additional to any provided by the vehicle manufacturer;
(vi)fitting wheel nuts which do not engage the thread of the wheel studs for at least the same length as the nuts provided by the vehicle manufacturer, or wheel nuts which do not match with the taper on the wheel;
(vii)fitting tyres other than those appropriate to the wheel rim as specified in the
(viii)making modifications to an axle, axles or suspension which reduces the available suspension travel from static conditions to full bump position to less than two‑thirds of that provided by the vehicle manufacturer;
(ix)making modifications to an axle, axles or suspension such that any part of the vehicle other than the tyre or rim will contact a road surface in the case of the deflation of any tyre;
(x)welding or heating any axle, stub axle, steering arm or steering knuckle support; or
(xi)lengthening or shortening the chassis frame, or the body structure in the case of a vehicle of mono (chassis‑less) construction.
(2a)Where the Director General approves of any modifications under subregulation (1) or (2), a vehicle modification permit shall be issued by the Director General, upon receipt of a fee of $28.20 by the Director General.
(3)Equipment fitted to a vehicle whereby compliance with any prescribed Australian Design Rule is achieved shall be maintained in good repair and any replacement equipment or part thereof fitted to such a vehicle shall be so manufactured and so fitted to the vehicle as also to comply with the prescribed Australian Design Rule.
(4)A person shall not change or alter the body or equipment of a motor vehicle in such a way as adversely to affect the safe operation of the vehicle.
(5)The owner of a licensed or registered motor vehicle shall, whenever an alteration is made to the vehicle or its equipment affecting the accuracy of any particulars of the description in the licence or certificate of registration of the vehicle, give immediate notification of the alteration to the Director General.
[Regulation 124 amended in Gazette 4 Feb 1982 p. 406; 8 Sep 1989 p. 3175; 7 Sep 1990 p. 4702; 24 May 1996 p. 2189; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685; 13 May 1997 p. 2343; 12 May 1998 p. 279; 17 May 2000 p. 2424; 29 Jun 2001 p. 3524.]
125.Particulars of vehicles to be supplied
(1)A manufacturer or distributor of motor vehicles shall, on demand, supply to the Director General known particulars of —
(a)the construction;
(b)the unladen mass;
(c)the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass; and
(d)the manufacturer’s gross combination mass,
of any new type of motor vehicle imported into the State or manufactured within the State.
(2)Every vehicle for which any Australian Design Rules are applicable at the time of manufacture shall, unless specially exempted by the Director General, be fitted with a plate approved by the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board indicating compliance with those Design Rules.
(3)The plate referred to in subregulation (2) shall not be removed from the vehicle, defaced or modified without the approval of the Director General.
[Regulation 125 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
126.Vehicle identification number
Every motor vehicle, trailer and semi‑trailer manufactured on or after 1 January 1989 shall, unless otherwise approved by the Director General, be so constructed that there is legibly and durably stamped on the vehicle a vehicle identification number that is in accordance with the requirements of —
(a)the following International Standards published by the International Organisation for Standardization —
(i)ISO 3779, “Road Vehicles — Vehicle identification number (VIN) — Content and structure” (Ref. No. ISO 3779 — 1983 (E));
(ii)ISO 3780, “Road Vehicles — World manufacturer identifier (WMI) code” (Ref. No. ISO 3780 — 1983 (E)); and
(iii)ISO 4030, “Road Vehicles — Vehicle identification number (VIN) — Location and attachment” (Ref. No. ISO 4030 — 1983 (E));
(b)Australian Standard SAA MP 55 — 1988 “Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Codes” published by the Standards Association of Australia 5; or
(c)Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards FMVSS 115 —“Vehicle Identification Number” (44 FR 17,498 to 17,500; 48 FR 22,571; or 50 FR 4,222) published by the United States Department of Transport.
[Regulation 126 inserted in Gazette 27 Jan 1989 p. 291; amended in Gazette 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
Part 2 — Lighting equipment — lamps and reflectors
A motor vehicle and a trailer shall be provided with lamps and reflectors in accordance with the requirements of this Part of these regulations.
Except for a motor cycle with or without a side‑car or a 3 wheel motor vehicle that does not exceed a width of 1.5 metres, a motor vehicle shall be equipped with —
(a)2 headlamps, one on each side, having their centres equidistant from the centre line of the vehicle, not less than 600 millimetres apart, at equal height from the ground, and being of approximately equal luminous intensity;
(b)4 headlamps, in sets of 2, one set located on each side of the vehicle, the corresponding lamps of each set having their centres equidistant from the centre line of the vehicle, not less than 600 millimetres apart, at equal height from the ground and being of approximately equal luminous intensity; or
(c)2 headlamps projecting light conforming with subparagraph (i), and 2 alternative headlamps projecting light conforming with regulation 204(1)(d)(ii), so fitted that both sets of headlamps have their centres equidistant from the centre line of the vehicle, not less than 600 millimetres apart and at equal height from the ground and the lamps in each pair shall be of approximately equal luminous intensity.
203.Headlamps on motor cycles and three‑wheeled vehicles
(1)A motor cycle shall be equipped with a headlamp which, when lighted complies with the requirements of regulation 204, but where a motor cycle has an engine capacity not exceeding 200 c.c. and its lighting system is so designed and constructed that it is impracticable to comply with the requirements of regulation 204, the headlamp affixed shall be of a type that, when lighted, will illuminate and render easily discernible a person who is dressed in dark clothing and is straight ahead of the vehicle —
(a)where the engine capacity does not exceed 100 c.c., at a distance of 22 metres; or
(b)where the engine capacity exceeds 100 c.c. but does not exceed 200 c.c. at a distance of 36 metres.
(2)A side‑car attached to a motor cycle, shall be equipped with a lamp of a power not exceeding 7 watts which, when lighted shows a clear white light that is visible at a distance of 200 metres from the front of the vehicle and so fitted that no part of the vehicle or its equipment or loading or of any trailer or the equipment or loading of any trailer drawn by the motor cycle extends outwards for more than 300 millimetres from the centre of the lamp.
(3)A three‑wheeled motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, shall —
(a)where the width of the vehicle or its equipment does not exceed one metre be equipped with one headlamp which, when lighted, complies with the requirements of regulation 204;
(b)where the width of the vehicle or its equipment exceeds one metre but does not exceed 1.5 metres —
(i)be equipped with one headlamp which, when lighted, complies with the requirements of regulation 204 and with lamps of a power not exceeding 7 watts which, when lighted, show a clear white light that is visible at a distance of 180 metres from the front of the vehicle, one fitted on each side of the vehicle at least 400 millimetres above the ground and so that no part of the vehicle or its equipment extends outward more than 150 millimetres from the centre of the lamp; or
(ii)be equipped with 2 headlamps which when lighted comply with the requirements of regulation 204;
and
(c)where the width of the vehicle or its equipment exceeds 1.5 metres, be equipped with 2 headlamps conforming to the provisions of regulation 202,
but where the vehicle has an engine capacity not exceeding 200 c.c. and the lighting system is so designed that it is impracticable for that system to comply with the requirements of paragraphs (a) or (b), the headlamps affixed to the vehicle shall be such as comply with subregulation (1).
(4)Notwithstanding any other provision of this regulation a motor cycle or a three‑wheeled vehicle that is capable of being driven at a speed in excess of 50 kilometres per hour shall be equipped with a headlamp or headlamps that comply with the requirements of regulation 204.
204.Headlamps: General requirements
(1)Headlamps fitted to a motor vehicle shall be so fitted and constructed that —
(a)the centre of each headlamp is not higher that 1.4 metres from the ground and, in the case of a motor vehicle first registered on or after the commencement of these regulations, not less than 600 millimetres from the ground;
(b)they show white light only and project the light in front of the vehicle;
(c)when on high beam, they project light in such a way that the part of the beam that is projected in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and one half a degree downward from a plane that is through the headlamp and parallel to the plane on which the vehicle stands, has a luminous intensity of between 15 000 and 37 500 candela;
(d)when on low beam, they project light in such a way that —
(i)the part of the beam that is projected in a direction 2 degrees to the left of a vertical plane that is through the headlamp and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and one half a degree downward from a plane that is through the headlamp and parallel to the plane on which the vehicle stands, has a luminous intensity of between 3 750 and 10 000 candela; and
(ii)the part of the beam that is projected 2 degrees to the left of a vertical plane that is through the headlamp and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and 1½ degrees downward from a plane that is through the headlamp and parallel to the plane on which the vehicle stands, has a luminous intensity of not less than 8 000 candela; and
(iii)no light of an intensity of greater than 5 000 candela is projected more than 2½ degrees to the right of a vertical plane that is through the headlamp and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
(e)the light is capable of illuminating and rendering easily discernible a person who is dressed in dark clothing and who is straight ahead of the vehicle, at a distance —
(i)when on high beam, of 100 metres; and
(ii)when on low beam, of 45 metres;
(f)in the case of a motor vehicle (not being a motor vehicle of an engine capacity of 200 c.c. or less) first registered on or after 1 January 1934 the headlamps are controlled by a dipping device that will —
(i)where the motor vehicle is fitted with one or 2 headlamps, extinguish the high beam of light projected from the lamp or lamps and at the same time bring the low beam into operation;
(ii)where the motor vehicle is fitted with 4 headlamps, in accordance with regulation 202(b), extinguish the high beam and, at the same time, bring into operation one lamp from each set that is adjusted to project light in accordance with paragraph (d); and
(iii)where the motor vehicle is fitted with headlamps in accordance with regulation 202(c), extinguish the headlamps that are adjusted to the high beam and, at the same time, bring into operation the 2 alternative headlamps that are adjusted to the low beam.
(2)Where a headlamp is not required by these regulations to be fitted with a dipping device, the beam of light projected from that lamp shall —
(a)conform to the requirements of subregulation (1)(d); and
(b)be capable, in conjunction with any other headlamp that is required to be fitted to the vehicle and to be alight at the same time, of illuminating and rendering easily discernible a person who is dressed in dark clothing and who is straight ahead of the vehicle, at a distance of 45 metres.
(3)Where, in subregulation (1)(c) and (d), a reference is made to the luminous intensity of that part of a beam projected through a specified angle, the light is deemed to comply with those paragraphs if the luminous intensity of part of the beam projected to within one quarter of a degree of the specified angle has that intensity.
(1)An alternative headlamp shall comply with subregulation (1)(a) and (b) of regulation 204 and be capable of rendering easily discernible a person who is dressed in dark clothing and who is straight ahead of the vehicle, at a distance of 45 metres; and the beam of light projected from that lamp shall be in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (d) of that subregulation.
(2)When a motor vehicle is equipped with 2 alternative headlamps, they shall be of approximately equal luminous intensity and be fitted one on each side of the vehicle, equidistant from its centre line and at equal height from the ground, so that the centres of the lamps are not less than 600 millimetres apart.
(1)Subject to the provisions of subregulation (3), a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) that is less than 2.2 metres in width shall be equipped with 2 lamps, each of a power not exceeding 7 watts, which, when lighted, show a clear white light, visible at a distance of 200 metres from the front of the vehicle and so fitted to the front of the vehicle that —
(a)their centres are equidistant from the centre line of the vehicle;
(b)the distance between their centres is not less than 600 millimetres; and
(c)no part of the vehicle, or its load, or equipment projects more than 500 millimetres, laterally, from the centre line of the lamp on the side of the projection.
(2)A motor cycle with side‑car attached shall be equipped with a parking lamp or lamps fitted to the forward part of the motor cycle.
(3)The provisions of subregulation (1) are satisfied, if the vehicle is equipped with 2 clearance lamps which, when lighted, show an amber light to the front and which otherwise conform to, and are fitted in conformity with, that subregulation.
(4)A motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) and a motor cycle with side‑car attached, first registered on or after 1 January 1970, shall have the lamps required pursuant to subregulation (1) or (2), so fitted that, when the headlamps required by these regulations are lighted, the former lamps will also be lighted or, if alight, remain lighted.
(1)Except as provided by subregulation (3), a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) and a trailer shall be equipped with one or more lamps of a power not exceeding 7 watts, so fitted to the rear of the vehicle that —
(a)none is higher than 1.1 metres from the ground; or
(b)in the case of a vehicle that, together with its load and equipment, is more than 2.2 metres in width, none is higher than 1.5 metres from the ground.
(2)Where, pursuant to subregulation (1), only one lamp is fitted, it shall be fitted in the centre or on the right hand side, and, where more than one lamp is fitted, at least one shall be fitted on the right hand side of the vehicle.
(3)A motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) and a trailer that is first registered on or after 1 January 1966 shall be equipped with at least 2 lamps of a power not exceeding 7 watts, fitted symmetrically to the rear of the vehicle, with one on each side, at an equal height from the ground and so that —
(a)none is higher than 1.1 metres from the ground and each has the outer edge of its illuminated area not more than 400 millimetres from the extreme edge of the vehicle; or
(b)in the case of a vehicle that, together with its load and equipment, is more than 2.2 metres in width, none is higher than 1.5 metres from the ground and each has the outer edge of its illuminated area not more than 150 millimetres from the extreme outer edge of the vehicle.
(4)A motor cycle shall be equipped with a lamp of a power not exceeding 7 watts, fitted to the rear of the cycle, so that the lamp is not more than 1.1 metres from the ground.
(5)A rear lamp prescribed by subregulations (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall, when lighted, show a clear red light to the rear, visible at a distance of 200 metres.
(6)Each letter, symbol or figure upon the number plate carried upon the rear of a motor vehicle or trailer, shall be illuminated, so as to be easily discernible at a distance of 20 metres by a white light projected either by the rear lamps prescribed by this regulation, or by a separate lamp fitted to the vehicle.
(7)A rear lamp and a number plate lamp shall be so wired that, if already alight, it remains lighted, and, if not already alight, will be lighted, when any headlamp, alternative headlamp or parking lamp with which the motor vehicle is equipped is lighted.
(1)One or more reflectors shall be fitted —
(a)symmetrically to each side of the rear of a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle without a side‑car) and of a trailer; and
(b)to the rear of a motor cycle without a side‑car.
(2)A reflecting lens fitted to a rear lamp required or permitted by these regulations, or any reflective material of not less than 25 square centimetres in area and at least 25 millimetres in width, is a reflector for the purposes of these regulations.
(3)A reflector prescribed by this regulation shall be such as projects a red reflection of the light projected by a lamp of any following vehicle, and shall be so fitted that —
(a)its centre is not higher than 1.1 metres from the ground, unless the vehicle is constructed solely, or principally, for the carriage of goods and is so designed or constructed that it would be impracticable to comply with that requirement in which case the reflector may be fitted so that its centre is not higher than 1.5 metres from the ground; and
(b)no part of the vehicle or its load or equipment, on the side on which the reflector is fitted, projects —
(i)more than 250 millimetres, laterally, from the centre of the reflector, where the width of the vehicle or trailer, together with its load or equipment, is 2.2 metres or more; or
(ii)400 millimetres, laterally, from the centre of the reflector, where the width of the vehicle or trailer, together with its load or equipment, is less than 2.2 metres.
(1)A motor vehicle, trailer, semi‑trailer or pole‑type trailer shall, except as provided in subregulations (2), (3) and (5), be equipped with at least one stop lamp fitted to the rear of the vehicle so that the lamp or where there is more than one, one lamp is in the centre, or to the right hand side of the centre of the vehicle.
(2)A motor vehicle, trailer, semi‑trailer or pole‑type trailer first registered on and after 1 January 1967 shall, except as provided in subregulations (3) and (5), be equipped with at least 2 stop lamps, fitted symmetrically to the rear of the vehicle, one on each side, having their centres equidistant from the centre line of the vehicle and at equal height from the ground.
(3)A motor vehicle manufactured on or before 1 January 1934 is exempt from the requirements of subregulations (1) and (2).
(4)The stop lamp or lamps prescribed by this regulation shall —
(a)when lighted display a red light to the rear of the vehicle and be clearly visible in sunlight, at all distances up to sixty metres;
(b)be so fitted that the lamp is or the lamps are not higher than 1.5 metres, or lower than 400 millimetres, from the level on which the vehicle stands; and
(c)be lighted when the service (foot) brake is applied, and, also, when any device (other than the service brake) for the independent application of the brakes fitted to the semi‑trailer portion of an articulated vehicle, or of the brakes fitted to a trailer being drawn by a motor vehicle, is operated.
(5)A stop lamp is not required on a trailer where —
(a)the dimensions or construction of the trailer, or other towed vehicle, together with its load or equipment, are such as not to obscure a stop lamp fitted to the hauling motor vehicle, and the trailer or other towed vehicle has an unladen weight of not more than 250 kilograms; or
(b)the trailer is a special type trailer, in respect of which a declaration is given to the Director General, that the vehicle will be used only on short haul “over‑the‑road” operation in the vicinity of wharves, industrial installations, or within defined areas and will not be used during the hours of darkness.
[Regulation 209 amended in Gazette 6 Jun 1980 p. 1673; 2 Feb 1982 p. 406; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
(1)A motor vehicle, trailer or semi‑trailer may be equipped with lamps that comply with regulations 902, 904 and 905 for indicating an intention to turn to the right or to the left.
(2)A motor vehicle (excluding an articulated vehicle, motor cycle or a tractor) first registered on or after 1 January 1961 shall be equipped with flashing lamp turn right or turn left signalling devices complying with the requirements of regulations 902, 904 and 905.
(3)An articulated vehicle or a trailer first registered on or after 1 January 1961, shall be equipped with flashing lamp turn right or turn left signalling devices complying with the requirements of regulations 902, 904 and 905.
(4)Every —
(a)motor cycle first registered on or after 1 January 1969, other than a motor cycle that is a moped; and
(b)moped first registered on or after 1 January 1981,
shall be equipped with flashing lamp turn right or turn left signalling devices complying with the requirements of regulations 902, 904 and 905.
(5)All passenger cars, passenger car derivatives, and multipurpose passenger cars, manufactured on or after 1 January 1973, and all other motor vehicles, except motor cycles and specially constructed vehicles, manufactured on and after 1 July 1973, shall, at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 6 — Direction Turn Signal Lamps.
(6)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this regulation, the Director General may exempt —
(a)a pole‑type trailer;
(b)any combination of prime mover and trailer not exceeding 7.5 metres in length; or
(c)any specially constructed vehicle,
from the requirement of being equipped with flashing lamp turn right or turn left signalling devices, where —
(d)in its opinion, it would be impracticable to fit the signalling devices to such a vehicle;
(e)the vehicle is to operate under a special licence over a predetermined route; or
(f)there is some other reason which, in its opinion justifies such an exemption.
[Regulation 210 amended in Gazette 6 Jun 1980 p. 1673; 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
211.Lights on vehicles under tow
(1)Every motor vehicle under tow, during the hours of darkness, shall be equipped with —
(a)a lighted lamp, showing a clear red light clearly visible to the driver of any following motor vehicle, fitted on the centre, or to the right hand or off‑side of the centre, of that portion of the vehicle facing any following motor vehicle; and
(b)a lamp or lamps showing a bright white light, so fitted as to render visible any red flag or other suitable object prescribed under the Road Traffic Code 1975 6, to be displayed where a motor vehicle is towed with the aid of a rope, chain or wire.
(2)The requirements of this regulation are additional to the requirements of any other regulation relating to the fitting of lights to a motor vehicle.
(3)Lights, other than those required or permitted by these regulations to be fitted, shall not be displayed upon a towed vehicle, so as to be visible to the driver of a following vehicle.
Every —
(a)passenger car and derivative thereof manufactured on or after 1 January 1972;
(b)multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1973;
(c)motor vehicle, except motor cycles, specially constructed vehicles and vehicles exceeding 4.5 tonnes manufacturers gross vehicle mass manufactured on or after 1 July 1973; and
(d)motor vehicle, except motor cycles and specially constructed vehicles, manufactured on or after 1 July 1975,
shall at the time of first registration, be equipped with reversing signal lamps complying with Australian Design Rule No. 1 —Reversing Signal Lamps.
Part 3 — Additional lamps and reflectors required on large vehicles
301.Requirements for certain motor vehicles
(1)Notwithstanding the requirements of these regulations prescribing the fitting of lamps and reflectors to motor vehicles generally, the vehicles mentioned in this part shall be fitted with such additional lamps and reflectors, respectively, as are therein prescribed.
(2)Where a sidemarker lamp, fitted to a vehicle as prescribed by these regulations, displays a light of the colour, and in the position and direction, so prescribed for a clearance lamp or for a rear lamp, then notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, the requirement for the fitting of the clearance lamp or of the rear lamp is satisfied by the fitting of the sidemarker lamp.
Every motor vehicle (other than an articulated vehicle) that together with its load or equipment, is 2.2 metres or more, in width, shall be equipped with clearance lamps, one fitted on each side at the front, and one fitted on each side at the rear, of the vehicle; and where the vehicle, together with its load or equipment exceeds 7.5 metres in length, a sidemarker lamp shall be fitted at the rear end of each side of the vehicle.
Every articulated vehicle, irrespective of its width, shall be equipped with —
(a)clearance lamps —
(i)one fitted on each side at or near the front of the prime mover;
(ii)one fitted on each side at or near the front, and one on each side at or near the rear, of the semi‑trailer; and
(iii)where the semi‑trailer, together with its load or equipment, exceeds 7.5 metres in length, one fitted on each side, midway between the front and rear sidemarker lamps;
and
(b)sidemarker lamps —
(i)one fitted on each side at or near the front, and one on each side at or near the rear, of the trailer; and
(ii)where the trailer, together with its load or equipment, exceeds 7.5 metres in length, one fitted on each side, midway between the front and rear sidemarker lamps;
Every trailer (other than a pole‑type trailer) that, together with its load or equipment, is 2.2 metres or more, in width, or that projects more than 150 millimetres, laterally, beyond either side of the motor vehicle by which it is drawn shall be equipped with —
(a)clearance lamps —
(i)one fitted on each side at the front, and one on each side at the rear, of the trailer; and
(ii)where the trailer, together with its load or equipment exceeds 7.5 metres in length, one on each side, midway between the front and rear clearance lamps,
and
(b)sidemarker lamps —
(i)one fitted on each side at or near the front, and one on each side at or near the rear, of the trailer; and
(ii)where the trailer, together with its load or equipment, exceeds 7.5 metres in length, one fitted on each side, midway between the front and rear sidemarker lamps,
but where a trailer, (being principally for the carriage of boats or for any other special purpose) is so constructed as to render compliance with this regulation impracticable, one clearance lamp and one sidemarker lamp shall be fitted on each side, at or near the centre of the trailer.
305.Motor vehicles hauling pole‑type trailers
Every motor vehicle designed for drawing a pole‑type trailer and fitted with a bolster or bolsters shall be equipped with —
(a)clearance lamps —
(i)one fitted on each side of the front of the vehicle; and
(ii)fitted to the bolster or bolsters, as prescribed by regulation 306(a);
(b)sidemarker lamps, one fitted on each end of the bolster or the rearmost bolster, as the case may be; and
(c)white or amber reflectors, one fitted on the forward face, at each end of the bolster or foremost bolster, as the case may be.
Every pole‑type trailer, irrespective of its width or length, shall be equipped with —
(a)clearance lamps —
(i)one displaying an amber light to the front and one displaying a red light to the rear, fitted to each end of the bolster; or
(ii)where there is more than one bolster, one displaying an amber light to the front, fitted to each end of the foremost bolster, and one displaying a red light to the rear, fitted to each end of the rearmost bolster,
or, in the alternative, one lamp displaying both an amber light to the front and a red light to the rear, fitted to each end of the bolster or the rearmost bolster as the case may be;
(b)sidemarker lamps, one fitted on each end of the bolster or the rearmost bolster, as the case may be;
(c)red reflectors, spaced at intervals of not more than 1.2 metres, over the entire length of the right hand and left hand faces of the pole;
(d)white or amber reflectors, one fitted on the forward face, at each end of the bolster or foremost bolster, as the case may be; and
(e)red reflectors, fitted to the rear face of the bolster or rearmost bolster, as the case may be, in conformity with regulation 208.
Every crane that forms part of, or is mounted on, a vehicle shall —
(a)where the jib of the crane forms a forward part of, or protrudes forward of, the vehicle, be equipped with —
(i)an amber lamp fitted to the foremost part of the jib, so as to be visible from each side and the front, through an angle of 180 degrees; and
(ii)amber lamps, spaced at intervals of not more than 1.8 metres, over the entire length of the right hand and left hand faces of the jib;
and
(b)where the jib of the crane forms an after part of, or protrudes to the rear of, the vehicle, be equipped with —
(i)a red lamp fitted to the rearmost part of the jib, so as to be visible from each side and the rear, through an angle of 180 degrees; and
(ii)red lamps, spaced at intervals of not more than 1.8 metres, over the entire length of the right hand and left hand faces of the jib.
308.Colours of clearance lamps, sidemarker lamps and reflectors
(1)Clearance lamps, whether fitted as prescribed, or in addition to those prescribed, by these regulations, shall display —
(a)an amber colour to the front, where mounted at or near the front of a vehicle; and
(b)a red colour to the rear, where mounted at or near the rear of a vehicle, other than a prime mover.
(2)Sidemarker lamps shall display an amber colour visible through 90 degrees, from the side to the front of a vehicle, and a red colour visible through 90 degrees, from the side to the rear of a vehicle.
(3)Reflectors shall reflect —
(a)a white or amber colour where facing to the front of a vehicle;
(b)a red colour, where facing to the rear of a vehicle.
309.Mounting of clearance lamps, sidemarker lamps and reflectors
(1)Clearance lamps and sidemarker lamps shall be so fitted that —
(a)no part of the vehicle, or its load or equipment, on the side to which the lamps are fitted, projects more than 150 millimetres, laterally, from the centre of any of them;
(b)in the case of a caravan, semi‑trailer, or trailer they are, as far as practicable, the same height above the level of the ground on which the vehicle stands;
(c)in the case of a motor vehicle, semi‑trailer or trailer, other than a pole‑type trailer, the rear clearance lamps and rear side marker lamps are not more than 300 millimetres distant from the rearmost point of the side of the vehicle to which they are fitted and, except in the case of a motor vehicle, the front clearance lamps and front side marker lamps are not more than 300 millimetres distant from the foremost point of the side of the vehicle to which they are fitted; and
(d)where fitted at or near the rear or on the side of a motor vehicle or trailer, none is less than 600 millimetres or more than 1.5 metres above the level of the ground on which the vehicle stands.
(2)In the case of a motor vehicle or trailer, not being a motor cycle or three‑wheeled vehicle, clearance lamps mounted at or near the front of the vehicle or trailer shall be so fitted that their centres are not less than 750 millimetres above the centre of the headlamp of the vehicle, and may be at any height up to the full height of the vehicle or trailer.
(3)Where a clearance lamp is required to display an amber colour to the front and a red colour to the rear, 2 separate lamps may be fitted to the vehicle, if the lamps comply with the requirements of these regulations, with regard to the colour of the light to be displayed and the position of the clearance lamp for which they are substituted.
(4)Clearance lamps and sidemarker lamps may be mounted in combination, if illumination as required in these regulations is given by both types of lamps.
(5)Reflectors, required on the bolster fitted to a motor vehicle or trailer, shall be so fitted that their centres are not more than 1.5 metres above the ground, and so that no part of the vehicle or its load or equipment, on the side to which the reflectors are fitted, projects more than 250 millimetres laterally from the centre of a reflector.
310.Visibility of clearance and lamps and sidemarker lamps
Clearance lamps and sidemarker lamps shall be of a power not exceeding 7 watts and, when lighted, shall be visible at a distance of 200 metres.
(1)Subject to subregulation (2), every —
(a)vehicle; and
(b)combination of vehicles,
exceeding 12 tonnes gross vehicle mass, other than a route service omnibus, shall, in accordance with regulations 312 and 313, be fitted with 2 rear marking plates, or where applicable under regulation 313(1a)(a), one rear marking plate.
(2)Where because of its construction, it is not practicable for a vehicle or combination of vehicles referred to in subregulation (1) to be fitted with a rear marking plate or plates in accordance with regulations 312 and 313, then that vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be fitted with one or more rear marking plates which are designed and installed to the satisfaction of the Engineer in charge of the Licensing and Services Division of the Western Australia Police Department 7.
[Regulation 311 inserted in Gazette 5 May 1989 p. 1382.]
(1)Every rear marking plate shall be mounted at the rear of a vehicle or combination of vehicles and shall face rearwards.
(2)Every rear marking plate shall be securely attached to the vehicle or combination of vehicles so that no part of the marking projects beyond the outermost part of the vehicle on either side.
(3)The lower edge of every rear marking plate shall be horizontal and at a height of not more than 1.5 m nor less than 400 mm above the ground and where a vehicle or combination of vehicles is fitted with 2 plates, each plate shall be the same height above the ground as the other plate.
(4)Every rear marking plate shall lie within 20 o of a transverse vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(5)Where a vehicle or combination of vehicles is fitted with 2 rear marking plates, the outer edge of each plate shall be within 150 mm of the outer edge of the vehicle where practicable or as near as possible to the outer edge of the vehicle in all other cases.
(6)Where rear marking plates of the type set out in regulation 313(1) are used, the plates shall be fitted so that the yellow portions appear on the outer and lower edges.
[Regulation 312 inserted in Gazette 5 May 1989 p. 1382‑3.]
(1)Subject to subregulation (1a), the dimensions and colours of the 2 rear marking plates shall be in accordance with the following diagram —
Dimensions in mm
The dimensions of the rear marking plates may vary from the dimensions illustrated in this subregulation, by plus or minus 5 mm and plus or minus 5°.
A yellow margin of up to 5 mm thickness is allowed on the outside edges of the red (if required for ease of manufacture).
(1a)Where because of its construction, it is not practicable for a vehicle or combination of vehicles referred to in regulation 311(1) to be fitted with the rear marking plates illustrated in subregulation (1), the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be fitted with —
(a)one rear marking plate of an area of not less than 0.32 square metres in accordance with the following diagram —
Dimensions in mm
A dimension specified in the diagram for a side of the rear marking plate is a minimum dimension for that side;
(b)2 rear marking plates of a combined area of not less than 0.32 square metres in accordance with the following diagram —
Dimensions in mm
A dimension specified in the diagram for a side of the rear marking plates is a minimum dimension for that side; or
(c)2 rear marking plates of a combined area of not less than 0.32 square metres in accordance with the following diagram —
Dimensions in mm
A dimension specified in the diagram for a side of the rear marking plates is a minimum dimension for that side.
(2)The surface of the rear marking plate shall be of retro‑reflective material within photometric performance and durability not less than that required for Class 2 material by Australian Standard 1906, Part 1‑1976 as amended in March 1977 and published on 1 April 1977.
(3)Each rear marking plate —
(a)shall bear the name of the manufacturer and a statement identifying the class of the material used and the standard to which it is manufactured; and
(b)may have the words “DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE” in black lettering in the yellow portion of the marker plate.
(4)Rear marking plates are not reflectors for the purposes of these regulations.
[Regulation 313 inserted in Gazette 29 May 1987 p. 2222; (Corrigendum 26 Jun 1987 p. 2473); amended in Gazette 5 May 1989 p. 1383‑4.]
Part 4 — Optional lamps and reflectors
401.Optional rearward facing lamps and reflectors
In addition to the rear lamps or reflectors required by these regulations, there may be fitted to the rear of a motor vehicle or trailer no more than 2 lamps, which are —
(a)lighted only when the vehicle is proceeding backwards;
(b)amber or white in colour and at a maximum height of 1.1 metres; and
(c)where 2 lamps are used, of the same colour and symmetrically placed.
402.Optional forward facing lamps and reflectors
(1)In addition to the headlamp or lamps required by these regulations there may be fitted to the front of a motor vehicle, equipped with a dipping device, no more than 2 additional headlamps to which the provisions of regulation 204 do not apply and which are so fitted and of such a type that —
(a)they are not higher than 1.4 metres above the ground;
(b)they are capable of showing white light only and of projecting the main beam in front of the vehicle; and
(c)they are so connected electrically with the headlamps prescribed by these regulations that they are extinguished when the headlamps are in the dipped position, and can also be extinguished separately.
(2)In addition to any lamps required or permitted by these regulations there may be fitted to the front of a motor vehicle or trailer —
(a)reflectors, symmetrically placed on opposite sides and equidistant from the centre line of the vehicle and at equal height from the ground; or
(b)one reflector fitted to the right hand side of the vehicle,
and each reflector shall project to the front of the vehicle a white or amber reflection of the light projected by the lamp of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
[(3)repealed]
(4)Where clearance lamps are required by these regulations to be fitted to a vehicle there may also be affixed, to, or above, the roof of the cabin of the vehicle, not more than 5 additional lamps, each of a power not exceeding 7 watts, displaying an amber light to the front and having their centres not less than 120 millimetres apart.
[Regulation 402 amended in Gazette 28 Oct 1988 p. 4286.]
A motor vehicle, trailer or semi‑trailer may be equipped with a lamp or lamps, to illuminate the interior of the vehicle, if it does not project any light other than such as is necessary for that purpose.
(1)Except as provided in subregulation (4), a vehicle shall not be equipped with a lamp capable of displaying intermittent flashes in addition to those lamps required or permitted under these regulations unless, subject to subregulations (2) and (3), the vehicle is —
(a)an emergency vehicle;
(b)a special purpose vehicle (including a special purpose vehicle used in the circumstances set out in regulation 103A(3));
(c)a pilot or escort vehicle;
(d)a vehicle owned by the King’s Park Board;
(e)a self‑propelled agricultural implement, a vehicle towing an agricultural implement or a towed agricultural implement where that implement does not conform with these regulations;
(f)a vehicle used to drive stock along or across a road, if the flashing lamps comply with subregulation (6);
(g)a fire control vehicle (other than that of a fire brigade) which is used to control or extinguish fires, and that vehicle is used for travelling to or from a fire or a fire control exercise;
(h)a motor vehicle that is used solely or principally for the carriage of children to and from school, equipped to carry more than 8 adult persons (including the driver) and if that vehicle has a lamp approved for the purpose by the Director General;
(i)a vehicle or vehicle combination that exceeds the maximum height, width, length or mass limitations under these regulations, while that vehicle, or vehicles, are subject to a permit issued under these regulations; or
(j)any other type of vehicle approved by the Director General and used in conformity with any conditions that may be imposed by the Director General.
(2)A vehicle that —
(a)is authorised as an emergency vehicle for the purposes of the Road Traffic Code 1975 6 by the Director General;
(b)is a special purpose vehicle; or
(c)is used as a pilot or escort vehicle,
shall not be equipped with a flashing lamp referred to in subregulation (1) or (4), unless the vehicle is primarily being used as an emergency vehicle, special purpose vehicle or pilot or escort vehicle, as the case may be, and the lamp shall be removed or covered when the vehicle is not primarily in such use.
(3)A person shall ensure that a vehicle referred to in subregulation (1)(e), (f), (g), (h) or (i), that is equipped with a flashing lamp because of its use in the circumstances limited in regulation 1210 of the Road Traffic Code 1975 6, has the lamp removed within a reasonable time of the completion of that use.
(4)A special purpose vehicle used by a governmental authority in connection with its functions may, with the approval of the Director General, be equipped with a lamp displaying intermittent flashes in addition to those lamps required or permitted under these regulations.
(5)The lamp or lamps displayed by a vehicle described in subregulation (1) or (4) may display —
(a)in the case of a police vehicle, a light of a colour or colours approved by the Director General;
(b)a red light (or a light of another colour or colours approved by the Director General) in the case of an emergency vehicle other than a police vehicle; and
(c)an amber light (or a light of another colour or colours approved by the Director General) in each other case,
for use in the circumstances limited by regulation 1210 of the Road Traffic Code 1975 6, and not otherwise.
(6)Equipment referred to in subregulations (1) and (4) shall be fitted to a vehicle —
(a)so that the flashing lamp is visible from both sides, and the front and back, of the vehicle from a height of 1.5 metres and at a distance of 200 metres;
(b)except in the case of a police vehicle, a fire brigade vehicle and an ambulance, so that the flashing lamp is no lower than 1.5 metres from the ground; and
(c)so that when the equipment is switched on it indicates by means of an audible or visual tell‑tale indicator to the driver of the vehicle, when in his normal driving position, that the equipment is in operation.
(7)A vehicle, fitted with flashing lamp signalling devices that are of the type referred to in regulation 904 and that show only amber light to the front of the vehicle, may also be fitted with equipment that will permit, when the equipment is switched on, all the lamps of the signalling devices to flash simultaneously at a rate of not less than 60 or more than 120 times per minute and at the same time indicate to the driver of the vehicle when in his normal driving position, that the equipment is in operation by means of a visual and audible tell‑tale indicator.
(8)A fire control vehicle (other than one owned by a fire brigade) that is used to control or extinguish fires, when used on a road where the presence of smoke constitutes a traffic hazard, shall have operating a flashing lamp displaying an all round amber light, except where —
(a)the vehicle is a trailer and such a light is attached to the towing vehicle in such a position as to be visible to vehicles approaching the combined vehicles from any direction; or
(b)the vehicle complies with all the applicable lighting requirements of these regulations.
(9)Nothing in this regulation applies to the fitting of lamps displaying intermittent flashes to military vehicles operated by the Defence Forces of the Commonwealth.
(10)In this regulation —
“emergency vehicle” and “special purpose vehicle” have the same meaning they have under the Road Traffic Code 1975 6.
[Regulation 404 inserted in Gazette 22 Sep 2000 p. 5439‑42.]
(1)In addition to any compulsory headlamp or alternative headlamp there may be fitted to the front of a motor vehicle, not being a motor cycle —
(a)2 fog lamps of approximately equal candle power placed —
(i)on opposite sides of, and equidistant from, the centre line of the vehicle;
(ii)at equal height from the ground; and
(iii)so that the centres of the lamps are not less than 600 millimetres apart;
or
(b)one fog lamp, with which there is fitted symmetrically to the front of the vehicle and at equal height from the ground, 2 lamps of a power not exceeding 7 watts, the centres of which are not less than 1.1 metres apart.
(2)In addition to the compulsory headlamp, one fog lamp may be fitted to the front of a motor cycle.
(3)Where, in accordance with subregulations (1) and (2), a fog lamp is fitted to a motor vehicle, then —
(a)the lamp shall be capable of showing only white or amber light;
(b)the beam of light from the lamp shall be deflected downwards or both downwards and to the left;
(c)the centre of the lamp shall not be higher than the centre of any compulsory headlamp or alternative headlamp fitted to the vehicle;
(d)the lamp shall be lighted under abnormal atmospheric conditions and in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Code 1975 6, only;
(e)when the lamp is alight, no other lamp of a power exceeding 7 watts and capable of showing white light to the front of the vehicle shall be alight; and
(f)when only one fog lamp is affixed to the vehicle in accordance with paragraph (b) of subregulation (1) and that lamp is alight, the other 2 lamps referred to in that paragraph shall also be alight.
A spot or search lamp may be fitted, or connected to, a motor vehicle, but it shall not be lighted except in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Code 1975 6.
407.Optional clearance and sidemarker lamps on rigid motor vehicle of 2.2 m or more in width
In addition to the rear clearance and sidemarker lamps that are required to be affixed to a vehicle by these regulations, additional rear clearance and sidemarker lamps that comply with the requirements of these regulations may be fixed to the rear of a rigid motor vehicle that is 2.2 metres or more in width and additional combination clearance sidemarker lamps may be fitted to the sides of the vehicle.
408.Fitting of illuminated signs
(1)In addition to the lamps prescribed or permitted under these regulations —
(a)an omnibus may be equipped with a lamp or lamps for lighting a sign indicating the route, destination or other necessary information relating to the omnibus;
(b)a motor vehicle, licensed for the carriage of not more than 8 passengers for hire or reward, may be equipped with a lamp or lamps for the lighting of any sign authorised or required to be displayed on the vehicle by any enactment relating to taxi‑cars;
(c)an emergency vehicle may be equipped with a lamp or lamps for lighting a sign ordinarily displayed by that emergency vehicle;
(d)a vehicle that is —
(i)used for official duties by a member of the Police Force; or
(ii)a motor breakdown service vehicle,
may be equipped with a lamp or lamps for lighting a sign ordinarily displayed by that vehicle; and
(e)any other vehicle may be equipped with a lamp or lamps for lighting a sign on that vehicle if the sign —
(i)is mounted on the roof of the vehicle or on a bar across the roof; and
(ii)is fitted with no more than 2 globes each of 7 watts or less.
(2)Lamps fitted to a vehicle referred to in subregulation (1)(c) or (d) for the purpose of illuminating a sign may be fitted so as to have the capacity to display intermittent flashes when other flashing warning lights fitted to that vehicle are activated but not otherwise.
(3)Lamps fitted to a vehicle referred to in subregulation (1)(b) for the purpose of illuminating a sign may be fitted so as to have the capacity to display intermittent flashes in the circumstances prescribed under regulation 1210 of the Road Traffic Code 1975 6.
(4)In this regulation “emergency vehicle” has the same meaning as it has under the Road Traffic Code 1975 6.
[Regulation 408 inserted in Gazette 28 Oct 1988 p. 4287.]
Part 5 — Lamps and reflectors — general provisions
501.Lamps — General requirements
A lamp or reflector shall not be attached to a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicle and trailer unless —
(a)by its construction and adjustment, it so diffuses or directs its light, as to prevent any glare adversely affecting a person’s vision; and
(b)it is of a type prescribed or permitted by these regulations, or approved by the Director General.
[Regulation 501 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
502.Lamps and reflectors to be provided unless vehicle exempted
Unless specially exempted by the Director General, a motor vehicle or trailer shall be provided with lamps or reflectors, or both lamps and reflectors, in accordance with these regulations.
[Regulation 502 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685.]
503.Requirements in regard to reflectors
(1)A reflector required to be fitted to a motor vehicle or trailer, in accordance with these regulations shall —
(a)be such that, during the hours of darkness, it reflects the light of a headlamp complying with the provisions of regulation 202 and projected on it, so as to be clearly visible to the driver of the vehicle from which the light is projected, at a distance of 100 metres;
(b)except as provided by regulation 306(c), be fitted in a vertical position and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and
(c)be unobscured and in a clean condition.
(2)A reflector required to be fitted to a motor vehicle or trailer in accordance with these regulations shall comply with the requirements of Australian Standard Interim Specification No. 355 — 1955, Retro Reflectors for Road Signs and Vehicles.
(3)Where reflective material is permitted to be fitted to a motor vehicle or trailer, it shall comply with the requirements of Australian Standard Interim Specification No. 354 — 1955, Retro Reflecting Materials for Road Signs and Vehicles.
(1)The wiring of a lamp prescribed by these regulations shall —
(a)be stranded wire of a suitable size, material, and insulation;
(b)be properly supported at intervals of not more than 600 millimetres, except in the case of a pole‑type trailer so constructed that the length of the pole forward of the trailer frame can be adjusted;
(c)be soldered and properly insulated at joints, unless the joint is made by a connector that provides adequate insulation and electrical contact;
(d)be located in such a position that it cannot become overheated, cannot come into contact with moving parts, or constitute a fire hazard due to its proximity to the fuel system; and
(e)be protected from chafing, with the edges of every hole in any metal through which the wiring passes rolled or bushed with a grommet of rubber or other suitable insulating material.
(2)A trailer shall be equipped with an electrical conductor that —
(a)is of a suitable size and material;
(b)is independent of the trailer coupling; and
(c)provides a return path between the electrical lighting circuit, including any signalling circuit, of the trailer and that of any vehicle hauling it.
Part 6 — Braking equipment
(1)Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2) a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, shall be equipped with an efficient braking system comprising brakes fitted to all road wheels, either with 2 separate methods of actuation, or with a separate emergency hand‑brake system, so arranged, in both cases, that the emergency hand‑brake is capable of acting on at least 2 wheels or wheel assemblies, and that, in the event of failure of any one part of the actuating mechanism, effective braking remains on not less than 2 wheels or wheel assemblies.
(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), where a vehicle complies with the performance requirements of regulation 604, then —
(a)if it was first registered before 1 January 1930 it may have 2 independent, efficient braking systems, each of which acts on not less than half the number of road wheels or wheel assemblies, or, where the vehicle has less than 4 wheels or wheel assemblies, acts on 2 wheels or wheel assemblies; and
(b)if the vehicle is a tractor, grader or other self‑propelled mobile plant incapable of exceeding 40 kilometres per hour and is equipped with one efficient wholly mechanical braking system, acting on at least 2 wheels or wheel assemblies, and the actuating mechanism has a ratchet or locking device capable of holding it in any selected position, it complies with the requirements of this regulation.
(3)The brake tubing, brake hose, brake cables, rods and other linkage shall, in every case —
(a)be so constructed as to ensure adequate, reliable and continued functioning;
(b)be so fitted to the vehicle as to prevent chafing, kinking, or other mechanical damage, under normal motion of the parts to which they are attached; and
(c)in the case of brake tubing and brake hose, conform to the British Standards Specification of the Society of Automotive Engineers or such other standards specified for hydraulic brake hose, air brake hose or vacuum brake hose as the Director General may approve.
(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (3), all motor vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 1970 that are equipped with hydraulic brake hoses shall be so equipped with hydraulic brake hose that complies with Australian Design Rule No. 7 — Hydraulic Brake Hoses.
(5)A braking system shall be so constructed that —
(a)the service foot‑brake acts directly on the road wheels and not through the transmission;
(b)the emergency hand‑brake is operated by a separate lever fitted with a ratchet or locking device capable of holding it in any selected position, and is applied by direct mechanical action without the intervention of any hydraulic, electrical or pneumatic device; and
(c)both braking systems described in paragraphs (a) and (b) are so arranged that, when either system is operated, the brakes are equally applied to all the wheels of an axle.
(6)A braking system shall be so constructed that provision is made for the adjustment or taking up of the ordinary wear of the brakes and for adequately securing or locking the adjustment device over the whole of its effective range.
(7)Subject to the provisions of subregulations (11), (12) and (13), where a motor vehicle is fitted —
(a)with an air operated braking system, it shall be equipped with at least one air storage reservoir; or
(b)with a vacuum operated braking system, it shall be equipped with at least one vacuum storage reservoir.
(8)Subject to the provisions of subregulations (11), (12) and (13) a motor vehicle, of which the aggregate mass is 6 tonnes or more, and an omnibus, shall, if fitted with air assisted or vacuum assisted braking system, be equipped with not less than one storage reservoir for air or vacuum, as the case may require.
(9)The storage reservoir with which the motor vehicle is equipped in accordance with subregulations (7) and (8) shall —
(a)be of adequate size and capacity to ensure that, in the event of the engine stopping or the source of supply of air or vacuum failing, not less than 2 applications of the service brake, each complying with the brake performance requirement prescribed by regulation 604, can be made;
(b)be of adequate strength and, in the case of an air reservoir, be provided with a drain, plug or other means to permit the removal of water or other foreign matter that may accumulate, at the lowest point of the reservoir;
(c)be provided with such a visible or audible warning signal or both as will readily indicate to the driver, while in his proper driving position, any loss or lack of air or vacuum sufficient to prevent the vehicle from being stopped in the distance prescribed by regulation 604; and a gauge indicating pressure or vacuum within the reservoir does not satisfy the requirements of this paragraph; and
(d)be safeguarded by a check valve or equivalent device such as will, in the event of failure or leakage in its connection to the source of compressed air or vacuum, ensure that the air or vacuum supply in the reservoir is not depleted by the failure or leakage.
(10)Subject to the provisions of subregulations (12) and (13), a motor vehicle used to tow a trailer, semi‑trailer or pole‑type trailer required to be equipped with brakes, shall be equipped with means of providing that, in case of a breakaway of the tow, the service brakes of the motor vehicle remain operative and capable of stopping the motor vehicle, in the distance prescribed by regulation 604.
(11)On and after 1 January 1967 the requirements —
(a)of subregulations (7), (8) and (9) shall apply to omnibuses; and
(b)of subregulations (7), (8), (9) and (10) shall apply to every motor vehicle of which the aggregate mass is 6 tonnes or more and which is —
(i)first registered on or after that date; and
(ii)first fitted with air or vacuum operated or air or vacuum assisted brakes on or after this date.
(12)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (5), emergency brakes applied by spring action, after the release of air pressure or vacuum holding them off, may be fitted to a motor vehicle, and, in that event —
(a)the brakes shall be so fitted and arranged that they will act directly on, and be applied equally to, all the wheels of any axle on which they are used;
(b)the lever or control by which the brakes are made to apply shall be fitted with a device that will lock the lever or control against inadvertent operation and shall be so located as to enable the driver to apply or release the brakes from the normal driving position;
(c)the brakes, when not deliberately brought into use, shall be held off by the normal air or vacuum supply in the vehicle and shall be applied by the near instantaneous discharge of the air or vacuum by which they are held off, through the operation of the lever or control mentioned in paragraph (b) of this subregulation;
(d)a separate air or vacuum reservoir, complying with the provisions of subregulation (9)(b) and (d), to provide at least 2 releases of the spring brakes when the normal air or vacuum supply is not available, shall be provided, together with a lever or control so located as to enable the driver to release and apply the brakes from the normal driving position;
(e)the brakes shall not operate, automatically, on loss of stored air or vacuum supply, before the pressure or vacuum in the system has fallen below the level at which the low level warning signal operates;
(f)where the brakes are fitted to a motor vehicle used to tow a trailer, semi‑trailer or pole‑type trailer, they shall not operate, automatically, before the breakaway brakes operate, and their application shall not cause the normal brakes of the trailer, semi‑trailer or pole‑type trailer to operate; and
(g)the brakes shall be capable of stopping the vehicle in the distances specified in Table B to regulation 604.
(13)On and after 1 July 1967 the requirements of subregulations (7), (8), (9) and (10) shall, where relevant, apply to every motor vehicle.
[Regulation 601 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
A motor cycle shall have 2 adjustable, independent and efficient service braking systems, one capable of acting directly on the front wheel and the other on the rear wheel.
(1)Subject to the provisions of subregulations (6), (8) and (9), a trailer and a semi‑trailer shall be equipped with an efficient brake so designed, constructed and maintained that it is capable of acting upon all wheels.
(2)The brake tubing and brake hose fitted to a trailer or semi‑trailer shall be such as comply with the requirements of regulation 601.
(3)Subject to the provisions of subregulation (5), a trailer exceeding a gross mass of 2 tonnes and a semi‑trailer and pole‑type trailer shall —
(a)be equipped with brakes of such a character as to be applied automatically and promptly, upon its breaking away from the towing vehicle and be so constructed as to maintain application of the brakes, in the event of a breakaway, for at least 15 minutes;
(b)if fitted with an air or vacuum operated brake system, be equipped with such a storage reservoir for air or vacuum, as the case may require, as complies with the requirements of regulation 601; and
(c)if fitted with an air operated brake system and manufactured or first registered after 1 January 1960 be equipped with a system so designed that the air supply reservoir is safeguarded against back flow of air through the supply line.
(4)The storage reservoir with which a trailer is equipped in accordance with subregulation (3)(b), shall be provided with such a visible or audible warning signal or both as will readily indicate to the driver, while in his proper driving position, any loss or lack of air or vacuum sufficient to prevent the vehicle from being stopped, in the distance prescribed by regulation 604, and a gauge indicating pressure or vacuum within the reservoir does not satisfy the requirements of this subregulation.
(5)Where a vehicle to which subregulation (3) applies —
(a)is registered, for the first time, after the commencement of these regulations; or
(b)is used after 1 January 1967,
it shall be so equipped as to comply with the provisions of that subregulation.
(6)A brake is not required to be fitted to —
(a)a trailer that has a tare of less than 500 kilograms, and an aggregate mass of less than one tonne;
(b)a caravan trailer or a plant trailer that has a tare not exceeding one tonne; or
(c)any other trailer exempted from that requirement by the Director General either generally by notice published in the Gazette or specially by notice in writing to the owner, but in either event so long only as the trailer is used in conformity with the conditions imposed by the Director General in the notice exempting the trailer from that requirement.
(7)Where brakes are required by these regulations to be fitted to a vehicle, overrun brakes are not a braking system for the purposes of that requirement except that over‑run brakes of a make and type approved by the Director General are deemed to be an efficient braking system where fitted to a trailer of which the aggregate mass does not exceed 2 tonnes.
(8)A trailer of an aggregate mass not exceeding 2 tonnes that has 2 axles may be fitted with brakes that operate on the wheels fitted to one of those axles only.
(9)A trailer with an aggregate mass not exceeding 3 tonnes and which has 3 axles may be fitted with brakes that operate on only the wheels fitted to 2 of those axles.
[Regulation 603 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
604.Performance ability of brakes
(1)Service Brakes —
(a)other than omnibuses
Every motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicle and trailer, not being an omnibus, shall be capable at all times under all conditions of loading, of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, with one sustained application of the service (foot) brake control, within the distances specified in the Table A below from a speed of 30 kilometres per hour.
(b)Every omnibus shall be capable at all times under unladen conditions, of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, with one sustained application of the service (foot) brake control within the distance specified in the Table A below from a speed of 30 kilometres per hour.
Table A
|
Categories of Vehicles |
Metres to stop from 30 km/h |
Equivalent “Overall” deceleration in metres per second per second (nearest 0.1m) |
|
Vehicle or combination of vehicles under 2.5 tonnes gross weight ..................... |
9 |
3.9 m/s2 |
|
Any Omnibus (unladen) ........................... |
12 |
2.9 m/s2 |
|
Vehicles or combination of vehicles 2.5 tonnes gross weight or over ........ |
14 |
2.5 m/s2 |
|
Vehicles or combination of vehicles with maximum speed 25‑30 km/h ........... |
15 |
2.3 m/s2 |
|
Vehicles or combination of vehicles with speeds under 25 km/h ....................... |
. . . |
2.3 m/s2 |
(2)Emergency (Hand) Brake — Every motor vehicle, articulated vehicle or combination of motor vehicle and trailer shall be capable at all times, and under all conditions of loading, of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material upon application of the emergency (hand) brake control within the distances specified in Table B below, or shall be capable of being decelerated at a sustained rate corresponding to these distances:
Table B
|
Vehicle |
|
Deceleration |
|
Under 2.5 tonnes gross weight ........... |
22 |
1.6 m/s2 |
|
2.5 tonnes gross weight or over ......... |
34 |
l m/s2 |
(1)Every passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1977 and equipped with hydraulic service brakes, shall comply at the time of first registration, with Australian Design Rule No. 31 —Hydraulic Braking Systems.
(2)Every motor cycle manufactured on or after 1 March 1976 shall, at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 33 — Motor Cycle Brake Systems.
606.Heavy trailer braking systems
Every —
(a)semi‑trailer manufactured on or after 1 July 1985 with an individual gross trailer mass rating greater than 20 tonne and less than 60 tonne;
(b)trailer, manufactured on or after 1 July 1985 with an individual gross trailer mass rating greater than 15 tonne and less than 60 tonne; and
(c)trailer or semi‑trailer manufactured on or after 1 July 1986 with an individual gross trailer mass rating of 4.5 tonne or more and less than 60 tonne,
shall comply at the time of first registration, with Australian Design Rule No. 38 — Heavy Trailer Braking Systems, issued in February 1983 as amended to February 1984.
[Regulation 606 inserted in Gazette 3 May 1985 p. 1540.]
607.Testing of efficiency of brakes
The testing of the efficiency of the brake or brakes of a vehicle may be carried out by the use of any brake testing device of a type approved by the Minister.
[Regulation 607 inserted in Gazette 21 Oct 1988 p. 4240; amended in Gazette 3 Feb 1989 p. 3427.]
Part 7 — Provision of mudguards
701.Mudguards on wheels on foremost axle
(1)Subject to subregulation (2), every motor vehicle shall, unless the forward portion of the vehicle is so designed or constructed that it fulfils all the conditions set out in paragraphs (a) and (b), have a mudguard or mudguards for all the wheels on the foremost axle of the vehicle firmly fitted to it; and each mudguard shall be so constructed and fitted that —
(a)as far as practicable, it catches or deflects downwards any stones, mud, water or other substance thrown upwards by the rotation of the wheels; and
(b)in the case of a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, it is capable, either alone or in conjunction with other components of the vehicle body or chassis, of preventing direct contact with the upper half of the wheel, in the event of a forward collision.
(2)The provisions of this regulation do not apply to a vehicle of which the construction or use is such, that, in the opinion of the Director General, it is unnecessary or impracticable to provide a mudguard or mudguards.
[Regulation 701 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
702.Mudguards for wheels on rearmost axle
(1)Subject to subregulation (2), every motor vehicle and every trailer and semi‑trailer shall have a mudguard or mudguards, for all wheels on the rearmost axle of the vehicle, firmly fitted to it.
(2)Where a vehicle is so constructed that its body or equipment catches or deflects downwards any stones, mud, water or other substance thrown upwards, ahead of, or above, the wheel or wheels on the rearmost axle, but does not adequately catch or deflect downwards such of those substances as are thrown upwards to the rear, a section only of mudguard may be fitted to the body or equipment at the rear of the wheel or wheels on the rearmost axle, if that section complies, as to width and the lowest edge height requirement, with the provisions of regulation 703.
(3)The provisions of this regulation do not apply to —
(a)a motor vehicle with an extended rear body overhang, of the passenger car type, or to a utility, station wagon, or panel van with similar extended rear end overhang, or to a caravan or trailer with a low level floor extended at the rear, or to a vehicle of which the body overhang, although not falling within the meaning of a mudguard, in regulation 104 is adequately equipped with a fitting or device to bring it within that meaning;
(b)a pole‑type trailer that is used solely or principally for work in a forest;
(c)a fork lift truck;
(d)a motor vehicle that is used solely for the purpose of hauling a trailer, semi‑trailer or pole‑type trailer; or
(e)any other vehicle of which the construction or use is such that, in the opinion of the Director General, it is unnecessary or impracticable to provide a mudguard or mudguards.
[Regulation 702 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
Where a mudguard is required to be fitted to a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi‑trailer, under regulation 702 —
(a)the width of the mudguard shall —
(i)be not less than the overall width of the wheel or wheels for which it is provided; or
(ii)be not less than 380 millimetres, if the motor vehicle, trailer or semi‑trailer has a body of the tray type of which the width, together with any equipment or load thereon, is 2.2 metres or more;
(b)the mudguards shall give protection at a point the height of which above the level ground shall not exceed —
(i)in the case of passenger cars and derivatives thereof, one‑half; or
(ii)in the case of other motor vehicles and trailers, one third,
of the distance such point is rearward of the centre line of the rear axle; and
(c)the mudguard shall be continuous from the point defined in subparagraph (b) to a point 30° forward of the centre line of the rear axle.
On every motor cycle that is first manufactured on or after 1 July 1975 —
(a)the mudguard fitted to the rear wheel and the wheel of any side‑car shall extend from a point vertically above the foremost part of the wheel rearward to a point not higher than the intersection of the arc of the mudguard with a line through the centre of the wheel at 45 degrees to a horizontal plane through the centre of the wheel when the rider is seated; and
(b)the mudguard fitted to the front wheel shall extend not less than from a point vertically above the centre of the wheel rearward to a point not higher than the centre of the wheel when the rider is seated or to the point where suitable protection is afforded by the frame or other construction of the motor cycle when the rider is seated.
Every mudguard shall be in good order and condition, and free from cracks, tears and sharp or jagged edges.
The portion of the external surface of a rear mudguard, that is, fitted to, and visible to the rear of, a motor vehicle, trailer or semi‑trailer that, together with its equipment, is 2.2 metres or more in width and has a body of the tray type, shall be white or silver in colour and be maintained so as to be clearly visible.
Part 8 — Tyres and rims
801.Provision of pneumatic or flat metal tyres
Except where otherwise approved by the Director General, a motor vehicle, trailer, semi‑trailer, pole‑type trailer or dolly trailer shall have either —
(a)pneumatic rubber tyres having an inflation pressure not exceeding 825 kilopascals in the case of radial tyres and 700 kilopascals in the case of all other tyres; or
(b)metal tyres with a smooth surface without flanges, spikes, bars or projections,
on all wheels.
[Regulation 801 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Every tyre fitted to a motor vehicle shall —
(a)be free from any apparent defect likely to render the use of the vehicle unsafe or to cause, or result in, injury to any person or damage to any goods in or upon the vehicle;
(b)unless specifically exempted by the Director General, have a tread pattern of a depth not less than 1.5 millimetres on all parts of its surface which normally come into contact with the road surface.
(2)Tyres shall not —
(a)be fitted with cleats or any other gripping device of a type likely to cause damage to roads, bridges or culverts, other than by normal wear and tear; or
(b)be fitted to any passenger car, passenger car derivative, trailer, or other vehicle of a tare less than 1.5 tonnes, if treated by regrooving.
(3)In the event that tyres of different forms of carcase construction are fitted to the wheels, of a passenger car or derivative thereof, those on either side of the front and on either side at the rear shall be of the same form of carcase construction.
(4)In the event that the form of carcase construction of front and rear pairs of tyres is different such pairs of tyres shall be fitted to the vehicle only in the following combinations: —
|
Form of carcase |
Form of carcase |
|
cross ply |
belted bias |
|
cross ply |
radial ply |
|
belted bias |
radial ply |
(5)The sum of the mass carrying capacity recommended for all tyres and rims with which the vehicle is equipped, shall be not less than the manufacturer’s recommended maximum gross vehicle mass for that vehicle.
[Regulation 802 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
803.Carrying capacity for tyres and rims
(1)The mass borne by a tyre or rim fitted to a vehicle shall not exceed —
(a)the carrying capacity recommended for that tyre by the
(b)the manufacturer’s warranted maximum tyre load for that tyre or rim, at the maximum tyre pressure recommended for that tyre, but which shall not exceed —
(i)825 kilopascals in the case of radial tyres; and
(ii)700 kilopascals for all other tyres;
or
(c)such other pressure as may be approved for that tyre by the Director General, pursuant to regulation 801.
(2)All passenger cars and derivatives thereof manufactured on or after 1 January 1974 shall, if fitted with passenger car tyres, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 23 — New Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres.
(3)All passenger cars and derivatives thereof and multipurpose passenger cars, manufactured on or after 1 January 1973, shall, if fitted with passenger car tyres, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 24 — Tyre Selection.
(4)All passenger cars and derivatives thereof and multipurpose passenger cars, manufactured on or after 1 January 1975 and not using passenger car tyres, shall at the time of their first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 24 —Tyre Selection.
(5)Any passenger car or passenger car derivative or multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1973 and using passenger car tyres or any passenger car or passenger car derivative or multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1975 and not using passenger car tyres may be fitted with retreaded tyres which comply with the appropriate Australian Standard and the tyre placard specified for that make and model of vehicle by Australian Design Rule No. 24 — Tyre Placard lists tyres of either “L” or “S” speed rating.
[Regulation 803 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Every passenger car and derivative thereof manufactured on and after 1 July 1970 shall comply with Australian Design Rule No. 20 — Safety Rims.
(2)Every multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1973 shall comply with Australian Design Rule No. 20 — Safety Rims.
Part 9 — Signalling devices
901.Signalling devices — requirements
Where the distance from the centre of the steering wheel to the outer extremity on the right hand side of a motor vehicle or its load exceeds 600 millimetres, or where the construction, equipment or load of a motor vehicle or of a trailer drawn by it, is such that it would prevent the driver of the vehicle, while remaining in his proper driving position, giving a clear signal of his intention to turn or diverge to the right, or to stop or slow down, by use of his arm and hand, a signalling device complying with the requirements of these regulations shall be fitted to the vehicle.
902.Requirements of signalling devices generally
Every signalling device shall be so constructed and fitted that —
(a)signals are clearly visible in sunlight, at all distances up to sixty metres;
(b)when illuminated, it is not glaring or dazzling to other road users;
(c)when not in operation, it is not likely to mislead the driver of any other vehicle or any person controlling traffic;
(d)it is readily operable by the driver from his proper driving position; and
(e)it is mounted so that any signal given by it can be observed by the driver in his normal driving position directly or by means of a fixed mirror, or its operation is indicated by means of a tell tale indicator that is visible and audible to the driver.
903.Construction and fitting of signalling devices
In addition to the requirements of regulation 902, individual signalling devices shall be so constructed and fitted that —
(a)where a stop signal is used on the right hand side of a vehicle, by means of a replica of a human hand —
(i)the hand is not less than 150 millimetres long, and the width not less than half the length, with the palm of the hand turned to the front, the thumb adjacent to the vehicle and the fingers extended and pointing upwards;
(ii)the colour of the hand, or of any reflectors or reflectorised material fitted to it, is white or amber; and
(iii)if illuminated, the hand is lit by a steady white or amber light;
(b)where a turn right signal is used on the right hand side of a vehicle, by means of a replica of a human hand —
(i)the hand is not less than 150 millimetres long, and the width not less than half the length, with the palm of the hand turned to the front, the thumb uppermost and the fingers extended and pointing to the right;
(ii)the colour of the hand, or of any reflectors or reflectorised material fitted to it, is white or amber; and
(iii)if illuminated, the hand is lit by a steady white or amber light;
(c)where a turn right signal is used on the right hand side of a vehicle, by means of an illuminated indicator, it is so constructed and fitted that —
(i)it is of amber colour;
(ii)it is at least 150 millimetres long, and of a width being not less than 25 millimetres and not exceeding one quarter of the length;
(iii)at least 150 millimetres of the length of the indicator is visible both to the front and rear of the vehicle while a signal is being given; and
(iv)the height from the ground is not more than 2 metres, or less than 500 millimetres;
and
(d)where a turn left signal is used on the left hand side of a vehicle by means of an illuminated indicator, it conforms to that described in paragraph (c).
904.Flashing lamp turn right and turn left signalling devices
Flashing lamp turn right and turn left signalling devices shall be so constructed and fitted that —
(a)each lamp of the device on the right hand side of the vehicle is paired by a similar lamp symmetrically positioned on the left hand side of the vehicle;
(b)the lamps of each pair are —
(i)not less than 750 millimetres apart, except in the case of a motor cycle where the front lamps shall be not less than 300 millimetres nor more than 750 millimetres apart and the rear lamps shall be not less than 300 millimetres apart;
(ii)not more than 500 millimetres from the extreme outer edge of the vehicle; and
(iii)not higher than 2 metres or lower than 400 millimetres from the ground;
(c)the switching on of a flashing light is followed by the appearance of the light within a maximum period of one second and the light flashes regularly at the rate of not less than 60, or greater than 120, per minute; and
(d)all lamps on the same side of a vehicle flash in phase and are operated by the same control switch.
905.Fitting of flashing lamp devices in certain cases
(1)Where flashing lamp signalling devices are fitted to rigid vehicles not exceeding 7.5 metres in length other than motor cycles, they shall be so fitted that —
(a)there is one lamp on each side of the vehicle capable of showing a white or amber light clearly visible from the front of the vehicle and an amber light clearly visible from the rear of the vehicle; or
(b)there are 4 or more lamps of which —
(i)2 are mounted on or towards the front of the vehicle, facing forward, and 2 are mounted on or towards the rear of the vehicle, facing rearward; and
(ii)the forward facing lamps are capable of showing a white or amber light and the rearward facing lamps are capable of showing an amber light or, in the case of a vehicle first registered before 1 January 1960 of showing a red light.
(1a)Where flashing lamp signalling devices are fitted to motor cycles they shall be fitted so that there are 4 lamps, each capable of showing an amber light, of which 2 are mounted on or towards the front of the motor cycle, facing forward, and 2 are mounted on or towards the rear of the motor cycle, facing rearward.
(2)Where flashing lamp signalling devices are fitted to articulated vehicles, or rigid vehicles exceeding 7.5 metres in length, there shall be 4 or more lamps, capable of showing an amber light, so fitted that —
(a)there are 2 lamps at or towards the rear of the vehicle with an illuminated area facing to the rear;
(b)there are 2 lamps at or towards the front of the vehicle, or in the case of an articulated vehicle, on the forepart of the vehicle, with an illuminated area facing to the rear or facing both to the rear and forward; and
(c)where the signalling devices required by paragraph (b) do not have an illuminated area facing forward, there are 2 lamps at or towards the front or forepart of the vehicle with an illuminated area facing forward.
(3)The requirement of subregulation (1)(a), concerning clear visibility to the front and rear of a vehicle is met, if the flashing signal lamp on the right or left of the vehicle is visible from any point, up to the maximum required distance from the lamp, on a line through the centre of the lamp and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
[Regulation 905 amended in Gazette 6 Jun 1980 p. 1673.]
Part 10 — Other equipment
(1)Every motor vehicle shall be so constructed that inflammable material is unable to fall on to an exhaust pipe, starter motor, generator or other electrical equipment.
(2)A drip tray fixed beneath the carburettor shall be so constructed that any overflow of petrol is not retained in the tray.
(1)A motor vehicle first registered on or after 1 January 1942 shall be equipped with a windscreen of safety glass.
(2)Subject to the provisions of subregulation (3) a motor vehicle first registered on or after 1 February 1955 shall be equipped with safety glass of a type approved by the Director General, wherever glass is used in windows, windscreens or interior partitions; and a replacement of a window, windscreen or interior partition in any motor vehicle shall be of safety glass.
(3)Any transparent material other than glass used in windows or interior partitions of a motor vehicle shall be of a kind that does not shatter.
(4)Any film applied to the surface of the windscreen or a window of a motor vehicle shall, at every point on the film, have a reflectance in the visible light range of not more than 20% and, where applied to the surface of a window other than the windscreen, a light transmission in the visible light range of not less than 35%, when measured at an angle of incidence not more than 20 degrees from perpendicular to the surface but there shall not be any film on the surface of the windscreen below the upper 10% of the surface of the windscreen.
[(4a)Omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).]
(5)All motor vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 1971 shall whenever glass is used in windscreens be equipped with safety glass complying with Design Rule No. 8.
(6)The provisions of this regulation other than subregulations (4) and (4a) 8 do not apply to motor cycles.
[Regulation 1002 amended in Gazette 13 Feb 1981 p. 613; 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Windows shall be sound and properly fitted and every movable window shall have a suitable contrivance for the purpose of opening and closing it.
(2)Not less than half the number of windows of a vehicle shall be capable of being opened or the vehicle provided with an alternative method of ventilation to the satisfaction of the Director General.
[Regulation 1003 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)A motor vehicle shall be fitted with a horn or alarm, in good working order, capable of giving sufficient warning of the presence of the vehicle.
(2)Subject to subregulation (4), a siren, repeater horn, bell, exhaust whistle, compression whistle or other device capable of producing a sound resembling that emitted by any of those things shall not be attached to a vehicle, other than an ambulance, police vehicle, fire brigade vehicle or other vehicle to which the fitting of any such device has been approved by the Director General.
(3)In this regulation, “repeater horn” means a device that emits audible sounds varying in tone or frequency on a regular time cycle.
(4)Subregulation (2) does not apply to an anti‑theft device intended to be triggered involuntarily by the attempted theft of, or interference with, a vehicle and which emits as a consequence a single, repeated or varying clearly audible sound.
[Regulation 1004 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 22 Feb 1991 p. 909; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Except as provided in subregulation (3), a motor vehicle fitted with a windscreen shall be equipped with a device that is capable of effectively removing rain, snow or other moisture, from the portion of the windscreen immediately in front of the driver of the vehicle, and the device shall —
(a)be so constructed and positioned that it can be operated or controlled by the driver while retaining his correct driving position;
(b)in the case of a motor vehicle first registered on or after 1 January 1935 be operated by electrical, pneumatic or other continuous mechanical means; and
(c)sufficiently clear the windscreen as to afford the driver a clear view of the road in front of the vehicle.
(2)Except as provided in subregulations (3) and (4), a motor vehicle fitted with a windscreen and first registered on or after 1 January 1958 shall be equipped with a device or devices capable of effectively removing rain, snow or other moisture from the portion of the windscreen immediately in front of the driver and from a corresponding area of windscreen to the left of the vertical centre line of the windscreen, and the device or devices as the case may be shall —
(a)comply with the provisions of subregulation (1); and
(b)if operated by engine manifold vacuum, be provided with a vacuum reservoir or pump to maintain their effective operation, while the vehicle is in motion.
(3)The requirements of subregulations (1) and (2) do not apply to a motor cycle or a motor vehicle, equipped with a windscreen, so constructed as to permit the driver, while retaining his correct driving position, to obtain adequate vision of the roadway ahead of the vehicle, over the top, below or to the side of the windscreen, in the event of vision through the windscreen being obscured.
(4)The requirements of subregulation (2) do not apply to a motor vehicle equipped with a windscreen, so constructed that the windscreen does not extend to the left beyond the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle.
(5)All passenger cars and derivatives thereof, manufactured on or after 1 January 1973 and all multipurpose passenger cars manufactured on or after 1 January 1974 having a windscreen shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with a device or devices complying with Australian Design Rule No. 16 — Windscreen Wipers and Washers.
(1)A motor vehicle, including a motor cycle, shall have a mirror or mirrors that are so designed and fitted as to be capable of reflecting to the driver, while retaining his normal driving position, a view of the approach of a vehicle overtaking his own from either side.
(2)The mirror or mirrors shall be fitted to the outside of the vehicle with a maximum projector of 150 millimetres beyond the sides of the vehicle, its load, or its equipment, excluding signalling devices, where —
(a)the vehicle is designed for the carriage of goods or is a public passenger vehicle designed to carry not less than 8 passengers; or
(b)the view through the rear window of the vehicle is so obscured, by the manner in which the vehicle is constructed, equipped or loaded, the fact that it is drawing a trailer or other vehicle, or for any other reason, that the driver could not, by means of a mirror fitted to the inside of the vehicle, obtain a view of an overtaking vehicle.
(3)Every rear vision mirror fitted to vehicles of 2 tonnes manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass and over, except passenger cars and derivatives thereof, shall be at least 150 square centimetres in area.
(4)All passenger cars and derivatives thereof manufactured on and after 1 January 1972 shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with rear vision mirrors complying with Australian Design Rule No. 14 — Rear Vision Mirrors.
(5)All multipurpose passenger cars, manufactured on and after 1 January 1973 shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with rear vision mirrors complying with Australian Design Rule No. 14 — Rear Vision Mirrors.
(6)Any mirror fitted to a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, manufactured on or after 1 July 1973 and intended to provide the driver with a view of following or overtaking vehicles, shall be designed with a flat reflecting surface.
(7)All mirrors fitted to a motor cycle and intended to provide the driver with a view of the following or overtaking vehicles may be designed with either —
(a)a flat reflecting surface; or
(b)a convex reflecting surface in which the radius of curvature of the surface is not less than 1.2 metres,
but all mirrors on one motor cycle shall comply with either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
[Regulation 1006 amended in Gazette 28 Aug 1987 p. 3438.]
1007.Fittings for licence plates
A device of a type approved by the Director General shall be securely fastened to a motor vehicle or trailer, other than a motor cycle, in such a manner as to enable the prescribed number plate to be fitted —
(a)to the rear of the vehicle or trailer, so that no part of the plate is more than 1.3 metres from the ground; and
(b)to the front of the vehicle, forward of, and parallel to, the front axle, so that no part of the plate is more than 1.3 metres from the ground.
[Regulation 1007 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 4 Jan 1985 p. 109; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
Unless otherwise approved by the Director General, an efficient silencing device, so constructed that all exhaust from the engine is projected through the device, in such a manner as to effectively prevent the creation of undue noise, shall be securely fitted to the engine.
[Regulation 1008 amended in Gazette 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Every passenger car and derivative thereof manufactured prior to 1 January 1974 must be fitted with an efficient exhaust system, the noise level of which shall not exceed that of the vehicle manufacturer’s original system.
(2)Every —
(a)passenger car and derivative thereof manufactured on and after 1 January 1974;
(b)multi‑purpose passenger car manufactured on and after 1 January 1974;
(c)petrol engined vehicle, other than a motor cycle and a specially constructed vehicle, manufactured on and after 1 July 1974; and
(d)motor vehicle, other than a specially constructed vehicle, manufactured on and after 1 July 1975,
shall, at the time of first registration, conform to Australian Design Rule No. 28 — Motor Vehicle Noise.
(3)Every —
(a)passenger car, derivative thereof, and multi‑purpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1981; and
(b)other motor vehicle, except for specially constructed vehicles and motor cycles manufactured on or after 1 July 1980,
shall at the time of first registration comply with Australian Design Rule No. 28A — Motor Vehicle Noise.
1010.Seat belts and anchorages
(1)Every motor vehicle other than —
(a)a motor cycle;
(b)an omnibus; or
(c)a specially constructed vehicle,
shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with seat belts conforming to the standards and specifications of the Australian Design Rule appropriate to that vehicle as set out in the following tables —
|
Australian Design Rule No. |
*4 |
4 |
4A |
4B |
4C |
|
Class of Vehicle |
Vehicle manufactured on or after C |
||||
|
Passenger cars ...... |
1 January 1969 |
1 January 1971 |
1 January 1974 |
1 January 1975 |
1 January 1976 |
|
Passenger car derivatives |
1 January 1969 |
1 January 1971 |
1 January 1974 |
1 January 1975 |
1 January 1976 |
|
Multipurpose passenger cars |
1 January 1970 |
1 January 1971 |
1 January 1974 |
1 January 1975 |
1 January 1976 |
|
Other vehicles of manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass less than 4.5 tonnes |
1 January 1970 |
1 January 1971 |
1 July 1974 |
1 July 1975 |
1 July 1976 |
|
Australian Design Rule No. |
32 |
32A |
|
Class of Vehicle |
Vehicle Manufactured on or after |
|
|
Other vehicles of manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass exceeding 4.5 tonnes |
1 July 1981 |
1 July 1981 |
Notes: —
1.* Seat belts required in the outboard front seating positions only.
2.If the requirements of a more recent Australian Design Rule for seat belts are met, then the requirements of an earlier rule in relation to the same class of vehicle will also be met.
3.Motor vehicles which comply with the requirements of ADR4A, ADR4B or ADR4C and which also comply with either ADR5A or ADR5B need not comply with the requirements of ADR32 or ADR32A.
(2)Every motor vehicle other than —
(a)a motor cycle;
(b)an omnibus; or
(c)a specially constructed vehicle,
shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with seat belt anchorage points or seat belt anchorages conforming to the standards and specifications of the Australian Design Rule appropriate to that vehicle as set out in the following table —
|
Australian Design Rule No. |
*5A |
5A |
5B |
|
Class of Vehicle |
Vehicle manufactured on or after |
||
|
Passenger cars and derivatives ... |
1 January 1969 |
1 January 1971 |
1 January 1975 |
|
Other vehicles of manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass less than 4.5 tonnes |
1 January 1969 |
1 January 1971 |
1 July 1975 |
Notes: —
*1.Anchorages required in the front seating position only.
2.If the requirements of Australian Design Rule No. 5B are met, then the requirements of Australian Design Rule No. 5A in relation to the same class of vehicle will also be met.
(3)Every passenger car, except those fitted with hinged or folding rear seats, manufactured on or after 1 July 1976 and all passenger cars manufactured on or after 1 June 1977 shall at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 34 — Child Restraint Anchorages.
[Regulation 1010 amended in Gazette 8 May 1981 p. 1417.]
1011.Seats and seat anchorages
(1)Each seat of a motor vehicle shall be soundly constructed and securely fixed to the structure of the motor vehicle.
(2)Every —
(a)passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1971;
(b)passenger car derivative manufactured on or after 1 January 1972;
(c)multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1973; and
(d)motor vehicle except motor cycles, omnibuses, specially constructed vehicles and vehicles exceeding 4.5 tonnes manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass manufactured on or after 1 July 1974,
shall, at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 3 — Seat Anchorages for Motor Vehicles.
(1)A motor vehicle that is first registered on or after 1 January 1969 and that is required by these regulations to be fitted with a windscreen wiper or wipers shall be equipped with a device or devices capable of directing water onto that part of the exterior of the windscreen that is within the area swept by the wiper or wipers when operating.
(2)The device referred to in subregulation (1) shall —
(a)be fitted to the vehicle in a manner that will enable the driver to operate it while sitting in his normal driving position; and
(b)have a container or reservoir for the fluid to be used in the device of a capacity of not less than 1.1 litres.
Every pipe or tube fitted to a vehicle and through which fluids flow shall be firmly secured to the fittings on which they terminate so that there is no leakage.
Every —
(a)passenger car and derivative thereof manufactured on or after 1 January 1971;
(b)multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1973;
(c)motor vehicle, except motor cycles, vehicles exceeding 4.5 tonnes manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass, omnibuses and specially constructed vehicles, manufactured on or after 1 July 1974; and
(d)motor vehicle, except motor cycles and omnibuses, manufactured on or after 1 July 1975,
shall, if fitted with doors, be equipped with door latches and hinges complying with Australian Design Rule No. 2 — Door Latches and Hinges, but the provisions of this regulation do not apply to components on folding doors, roll‑up doors and doors that are designed to be easily attached to, or removed from, motor vehicles manufactured for operation without doors.
Every —
(a)passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1971;
(b)passenger car derivative manufactured on or after 1 January 1973;
(c)motor vehicle, except motor cycles, omnibuses, specially constructed vehicles and vehicles exceeding 4.5 tonnes manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass manufactured on or after 1 July 1973; and
(d)motor vehicle, except motor cycles, omnibuses and specially constructed vehicles, manufactured on or after 1 July 1976,
shall comply with Australian Design Rule No. 15 — Demisting of Windscreens.
1016.Forward body panel latches
Motor vehicles manufactured on and after 1 January 1971 having an exterior movable body panel forward of the windscreen that serves to cover an engine, luggage, storage or battery compartment shall be provided with a latch system. A panel opening from the front which in any open position partially or completely obstructs the driver’s forward view through the windscreen must be provided with a second latch position on the latch system or with a second latch system.
(1)Every —
(a)passenger car and derivative thereof, manufactured on or after 1 January 1972; and
(b)multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1973,
shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with devices complying with Australian Design Rule No. 25 — Anti‑theft Locks.
(2)Every passenger car or passenger car derivative and all multipurpose passenger cars manufactured on or after 1 January 1978 shall, at the time of first registration, be equipped with devices complying with Australian Design Rule No. 25A — Anti‑theft Locks.
1017A.Requirement to fit immobilizers
(1)A motor vehicle to which regulation 1017B applies shall be fitted with an approved device at the time the first application is made on or after 1 July 1999 —
(a)under section 18 of the Act for the grant of a licence for the vehicle; or
(b)under section 24 of the Act for the transfer of the licence for the vehicle,
whichever occurs first.
(2)An application is not a “first application” for the purposes of subregulation (1) if it is made —
(a)for —
(i)the transfer of a licence referred to in section 76C(6)(a) of the Stamp Act 1921; or
(ii)the issue of a licence referred to in section 76C(6)(b) of that Act,
and the certification required by section 76C(7) of that Act has been given in relation to the transfer or issue of the licence; or
(b)for the transfer of the licence for a vehicle and the licence is to be transferred —
(i)under a testamentary instrument, or on an intestacy, to a person who is entitled to that vehicle in terms of the instrument or on the intestacy; or
(ii)to comply with a judgment or order of a court.
(3)If a vehicle is required under subregulation (1) to be fitted with an approved device at the time an application is made, that requirement continues in force from that time.
(4)In this regulation and regulation 1017B —
“approved device” means a device, approved by the Director General by notice published in the Gazette, that is designed to secure a vehicle against theft.
[Regulation 1017A inserted in Gazette 2 Feb 1999 p. 354‑5.]
1017B.Classes of vehicles to be fitted with immobilizers
(1)Except as stated in subregulation (2), this regulation applies to a motor vehicle —
(a)that is —
(i)a motor car;
(ii)a motor wagon that has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass that does not exceed 4.5 tonnes; or
(iii)an omnibus;
and
(b)that has a tare that does not exceed 3 tonnes.
(2)This regulation does not apply to a motor vehicle —
(a)manufactured 25 years or more before the time the first application referred to in regulation 1017A(1) is made in relation to the vehicle;
(b)to which regulation 21D of the Road Traffic (Licensing) Regulations 1975 applies; or
(c)exempted by the Director General, by notice published in the Gazette or notice in writing given to the owner of the vehicle, from the requirement to be fitted with an approved device.
[Regulation 1017B inserted in Gazette 2 Feb 1999 p. 355.]
1018.Child‑restraining devices
(1)A motor vehicle shall not be equipped with a child‑restraining device unless that device complies with the standard specified in Australian Standard E46‑1970 or AS/1754‑1975 “Child‑Restraining Devices for Passenger Cars”, or is otherwise approved by the Director General.
(2)In this regulation “child‑restraining device” means any set of components, not being a seat belt, designed to minimise the risk of bodily injury to a child in an accident by restraining the child and the restraining device itself.
[Regulation 1018 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Every motor vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 1974 and capable of being driven at a speed in excess of 40 kilometres per hour on a level road shall be fitted with a speedometer which shall give an indication of the vehicle speed on a single scale calibrated in kilometres per hour.
(2)The instrument referred to in subregulation (1) —
(a)shall have such a degree of accuracy that the indicated speed is not less than the actual speed by more than 10% when the vehicle speed is greater than 50 kilometres per hour; and
(b)shall be so fitted that it is readily visible to the driver.
Every motor vehicle, other than an omnibus or specially constructed vehicle, which —
(a)was manufactured after 1 July 1975;
(b)uses liquid fuel; and
(c)exceeds 4.5 tonnes manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass,
shall, at the time of first registration, comply with Australian Design Rule No. 17.
(1)Every passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1972 shall comply at the time of first registration with Australian Design Rule No. 26 — Vehicle Engine Emission Control.
(2)Every passenger car manufactured on and after 1 January 1974 shall, at the time of first registration, conform to Australian Design Rule 27 — Vehicle Engine Emission Control.
(3)Every passenger car or derivative thereof equipped with petrol fuelled spark ignition internal combustion engine, manufactured on or after 1 July 1976 except those with an engine displacement of less than 850 millilitres, shall, at the time of first registration, conform with Australian Design Rule 27A —Vehicle Emission Control.
(3a)Every passenger car or derivative thereof equipped with a petrol fuelled spark ignition engine, manufactured on or after 1 January 1986 shall at the time of first registration, conform with Australian Design Rule 37 — Vehicle Emission Control.
(4)Every diesel powered motor vehicle, except specially constructed vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 1976 shall, at the time of first registration, conform with Australian Design Rule No. 30 — Diesel Engine Exhaust Smoke Emissions.
(5)Every —
(a)petrol fuelled motor vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 1978 except passenger cars, passenger car derivatives, multipurpose passenger cars, those with an engine displacement of less than 850 millilitres, motor cycles, specially constructed vehicles and vehicles with manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass in excess of 4.5 tonnes;
(b)petrol fuelled multipurpose passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1979 except those with an engine displacement of less than 850 millilitres; and
(c)petrol fuelled motor vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 1979 except passenger cars, passenger car derivatives, those with an engine displacement of less than 850 millilitres, motor cycles and specially constructed vehicles,
shall at the time of first registration comply with Australian Design Rule No. 36 — Exhaust Emission Control for Heavy Duty Vehicles.
[Regulation 1021 amended in Gazette 19 Oct 1984 p. 3366.]
1022.Crank case and fuel system emissions
(1)Every motor vehicle powered with a petrol engine and that is manufactured on or after 1 July 1970 shall be constructed or fitted so that the crank case gases do not escape into the atmosphere.
(2)Every passenger car or derivative thereof, manufactured on or after 1 January 1975 and equipped with a positive ignition internal combustion engine, shall be so constructed or fitted to control or reduce evaporative emissions from the fuel system to the atmosphere.
Every passenger car manufactured on or after 1 January 1977 shall at the time of first registration comply with Australian Design Rule No. 29 — Side Door Strength.
1024.Front, side and tail boards to be fitted to certain vehicles
(1)Where a vehicle is used for the transport of loose materials or small objects that cannot be individually secured, then the vehicle shall be equipped with front, side and tail boards of a sufficient height to prevent the load or any portion of the load from falling from the vehicle.
(2)Subregulation (1) does not apply to a vehicle that is carrying bricks securely tied in lots or packages and notwithstanding the provisions of that subregulation, the Director General may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may impose, issue to any person a permit to use a vehicle carrying a load of bricks or other material on a body of a type approved by the Director General although not equipped with front, side and tail boards.
[Regulation 1024 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
Cigarette lighters fitted to vehicles not exceeding 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass manufactured on or after 1 January 1982 shall be capable only of activation when the engine ignition switch is in the “accessory” or “engine on” position.
[Regulation 1025 inserted in Gazette 10 Oct 1980 p. 3562; amended in Gazette 8 May 1981 p. 1417.]
1026.Conditions applying to Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Unless otherwise approved by the Director General, every motor vehicle that is manufactured or converted to use liquefied petroleum gas as fuel shall —
(a)where so manufactured or converted on or after 1 October 1980 and before 1 June 1984 comply with Australian Standard 1425‑1979, “SAA Code for the Use of L.P. Gas in Internal Combustion Engines” or with the standard set out in paragraph (b) or (ba);
(b)where so manufactured or converted on or after 1 June 1984 and before 1 January 1990, comply with Australian Standard 1425‑1982, “SAA Automotive L.P. Gas Code” or with the standard set out in paragraph (ba);
(ba)where so manufactured or converted on or after 1 January 1990 comply with Australian Standard 3509‑1988 “LP Gas Fuel Vessels for Automotive Use” and Australian Standard 1425‑1989 “SAA Automotive LP Gas Code”; and
(c)carry affixed to the front and rear identification tablets or number plates, an external label approved by the Director General which —
(i)is of durable material;
(ii)is not less than 25 mm square; and
(iii)is coloured reflective red conforming to Australian Standard A.S. 1742‑1975.
[Regulation 1026 inserted in Gazette 25 May 1984 p. 1385; amended in Gazette 21 Dec 1990 p. 6292; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)Unless specifically exempted by the Director General, every —
(a)goods vehicle with a manufacturers gross vehicle mass exceeding 15 tonnes; and
(b)omnibus, other than a route service omnibus, with a manufacturers gross vehicle mass exceeding 14.5 tonnes,
shall, on and after the relevant day, be fitted with a speed limiter device that limits the maximum speed at which the vehicle is capable of being driven to 100 kilometres per hour or less.
(2)Subregulation (1) does not apply to, or in relation to, a vehicle —
(a)that is manufactured before 1 January 1988; or
(b)that is already required under regulation 1108 (by the application of a requirement in an Australian Design Rule) to be fitted with a speed limiter device.
(3)In subregulation (1), “relevant day”, in relation to a vehicle, means the first day on which the vehicle is registered or the registration of the vehicle is renewed (as the case may be) after the commencement of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Amendment Regulations 1991 1.
[Regulation 1027 inserted in Gazette 13 Dec 1991 p. 6245‑6; amended in Gazette 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
Part 11 — Loading and dimensions of vehicles
1101.Axle group configurations permitted on vehicles
(1)Every vehicle first registered on or after the date on which these regulations take effect shall be supported by one or 2 axles or axle groups in accordance with this subregulation.
(a)A motor vehicle shall be supported towards the front end of the vehicle by either —
(i)a steerable single axle; or
(ii)a twin steer axle group,
and, towards the rear end of the vehicle by either —
(iii)a single axle;
(iv)a tandem axle group; or
(v)a triaxle group.
(b)A semi‑trailer shall be supported towards the rear end of the vehicle by either —
(i)a single axle;
(ii)a tandem axle group;
(iii)a triaxle group; or
(iv)a multi axle group.
(c)Subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) every trailer (not being a semi‑trailer or converter dolly trailer) shall be supported towards the front of the vehicle by either —
(i)a steerable single axle; or
(ii)a steerable tandem axle group,
and towards the rear of the vehicle by either —
(iii)a single axle;
(iv)a tandem axle group; or
(v)a triaxle group.
(d)Notwithstanding paragraph (c), a trailer with an aggregate mass exceeding 4 tonnes, and not exceeding 16.5 tonnes may be supported, if the centre of the axle or axle group is within 0.5 metres of the centre of the loading space, by either —
(i)a single axle;
(ii)a tandem axle group; or
(iii)a triaxle group.
(e)Notwithstanding paragraph (c), a trailer with an aggregate mass not exceeding 4 tonnes may be supported by either —
(i)a single axle;
(ii)a tandem axle group;
(iii)a triaxle group; or
(iv)a non‑load sharing axle group.
(f)A converter dolly trailer shall be supported by either —
(i)a single axle; or
(ii)a tandem axle group.
(2)On a motor vehicle, trailer, or a combination of a motor vehicle and trailer, and including any articulated vehicle, with an aggregate mass or gross combination mass in excess of 4 tonnes, the distance measured longitudinally along the vehicle —
(a)between the centre of adjacent axles, other than those forming part of a single axle or the same axle group (whether it is a twin steer axle group, a tandem axle group, a triaxle group, a multi axle group, a widespread tandem axle group or a non‑load sharing axle group) shall be not less than 2.5 metres;
(b)between the centre of the 2 rearmost axles of any of the axle groups and the centre of the 2 leading axles of any following axle group (whether the groups be a tandem axle group, a widespread axle group, a triaxle group or a multi axle group) shall be not less than 4.3 metres; and
(c)between the centre of the foremost axle of a twin steer axle group and the rearmost axle of an adjacent tandem axle group shall be not less than 5.0 metres.
(3)Where a vehicle with an aggregate mass exceeding 4 tonnes is fitted with —
(a)a group of 2 consecutive axles, other than a twin steel axle group, of which the centres of adjacent axles are included between parallel, transverse, vertical planes, spaced not less than one metre and not more than 2.0 metres apart, extending the full width of the vehicle; or
(b)a group of 3 or more consecutive axles, of which the centres of those axles located at the extremities of the group are included between parallel, transverse, vertical planes, spaced not less than 2.0 metres and not more than 3.2 metres apart, extending the full width of the vehicle,
the axle group shall incorporate a load sharing suspension.
(4)To comply with the load sharing requirement for axle group maximum mass limits, all the axles within the group shall be related through a load sharing system utilising the same springing media on each axle within the group; but where individual axles are not so related and are either separately or in combination fitted with disparate springing media, documentary evidence of the system’s ability to satisfy the load sharing requirement shall be made available to the Director General.
[Regulation 1101 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 19 Oct 1984 p. 3366; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)The length of a vehicle together with its load and equipment shall not —
(a)in the case of an omnibus or a vehicle first constructed for the purpose of being used as an omnibus, exceed 12.2 metres;
(b)in the case of a semi‑trailer exceed 12.5 metres in length, excluding any projection contained within an arc having a radius of 1.9 metres and centred at the point of articulation;
(c)in the case of any other motor vehicle or trailer, exceed 11 metres;
(d)in the case of an articulated vehicle exceed 17.5 metres.
(2)The length of the draw bar of a trailer with an aggregate mass exceeding 4 tonnes first registered on or after the date on which these regulations take effect shall not exceed 5 metres.
(3)Subject to any other restrictions contained in this regulation the length of a motor vehicle (not being an articulated vehicle) together with a trailer being drawn by that motor vehicle and the projecting parts of its load and equipment shall not exceed 17.5 metres.
(4)The width of a vehicle shall not —
(a)in the case of a two‑wheeled motor cycle excluding the load and equipment exceed 1 metre;
(b)in the case of a motor cycle with a side‑car attached excluding the load and equipment exceed 1.85 metres; and
(c)in the case of any other motor vehicle, trailer, pole trailer or other towed vehicle, together with its load and equipment, other than the rear vision mirror or mirrors or signalling devices required or permitted to be fitted in accordance with these regulations, exceed 2.5 metres.
(5)The height of a motor vehicle or trailer together with its load and equipment, shall not exceed 4.3 metres.
(6)The distance from the front of a motor vehicle with its load and equipment or a trailer with its load and equipment (not being an articulated vehicle or a semi‑trailer) to the line from which the rear overhang is measured shall not —
(a)in the case of an omnibus first registered on or after the date on which these regulations take effect exceed 8.3 metres plus the amount (if any) by which the overall length exceeds 11 metres;
(b)in the case of any other motor vehicle or trailer (not being a semi‑trailer) first registered before the date on which these regulations take effect exceed 8.5 metres;
(c)in the case of any other motor vehicle or trailer (not being a semi‑trailer) registered on or after the date on which these regulations take effect exceed 8.3 metres.
(7)(a)The distance between the point of articulation of an articulated vehicle and the line from which the rear overhang is measured shall not exceed 9.0 metres;
(b)The semi‑trailer portion of an articulated vehicle together with its load or equipment shall not project forward of an arc having a radius of 1.9 metres measured in the horizontal plane and centred at the point of articulation.
[Regulation 1102 amended in Gazette 24 Jul 1981 p. 3073; 11 Nov 1988 p. 4445.]
(1)Subject to subregulation (3) any motor vehicle (other than an articulated vehicle), and a trailer with an aggregate mass in excess of 4 tonnes, shall have a rear overhang of a length that does not exceed —
(a)in the case of a vehicle of which the tare exceeds one‑half of its aggregate mass, the distance of the loading space forward of the line from which the rear overhang is measured;
(b)in the case of a vehicle other than a trailer defined in regulation 1101(1)(d) of which the tare does not exceed one‑half of its aggregate mass, 90% of the distance of the loading space forward of the line from which the rear overhang is measured;
(c)60% of the distance measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, from the centre line of the foremost axle to the line from which the rear overhang is measured; or
(d)3.2 metres,
whichever length is the least.
(2)Nothing in subregulation (1)(a) and (b) shall prevent a vehicle of a tare not exceeding 2 tonnes from having a rear overhang of any length that does not exceed 50% of the distance, measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, from the centre line of the foremost axle of the vehicle to the line from which the rear overhang is measured.
(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), where the length of a vehicle (other than an omnibus with a single axle towards the rear or an articulated vehicle) or a trailer as defined by regulation 1101(1)(c) (commonly known as a dog trailer) is greater than 9.5 metres, the maximum rear overhang of that vehicle or trailer may exceed 3.2 metres, but shall not exceed 3.7 metres.
(4)The rear overhang of a semi‑trailer shall not exceed —
(a)50% of the distance between the line from which the rear overhang of the hauling unit to which it is attached is measured and the line from which the rear overhang of the semi‑trailer is measured; or
(b)3.2 metres,
whichever is less.
[Regulation 1103 amended in Gazette 24 Apr 1987 p. 1419.]
1104.Maximum projection of load and equipment
(1)Subject to regulation 1102 and regulation 1103, and subregulation (2) and subregulation (3) of this regulation the load and equipment upon a motor vehicle, other than rear vision mirrors and approved signalling devices shall not project more than —
(a)1.2 metres in front of the headlamps of the motor vehicle;
(b)1.2 metres to the rear of the motor vehicle; or
(c)150 mm beyond the extreme outer portion of either side of the motor vehicle.
(2)In the case of a motor cycle —
(a)the load or equipment shall not project more than 150 mm beyond the extreme outer portion of the vehicle on either side; and
(b)the maximum longitudinal projection beyond the outer extremity of the wheels, of any part of the motor cycle and load or equipment thereon shall not exceed 150 mm in the case of the front wheel and 300 mm in the case of the rear wheel.
(3)In the case of a motor cycle with a side‑car attached —
(a)the load or equipment shall not project more than 150 mm beyond the extreme outer portion of the vehicle on either side; and
(b)the maximum longitudinal projection beyond the outer extremity of the wheels of any part of the motor cycle and load and equipment thereon, shall not exceed 600 mm in the case of the front wheel and 900 mm in the case of the rear wheel.
(4)Where any portion of the load or equipment of a motor vehicle or of a trailer drawn by it projects in such a manner that it would not be readily visible to any person following immediately behind the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle shall —
(a)mark the end of the load or equipment, by means of a red flag or other suitable red object not less than 300 mm square, so that it is clearly visible to persons in its vicinity; or
(b)between the hours of sunset and sunrise or when there is insufficient daylight to render a person dressed in dark clothing easily discernible at a distance of 100 metres, fit to the extreme end of the load or equipment —
(i)a lighted lamp showing a clear red light to the rear, visible at a distance of 200 metres; and
(ii)not less than 2 reflectors capable of projecting a red reflection of light from the lamp of any following vehicle.
(1)Subject to subregulation (2) and subregulation (3), a motor vehicle and any trailer or other vehicle attached to it shall have a ground clearance of not less than that specified in the following table —
|
Distance between 2 |
|
Ground |
|
(a)not over 3.7 metres |
100 |
. . . |
|
(b)over 3.7 metres but not over 6.7 metres |
205 |
235 |
|
(c)over 6.7 metres but not over 7.3 metres |
230 |
255 |
|
(d)over 7.3 metres but not over 7.9 metres |
255 |
275 |
|
(e)over 7.9 metres but not over 8.5 metres |
280 |
295 |
|
(f)over 8.5 metres but not over 9.1 metres |
290 |
320 |
|
(g)over 9.1 metres but not over 9.8 metres |
320 |
340 |
(2)Notwithstanding subregulation (1), in the case of a trailer or semi‑trailer, the ground clearance specified in subregulation (1) shall be increased by 75 millimetres unless the lowest point, measured not closer than one metre to any axle, is the under surface of a longitudinal member or members constituting the frame or chassis of the trailer or semi‑trailer and the under surface is free from any projections, steps or irregularities.
(3)In addition to the provisions of subregulation (1) the ground clearance shall be such that no part of the vehicle other than the tyre and rim will contact the road in the case of the deflation of any one tyre.
[1106.Repealed in Gazette 28 Sep 1990 p. 5073.]
1106A.Roads or routes for use of oversize vehicles
(1)The Commissioner of Main Roads may, by notice in the Gazette, specify a road or a route on which an oversize vehicle may be driven or used in accordance with any conditions specified in the notice.
(2)A person who drives or uses an oversize vehicle on a specified road or route in accordance with any conditions specified in the notice does not commit an offence only because the vehicle does not comply with regulation 1102, 1103 or 1104.
(3)If a member of the Police Force has reason to believe that an oversize vehicle is being driven or used on a specified road or route otherwise than in accordance with a condition specified in the notice, the member may require the driver —
(a)to discontinue driving or using the vehicle until the condition is complied with; or
(b)to take the vehicle by a route indicated by the member of the Police Force to the nearest police station or other suitable place and then to discontinue driving or using it until the condition is complied with.
(4)If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, the driver must tell the owner that the direction has been given.
(5)If the direction is not complied with, each of the following persons commits an offence —
(a)the owner of the vehicle;
(b)the driver of the vehicle;
(c)a person who drives or uses the vehicle except in accordance with the direction;
(d)a person who permits another person to drive or use the vehicle except in accordance with the direction.
[Regulation 1106 inserted in Gazette 17 Nov 1998 p. 6255‑6.]
1107.Special permits to exceed prescribed dimensions
(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, the Commissioner of Main Roads or a member of the Police Force or other person acting with the special or general approval of the Commissioner of Main Roads may issue a permit, upon payment of the fee prescribed in subregulation (2), permitting —
(a)the carrying on a vehicle of such a load as will occasion any or all the dimensions of a vehicle and its load to exceed those prescribed in regulation 1102, regulation 1103, and regulation 1104, to the extent of such extra dimensions, on such road or roads, and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the permit; and
(b)the use of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles to exceed the dimensions prescribed by regulation 1102 of these regulations or to exceed the configurations prescribed by regulation 1612(1) of the Road Traffic Code to the extent of such dimensions, the number of attached vehicles, on such road or roads, and subject to such conditions, as may be specified in the permit.
(2)The fee payable for a permit pursuant to subregulation (1) is —
(a)for a specified single journey, $5; and
(b)in all other cases, $10,
regardless of whether the permit authorises one or more of the prescribed dimensions to be exceeded.
(3)Where a vehicle is driven or used on a road pursuant to a permit issued under subregulation (1), the permit shall be —
(a)carried within the vehicle at all times;
(b)produced for inspection by a member of the Police Force, on demand; and
(c)complied with in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the permit.
(3a)A member of the Police Force having ascertained that —
(a)a vehicle or combination of vehicles exceed the dimensions prescribed in regulation 1102, 1103 or 1104 and that a permit has not been issued in relation to that vehicle or combination of vehicles under this regulation; or
(b)the conditions of a permit issued under subregulation (1) are not being complied with,
may require the driver of that vehicle or combination of vehicles —
(c)to discontinue using the vehicle or combination of vehicles; or
(d)to take the vehicle or combination of vehicles by a specified route to the nearest police station, or other suitable place and then to discontinue using the vehicle or combination of vehicles,
until —
(e)the vehicle or combination of vehicles conform to the regulations referred to in paragraph (a); or
(f)the conditions of a permit issued under subregulation (1) are complied with,
and until paragraph (e) or (f) are complied with, a person shall not drive or use the vehicle or combination of vehicles or permit or suffer a person to drive or use the vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(3b)Where a driver who is required to discontinue using a vehicle under subregulation (3a) is not the owner of the vehicle, he shall bring the requirement to the notice of the owner.
(4)Where the provisions of subregulation (3), (3a) or (3b) are not complied with, the owner, and driver of the vehicle and any person who uses or permits or suffers a person to so drive or use the vehicle each commits an offence.
(5)A permit issued under this regulation does not authorise the carrying of a load on a vehicle contrary to the provisions of Part 14.
(6)Where a vehicle is driven or used on a road contrary to any conditions specified in a permit issued for that vehicle under this regulation, the Commissioner of Main Roads may direct the permit to be cancelled.
(7)A person shall not use or cause to be used a vehicle on which there is displayed a sign which indicates that the vehicle or combination of vehicles or its load exceeds the prescribed dimensions or is a road train, unless at the time that the vehicle is so used such a sign is required to be displayed on the vehicle pursuant to conditions specified in a permit issued under this regulation.
[Regulation 1107 amended in Gazette 11 May 1979 p. 1222; 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 1 Mar 1985 p. 791‑2.]
Part 11A — Construction, equipment and other requirements for vehicles manufactured on or after 1 July 1988
[Heading inserted in Gazette 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684.]
1108.Vehicles to conform to Australian Design Rules
(1)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these regulations (other than regulation 106(2) and (4)), every vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 1988 shall conform to the requirements of Australian Design Rules 1/00 to 66/00 inclusive, applicable to that vehicle.
(2)For the purposes of determining under this regulation —
(a)whether a requirement of an Australian Design Rule is applicable to a vehicle; and
(b)whether a vehicle conforms to a requirement of an Australian Design Rule,
the definitions in the Australian Design Rules, and not the definitions in regulation 104, apply.
[Regulation 1108 inserted in Gazette 8 Jun 1990 p. 2684; amended in Gazette 13 Dec 1991 p. 6246.]
Part 12 — Danger and annoyance
1201.Avoidance of danger, smell, smoke, etc.
All parts and fittings of a vehicle shall be maintained in such condition as to be unlikely —
(a)to cause danger or annoyance to any person by smell, the projection of an undue amount of smoke, or by being in a poor state of repair; or
(b)to render the use of the vehicle unsafe.
1202.Lubrication, fuel control and exhaust
(1)The lubrication and the working mixture of the motor of a motor vehicle shall be so controlled that no undue amount of smoke is projected from the exhaust or from any other part and oil or grease is not dropped onto the roadway.
(2)The outlet of the exhaust of a motor vehicle other than a passenger car or passenger car derivative shall not be so fitted as to project the exhaust directly onto the roadway or at any point along the left side of the vehicle in such a manner as to cause danger or unreasonable annoyance to any person.
(3)The outlet of the exhaust of a passenger car or passenger car derivative shall not be so fitted as to project the exhaust directly onto the roadway and shall not be permitted to escape at any point on either side of the vehicle in front of the rear axle of the vehicle in such a manner as to cause danger or unreasonable annoyance to any person.
A vehicle shall be so constructed, loaded and any equipment so adjusted that —
(a)no undue or avoidable noise or vibration is caused; and
(b)the driver, when the motor vehicle is stationary, is able to stop the action of any of its equipment, so far as may be necessary for the prevention of noise.
A motor vehicle shall not be equipped with —
(a)an object or fitting, not technically essential to the vehicle, that protrudes from any part of the vehicle in a manner likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to a person;
(b)an object or fitting technically essential to the vehicle unless its design, construction and condition and the manner in which it is fitted to the vehicle are such as to reduce to a minimum the risk of bodily injury to a person;
(c)an object or fitting which, because of its pointed nature or sharp edge, is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to a person;
(d)a door handle which is likely to hook or catch onto a person or object; or
(e)a bumper bar, the end of which is not turned towards the body of the vehicle to a sufficient extent to avoid the risk of hooking or grazing.
Part 13 — Trailer couplings and safety chains
(1)A trailer shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle drawing it, by a coupling so fitted as to prevent, as far as is possible, any lateral swing of the trailer, while, the motor vehicle and trailer are in motion.
(2)A coupling fitted for the first time, on and after 1 January 1960 shall have clearly stamped, moulded or branded on it —
(a)the name or trade mark of the manufacturer; and
(b)the maximum gross mass which the coupling is designed to tow.
(3)A coupling used as a connection between a passenger car or derivative thereof and a trailer first registered on or after 1 January 1971 and of a laden mass not exceeding 2.3 tonnes, shall be a ball coupling complying with Australian Standard D18‑1968 for Ball Couplings for Automotive Purposes provided that the coupling body shall have a loading capacity equal to the static mass of the trailer together with its maximum load.
1302.Trailer couplings general specifications
(1)Where a trailer, not being a pole‑type trailer, is attached to a motor vehicle by means of a coupling and drawbar that controls the movement of the trailer, the coupling and drawbar, between the motor vehicle and the trailer, shall be so constructed and fitted that —
(a)it permits an adequate amount of angular movement between the alignment of the motor vehicle and the trailer while in motion;
(b)the strength of the coupling and drawbar is sufficient to draw the gross mass of the trailer and its load;
(c)the coupling is equipped with a manually operated mechanism so constructed as to prevent accidental disengagement of the unit while in operation;
(d)the positive locking mechanism prescribed by paragraph (c) is so designed that it can be disconnected regardless of the angle of the trailer to the towing motor vehicle; and
(e)the brackets, or other means of securing the forward portion of the couplings to the motor vehicle and the rearward portion of the coupling and the drawbar to the trailer, are of sufficient strength to take the gross mass inclusive of load, if any, of the trailer while being towed.
(2)In addition to the coupling prescribed by, and fitted in accordance with the requirements of, subregulation (1)(a) to (e), a safety connection, consisting of 2 chains, to hold the trailer in tow, in the event of failure or accidental detachment of the trailer coupling, shall be so fitted to a substantial portion of the motor vehicle and to the frame or other substantial portion of the trailer that —
(a)it is not liable to accidental disconnection and permits all normal angular movements of the coupling, without more slack than is necessary;
(b)the chains are as short as practicable and fitted in a crossed over position so as to prevent the forward end of the drawbar from striking the ground in the event of accidental disconnection of the coupling;
(c)the forward ends of the chains are attached as near to the pivot of the coupling as practicable; and
(d)the chains conform to the size prescribed in column 2 of the Table to this subregulation, for the corresponding gross mass of the towed trailer, caravan or other vehicle, inclusive of the load, if any, as is specified in column 1 of the Table.
The Table
|
Item |
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
|
1 |
Up to but not exceeding 0.5 tonne ........................ |
6 mm diameter |
|
2 |
Exceeding 0.5 tonne but not exceeding 1.25 tonnes ........................................................... |
|
|
3 |
Exceeding 1.25 tonnes but not exceeding 3 tonnes |
12 mm diameter |
|
4 |
Exceeding 3 tonnes ............................................... |
15 mm diameter |
(3)Where hooks, known as ramshorns, are used for attaching the chains referred to in subregulation (2), the initial bend of the hook, at the point of attachment, shall be upwards and be constructed of material of a diameter at least 3 millimetres greater than the diameter of the chains prescribed in subregulation (2)(d).
(4)Where rings and shackles are used for attaching the chains referred to in subregulation (2), the rings and shackles shall be made of steel of a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the chains prescribed in subregulation (2)(d).
(5)The provisions of subregulations (2), (3) and (4) do not apply to a towed vehicle fitted with breakaway equipment in accordance with regulation 603.
1303.Part not applicable to motor cycle
This Part shall not apply to a trailer coupled, or intended to be coupled, to a motor cycle.
[Regulation 1303 inserted in Gazette 29 Dec 1989 p. 4684.]
Part 14 — Mass limits
1401.Restrictions on mass of vehicles
(1)The laden mass of a motor vehicle or a trailer (other than an articulated vehicle or semi‑trailer) shall not exceed —
(a)that prescribed as the aggregate mass of the vehicle determined in accordance with subregulations (7), (8), (9), (10) and (11);
(b)the aggregate mass of the vehicle as set out in the licence issued for the vehicle;
(c)the sum of the maximum supported mass prescribed by subregulation (4) or (4a), as the case may be, of this regulation for each axle or axle group on the vehicle; or
(d)the mass specified by subregulation (6).
(2)Subject to subregulation (2a), the laden mass of a trailer or other vehicle (other than a semi‑trailer) that is being towed by a motor vehicle shall not exceed —
(a)where an aggregate mass for the towing vehicle is not specified under this regulation —
(i)in the case of a trailer or vehicle equipped with brakes in accordance with these regulations that is being towed by a motor vehicle other than a motor cycle, one and a half times the tare of the motor vehicle by which it is being towed; or
(ii)in a case to which subparagraph (i) does not apply, the tare of the motor vehicle by which it is being towed;
or
(b)where an aggregate mass is specified for the towing vehicle —
(i)in the case of a trailer or vehicle not required by these regulations to be fitted with brakes, the tare of the motor vehicle by which it is being towed, or
(ii)in the case of trailer or vehicle equipped with brakes in accordance with these regulations, the laden mass of the motor vehicle by which it is being towed.
(2a)Unless otherwise approved by the Director General, the laden mass of a trailer that is being towed by a motor vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass not exceeding 4.5 tonnes shall not exceed —
(a)the towing capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to the vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing apparatus; or
(b)the maximum permitted laden mass of a trailer that may be towed by the vehicle (“the maximum trailer mass”), as specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle,
whichever is the lesser.
(2b)If the towing capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to a motor vehicle —
(a)is not specified by the manufacturer of the towing apparatus; or
(b)otherwise cannot be determined,
the maximum trailer mass of the vehicle is taken for the purposes of subregulation (2a) to be less than the towing capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to the vehicle.
(2c)If the maximum trailer mass of a motor vehicle —
(a)is not specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle; or
(b)otherwise cannot be determined,
the maximum trailer mass of the vehicle is taken for the purposes of subregulation (2a)(b) to be —
(c)if the trailer to be towed by the vehicle is equipped with brakes in accordance with these regulations, one and a half times the tare of the vehicle; or
(d)if the trailer to be towed by the vehicle is not so equipped, the tare of the vehicle.
(3)Notwithstanding any other provision of this regulation, where a motor vehicle is used for the purpose of towing a trailer, trailers or semi‑trailer the aggregate of the laden mass of the vehicles in the combination shall not exceed —
(a)that prescribed as the gross combination mass of the prime mover or the motor vehicle hauling a trailer determined in accordance with subregulations (12), (13) and (14);
(b)the gross combination mass of the prime mover or the motor vehicle hauling the trailer as set out in the licence for the vehicle;
(c)the sum of the maximum supported mass prescribed by subregulation (4) for each axle or axle group on each vehicle in the combination;
(d)the mass specified by subregulation (6); or
(e)42.5 tonnes,
whichever is the least.
(4)Subject to subregulation (4a), on any vehicle —
(a)the mass supported on any tyre shall not exceed either the carrying capacity of the tyre or of the rim to which that tyre is fitted, as prescribed by any regulation made under the Act;
(b)the mass supported on a single wide profile tyre —
(i)having a sectional width not less than 375 mm but less than 450 mm, attached to an axle other than a steer axle, shall not exceed 3.35 tonnes;
(ii)having a sectional width of 450 mm or more, attached to an axle other than a steer axle, shall not exceed 3.5 tonnes;
(iii)that is attached to a steer axle shall not exceed 3.0 tonnes;
(c)the mass supported on any single tyre (other than a wide profile tyre) shall not exceed 3.0 tonnes;
(d)the mass supported on any axle or axle group shall not exceed the vehicle or axle manufacturer’s gross axle load limit for that axle or axle group;
(e)the mass supported on any single axle —
(i)fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 6.0 tonnes;
(ii)that is a steer axle having wide profile tyres shall not exceed 6.0 tonnes;
(f)the mass supported on any single axle fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 9.0 tonnes;
(g)the mass supported on a single axle other than a steer axle fitted with wide profile tyres —
(i)having a section width of not less than 375 mm but less than 450 mm shall not exceed 6.7 tonnes;
(ii)having a section width of 450 mm or greater shall not exceed 7.0 tonnes;
(h)the mass supported on any one axle of a tandem axle group fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 6.0 tonnes;
(i)the mass supported on a tandem axle group fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 11.0 tonnes;
(j)the mass supported on any one axle of a tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 9.0 tonnes;
(k)the mass supported on any tandem axle group fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 16.5 tonnes;
(l)the mass supported on any tandem axle group of which one axle is fitted with dual tyres and the other with single tyres shall not exceed 13.0 tonnes;
(m)the mass supported on a tandem axle group fitted with wide profile tyres on both axles —
(i)having a sectional width of not less than 375 mm but less than 450 mm shall not exceed 13.3 tonnes;
(ii)having a sectional width greater than 450 mm shall not exceed 14.0 tonnes;
(n)the mass supported on a widespread tandem axle group or any one axle of a widespread tandem axle group shall not exceed the mass limits specified in paragraphs (h), (i), (j), (k), (1) and (m) for a tandem axle group with a similar arrangement of tyres;
(o)the mass supported on any one axle on a twin steer axle group shall not exceed 6.0 tonnes;
(p)the mass supported on a twin steer axle group with a load sharing system fitted shall not exceed 11.0 tonnes;
(q)the mass supported on a twin steer axle group where a load sharing system is not fitted shall not exceed 10.0 tonnes;
(r)the mass supported on any one axle of a triaxle group fitted with dual tyres, shall not exceed 9.0 tonnes;
(s)the mass supported on a triaxle group fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 20.0 tonnes;
(t)the mass supported on any one axle of a triaxle group fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 6.0 tonnes;
(u)the mass supported on a triaxle group of which one or more axles is fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 15 tonnes;
(v)the mass supported by a triaxle group fitted with wide profile tyres on all 3 axles shall not exceed 20.0 tonnes;
(w)the mass supported on any one axle of a multi axle group fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 9.0 tonnes;
(x)the mass supported on a multi axle group fitted with dual or wide profile tyres shall not exceed 20.0 tonnes;
(y)the mass supported on one axle of a multi axle group fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 6.0 tonnes;
(z)the mass supported on a multi axle group of which one or more axles is fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 15 tonnes;
(aa)the mass supported on any one axle of a non load sharing axle group fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 4.6 tonnes;
(bb)the mass supported on any one axle of a non load sharing axle group fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 8.2 tonnes;
(cc)the mass supported on a non load sharing axle group fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 9.1 tonnes;
(dd)the mass supported on a non load sharing axle group of which one axle is fitted with single tyres and the other axles with dual tyres shall not exceed 11.2 tonnes;
(ee)the mass supported on a non load sharing axle group fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 13.2 tonnes.
(4a)Notwithstanding subregulation (4)(c), (e)(i) and (f), on any route service omnibus —
(a)the mass supported on any single tyre (other than a wide profile tyre) shall not exceed 3 tonnes;
(b)the mass supported on any single axle fitted with single tyres shall not exceed 6 tonnes; and
(c)the mass supported on any single axle fitted with dual tyres shall not exceed 10 tonnes.
(5)Unless approved by the Commissioner of Main Roads, a retractable axle shall not be taken into account in assessing the maximum permissible axle loading of any axle or axle group which includes such a configuration.
(6)The laden mass of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles shall not exceed that specified in column 2 of the table.
Axle mass table
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
|
Overall axle spacing of the vehicle or combination of |
Maximum |
|
3.0or more but less than3.25 ............................ |
18.0 |
|
3.25or more but less than3.5 .............................. |
18.9 |
|
3.5or more but less than3.75 ............................ |
19.8 |
|
3.75or more but less than4.0 .............................. |
20.7 |
|
4.0or more but less than4.25 ............................ |
21.6 |
|
4.25or more but less than4.5 .............................. |
22.5 |
|
4.5or more but less than4.75 ............................ |
23.4 |
|
4.75or more but less than5.0 .............................. |
24.3 |
|
5.0or more but less than5.25 ............................ |
25.2 |
|
5.25or more but less than5.5 .............................. |
26.1 |
|
5.5or more but less than5.75 ............................ |
27.0 |
|
5.75or more but less than6.0 .............................. |
27.9 |
|
6.0or more but less than6.25 ............................ |
28.8 |
|
6.25or more but less than6.5 .............................. |
29.7 |
|
6.5or more but less than6.75 ............................ |
30.6 |
|
6.75or more but less than7.0 .............................. |
31.5 |
|
7.0or more but less than7.25 ............................ |
32.4 |
|
7.25or more but less than7.5 .............................. |
33.3 |
|
7.5or more but less than7.75 ............................ |
34.2 |
|
7.75or more but less than8.0 .............................. |
35.1 |
|
8.0or more but less than8.25 ............................ |
36.0 |
|
8.25or more but less than8.5 .............................. |
36.9 |
|
8.5or more but less than8.75 ............................ |
37.8 |
|
8.75or more but less than9.0 .............................. |
38.7 |
|
9.0or more but less than9.25 ............................ |
39.6 |
|
9.25or more but less than9.5 .............................. |
40.5 |
|
9.5or more but less than9.75 ............................ |
41.4 |
|
9.75or more but less than10.0 ............................ |
42.3 |
|
Over 10.0 ......................................................................... |
42.5 |
(7)Prior to 1 July 1982 the aggregate mass of a goods vehicle manufactured before the date on which these regulations take effect shall be determined —
(a)where the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass does not exceed 2.5 tonnes, by adding to the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass 5%;
(b)where the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass exceeds 2.5 tonnes, by adding to the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass 10%;
(c)by adding the maximum supported mass prescribed by subregulation (4) for each axle or axle group on the vehicle; but the limit prescribed by subregulation (4)(d) may be increased by 10%; or
(d)42.5 tonnes,
whichever is the least.
(8)The aggregate mass of a goods vehicle first registered after the date on which these regulations take effect, other than a goods vehicle to which subregulation (7) applies, and all goods vehicles for which an application for registration is made after 30 June 1982 may be determined by —
(a)the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass for that vehicle;
(b)the sum of the maximum supported mass prescribed by subregulation (4) for each axle or axle group on the vehicle; or
(c)42.5 tonnes,
whichever is the least.
(9)For vehicles registered before the date on which these regulations take effect, the aggregate mass for that vehicle shall be the aggregate weight or aggregate mass set out in the licence issued for that vehicle.
(10)Notwithstanding subregulation (7) and (8), the Director General may determine a lesser aggregate mass equated with the practical carrying capacity of the vehicle.
(11)Where the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass of a goods vehicle is not recorded by the Director General, the aggregate mass of the vehicle may be determined under subregulation (7) and (8) by taking the recorded manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass of a vehicle of similar construction.
(12)Prior to 1 July 1982 the gross combination mass of a goods vehicle manufactured before the date on which these regulations take effect shall be determined —
(a)by adding to the manufacturer’s gross combination mass for that vehicle 10% thereof;
(b)42.5 tonnes; or
(c)in the case of a prime mover where the licence of the vehicle does not set out a gross combination mass for the vehicle, the aggregate weight set out in the licence for the vehicle,
whichever is the least.
(13)The gross combination mass of a goods vehicle first registered after the date on which these regulations take effect, and all goods vehicles for which an application for registration is made after 30 June 1982 shall be determined —
(a)by the manufacturer’s gross combination mass for that vehicle; or
(b)42.5 tonnes,
whichever is the least.
(14)Where the manufacturer’s gross combination mass of a goods vehicle is not recorded by the Director General, the gross combination of that vehicle may be determined under subregulation (12) or (13), by taking the recorded manufacturer’s gross combination mass of a vehicle of similar construction.
(15)For the purpose of subregulation (1)(c), (3)(c), (7)(c) and (8)(b) —
(a)the only axles or axle groups which shall be considered are —
(i)single axle;
(ii)tandem axle group;
(iii)triaxle group;
(iv)multi axle group;
(v)twin steer axle group;
(vi)widespread tandem axle group; and
(vii)non‑load sharing axle group, as defined in these regulations;
(b)in the case of a semi‑trailer, only one axle or axle group of a type referred to in paragraph (a) located towards the rear of the vehicle shall be considered;
(c)in the case of a trailer supported by only one axle or axle group, provided that the axle or axle group is of a type referred to in paragraph (a) shall be considered;
(d)in the case of any other motor vehicle or trailer, including a trailer consisting of a converter dolly trailer and a semi‑trailer (not being a vehicle referred to in paragraph (b) or (c)), towards the front of the vehicle and towards the rear of the vehicle, only one axle or axle group of a type referred to in paragraph (a) shall be considered.
(16)The mass supported by additional axles or axle groups not complying with subregulation (15) shall be deemed to be supported by the nearest axle or axle group on the vehicle or component part of a combination of vehicles.
(17)Where a goods vehicle has been added to or modified, at any time after manufacture the owner thereof may apply to the Director General for the determination of an aggregate mass or gross combination mass other than that previously determined in accordance with the provisions of this regulation; and having regard to the component parts, the addition to or modification of the vehicle, and on being satisfied the addition or modification is such as to vary the safe loading limits of the vehicle, the Director General may determine and authorise an aggregate mass or gross combination mass in accordance with the limitations of this regulation.
(18)Every goods vehicle shall have the tare of the vehicle and aggregate mass of the vehicle distinguished respectively, by the letters “T” and “A” and, in the case of a motor wagon and prime mover, other than a passenger car derivative or a tractor, in addition the gross combination mass of the vehicle distinguished by the letter “C” permanently marked on the right hand side of the vehicle, in block letters and numerals of at least 50 mm in height, and be maintained, so as to be clearly legible at a distance of 5 metres.
(19)A member of the Police Force, having in accordance with the provisions of these regulations, ascertained that the mass supported on a vehicle or any part of it exceeds the maximum mass permitted by the provisions of these regulations to be so supported may —
(a)require the driver to discontinue using the vehicle until the load has been removed or adjusted to ensure that the vehicle complies with these regulations; or
(b)require the driver to take the vehicle by a specified route to the nearest police station, or other suitable place and then to discontinue using the vehicle until the load has been removed or adjusted to the satisfaction of a member of the Police Force, to ensure the vehicle complies with these regulations,
and until that requirement has been complied with, a person shall not drive or use the vehicle or permit or suffer a person to drive or use the vehicle.
(19A)Where a driver who is required to discontinue using a vehicle under subregulation (19) is not the owner of the vehicle, he shall bring the requirement to the notice of the owner.
(20)The provisions of subregulation (7) to (16) do not apply to a station wagon or estate car.
(21)Nothing in this regulation authorises a person to drive, use, or permit the driving or using of a motor vehicle, on a road, in contravention of the provisions of any other regulation made under the Act.
[Regulation 1401 amended in Gazette 11 May 1979 p. 1222; 25 May 1979 p. 1386‑7; 13 Mar 1981 p. 939; 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 25 May 1984 p. 1386; 14 Aug 1987 p. 3168‑9; 11 Nov 1988 p. 4445; 18 Aug 1989 p. 2758; 29 Dec 1989 p. 4684; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6; 14 Sep 1999 p. 4537‑8.]
1401A.Roads or routes for use of overmass vehicles
(1)The Commissioner of Main Roads may, by notice in the Gazette, specify a road or a route on which an overmass vehicle may be driven or used in accordance with any conditions specified in the notice.
(2)A person who drives or uses an overmass vehicle on a specified road or route in accordance with any conditions specified in the notice does not commit an offence only because the vehicle does not comply with regulation 1401.
(3)If a member of the Police Force has reason to believe that an overmass vehicle is being driven or used on a specified road or route otherwise than in accordance with a condition specified in the notice, the member may direct the driver —
(a)to discontinue driving or using the vehicle until the condition is complied with; or
(b)to take the vehicle by a route indicated by the member of the Police Force to the nearest police station or other suitable place and then to discontinue driving or using it until the condition is complied with.
(4)If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, the driver must tell the owner that the direction has been given.
(5)If the direction is not complied with, each of the following persons commits an offence —
(a)the owner of the vehicle;
(b)the driver of the vehicle;
(c)a person who drives or uses the vehicle except in accordance with the direction;
(d)a person who permits another person to drive or use the vehicle except in accordance with the direction.
[Regulation 1401A inserted in Gazette 17 Nov 1998 p. 6256.]
1402.Special permits to carry excess mass
(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, upon payment of the fee prescribed in subregulation (2), the Commissioner of Main Roads may issue a permit, specifying excess mass limits and conditions for the following —
(a)the laden mass of a vehicle which may exceed the aggregate mass prescribed for that vehicle, provided that the laden mass, does not exceed the manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass for that vehicle;
(b)the laden mass of a vehicle towing another vehicle or vehicles in combination which may exceed the gross combination mass of the towing vehicle, provided that the laden mass of the combination of vehicles does not exceed the manufacturer’s gross combination mass of the towing vehicle;
(c)the maximum supported mass prescribed by regulation 1401(4) and (6), which may be exceeded; and
(d)the laden mass of a trailer prescribed by regulation 1401(2) which may be exceeded,
but the excess mass limits specified in the permit shall not exceed, in the case of a trailer, the gross trailer mass rating of that trailer.
(2)The fee payable for a permit issued pursuant to subregulation (1) is —
(a)an amount of $4 per month or portion thereof, for each tonne or part thereof by which the maximum supported mass prescribed in regulation 1401(4) on any axle group is to be exceeded, or a fee of $10.00 whichever is the greater amount; and
(b)for a specified journey only, an amount of 1 cent per tonne kilometres or part thereof for the laden mass by which the maximum supported mass prescribed in regulation 1401(4) on any axle or axle group is to be exceeded, or a fee of $3.00, whichever is the greater amount;
(c)in all other cases, a fee of $10.00.
(3)A person shall not drive or use a vehicle on a road pursuant to a permit issued under subregulation (1), or permit or suffer a vehicle to be so driven or used, unless —
(a)the permit is carried within the vehicle at all times while the vehicle is being so driven or used; and
(b)the permit is complied with in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the permit.
(4)Where a person drives or uses a vehicle in contravention of subregulation (3) the owner of the vehicle shall be deemed to have also contravened that subregulation.
(5)A person driving or using a vehicle pursuant to a permit issued under subregulation (1) shall produce the permit for inspection by a member of the Police Force on demand.
(6)Where subregulation (3) or (5) is contravened the Commissioner of Main Roads may, notwithstanding any other penalty provided, cancel the permit.
[Regulation 1402 amended in Gazette 11 May 1979 p. 1222; 4 Jan 1980 p. 3‑4; 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 3 May 1985 p. 1540.]
1403.Ascertainment of laden masses or tare
(1)Subject to subregulation (3) the laden mass or tare of a motor vehicle or the mass supported on any part of a motor vehicle may be ascertained —
(a)by weighing the vehicle or part of the vehicle on a registered public weighbridge or any weighbridge that has been verified under the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act 1915; or
(b)by use of one or more loadmeters of a type approved by the Minister and the mass ascertained less 2% thereof shall be deemed to be the actual mass supported on that part of the motor vehicle.
(2)Where more than one loadmeter is used, the weight supported on that part of the vehicle shall be ascertained by aggregating the relevant readings of the loadmeters.
(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), the laden mass or (in the case of a motor vehicle not carrying a load) the tare of a motor vehicle computed from an aggregation of the relevant supported masses, ascertained pursuant to the provisions of subregulation (1), shall be taken as being the laden mass or (as the case may be) the tare of the vehicle.
(4)Where the laden mass of, or the mass of the load carried by, or the mass supported on a motor vehicle, or the tare of a vehicle cannot be, or cannot conveniently be ascertained by any other means provided by this regulation —
(a)if the load comprises assembled plant, machinery or equipment of any kind, the mass of that load may be ascertained by reference to the manufacturer’s specification (if any) relating to that plant, machinery or equipment and the mass therein specified is deemed to be the mass of the plant, machinery or equipment; and
(b)the tare of the vehicle may be ascertained by reference to the manufacturer’s specification (if any) relating to that vehicle and the mass therein specified is deemed to be the mass of the vehicle.
(5)For the purposes of subregulation (4) there is a presumption that any printed matter purporting to be a specification is a specification, in the absence of proof to the contrary.
(6)The driver or person in charge of a motor vehicle shall comply with any reasonable direction, given by a member of the Police Force, for the purpose of ascertaining any mass mentioned in this regulation.
(7)Where the driver or person in charge of a motor vehicle refuses or fails to comply with any direction of a member of the Police Force to drive that vehicle for the purpose of using loadmeters or any weighbridge, in accordance with subregulation (2), a member of the Police Force may drive that vehicle for that purpose and any purpose ancillary thereto.
[Regulation 1403 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 21 Oct 1988 p. 4240; 3 Feb 1989 p. 342.]
Part 15 — General provisions for public passenger carrying vehicles
(1)Effective means of ventilation shall be provided for omnibuses, independently of windows and door openings, but, in the case of a vehicle other than an omnibus, the equipment of a vehicle with suitable “no draught” or “vent” windows is a sufficient compliance with this subregulation.
(2)Each window adjacent to a passenger seat in an omnibus shall be movable and be fitted with a suitable contrivance or finger grip for the purpose of opening and closing it.
(1)Every omnibus shall be provided with and carry, in such a position as to be readily available for use —
(a)an efficient fire extinguisher of a capacity not less than 1.1 litres or the equivalent, if of a pressure type approved by the Director General; or
(b)not less than 2 efficient fire extinguishers each having a capacity not less than 1.1 litres, if of a non‑pressure type, approved by the Director General.
(2)A fire extinguisher fitted to an omnibus in accordance with this regulation shall be approved by, and be effectively maintained to the satisfaction of, the Director General.
[Regulation 1502 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑86.]
(1)An omnibus, operating on a route, the whole or major portion of which route lies outside the Perth Region shall be equipped with a comprehensive and serviceable first‑aid kit, carried in a position on the vehicle so as to be readily available for use.
[(2)repealed]
[Regulation 1503 amended in Gazette 8 Sep 1978 p. 3302; 14 Aug 1987 p. 3169.]
(1)An omnibus shall be fitted with an efficient speedometer that —
(a)is serviceable at all times;
(b)indicates to the driver, within a margin of accuracy of plus or minus 10%, the speed at which the omnibus is being driven; and
(c)is illuminated whenever necessary for the driver’s purpose.
(2)The provisions of subregulation (1) do not apply to a school bus that —
(a)is not designed with a speedometer; and
(b)is licensed at the time of coming into operation of this subregulation, until on and after 1 January 1968.
Part 16 — Special provisions for omnibuses and school buses
(1)An omnibus, other than a school bus, shall have a longitudinal aisle with a width of not less than 380 millimetres and a double deck omnibus shall have such an aisle on each deck; but in the case of a single deck omnibus that is to operate under circumstances which do not necessitate frequent stops for the purpose of taking up or setting down passengers en route, the Director General may approve the use of an omnibus that has no longitudinal aisle or has a longitudinal aisle with a width of 300 millimetres or more.
(2)A school bus that is constructed with a longitudinal aisle shall have an aisle that is not less than 300 millimetres in width.
[Regulation 1601 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
(1)An omnibus with a longitudinal aisle, shall have at least one means of entrance and exit on the left hand side and it shall be —
(a)kept clear of any obstruction;
(b)at least 550 millimetres in width;
(c)at least 1.8 metres in height from the lowest step to the top of the entrance and exit; and
(d)except in the case of an omnibus referred to in subregulation (2), fitted with a suitable handgrip to each side.
(2)An omnibus not having a longitudinal aisle, and fitted with seats all of which are arranged in transverse rows, shall, as far as practicable, have a means of entrance and exit to each such row, by a door fitted to the left hand side of the omnibus, being —
(a)not less than 550 millimetres in width, when measured at the height of the seat; and
(b)not less than 1.4 metres in height, from the floor level to the top of the door.
(3)In the case of a double deck omnibus, having a doorless opening connecting the lower deck with a rear platform, the provision of access to the platform from outside the omnibus by means of an opening, of not less than 910 millimetres in width, on the left hand side of the omnibus, and complying in other respects with the requirements of that subregulation, is sufficient compliance with the requirements of subregulation (1) of this regulation.
(4)Means of entrance or exit, other than an emergency exit or a driver’s door, shall not be provided on the right hand side of an omnibus.
(5)A double deck omnibus that does not comply with the requirements of subregulation (3) shall have 2 entrances, one at the front and one at the rear, complying with the provisions of subregulation (1).
1603.Head room (interior height)
(1)An omnibus with a longitudinal aisle, other than a double deck omnibus, shall be so constructed that the height inside the omnibus from any point on the floor on the centre line of the aisle to the roof is —
(a)not less than 1.8 metres where the omnibus is to be operated in a service necessitating frequent stops, for the purpose of taking up or setting down passengers, and is to be used for the carriage of both seated and standing passengers;
(b)not less than 1.68 metres, where the omnibus is to be operated in a service not necessitating frequent stops, for the purpose of taking up or setting down passengers, and is to be used for the carriage of seated passengers only;
(c)not less than 1.5 metres in the case of a school bus with a tare of 1.5 tonnes or greater; and
(d)not less than 1.375 metres in the case of a school bus with a tare of less than 1.5 tonnes.
(2)An omnibus fitted with seats arranged in transverse rows, without the provision of a longitudinal aisle, shall be so constructed that the height inside the omnibus, from any point on the floor, on the longitudinal centre line of the omnibus, to the roof, is not less than 1.45 metres.
(3)A double deck omnibus shall be so constructed that the height inside the omnibus from any point on the floor, on the centre line of the aisle, of either deck, to the roof of the deck, is not less than 1.68 metres.
(4)Subregulation (1)(a) and (b) and subregulation (2), apply to an omnibus first registered on or after 1 January 1963 only.
(1)An omnibus shall have safe and convenient steps firmly and appropriately fitted at each entrance.
(2)The lower step shall —
(a)be not more than 400 millimetres, nor less than 250 millimetres, from the ground to the tread of the step, when the vehicle is unladen and is standing upon level ground; and
(b)have a tread that is not less than the width of the entrance and not less than 225 millimetres, in transverse depth.
(3)The tread of steps other than the lower step shall be not less than 225 millimetres in transverse depth and shall have a clear width of not less than 450 millimetres.
(4)Where interior lighting does not afford adequate illumination of the steps of an omnibus, a light, such as will adequately illuminate the steps, shall be provided on either side or immediately above the well of the step.
1605.Guard rails and safety partitions
(1)Where, in an omnibus, the driving position is not sufficiently enclosed, a suitable guard rail or panel shall be fitted about the driving position, to prevent a passenger from coming into contact with the driver or control levers of the vehicle and from obstructing the driver’s view to the front and either side of the vehicle.
(2)An omnibus shall have an effective safety partition fitted at the entrance and exit to the vehicle, between the well of the step and the foremost seat on the left hand side, behind the well of the step.
A mirror or mirrors of such dimensions, and so fitted, as to be capable of reflecting to the driver, whilst retaining his normal driving position, a view of such doors, door approaches and parts of the passenger compartment, generally, as are not directly visible to him, shall be provided within every omnibus.
A sufficient number of hand straps or hand grips shall be provided for the convenience and safety of passengers in an omnibus.
The floor of an omnibus shall be —
(a)finished with a non‑slip surface;
(b)of sound construction; and
(c)sealed so as to prevent fumes from the engine from entering the interior of the vehicle.
1609.Fuel tank and filler pipe
(1)The fuel tank and the fuel tank filler pipe of an omnibus shall not be located in its interior, in the engine compartment or in any separate compartment provided for the driver.
(2)The fuel tank filler pipe shall be situated so that it is not less than 900 millimetres from either side of any entrance or exit referred to in regulation 1602 or any emergency exit referred to in regulation 1610 and shall be so arranged that any overflow or leakage of fuel cannot accumulate in or upon the omnibus.
(3)Petrol or other volatile spirit shall not be carried on an omnibus except in the operating tanks provided for that purpose.
(1)A single deck omnibus, other than such as is mentioned in subregulation (2), shall have —
(a)at least one means of emergency entrance and exit at the extreme rear of the passenger compartment, of a minimum area of 0.7 square metre and having no dimensions less than 530 millimetres; or
(b)at least one means of emergency entrance and exit fitted in the roof of the rear half of the passenger compartment, of a minimum area of 0.7 square metre and having no dimension less than 530 millimetres and, unless a door accessible to passengers is fitted in each side of the vehicle a further means of emergency entrance and exit, of not less than 600 millimetres by 530 millimetres in dimensions, is located in the rear half of the passenger compartment on the side of the vehicle opposite that in which the door is fitted.
(2)In the case of a single deck omnibus that is propelled by fuel other than diesel fuel and has its engine fitted at the rear, there shall be means of emergency entrance and exit as prescribed by subregulation (1)(b), but the means of emergency entrance and exit fitted in the roof shall be fitted as near as practicable to the centre of the passenger compartment.
(3)In the case of a double deck omnibus, there shall be, at the rear, at least 2 means of emergency entrance and exit, each having minimum dimensions of 1.37 metres by 530 millimetres, one situated above, and the other below, the level of the upper deck, but if —
(a)the omnibus is fitted with a rear platform in accordance with regulation 1602(3);
(b)access to the platform extends rearward to the left hand rear corner of the omnibus, and is extended transversely across the rear of the omnibus for a distance of not less than 450 millimetres; and
(c)there is at the rear of the omnibus at least one means of emergency entrance and exit situated above the level of the floor of the upper deck, complying in other respects with the requirements of this subregulation,
the requirements of this subregulation are satisfied.
(4)A means of emergency entrance and exit shall —
(a)be kept clear of obstruction;
(b)be capable of being opened from both inside and outside; and
(c)be indicated by a prominent notice, inside and outside, displaying the words “Emergency Exit”, with a description of operation, where necessary.
(5)An emergency exit of the push in and push out type may be used, if it is of a type and construction approved by the Director General.
(6)Where an emergency exit is too high to be easily reached by a person standing on the ground, a suitable hand grip shall be fitted beneath the emergency exit.
[Regulation 1610 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
Seats for passengers in omnibuses shall be so constructed and fitted that —
(a)a space of not less than 400 millimetres measured along the front of the seat, is provided for each passenger, and each seat is not less than 355 millimetres in depth, or, in the case of a school bus, 305 millimetres;
(b)where seats face to the front of the omnibus, the shortest horizontal space between the inside back of one seat and the back of the seat in front is not less than 660 millimetres, or, in the case of a school bus, 580 millimetres and, where the seats face one another, the shortest distance between the inside back of one seat and that of the opposite seat is not less than 1.2 metres, or, in the case of a school bus, not less than one metre;
(c)a floor space of not less than 200 millimetres, measured from the vertical plane at the front edge of the seat, is provided in front of each seat;
(d)the height from the floor to the top of each seat is not less than 400 millimetres, or in the case of a school bus, not less than 380 millimetres;
(e)each seat has a back so constructed that reasonable comfort and adequate support will be provided for passengers;
(f)each passenger seat is soundly constructed and securely fixed to the structure of the omnibus; and
(g)at least two‑thirds of the seats are arranged transversely.
The driver’s seat of an omnibus shall be —
(a)so constructed that a person cannot occupy any portion of the seat on the right hand side of the driver;
(b)soundly constructed and securely fitted to the vehicle; and
(c)designed and so placed that the driver is comfortable and has proper control of the vehicle.
Interior doors or doors that open inwards shall not be fitted to an omnibus but the prohibition does not apply to a door, commonly known as a “Jack‑Knife” door, so constructed that no part of the door opens inwards beyond the lowest step.
An omnibus shall be equipped with a passenger stop signal, within convenient reach of every passenger, so as to provide communication with the driver.
1615.Signalling device for driver
A signalling device to enable the driver of an omnibus to indicate his intention of stopping the vehicle and his intention to turn to the right, which complies with the requirements of these regulations, shall be attached to the omnibus.
1616.Furniture and appointments
(1)The cushions and linings in an omnibus shall be —
(a)of sound material;
(b)unless comprising sponge rubber, suitably sprung; and
(c)covered with leather or an approved substitute that is non‑absorbent and not readily inflammable.
(2)All hand and guard rails shall be securely fitted.
The interior of an omnibus shall be equipped with such lamps as give sufficient light for the reasonable convenience of the passengers.
1618.Special requirements for double deck omnibuses
In addition to the requirements of these regulations, a double deck omnibus shall be so constructed that —
(a)there is a suitable stairway to the upper deck of not less than 400 millimetres in width, fitted with a guard rail and guard panel;
(b)the height of the floor of the upper deck does not exceed 2.75 metres from the ground and is constructed and drained as to prevent water entering the lower deck;
(c)the upper deck is enclosed on all sides; and
(d)the construction or seating capacity of the upper deck is such as will not interfere with the equilibrium or safety of the vehicle.
1619.Painting numbers and signs
(1)The destination of an omnibus other than a school bus, when plying for hire, shall be clearly and conspicuously exhibited on the destination sign fitted to the vehicle, and be capable of being read, in daylight or when illuminated at night, at a distance of 27 metres.
(2)Unless the Director General determines otherwise, a school bus shall have —
(a)the exterior of the body painted in a predominantly orange colour, relieved with green and the roof of cream or white; and
(b)the words “SCHOOL BUS” conspicuously painted on both the front and rear, in letters of not less than 100 millimetres in height.
(3)An omnibus shall be finished suitably by painting or other similar process.
[Regulation 1619 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
1620.Construction and alteration of chassis
(1)The chassis of an omnibus shall be of good construction and of suitable type.
(2)The construction of an omnibus shall not be altered or modified unless and until the approval in writing of the Director General has been obtained.
(3)An omnibus shall not be constructed unless and until its chassis has been submitted for inspection by the Director General, together with the necessary blue‑prints, where required, and a plan of the proposed body and seating arrangements.
[Regulation 1620 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
An omnibus shall be kept in a clean and hygienic condition, and the floors shall be washed at least once a week with disinfectant solution.
1622.Number of passengers to be carried
(1)The number of passengers an omnibus, other than a school bus, is licensed to carry is the number of seating and standing positions for the omnibus nominated to the Director General by the manufacturer and approved by the Director General.
(1a)The Director General shall not approve a nomination under subregulation (1) if —
(a)where provision is made on the omnibus for luggage other than hand luggage —
(a x 80 kg) + T
exceeds
M
where
arepresents the number of seating and standing positions for the omnibus nominated to the Director General by the manufacturer;
Trepresents the tare of the omnibus;
Mrepresents the permitted laden mass in kilograms of the omnibus calculated in accordance with regulation 1401;
(b)where no provision is made on the omnibus for luggage other than hand luggage —
(b x 65 kg) + T
exceeds
M
where
brepresents the number of seating and standing positions for the omnibus nominated to the Director General by the manufacturer;
Trepresents the tare of the omnibus;
Mrepresents the permitted laden mass in kilograms of the omnibus calculated in accordance with regulation 1401;
(c)the number of seating and standing positions nominated to the Director General by the manufacturer exceeds one and a half times the number of seating positions for the omnibus nominated to the Director General by the manufacturer; or
(d)the Director General is of the opinion that the proposed seating and luggage positions in the omnibus will cause the mass supported on any axle of the omnibus to exceed the prescribed mass limits.
(2)The number of passengers that a school bus is licensed to carry is that number which is —
(a)in the case of a school bus that has an interior height of 1.5 metres or more, one and one‑half times the seating capacity of the vehicle; and
(b)in the case of a school bus that has an interior height of less than 1.5 metres, the equivalent of the seating capacity of the vehicle.
(3)The number of passengers an omnibus is licensed to carry under subregulation (1) or (2) shall be clearly displayed on the interior of the omnibus in letters and numerals of at least 25 millimetres in height.
[Regulation 1622 amended in Gazette 14 Aug 1987 p. 3169; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
Part 17 — Special conditions for particular classes of vehicles
Where a vehicle is constructed principally for the carriage of goods, effective means of ventilation shall be provided for the driver, independently of the door and window openings, but the fitting to the vehicle of suitable “no draught” or “vent” windows is a sufficient compliance with these regulations.
1702.Forward control, rear engine and underfloor engine type vehicles — protection for driver
Where an omnibus is so constructed that the chassis construction or the placement of the engine or other rigid components of the vehicle do not, in the opinion of the Director General, provide adequate protection for the driver and driving controls of the vehicle, additional protection shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Director General, immediately in front of the driver and the driving controls.
[Regulation 1702 amended in Gazette 2 Feb 1982 p. 407; 31 Jan 1997 p. 685‑6.]
[1703.Repealed in Gazette 4 Mar 1988 p. 678.]
(1)Where a motor vehicle is propelled by steam, the engine of the vehicle is, for the purpose of regulation 601, deemed to be an independent braking system, if the engine is capable of being driven in reverse and, is incapable of being disconnected from the driving wheel, except by the sustained effort of the driver.
(2)Where a road roller propelled by steam is used solely for road‑making purposes, the equipment of the road roller with at least one effective braking system capable of stopping and holding the vehicle, is sufficient compliance with the provisions of regulation 601.
The semi‑trailer of an articulated vehicle shall be securely joined to the prime mover.
(1)A sleeper berth of a sleeper cab motor vehicle shall —
(a)be located within, or immediately adjacent to, the cab and, unless completely and securely separated from the remainder of that space, not be located within the cargo space or, at all, within a trailer, whether it forms part of an articulated vehicle or not;
(b)be so constructed that an occupant is unlikely to be thrown out, in the event of the sudden deceleration of the vehicle;
(c)be so constructed as to provide internal dimensions, generally rectangular in shape, of at least 1.9 metres, in length, and throughout that length, 530 millimetres, in width, and 530 millimetres, in height above the mattress, except that the corners of horizontals may be rounded to radii not exceeding 270 millimetres; and
(d)be properly equipped as sleeping quarters, with springs and a mattress or, alternatively with an innerspring, air or cellular rubber mattress, at least 100 millimetres, in thickness, together with usual and necessary bed‑clothing and be so constructed as to permit the ready removal of mattress and bed‑clothing.
(2)Unless it forms part of the cab, with a doorway or opening, between the berth and the driver’s position, of a least 450 millimetres in height and 910 millimetres in width or, in the case of berths installed prior to 31 December 1962 with an opening of sufficient area to contain an ellipse having a major axis of 600 millimetres and a minor axis of 400 millimetres, a sleeper berth shall be so designed, constructed and maintained as to provide an occupant with 2 exits, one at each side of the vehicle, of at least 450 millimetres in height and 530 millimetres in width, capable of being used by him, without assistance.
(3)Unless it is located within, or forms part of, or affords direct entrance to, the cab of the vehicle, a sleeper berth shall be provided with means of communication between an occupant and the driver, whether by telephone, speaker tube, buzzer, pull‑cord or any other electrical or mechanical means.
(4)A sleeper berth shall not be so located as —
(a)to permit the ready entrance of gases from the vehicle’s exhaust system;
(b)to be overheated by the vehicle’s exhaust system; or
(c)in the event of a defect in the vehicle’s fuel system, to enable fuel to leak into or upon it.
(5)A sleeper berth shall be provided with louvres or such other adequate means of ventilation as will reasonably exclude dust and rain.
A caravan of the trailer type shall be so designed, constructed and equipped that —
(a)the chassis and body are of adequate strength and rigidity to ensure safe towing and stability under all road conditions;
(b)it is, without movable contents, heavier at the forward end;
(c)when equipped with springs of the leaf‑type —
(i)the springs are of suitable strength and design with a distance not greater than 915 millimetres between eye centres; and
(ii)the distance between the spring eyes is greater than the distance between the spring hangers;
(d)when fitted with leaf springs and the caravan is unladen, there is a clearance of at least 100 millimetres between the axle and the chassis;
(e)spring “U” bolts do not protrude below the lower edge of the rims of the wheels;
(f)the springs are as widely spaced as practicable and in no case are more than 355 millimetres inside the outer alignment of the body;
(g)the draw‑bar is of sufficient strength to withstand all road shocks and extends backward from the forward end of the caravan body, at least as far as it extends forward;
(h)where the draw‑bar is single and centrally located, it is reinforced by radius rods or bars connected from the forward end of the draw‑bar;
(i)where a water tank is fitted, it is so placed that the rear extremity of the tank is not more than 460 millimetres to the rear of the axle and as near to floor level as practicable; and
(j)the entrance door is on the left side or the rear end, and, in the case of a caravan equipped with fuel burning facilities or living or sleeping accommodation, is capable of being opened outward.
1708.Compression ignition engines
A motor vehicle that is powered with a compression ignition engine and is first registered after 1 January 1971 shall be fitted with a locking device that will prevent the engine from starting accidentally or through inadvertence.
1709.Lavatories and wash basins on motor vehicles and trailers
Every motor vehicle or trailer registered on or after 1 January 1971 which is equipped with any closet, urinal, lavatory basin, or sink shall comply with the following requirements —
(a)no vehicle shall be equipped with a closet or urinal the contents of which can be discharged directly on to the road and, except in the case of a living van, every closet pan or urinal pan shall empty into a tank carried by the vehicle, such tank being efficiently ventilated by means of a pipe the outlet of which is outside the vehicle;
(b)every tank into which a closet pan or urinal pan empties and, where no such tank is fitted, every closet and urinal, shall contain non‑inflammable and non‑irritant chemicals of such character and in such quantity as to form at all times an efficient deodorant and germicide in respect of the contents of the tank, closet or urinal as the case may be; and
(c)no lavatory basin or sink shall drain into any closet or urinal or into any tank into which a closet or urinal empties.
Every semi‑trailer manufactured on and after 1 July 1971 shall be provided with an approved continuous rear bumper which shall be so constructed and located that —
(a)with the vehicle unladen, the contact surface of the bumper is not more than 610 millimetres from the ground;
(b)the bumper contact surface is located not more than 610 millimetres forward of the rear of the vehicle and is painted white;
(c)the ends of the bumper extend to within 300 millimetres of each side of the vehicle, unless the rearmost point of the tyres is within 610 millimetres of the rear of the vehicle, in which case the tyres shall be considered as meeting the requirements over their width;
(d)the member which is, or directly supports the bumper contact surface is of material having no less strength than steel tubing of 102 millimetres outside diameter and 8 millimetres wall thickness; and
(e)the structure supporting the member prescribed in paragraph (d) can transmit no less force than that member can sustain, and provides a continuous force path to vehicle members of a strength consistent with the forces to be sustained,
but the provisions of this regulation shall not apply to a semi‑trailer so constructed that —
(f)cargo access doors, tailgates or other such structures when closed afford comparable protection; or
(g)a vertical plane tangential to the rearmost surface of the rear wheels is 150 millimetres or less from a parallel vertical plane containing the rearmost point of the semi‑trailer.
A horizontal band, having a uniform depth of at least 75 millimetres, white or silver in colour and clearly visible, shall be displayed by painting or otherwise across the full width of the rearmost portion of the tray of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi‑trailer that, together with its equipment is 2.2 metres or more in width and has a body of the tray type.
Part 18 — Special provisions for motor cycles
(1)A side‑car shall not be so attached to a motor cycle, or be of such mass or dimensions, as to prevent the driver —
(a)driving the vehicle with safety; and
(b)having a sufficient view to the front, rear and either side of the vehicle.
(2)A side‑car shall not be fitted to the right hand side of a motor cycle.
1802.Fittings for number plates
For the purpose of enabling the prescribed number plate to be securely fitted to the cycle, a device of a type approved by the licensing authority shall be fitted to the rear of the cycle so that the centre of the plate is not more than 915 millimetres and not less than 300 millimetres from the ground.
[Regulation 1802 inserted in Gazette 11 Sep 1981 p. 3927.]
Where a trailer is being towed by a motor cycle, the motor cycle, coupling and trailer shall conform with Australian Design Rule No. 44 — Special Purpose Vehicle Requirements.
[Regulation 1803 inserted in Gazette 29 Dec 1989 p. 4684; (Erratum in Gazette 12 Jan 1990 p. 81).]
A motor cycle shall not be used for the carrying of a passenger on a pillion, unless —
(a)a suitable pillion seat, in a serviceable condition —
(i)fixed to a steel base, having suitable lugs that are bolted to the rear mudguard or carrier, behind the rear of the rider’s seat; or
(ii)being a properly constructed extension to the rider’s seat;
and
(b)a suitably constructed and located foot‑rest on each side, is securely fitted to the motor cycle.
(1)Handlebars shall extend not less than 300 mm nor more than 450 mm on each side of the centre line of the motor cycle.
(2)The height of the lowest part of the handgrip above the lowest part of the upper surface of the driver’s seat shall not exceed 380 mm.
(3)All steering gear and steering gear connections shall be designed to eliminate accidental detachment or over‑locking.
(4)The horizontal distance measured from the mid point between the head stem bearings to a point vertically above the centre of the front wheel shall not exceed 550 mm.
[Regulation 1805 amended in Gazette 11 Apr 1986 p. 1382.]
Every motor cycle, which is chain driven shall if the frame or any other equipment does not provide such protection be fitted with an effective chain guard which shall provide protection from the front sprocket and at least the upper free‑run of the drive chain.
[Regulation 1806 amended in Gazette 6 Jun 1980 p. 1673.]
Every motor cycle manufactured after 1 July 1975 shall be equipped with 2 rear vision mirrors —
(a)designed and fitted in accordance with regulation 1006(1); and
(b)designed in accordance with regulation 1006(7).
[Regulation 1807 amended in Gazette 28 Aug 1987 p. 3438.]
Part 20 — Vehicles drawn by animal power
For the purposes of this Part —
“trailer” means a trailer attached to a vehicle drawn by animal power; and
“
(1)A two‑wheeled vehicle shall be equipped on opposite sides with 2 lamps, capable of showing a bright white light to the front, and a red light to rear, of the vehicle.
(2)A four‑wheeled vehicle, or a vehicle having more than 4 wheels other than a pole‑type jinker, shall be equipped —
(a)on opposite sides at the front, at a height of not more than 1.9 metres from the ground, with 2 lamps capable of showing a bright, white light to the front; and
(b)at the rear of the vehicle in the centre or to the right hand side of the centre, at a height of not more than 1.5 metres from the ground, with a lamp capable of showing a bright, red light to the rear.
(3)A pole‑type jinker shall be equipped —
(a)on opposite sides, at the front at a height of not more than 1.9 metres from the ground with 2 lighted lamps capable of showing a bright white light visible to the front of the jinker; and
(b)upon the rear end of the pole of the jinker, with a lamp capable of showing a bright red light to the rear.
(1)In addition to the rear light prescribed by regulation 2002, there shall be symmetrically fitted to each side of the rear of a vehicle or trailer a reflector, that —
(a)is so placed that it is not higher than 1.5 metres from the ground; and
(b)is capable of projecting a red reflection of light from the lamp of any following vehicle.
(2)The provisions of subregulation (1) do not apply to a vehicle or trailer to which a reflector as prescribed by regulation 2005 is affixed.
(1)A vehicle, other than a trailer, that, together with its load or equipment is 2.2 metres or more in width, shall be equipped on each side of the front of the vehicle with a lamp capable of showing a white light, only, to the front of the vehicle.
(2)The lamps prescribed by subregulation (1) shall be fitted, so that no part of the vehicle or its load or equipment on the side of the vehicle to which the lamp is fitted, projects more than 150 millimetres, laterally, from the centre of the lamp.
(3)The provisions of this regulation do not apply to a vehicle, of which no part, including its load or equipment on either side, projects more than 150 millimetres laterally from the centre of a lighted lamp, fitted pursuant to regulation 2002.
(4)Where a vehicle drawing a trailer that, together with its load or equipment, is 2.2 metres or more in width, or that projects 150 millimetres or more on either side, beyond the width of the vehicle by which it is drawn, then, in addition to any other requirement of this Part with respect to lights on vehicles, a lamp, capable of showing a white light, only to the front, shall be fitted to each side of the front of the trailer, in such a manner that no part of the trailer, its load or equipment, on the side to which the lamp is fitted, projects more than 150 millimetres laterally from the centre of the lamp.
2005.Rear clearance lamps or reflectors
A vehicle that, together with its load or equipment is 2.2 metres or more in width shall have a lamp or reflector fitted to each side at the rear of the vehicle, or, in the case of a vehicle and trailer, at the rear of the trailer; and the lamp or reflector shall —
(a)be so placed that it is not higher than 1.5 metres from the ground and no part of the vehicle or, in the case of a vehicle drawing a trailer, no part of the trailer, and no part of any load or equipment on either vehicle or trailer, projects, on either side on which the lamp or reflector is fitted, more than 150 millimetres laterally from the centre of the lamp or reflector; and
(b)be capable of showing a clear red light to the rear and no other light.
2006.Requirements in regard to reflectors
A reflector required to be fitted to a vehicle or trailer in accordance with regulations 2003 and 2005 shall —
(a)have a diameter of not less than 32 millimetres and, if not circular, be of a size that a circle 32 millimetres in diameter might be described on its surface;
(b)be such that, at any time during the hours of darkness, when light from a headlamp, complying with the provisions of these regulations applicable to motor vehicles, and placed at a distance not exceeding 100 metres, is projected directly on to the reflector, the reflector gives a red reflection that is clearly visible to the driver of the vehicle to which the headlamp is fitted.
(c)if rectangular, be fitted in a vertical position; and
(d)be unobscured and in a clean condition.
(1)Where the load of a vehicle projects more than 1.2 metres beyond the rearmost portion of the vehicle, or where the load of a pole‑type jinker projects beyond the rear end of the pole, a lamp capable of showing a clear red light shall be fitted upon the extreme rear of the load.
(2)The light required by this regulation to be fitted is in addition to the rear light required by regulation 2002, and a person shall not place the rear light required by regulation 2002 upon the extreme end of the load.
A vehicle, or a combination of vehicles together with its load or equipment shall not exceed 12 metres in length, 2.5 metres in width or 4 metres in height.
(1)No part of a vehicle or its load shall project —
(a)past the head of a horse or other animal drawing the vehicle;
(b)more than 1.2 metres backward of the body of a two‑wheeled vehicle, or more than 1.2 metres backward of the body, or the rear wheels, of a four‑wheeled vehicle; or
(c)more than 300 millimetres from the outerside of the wheels or body of the vehicle.
(2)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this regulation, a load, not exceeding 8 metres in length, may project more than 1.2 metres to the rear of a vehicle, if a red flag of not less than 300 millimetres square, or a red metal disc, of not less than 225 millimetres in diameter, is carried at the extreme rear end of the load and the flag or disc is kept clearly visible to persons on the road, in the near vicinity of the vehicle.
(1)An efficient brake capable of stopping and holding the vehicle shall be fitted in some convenient part of the vehicle, but a vehicle having 2 wheels and drawn by an animal attached to the vehicle by harness, that is suitable and sufficient to keep the animal attached to the vehicle, is deemed to be equipped with an efficient brake.
(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of this regulation, the use of a nave brake is prohibited on an animal‑drawn vehicle, exceeding one tonne in mass.
Part 30 — Special provisions for pedal cycles
A bicycle shall be capable of being braked by either or both of the following means —
(a)an effective foot brake operated by turning the pedals in the reverse direction; or
(b)an effective hand operated brake fitted to the rear wheel having the operating handle fixed in a position providing for convenient operation.
A bicycle shall have a bell or other effective warning device fixed in a convenient position.
The handle bar of a bicycle shall extend not less than 200 millimetres nor more than 330 millimetres on each side of the centre of the bicycle and the height of the uppermost point of the handle bar shall not exceed the height of the uppermost part of the seat by more than 300 millimetres.
3004.Rake and angle of front forks
The horizontal distance between the axle of the front wheel of a bicycle and a line dropped vertically from the centre of the pivot head bearing on the front tube of the frame shall not exceed 250 millimetres.
The overall width of any equipment or load carried on a bicycle shall not exceed 660 millimetres.
(1)A bicycle shall have affixed a reflector which will effectively reflect red light when illuminated by the headlight of a vehicle approaching from the rear and that reflector shall —
(a)comply with the requirements specified in regulation 503 and have a reflective area of not less than the area of a circle of 38 millimetres diameter;
(b)be mounted on the rear part of the bicycle at a height which is not less than 330 millimetres nor more than one metre;
(c)be mounted vertically and facing to the rear in such a manner that the light reflected from the headlight of a vehicle approaching from the rear is clearly visible to the driver of that vehicle.
(2)The reflector may be in the form of a reflecting lens fitted to the rear lamp.
(3)A bicycle shall not have affixed a reflector capable of reflecting red light in the forward direction.
(1)Where a bicycle is being ridden during the hours of darkness —
(a)there shall be attached to the bicycle a lighted front light showing an unbroken white light that is clearly visible at a distance of 200 metres from the front of the bicycle; and
(b)there shall be attached to the bicycle or its rider a lighted rear light showing —
(i)an unbroken red light; or
(ii)a red light that flashes regularly at the rate of not less than 60 per minute,
that is clearly visible at a distance of 200 metres from the rear of the bicycle.
(2)The vertical distance from the ground to the centre of each light referred to in subregulation (1) is to be at least 330 millimetres.
(3)In addition to the light required under subregulation (1)(a), a front light showing a white flashing light may be attached to a bicycle or its rider.
[Regulation 3007 inserted in Gazette 16 Sep 1994 p. 4791‑2.]
Where a rear mudguard is fitted to a bicycle the surface of the mudguard facing to the rear shall be white or silver in colour.
When being ridden during the hours of darkness, a bicycle shall have affixed thereto —
(a)upon each wheel, 2 yellow side reflectors complying with the requirements for reflectors in Australian Standard 1927‑1978 and Australian Standard Specification for Reflectors for Pedal Bicycles 2142‑1978; and
(b)on both sides of each pedal, yellow pedal reflectors complying with the requirements for reflectors in Australian Standard Specification for Reflectors for Pedal Bicycles 2142‑1978.
[Regulation 3009 inserted in Gazette 19 Oct 1984 p. 3366; amended in Gazette 16 Sep 1994 p. 4792.]
Any child carrying seat on a bicycle —
(a)shall be securely attached to the frame of the bicycle;
(b)shall be soundly constructed without sharp edges or protrusions;
(c)shall not be located forward of or on the handlebars;
(d)where attached in close proximity to a wheel shall be fitted with a guard to prevent any part of the occupant of the seat from contacting any moving part of the bicycle; and
(e)shall be fitted with —
(i)a footrest or other device to steady the occupant; and
(ii)a restraining device which cannot be easily or accidentally released by the occupant of the seat.
[Regulation 3010 inserted in Gazette 13 May 1988 p. 1598.]
