(Reprint No. 1)
South Australia
ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE STANDARDS) RULES 1999
These regulations are reprinted pursuant to the Subordinate Legislation Act 1978 and incorporate all amendments in force as at 7 June 2001.
RULES UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1961
ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE STANDARDS) RULES 1999
being
No. 235 of 1999: Gaz. 25 November 1999, p. 25971
as varied by
No. 124 of 2001: Gaz. 7 June 2001, p. 21952
1Came into operation 1 December 1999: rule 2.
2Came into operation 7 June 2001: reg. 2.
|
NOTE: ×Asterisks indicate repeal or deletion of text. ×For the legislative history of the rules see Appendix. 1 |
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS
PART 1
PRELIMINARY
1.Citation, etc.
2.Commencement
3.Definitions—the dictionary etc.
4.Diagrams
5.Notes
6.Examples
PART 2
APPLICATION OF THE VEHICLE STANDARDS
7.Application to vehicles and combinations on roads and road‑related areas
8.Meaning of road
9.Meaning of road‑related area
10.Vehicles to which the Vehicle Standards do not apply
11.Non‑application of Vehicle Standards—exemption under other laws
12.Non‑application of Vehicle Standards—inconsistent ADR requirements
13.Non‑application of Vehicle Standards—Motor Vehicle Standards Act approvals
PART 3
AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES
DIVISION 1—INTERPRETATION
14.ADRs
15.National standards
16.References to national standards
17.Second edition ADRs
18.Third edition ADRs
DIVISION 2—COMPLIANCE WITH ADRs
19.Compliance with second edition ADRs
20.Compliance with third edition ADRs
21.Exception to compliance with ADRs—vehicles that are not road vehicles
22.Exception to compliance with ADRs—Motor Vehicle Standards Act
23.Partial exception to compliance with ADRs—personally imported vehicles
PART 4
ADOPTED STANDARDS
24.Adopted standards
25.Reference to adopted standards
26.Exception to compliance with adopted standards
PART 5
GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
DIVISION 1—ALL VEHICLES
27.Steering
28.Turning ability
29.Ability to travel backwards and forwards
30.Protrusions
31.Driver's view and vehicle controls
32.Seating
33.Mudguards and spray suppression
34.Horns, alarms etc.
35.Rear vision mirrors
36.Rear vision mirrors—surfaces
37.Additional rear vision mirrors
38.Automatic transmission
39.Diesel engines
40.Bonnet securing devices
41.Electrical wiring, connections and installations
42.Television receivers and visual display units
43.Windscreens and windows
44.Window tinting
45.Windscreen wipers and washers
46.Wheels and tyres—size and capacity
47.Pneumatic tyres generally
48.Pneumatic tyres—carcass construction
49.Pneumatic tyres—size and capacity
50.Tyres—defects
51.Tyres for use on vehicles with GVM over 4.5 tonnes
52.Tyres—manufacturer's rating
53.Retreads
54.Tyre tread
DIVISION 2—ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR BIKES
55.Steering gear and handlebars
56.Foot rests
57.Chain guards
57A.Sidecars
PART 6
VEHICLE MARKING
58.Vehicle and engine identification numbers
59.White or silver band on certain vehicles
60.Warning signs for combinations over 22 metres long
61.Warning signs not to be displayed on other vehicles
62.Specifications for warning signs
63.Left‑hand drive signs
PART 7
VEHICLE CONFIGURATION AND DIMENSIONS
DIVISION 1—AXLES
64.Axle configuration
65.Relation between axles in axle group
DIVISION 2—DIMENSIONS
66.Width
67.Length of single motor vehicles
68.Length of single trailers
69.Length of combinations
70.Rear overhang
71.Trailer drawbar length
72.Height
73.Ground clearance
PART 8
LIGHTS AND REFLECTORS
DIVISION 1—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTS
74.Certain requirements apply only at night
75.Prevention of glare
76.Pairs of lights
DIVISION 2—HEADLIGHTS
77.Headlights to be fitted to vehicles
78.How headlights are to be fitted
79.How single headlights are to be fitted
80.How additional headlights are to be fitted
81.Performance of headlights
82.Effective range of headlights
83.Changing headlights from high‑beam to low‑beam position
DIVISION 3—PARKING LIGHTS
84.Parking lights
DIVISION 4—DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
85.Daytime running lights
DIVISION 5—TAIL LIGHTS
86.Tail lights generally
87.Pattern of fitting tail lights
88.Performance of tail lights
89.Wiring of tail lights
DIVISION 6—NUMBER PLATE LIGHTS
90.Number plate lights
DIVISION 7—CLEARANCE LIGHTS
91.Front clearance lights
92.External cabin lights
93.Rear clearance lights
DIVISION 8—SIDE MARKER LIGHTS
94.Vehicles needing side marker lights
95.Location of side marker lights
96.Performance of side marker lights
97.Side marker lights and rear clearance lights
DIVISION 9—BRAKE LIGHTS
98.Fitting brake lights
99.Performance and operation of brake lights
DIVISION 10—REVERSING LIGHTS
100.Reversing lights
DIVISION 11—DIRECTION INDICATOR LIGHTS
101.Direction indicator lights on motor vehicles
102.Direction indicator lights on trailers
103.Location of direction indicator lights
104.Operation and visibility of direction indicator lights
DIVISION 12—FOG LIGHTS
105.Front fog lights
106.Rear fog lights
DIVISION 13—INTERIOR LIGHTS
107.Interior lights
DIVISION 14—REFLECTORS GENERALLY
108.General requirements for reflectors
DIVISION 15—REAR REFLECTORS
109.Rear reflectors
DIVISION 16—SIDE REFLECTORS
110.Compulsory side reflectors on pole‑type trailers
111.Optional side reflectors
DIVISION 17—FRONT REFLECTORS
112.Compulsory front reflectors on trailers
113.Optional front reflectors
DIVISION 18—WARNING LIGHTS AND SIGNS ON BUSES CARRYING CHILDREN
114.Application of Division
115.Fitting of warning lights and signs
116.Operation and performance of warning lights
117.Specifications for warning signs
DIVISION 19—OTHER LIGHTS, REFLECTORS, REAR MARKING PLATES OR SIGNALS
118.Other lights and reflectors
119.Rear marking plates
120.Signalling devices
121.Mechanical signalling devices
122.Turn signals
DIVISION 20—VEHICLES NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE LIGHTS OR REFLECTORS
123.Certain vehicles used in daylight
124.Certain vehicles used for exhibition purposes
PART 9
BRAKING SYSTEMS
DIVISION 1—BRAKE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VEHICLES
125.Parts of a braking system
126.Provision for wear
127.Supply of air or vacuum to brakes
128.Performance of braking systems
DIVISION 2—MOTOR VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEMS
129.Motor vehicle braking system requirements
130.Operation of brakes on motor vehicles
131.Air or vacuum brakes on motor vehicles
DIVISION 3—TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEMS
132.Trailer braking requirements
133.Operation of brakes on trailers
134.Air or vacuum brakes on trailers
DIVISION 4—ADDITIONAL BRAKE REQUIREMENTS FOR B‑DOUBLE AND
LONG ROAD TRAINS
135.Application of Division to certain road trains
136.Braking system design for a prime mover in a B‑double
137.Braking system design for motor vehicles in road trains
138.Braking system design for trailers in B‑doubles or road trains
139.Air brakes of motor vehicles in B‑doubles or road trains
140.Air brakes in a B‑double or road train: least favoured chamber
141.Recovery of air pressure for brakes in B‑doubles and road trains
142.Air supply for brakes in B‑doubles and road trains
143.Brake line couplings
144.Simultaneous parking brake application
145.Capacity of air reservoirs
PART 10
CONTROL OF EMISSIONS
DIVISION 1—CRANK CASE GASES AND VISIBLE EMISSIONS
146.Crank case gases
147.Visible emissions
DIVISION 2—EXHAUST SYSTEMS
148.Exhaust systems
DIVISION 3—NOISE EMISSIONS
149.Silencing device for exhaust systems
150.Stationary noise levels—car‑type vehicles and motor bikes and trikes
151.Stationary noise levels—other vehicles with spark ignition engines
152.Stationary noise levels—other vehicles with diesel engines
153.Measurement of stationary noise levels
PART 11
LPG FUEL SYSTEMS
154.LPG‑powered vehicles
PART 12
MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITING
155.Speed limiting
156.Exemptions from speed limiting
PART 13
MECHANICAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN VEHICLES
DIVISION 1—COUPLINGS ON ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES
157.General coupling requirements
158.Drawbar couplings
DIVISION 2—ADDITIONAL COUPLING REQUIREMENTS FOR B‑DOUBLES
AND LONG ROAD TRAINS
159.Application of Division to road trains
160.Couplings for B‑doubles and road trains
161.Selection of fifth wheel couplings for B‑doubles and road trains
162.D‑value of a fifth wheel coupling
163.Mounting of fifth wheel couplings on B‑doubles and road trains
164.Branding of fifth wheel couplings and turntables on B‑doubles and road trains
165.Selection of kingpins for B‑doubles and road trains
166.Attachment of kingpins on B‑doubles and road trains
167.Branding of kingpins on B‑doubles and road trains
168.Selection of couplings and drawbar eyes for roadtrains
169.Attachment of couplings and drawbar eyes on roadtrains
170.Branding of couplings and drawbar eyes on roadtrains
171.Tow coupling overhang on road trains
PART 14
OTHER MATTERS
172.Vehicle equipment
173.Restored vehicles
174.Retractable axles
175.Measurement of distance between parallel lines
176.Interpretation of certain second edition ADRs
DICTIONARY
APPENDIX
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
PART 1
PRELIMINARY
Citation, etc.
1. (1) These rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 1999.
(2) These rules are made pursuant to section 111 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
(3) In these rules, these rules are referred to as the "Vehicle Standards".
Note 1:Under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 the driver and the owner and the operator of a vehicle driven or towed on a road are each guilty of an offence if the vehicle does not comply with the vehicle standards. For that purpose, "vehicle" includes a combination.
Note 2:Under section 161A of the Road Traffic Act 1961, certain vehicles can only be driven on roads with the approval of the Minister.
Commencement
2. The Vehicle Standards will come into operation on 1 December 1999.
Definitions—the dictionary etc.
3. (1) The dictionary at the end of the Vehicle Standards defines certain words and expressions, and includes signpost definitions to words and expressions defined elsewhere in the Vehicle Standards.
Note:A signpost definition (eg road‑related area see rule 9) is included in the dictionary if the definition applies outside the rule defining the word or expression.
(2) The dictionary is part of the Vehicle Standards.
(3) A definition in the Vehicle Standards applies to each use of the word or expression in the Vehicle Standards, unless the contrary intention appears.
Diagrams
4. (1) A diagram in the Vehicle Standards is part of the Vehicle Standards.
(2) A diagram of something (except the essential diagram in rule 165) is an illustrative example of the thing in black and white, but does not represent its dimensions or the dimensions of any part of it.
Note:The essential diagram in rule 165 provides the dimensions required for a 75 millimetre kingpin used in a B‑double or road train.
Notes
5. A note in the Vehicle Standards is explanatory and is not part of the Vehicle Standards.
Examples
6. (1) An example (whether or not in the form of a diagram) in the Vehicle Standards is part of the Vehicle Standards.
(2) If the Vehicle Standards include an example of the operation of a provision of the Vehicle Standards:
(a)the example is not exhaustive; and
(b)the example does not limit, and may extend, the meaning of the provision; and
(c)the example and the provision are to be read in the context of each other and of the other provisions of the Vehicle Standards, but, if the example and the provision as so read are inconsistent, the provision prevails.
PART 2
APPLICATION OF THE VEHICLE STANDARDS
Application to vehicles and combinations on roads and road‑related areas
7. The Vehicle Standards apply to motor vehicles, trailers and combinations on roads and road‑related areas.
Meaning of road
8. A road is an area that is open to or used by the public and is developed for, or has as one of its main uses, the driving or riding of motor vehicles.
Meaning of road‑related area
9. A road‑related area is any of the following:
(a)an area that divides a road;
(b)a footpath or nature strip adjacent to a road;
(c)an area that is open to the public and is designated for use by cyclists or animals;
(d)an area that is not a road and that is open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking vehicles; or
(e)any other area that is open to or used by the public and that has been declared by regulation to be a road‑related area for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Vehicles to which the Vehicle Standards do not apply
10. The Vehicle Standards do not apply to:
(a)a vehicle used only on a railway or tramway; or
(b)a vehicle designed to be controlled by a person walking next to it; or
(c)a vehicle propelled by a motor with a maximum power output of not over 200 watts; or
(d)a motorised wheelchair that cannot travel at over 10 kilometres an hour; or
(e)a vehicle or combination—
(i)that is being repaired, or is being tested in the course of being repaired, so it will comply with the Vehicle Standards; or
(ii)that is being driven or towed directly to a place where it is to be repaired so it will comply with the Vehicle Standards,
provided that the vehicle or combination is safe and will not endanger other road users if driven or towed on a road or road‑related area.
Non‑application of Vehicle Standards—exemption under other laws
11. (1) A provision of the Vehicle Standards does not apply to a vehicle or combination if the vehicle or combination is exempt from:
(a)the provision under another law of this jurisdiction; or
(b)the corresponding provision of the law of another jurisdiction.
(2) However, the vehicle or combination is exempt only if all conditions of the exemption (if any) are being complied with.
Example
An exemption permitting a greater dimension limit for a vehicle is subject to conditions about the route where, and times when, the vehicle is permitted to travel, and the escort vehicles required to accompany the vehicle. A relevant provision of the Vehicle Standards does not apply to the vehicle only if the conditions are complied with.
Non‑application of Vehicle Standards—inconsistent ADR requirements
12. A provision of Parts 5 to 13 of the Vehicle Standards does not apply to a vehicle if:
(a)the provision is inconsistent with a requirement of a second or third edition ADR applying to the vehicle; and
(b)the vehicle complies with the requirement.
Non‑application of Vehicle Standards—Motor Vehicle Standards Act approvals
13. A provision of Parts 5 to 13 of the Vehicle Standards does not apply to a vehicle if:
(a)the vehicle does not comply with a requirement of an ADR applying to the vehicle; and
(b)the provision of the Vehicle Standards corresponds to the requirement of the ADR; and
(c)despite the non‑compliance, approval has been given, under section 10A (2) or (3) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth, as in force from time to time, to place identification plates on vehicles of that type; and
(d)the vehicle complies with the approval conditions (if any).
Note 1:Section 10A (2) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth) deals with vehicles that do not comply with an ADR, but the non‑compliance is only in minor and inconsequential respects.
Note 2:Section 10A (3) of that Act deals with vehicles that do not comply with an ADR, and the non‑compliance is not minor and inconsequential, but the vehicle will be safe to use if conditions are complied with.
PART 3