{"id":"F2006L01783","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 – Steering Column) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":59573,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01783-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 – Steering Column) 2006","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nVehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/0110/01 – Steering ColumnSteering Column) 20062006\n\nCompilation: Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 –Steering Column) 2006 Compilation 1 (up to and including Amendment 11)\n\nCompilation Date: 3rd July 2008\n\nCompiled by: Vehicle Safety Standards, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government\n\nCONTENTS\n\n10.0. legislative provisions..............................................\n\nA. FUNCTION AND SCOPE.........................................\n\nB. APPLICABILITY................................................\n\nC. Applicability Table...............................................\n\n10.1. DEFINITIONS...................................................\n\n10.2. REQUIREMENTS................................................\n\n10.3. EXEMPTION FROM TEST REQUIREMENTS........................\n\n10.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS....................................\n\n10.5. Exemption From Requirements......................................\n\nNOTES ..............................................................7\n\n \n\n10.0. legislative provisions\n\n10.0.1. NAME OF STANDARD\n\n10.0.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 –Steering Column) 2006.\n\n10.0.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 10/01 –Steering Column.\n\n10.0.2. COMMENCEMENT\n\n10.0.2.1. This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.\n\n10.0.3. REPEAL\n\n10.0.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 10/01 – Steering Column that is:\n\n(a) made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989; and\n\n(b) in force at the commencement of this Standard.\n\n10.0.3.2. This Standard also repeals each instrument made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 that creates a vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 10/01 – Steering Column, if there are no other vehicle standards created by that instrument, or amendments to vehicle standards made by that instrument, that are still in force at the commencement of this Standard.\n\n1. FUNCTION AND SCOPE\n 1. This Australian Design Rule (ADR) is part of the Australian motor vehicle standards system and is a national standard for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.\n 2. The function of this Australian Design Rule is to minimise crushing or penetrating injuries to drivers due to the ‘Steering Column’ as a result of frontal impact.\n2. APPLICABILITY\n 1. This ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.\n 2. The /01 Rule differs from the /00 Rule only in that it extends the Rule to MB vehicles and also to ‘Forward-control Vehicles’ of categories MC, MD1, MD2 and NA (excepting ‘Chassis-cab’ vehicles).\n 3. Vehicles certified to the requirements of any of the “Acceptable Prior Rules” as shown below in the Applicability Table for a particular category shall be deemed to comply with this Rule.\n\nB.4. Vehicles complying with ADR 10/02 do not need to comply with this vehicle standard.\n\n \n\nC. Applicability Table\n\n```html\n

Vehicle Category

ADR Category Code

UNECE Category Code

Manufactured on or After

Acceptable Prior Rules

Moped 2 wheels

LA

L1

Not applicable

Moped 3 wheels

LB

L2

Not applicable

Motor cycle

LC

L3

Not applicable

Motor cycle and sidecar

LD

L4

Not applicable

Motor tricycle

LE

L5

LEM

Not applicable

LEP

1 July 1992

Nil

LEG

1 July 1992

Nil

Passenger car

MA

M1

1 July 1992

/00

Forward-control passenger vehicle

MB

M1

1 July 1992

Nil

Off-road passenger vehicle

MC

M1

1 July 1992

Nil

Light omnibus

MD

M2

up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and up to 12 seats

MD1

1 July 1992

Nil

up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and more than 12 seats

MD2

1 July 1992

Nil

over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’

MD3

Not applicable

over 4.5 tonnes and up to 5 tonnes ‘GVM’

MD4

Not applicable

Heavy omnibus

ME

M3

Not applicable

Light goods vehicle

NA

N1

1 July 1992

Nil

Medium goods vehicle

NB

N2

over 3.5 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’

NB1

Not applicable

over 4.5 tonnes up to 12 tonnes ‘GVM’

NB2

Not applicable

Heavy goods vehicle

NC

N3

Not applicable

Very light trailer

TA

O1

Not applicable

Light trailer

TB

O2

Not applicable

Medium trailer

TC

O3

Not applicable

Heavy trailer

TD

O4

Not applicable

\n```\n\n \n\n10.1. DEFINITIONS\n\nRefer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.\n\n10.2. REQUIREMENTS\n\n10.2.0. This Australian Design Rule applies to vehicle categories LEP, MA, MB, and to ‘Forward-control Vehicles’ of categories MC, MD1, MD2 and to LEG and NA excepting ‘Chassis-cab’ vehicles.\n\n10.2.1. The ‘Steering Column’ assembly including the steering device which is actuated by the driver shall be so constructed that when it is impacted by a body block in accordance with SAE document J944 - “Steering Wheel Assembly Laboratory Test Procedure”, December 1965 or J944a - “Steering Control System - Passenger Car - Laboratory Test Procedure”, November 1968 or other ‘Approved’ procedure, the body block, moving at a speed of not less than 6.7 m/s in a direction equivalent to a horizontal longitudinal direction relative to the top of the ‘Steering Column’ in the vehicle, shall be brought to rest in such a manner that at no time shall the load exerted on the body block by the ‘Steering Column’ assembly including the steering device which is actuated by the driver exceed 11.1 kN, except for intervals whose cumulative duration is not more than 3 milliseconds.\n\n10.2.1.1. Notwithstanding the requirements of clause 10.2.1, if the vehicle meets the requirements of ADR 69/... by using a steering column mounted inflatable supplementary restraint system, the vehicle shall be exempted from having to meet the requirements of clause 10.2.1.\n\n10.2.2. The upper end of the ‘Steering Column’ and the ‘Steering Shaft’ shall not be displaced horizontally ‘Rearward’ parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle relative to an undisturbed point on the vehicle more than 127 mm, determined by dynamic measurement, in a barrier collision test at 48 km/h minimum conducted in accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J850, “Barrier Collision Tests”, June 1980 other ‘Approved’ procedure.\n\n10.2.2.1. Notwithstanding the above, for LEP and LEG vehicles fitted with handle-bar type steering control the point of displacement shall be taken to be upper end of the ‘Steering Yoke’.\n\n10.2.3. When conducting the barrier collision test, a dummy may be used providing the dummy does not contact the ‘Steering Column’ assembly or steering wheel during the test.\n\n10.2.4. The speed at the time of impact shall be at least 48 km/h. If the speed measured is greater than the nominal speed of 48 km/h the measured displacement of the upper end of the ‘Steering Column’ and the ‘Steering Shaft’ may be reduced to a value appropriate to the nominal speed by multiplying it by the square of the ratio between the nominal speed and either the measured speed or 53.1 km/h, whichever is the lesser.\n\n10.2.5. The minimum mass of the test vehicle shall not be less than the ‘Unladen Mass’ of the vehicle.\n\n10.3. EXEMPTION FROM TEST REQUIREMENTS\n\nIn cases where passenger cars meet the requirements of clause 10.2.2, other vehicles in which the forward part of the body form and the greater part of the mechanical equipment are the same as those in the said passenger car need not be tested as specified in clause 10.2.2 unless they incorporate structural or mechanical variations likely to affect compliance.\n\n10.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS\n\n10.4.1. The technical requirements of ECE R 12/00, 12/01 or 12/02 - “Protection against the Steering Mechanism” - shall be deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of this Rule.\n\n10.4.2. The technical requirements of FMVSS 203-32 FR 2414, February 3, 1967 “Impact Protection for the Driver from the Steering Control System” incorporating amendments 36 FR 232 December 2, 1971 shall be deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of Clause 10.2.1 of this Rule.\n\n10.4.3. The technical requirements of FMVSS 204-32 FR 2414, February 3, 1967 “Steering Control Rearward Displacement-Passenger Cars” incorporating amendments 36 FR 232, December 2, 1971 shall be deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of clause 10.2.2 of this rule - provided that the vehicle has met the requirements of section 5.1 of that standard.\n\n10.5. Exemption From Requirements\n\n10.5.1. If a vehicle meets the requirements of ADR 69/… by using a steering column mounted inflatable supplementary restraint system, the vehicle shall be exempt from the requirements of this rule.\n\n10.5.2. If a vehicle meets the requirements of ADR 73/… by using a steering column mounted inflatable supplementary restraint system, as well as an inflatable supplementary restraint system for the protection of the occupant of the front outboard seating position, the vehicle shall be exempt from the requirements of this rule.\n\nNOTES\n\nThis compilation of Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 –Steering Column) 2006 includes all the instruments set out in the Table of Instruments. The Table of Amendments provides a history of clauses that have been amended, inserted or deleted.\n\nTable of Instruments\n\n| Name of Instrument | Registration Date | Commencement Date |\n| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------- |\n| Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 - Steering Column) 2006 | 9/6/06 | 10/6/06 |\n| Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 - Steering Column) 2006 Amendment 1 | 3/7/08 | 4/7/08 |\n\nTable of Amendments\n\n| Clause affected | How affected | Amending instrument |\n| --------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| B.4. | ad | Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/01 - Steering Column) 2006 Amendment 1 |\n\nad = added or inserted\n\nam = amended\n\ndel = deleted or removed\n\nrr = removed and replaced\n\n = clause renumbered. This takes the format of old no.  new no.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This compilation expressly expands scope relative to the /00 Rule: it extends applicability to MB (forward-control passenger) and to forward-control vehicles of categories MC, MD1 and MD2 and NA (except chassis-cab) (A.2; 10.2.0). It also clarifies that vehicles complying with ADR 10/02 need not comply (B.4), and creates explicit exemptions where steering-column-mounted inflatable supplementary restraint systems meet ADR 69 or ADR 73 (10.2.1.1; 10.5.1–10.5.2). The Rule also treats certain ECE and FMVSS technical requirements as equivalent (10.4.1–10.4.3)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical, measurement-based requirements referencing external test procedures (SAE J944/J944a for impact force; SAE J850 for barrier tests) and precise numeric limits (10.2.1, 10.2.2).","Dynamic measurement adjustment for measured test speed (multiplicative square ratio adjustment rule) affecting displacement results (10.2.4).","Multiple vehicle categories and commencement dates in a detailed applicability table, creating varied compliance triggers across vehicle classes (Applicability Table; 10.2.0).","Cross-references to other ADRs that create exemptions (ADR 69/… and ADR 73/… exempt steering column requirements if specified airbag systems are fitted) (10.2.1.1; 10.5.1–10.5.2).","Recognition of alternative international standards as equivalent (ECE R12 series; FMVSS 203/204) requiring comparability assessment by certifiers (10.4.1–10.4.3).","Provision allowing 'acceptable prior rules' to deem compliance for some vehicles (section A.3 and Applicability Table entries).","Administrative layer: repeal and replacement mechanics for prior instruments and amendment history (10.0.3 and Notes), increasing legal-formality considerations for regulators and industry."],"plain_english_summary":"This Australian Design Rule sets test-based mechanical limits for steering columns: maximum force against an impact block and maximum rearward displacement in a frontal barrier test. It applies to a range of vehicle categories (see applicability table) and lets manufacturers use approved alternative standards or claim exemptions if the vehicle has specified airbag systems. It matters because it creates concrete engineering, testing and certification obligations that manufacturers, importers and certifiers must meet or substitute with equivalent compliance options."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The /01 version expanded beyond the original /00 rule to cover MB vehicles (forward-control passenger vehicles) and forward-control versions of categories MC, MD1, and MD2. This represents a significant expansion from passenger cars (MA) to include vans and light buses with forward-control layouts where the driver sits above or in front of the front axle."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple vehicle category codes (LEP, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, LEG, NA) with specific exclusions (chassis-cab vehicles)","Cross-references to external technical standards (SAE J944, J944a, J850, ECE R 12, FMVSS 203/204)","Conditional exemptions based on compliance with other ADRs (69 and 73) and presence of airbag systems","Mathematical adjustment formula for test speeds exceeding 48 km/h in clause 10.2.4","Nested applicability rules: forward-control vehicles of certain categories included, others excluded","Dual measurement systems (metric units with specific tolerances: 6.7 m/s, 11.1 kN, 127 mm, 48 km/h)"],"plain_english_summary":"This rule requires passenger and commercial vehicle steering columns to absorb impact energy and limit rearward movement in frontal crashes, reducing driver chest and head injuries. It applies to manufacturers and importers of specified car, van, bus and truck categories for vehicles built on or after 1 July 1992. Compliance can be by the specified crash tests or equivalent international standards (ECE R12, FMVSS 203/204). Airbag-equipped columns meeting newer ADRs and certain previously certified vehicles are exempt."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-10-01-steering-column-2006/documents"}}