{"id":"F2006L01392","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 18/03 – Instrumentation) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":58963,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01392-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AGREEMENT","sectionType":"part","heading":"AGREEMENT","content":"# AGREEMENT\n\nCONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF UNIFORM TECHNICAL PRESCRIPTIONS  \nFOR WHEELED VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT AND PARTS WHICH CAN BE FITTED AND/OR BE USED ON WHEELED VEHICLES AND THE CONDITIONS FOR RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION OF APPROVALS GRANTED ON THE BASIS  \nOF THESE PRESCRIPTIONS [](#_ftn1)/\n\n(Revision 2, including the amendments which entered into force on 16 October 1995)\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nAddendum 38: Regulation No. 39","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Revision 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Revision 1","content":"## Revision 1\n\nIncorporating all valid text up to:\n\nSupplement 5 to the original version of the Regulation - Date of entry into force: 7 December 2002\n\nUniform provisions concerning the approval of VEHICLES WITH REGARD to the SPEEDOMETER EQUIPMENT INCLUDING ITS INSTALLATION\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n![Black and white emblem featuring a world map centred on the North Pole, surrounded by two olive branches forming a circular wreath. This symbol represents the United Nations, signifying global unity and peace.](image.003.png)","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"UNITED NATIONS","sectionType":"section","heading":"UNITED NATIONS","content":"##### UNITED NATIONS\n\n  \n\nRegulation No. 39\n\nUNIFORM PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF VEHICLES\n\nWITH REGARD TO THE SPEEDOMETER EQUIPMENT\n\nINCLUDING ITS INSTALLATION","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"CONTENTS","sectionType":"section","heading":"CONTENTS","content":"###### CONTENTS\n\nREGULATION\n\n1. Scope\n\n2. Definitions\n\n3. Application for approval\n\n4. Approval\n\n5. Specifications\n\n6. Modifications of the vehicle type\n\n7. Conformity of production\n\n8. Penalties for non-conformity of production\n\n9. Names and addresses of technical services  \nresponsible for conducting approval tests  \nand of administrative departments\n\nANNEXES\n\nAnnex 1 \\- Communication concerning the approval or extension or refusal or withdrawal of approval or production definitely discontinued of a vehicle type with regard to the speedometer equipment including its installation pursuant to Regulation No. 39\n\nAnnex 2 \\- Arrangements of approval marks\n\nAnnex 3 \\- Test of speedometer accuracy for conformity of production\n\n\\* \\* \\*\n\n  \n1. SCOPE\n\nThis Regulation applies to the approval of vehicles of categories L, M and N. [\\[1\\]](#_ftn2)/\n\n2. DEFINITIONS\n\nFor the purposes of this Regulation:\n\n2.1. \"Approval of a vehicle\" means the approval of a vehicle type with regard to the speedometer equipment including its installation.\n\n2.2. \"Type of vehicle in respect of its speedometer\" means vehicles which do not among themselves display any essential differences, where those differences can apply, in particular, to the following:\n\n2.2.1. the size designation of the tyres chosen from the range of tyres normally fitted;\n\n2.2.2. the overall transmission ratio, including any reduction drives, to the speedometer;\n\n2.2.3. the type of speedometer as characterised by:\n\n2.2.3.1. the tolerances of the speedometer's measuring mechanism;\n\n2.2.3.2. the technical constant of the speedometer;\n\n2.2.3.3. the range of speeds displayed.\n\n2.3. \"Tyres normally fitted\" means the type or types of tyre provided by the manufacturer on the vehicle type in question; snow tyres shall not be regarded as tyres normally fitted;\n\n2.4. \"Normal running pressure\" means the cold inflation pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer increased by 0.2 bar;\n\n2.5. \"Speedometer\" means that part of the speedometer equipment which indicates to the driver the speed of his vehicle at any given moment; [\\[2\\]](#_ftn3)/\n\n2.5.1. \"Tolerances of the speedometer's measuring mechanism\" shall mean the accuracy of the speedometer instrument itself, expressed as the upper and the lower speed indication limits for a range of speed inputs;\n\n2.5.2. \"Technical constant of the speedometer\" shall mean the relationship between the input revolutions or pulses per minute and a specified displayed speed;\n\n2.6. \"Unladen vehicle\" means the vehicle in running order, complete with fuel, coolant, lubricant, tools and a spare wheel (if provided as standard equipment by the vehicle manufacturer), carrying a driver weighing 75 kg, but no driver's mate, optional accessories or load.\n\n3. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL\n\n3.1. The application for approval of a vehicle type with regard to the speedometer equipment including its installation shall be submitted by the vehicle manufacturer or by his duly accredited representative.\n\n3.2. It shall be accompanied by the following documents in triplicate and by the following particulars:\n\n3.2.1. a description of the vehicle type with regard to the items mentioned in paragraphs 2.2., 2.3., 2.4. and 2.5. above; the vehicle type shall be specified.\n\n3.3. An unladen vehicle representative of the vehicle type to be approved shall be submitted to the technical service conducting approval tests.\n\n3.4. The competent authority shall verify the existence of satisfactory arrangements for ensuring effective control of the conformity of production before type approval is granted.\n\n4. APPROVAL\n\n4.1. If the vehicle type submitted for approval pursuant to this Regulation meets the requirements of the Regulation in respect of the speedometer equipment including its installation, approval of that vehicle type shall be granted.\n\n4.2. An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved. The first two digits shall be the highest number of the series of amendments incorporated in the Regulation at the time of issue of the approval. The same Contracting Party may not assign the same number to another vehicle type subject to the provisions of paragraph 6\\. of this Regulation.\n\n4.3. Notice of approval or of refusal of approval of a vehicle type pursuant to this Regulation shall be communicated to the Parties to the Agreement which apply this Regulation by means of a form conforming to the model in annex 1 to this Regulation and of diagrams, supplied by the applicant for approval, of the installation in a format not larger than A4 (210 x 297 mm) or folded to that format, and on an appropriate scale.\n\n4.4. To every vehicle conforming to a vehicle type approved under this Regulation there shall be affixed in a conspicuous and easily accessible position, specified on the approval form, an international approval mark consisting of:\n\n4.4.1. a circle surrounding the letter \"E\" followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval; [\\[3\\]](#_ftn4)/\n\n4.4.2. the number of this Regulation, followed by the letter \"R\", a dash and the approval number to the right of the circle described in paragraph 4.4.1.\n\n4.5. If the vehicle conforms to a vehicle type approved under one or more other Regulations annexed to the Agreement in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation, the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1. need not be repeated; in such a case the additional numbers and symbols of all the Regulations under which approval has been granted in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation shall be placed in vertical columns to the right­ of the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1.\n\n4.6. The approval mark shall be clearly legible and shall be indelible.\n\n4.7. The approval mark shall be placed close to or on the vehicle data plate affixed by the manufacturer.\n\n4.8. Annex 2 to this Regulation gives examples of arrangements of approval marks.\n\n5. SPECIFICATIONS\n\n5.1. The display of the speedometer must be located within the direct field of view of the driver and must be clearly legible both day and night. The range of speeds displayed must be sufficiently wide to include the maximum speed of this type of vehicle as stated by the manufacturer.\n\n5.1.1. In the case of speedometers intended for vehicles of categories M, N, and L3, L4 and L5, the graduation shall be 1, 2, 5 or 10 km/h. The numerical values of the speed shall be indicated on the display as follows: when the highest value on the display does not exceed 200 km/h, speed values shall be indicated at intervals not exceeding 20 km/h. When the maximum value on the display exceeds 200 km/h, then the speed values shall be indicated at intervals not exceeding 30 km/h. The indicated numerical speed value intervals need not be uniform.\n\n5.1.2. In the case of vehicles manufactured for sale in any country where imperial units are used, the speedometer shall also be marked in miles per hour (mph); the graduations shall be of 1, 2, 5 or 10 mph. The values of the speed shall be indicated on the dial at intervals not exceeding 20 mph and commencing at 10 or 20 mph. The indicated speed value intervals need not be uniform.\n\n5.1.3. In the case of speedometers intended for vehicles of categories L1 (mopeds) and L2, the display readings must not exceed 80 km/h. The graduation shall be 1, 2, 5 or 10 km/h and the marked numerical values of the speed indicated shall not exceed 10 km/h. The indicated numerical speed value intervals need not be uniform.\n\n5.1.4. In the case of vehicles of categories M, N, and L3, L4 and L5 manufactured for sale in any country where imperial units are used, the speedometer shall also be marked in mph (miles per hour); the graduation shall be of 1, 2, 5 or 10 mph. The numerical values of the speed shall be indicated on the display at intervals not exceeding 20 mph and commencing at 10 or 20 mph. The indicated numerical speed value intervals need not be uniform.\n\n5.2. The accuracy of the speedometer equipment shall be tested in accordance with the following procedure:\n\n5.2.1. The tyres shall be one of the types normally fitted to the vehicle as defined in paragraph 2.3. of this Regulation. A test shall be carried out for each type of speedometer intended to be fitted by the manufacturer.\n\n5.2.2. The test shall be carried out with the vehicle at its unladen weight. An additional weight can be carried for purposes of measurement. The weight of the vehicle and its distribution between the axles shall be indicated in the approval communication (see annex 1, paragraph 6.);\n\n5.2.3. The reference temperature at the speedometer shall be 23 ± 5 °C;\n\n5.2.4. During each test the pressure of the tyres shall be the normal running pressure as defined in paragraph 2.4.;\n\n  \n\n5.2.5. The vehicle is tested at the following speeds:\n\n| Maximum design speed (Vmax)of the vehicle specified by thevehicle manufacturer (km/h) | Test speed (V1)(km/h)                                                |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Vmax  45                                                                             | 80 % of Vmax                                                         |\n| 45 < Vmax  100                                                                       | 40 km/h and 80 % Vmax(if the resulting speed is  55 km/h)           |\n| 100 < Vmax  150                                                                      | 40 km/h, 80 km/h and 80 % Vmax(if the resulting speed is  100 km/h) |\n| 150 < Vmax                                                                            | 40 km/h, 80 km/h and 120 km/h                                        |\n\n5.2.6. the test instrumentation used for measuring the true vehicle speed shall be accurate to ± 0.5 per cent;\n\n5.2.6.1. the surface of a test track when used shall be flat and dry, and provide sufficient adhesion;\n\n5.2.6.2. if a roller dynamometer is used for the test, the diameter of the roller should be at least 0.4 m;\n\n5.3. The speed indicated shall not be less than the true speed of the vehicle. At the test speeds specified in paragraph 5.2.5. above, there shall be the following relationship between the speed displayed (V1 ) and the true speed (V2).\n\n0  (V1 - V2)  0.1 V2 + 4 km/h\n\n6. MODIFICATIONS OF THE VEHICLE TYPE\n\n6.1. Every modification of the vehicle type shall be communicated to the administrative department which approved the vehicle type. The department may then either:\n\n6.1.1. consider that the modifications made are unlikely to have an appreciable adverse effect and that in any case the vehicle still meets the requirements; or\n\n6.1.2. require a further test report from the technical service responsible for conducting the tests.\n\n6.2. Notice of confirmation or refusal of approval, accompanied by particulars of the modifications, shall be communicated by the procedure specified in paragraph 4.3. above to the Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation.\n\n7. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION\n\n7.1. The conformity of production procedures shall comply with those set out in the Agreement, Appendix 2 (E/ECE/324-E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.2), with the following requirements:\n\n7.2. Every vehicle approved under this Regulation shall be so manufactured as to conform to the type approved by meeting the requirements of the relevant part(s) of this Regulation.\n\n7.3. For each type of vehicle sufficient checks are carried out regarding the speedometer equipment and its installation; in particular, for each type of vehicle at least the test prescribed in annex 3 to this Regulation shall be carried out.\n\n7.4. The authority, which has granted type approval, may at any time verify the conformity control methods applied in each production facility. The normal frequency of these verifications shall be once every two years.\n\n7.5. Where unsatisfactory results are found during verifications and checks pursuant to paragraph 7.4. above, the competent authority shall ensure that all necessary steps are taken to restore conformity of production as rapidly as possible.\n\n8. PENALTIES FOR NON CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION\n\n8.1. The approval granted for a vehicle type pursuant to this Regulation may be withdrawn if the requirement laid down in paragraph 7.1. above is not met or if the vehicles have failed to pass the checks prescribed in paragraph 7 above.\n\n8.2. If a Party to the Agreement which applies this Regulation withdraws an approval it has previously granted, it shall forthwith so notify the other Contracting Parties applying this Regulation, by means of a communication form conforming to the model in annex 1 to this Regulation.\n\n9. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF TECHNICAL SERVICES RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING APPROVAL TESTS AND OF ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS\n\nThe Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation shall communicate to the secretariat of the United Nations the names and addresses of the technical services responsible for conducting approval tests and of the administrative departments which grant approval and to which forms certifying approval or extension or refusal or withdrawal of approval, issued in other countries, are to be sent.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Annex 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Annex 2","content":"### Annex 2\n\nARRANGEMENTS OF APPROVAL MARKS","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Model A","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Model A","content":"#### Model A\n\n(see paragraph 4.4. of this Regulation)\n\n![Example of an approval mark that shows that the vehicle type concerned has been approved pursuant to Regulation No. 39 under approval number 00002439 ](image.006.png)\n\na = 8 mm min.\n\nThe above approval mark affixed to a vehicle shows that the vehicle type concerned has been approved in the Netherlands (E 4), pursuant to Regulation No. 39. The approval number indicates that the approval was granted in accordance with the requirements of Regulation No. 39 in its original form.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Model B","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Model B","content":"#### Model B\n\n(see paragraph 4.5. of this Regulation)\n\n![Example of an approval mark that shows that the vehicle type concerned has been approved pursuant to Regulation No. 39 under approval number 002439 and pursuant to Regulation No. 33 under approval number 001628.](image.007.png)\n\na = 8 mm min.\n\nThe above approval mark affixed to a vehicle shows that the vehicle type concerned has been approved in the Netherlands (E 4) pursuant to Regulations Nos. 39 and 33 1/. The approval numbers indicate that, at the dates when the respective approvals were granted, Regulations Nos. 39 and 33 were still in their original form.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n1/ The second number is given merely as an example","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Annex 3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Annex 3","content":"###### Annex 3\n\nTEST OF SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY FOR CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION\n\n1. Test conditions\n\nThe test conditions shall be as set out in paragraphs 5.2.1. to 5.2.6. of this Regulation.\n\n2. Requirements\n\nThe production shall be deemed to conform to this Regulation if the following relationship between the speed indicated on the display of the speedometer (V1) and the actual speed (V2) is observed:\n\nIn the case of vehicles of categories M and N:\n\n0 ≤ (V1 – V2) ≤ 0.1 V2 + 6 km/h;\n\nIn the case of vehicles of categories L3, L4 and L5:\n\n0  (V1 – V2)  0.1 V2 + 8 km/h;\n\nIn the case of vehicles of categories L1 and L2:\n\n0  (V1 – V2)  0.1 V2 + 4 km/h.","sortOrder":7}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation expressly applies to vehicle categories L, M and N and limits its subject-matter to speedometer equipment and installation (section 1; definition provisions in section 2). Nothing in the text indicates an expansion or narrowing of that scope beyond those categories or beyond instrumentation and approval procedures set out in the Regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple vehicle categories with differing tolerances and limits (categories L1–L5, M, N): different accuracy formulas in main text and Annex 3 (sections 5.1.1, 5.1.3, 5.1.4; Annex 3).","Numeric accuracy formula and asymmetrical tolerance (displayed speed must not be less than true speed; upper limit 0.1·V2 + fixed km/h) requiring measurement at prescribed test speeds (sections 5.3; 5.2.5).","Detailed test conditions: tyre selection ('normally fitted'), unladen weight definition, tyre pressures, reference temperature and instrumentation accuracy ±0.5% (sections 2.3–2.5; 5.2.1–5.2.6).","Varied test-speed matrix tied to manufacturer-declared Vmax with conditional entries (section 5.2.5), increasing test planning complexity.","Conformity-of-production regime that cross-refers to the Agreement's Appendix 2 and mandates manufacturer checks plus official verifications (sections 7.1–7.4), adding procedural and documentary burdens.","Administrative and marking rules including approval numbering, international approval mark format and data-plate placement (sections 4.2–4.8; Annex 2), requiring coordination between manufacturer and authority.","Change-management and post-approval procedures: notification of modifications, possible re-testing, and communication to other Parties (section 6.1–6.2; 4.3), increasing regulatory interaction.","Enforcement mechanism permitting withdrawal of approval for non-conformity and mandatory notification to other Parties (section 8.1–8.2), creating compliance risk for manufacturers.","Reliance on external technical services and administrative departments for testing and approvals; Parties must supply contact information to the UN secretariat (section 9), implicating cross-border recognition logistics."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets technical and approval rules for vehicle speedometers and their installation. It applies to vehicle manufacturers (categories L, M and N), technical services that test compliance, and regulatory authorities that grant approvals. Mechanically, it prescribes display, accuracy, test conditions, approval markings, conformity-of-production checks and grounds for withdrawal, so manufacturers must design, test and mark speedometers and maintain production controls to obtain and keep type approval."},"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":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This legislation appears to be a straightforward adoption of UN Regulation No. 39 into Australian law as Australian Design Rule 18/03. The scope remains tightly focused on speedometer equipment and its installation. There is no evidence of scope creep beyond the original international regulation's purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Incorporates by reference United Nations Regulation No. 39 (a separate international treaty instrument), requiring readers to cross-reference external documents","Uses technical vehicle classification codes (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, M, N) without defining them in the instrument itself","Contains mathematical formulae for tolerance testing with different variables for different vehicle categories (0.1V2 + 4/6/8 km/h)","Nested conditional logic for test speeds based on maximum design speed thresholds (four-tier table with conditional sub-clauses)","Dual unit system requirements (metric primary, imperial secondary for certain markets) creating parallel specification tracks","Multiple annexes (3) with cross-references between main text and annexes for testing procedures and marking arrangements","Administrative procedures for type approval, modifications, conformity of production, and penalties spread across 9 regulatory sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets technical requirements for vehicle speedometers in Australia, covering accuracy, visibility, markings and testing for manufacturers and importers of cars, trucks, motorcycles and mopeds. It requires clear day/night displays, specific graduation increments, limits on under- and over-reading, and tailored limits for mopeds.\n\nBy requiring type approval, testing and an international compliance mark, it helps drivers trust speed readings, protects road safety, and aligns Australian rules with UN vehicle standards."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-18-03-instrumentation-2006/documents"}}