{"id":"F2006L03064","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 – Anti-Theft Lock) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":60339,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L03064-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 – Anti-Theft Lock) 2006","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nVehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/0025/00 – Anti-Theft LockAnti-Theft Lock) 20062006\n\nCompilation: 1 (up to and including Amendment 11)\n\nCompilation Date: 13/12/2006\n\nCompiled by: Vehicle Safety Standards, Department of Transport and Regional Services.\n\nCONTENTS\n\n0. legislative provisions..............................................\n\nPurpose and SCOPE.....................................................\n\nAPPLICABILITY.......................................................\n\n25.0. DEFINITIONS...................................................\n\n25.1. FUNCTIONS OF LOCK POSITIONS................................\n\n25.2. DESIGN OF LOCK...............................................\n\nNOTES ...............................................................\n\n \n\n0. legislative provisions\n\n0.1. NAME OF STANDARD\n\n0.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 – Anti-Theft Lock) 2006.\n\n0.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 25/00 — Anti-Theft Lock.\n\n0.2. COMMENCEMENT\n\n0.2.1. This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.\n\n0.3. REPEAL\n\n0.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 25/00 — Anti-Theft Lock 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\n0.3.2. 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 25/00 — Anti-Theft Lock, 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\nPurpose and SCOPE\n\nThis Australian Design Rule (ADR) is part of the Australian motor vehicle standards system and is a vehicle standard for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.\n\nThe function of this Australian Design Rule is to specify requirements for a lock to inhibit unauthorised use of the vehicle and to minimise the possibility of inadvertent adjustment of steering locks to the anti-theft position when the vehicle is in motion.\n\nAPPLICABILITY\n\nThis ADR applies to the design and construction of devices to be fitted to vehicles as set out in the table hereunder\n\n \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

Not Applicable

Passenger car

MA

M1

1 July 1988

Nil

Forward-control passenger vehicle

MB

M1

1 July 1988

Nil

Off-road passenger vehicle

MC

M1

1 July 1988

Nil

Light omnibus

MD

M2

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

MD1

1 July 1988

Nil

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

MD2

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

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\n25.0. DEFINITIONS\n\n25.0.1. Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.\n\n25.1. FUNCTIONS OF LOCK POSITIONS\n\n25.1.1. An “engine on” position shall permit the normal functioning of the engine.\n\n25.1.2. An “engine off” position shall prevent normal functioning of the engine.\n\n25.1.3. An “anti\\-theft” position shall prevent normal functioning of the engine and also inhibit unauthorised use of the vehicle.\n\n25.2. DESIGN OF LOCK\n\n25.2.1. The lock shall be a 5 or more tumbler lock or other lock of ‘Approved' type giving equivalent protection. The probability of the key operating the lock of another vehicle in the same model range shall be not greater than one in one thousand.\n\n25.2.2. The lock shall provide for at least the functions nominated in Section 25.1\n\n25.2.3. It shall not be possible to adjust the lock from the “engine on” position to the “anti-theft” position without passing through the \"engine off” position\n\n25.2.4. When the key is removed the lock shall be in the “anti-theft\" position\n\n25.2.5. With the lock in the ”anti-theft\" position it shall be impossible either to steer the vehicle, or to engage the forward drive gears, or to release a brake, without removal or destruction of the device.\n\n25.2.6. Where the requirements of Clause 25.2.5 are met by a device which prevents steering of the vehicle, the following additional requirements shall apply:\n\n25.2.6.1. It shall not be possible to adjust the lock from the “engine on” position to the \"anti-theft\" position by a single rotary or linear motion of the key.\n\n25.2.6.2. Where the design of the lock to achieve the requirements of Clause 25.2.6.1 embodies 2 or more separate rotary movements of the locking device, adjustment from the “engine off” position to the “anti-theft” position must require either:\n\n25.2.6.2.1. a design linear axial movement of the key of not less than 2 mm; or\n\n25.2.6.2.2. actuation of an additional blocking device separately controlled. The gear selector may constitute such a blocking device.\n\nNOTES\n\nThis compilation of Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 - Anti-Theft Lock) 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 25/00 - Anti-Theft Lock) 2006 | 14/09/2006 | 15/09/2006 |\n| Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 - Anti-Theft Lock) 2006 Amendment 1 | 13/12/2006 | 14/12/2006 |\n\nTable of Amendments\n\n| Clause affected | How affected | Amending instrument |\n| --------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 25.1.2 | am | Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 - Anti-Theft Lock) 2006 Amendment 1 |\n| 25.2.5 | am | Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 - Anti-Theft Lock) 2006 Amendment 1 |\n| 25.2.6.2 | am | Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/00 - Anti-Theft Lock) 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.\n\n---\n\n[\\[\\*\\]](#_ftnref1) The category code may also be in the format L1, LA etc.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument repeals prior ADR 25/00 instruments and consolidates anti‑theft lock requirements (0.3.1). Amendments refine technical details in clauses 25.1.2, 25.2.5 and 25.2.6.2 but do not expand or reduce the categories of vehicles covered; the scope (which vehicles are regulated) remains the same while technical obligations were adjusted (see Table of Amendments)."},"complexity_factors":["Clear technical requirements (tumbler count, key-uniqueness, motion/axial constraints) reduce interpretive complexity (ss 25.2.1, 25.2.3–25.2.6).","Cross-reference to separate ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories requires users to consult another instrument (25.0.1).","Large applicability table listing many vehicle category codes increases administrative scope for manufacturers and importers.","Use of open-ended language—'Approved' type and 'equivalent protection'—allocates discretion to regulators/approval processes (25.2.1).","Amendments to specific clauses (25.1.2, 25.2.5, 25.2.6.2) mean technical criteria have been refined; tracking amendment history is needed for compliance.","Some absolute phrases (eg, 'impossible' to steer or engage gears) may require testing protocols or interpretation by authorities (25.2.5)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Australian Design Rule sets mandatory mechanical and security requirements for vehicle anti-theft locks fitted to the listed vehicle categories. It prescribes minimum lock/key strength, required ignition/anti-theft positions and physical limits on steering, gears and brakes to prevent unauthorised use (see ss 25.1–25.2).\n\nVehicle designers, manufacturers and importers pay the design, testing and compliance costs. Regulators control what counts as an ‘Approved’ or equivalent lock, so manufacturers’ product and engineering choices (and their compliance burden) are directly affected."},"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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original narrow scope focused specifically on anti-theft lock mechanisms. The applicability table shows selective application to certain vehicle categories (primarily passenger vehicles and light omnibuses under 3.5 tonnes) with explicit 'Not Applicable' markings for others, indicating targeted rather than expanded coverage."},"complexity_factors":["Short document (approximately 2 pages of substantive content)","Only 3 defined sections with technical requirements (25.1, 25.2, 25.2.6)","Single external reference to definitions in another ADR (ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories 2005)","Simple conditional logic: only clause 25.2.6 adds extra requirements 'where' steering lock is used","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing within the instrument itself","Applicability table uses standard ADR category codes (MA, MB, MC, etc.) but these are explained in the referenced definitions standard"],"plain_english_summary":"This law requires certain vehicles sold in Australia (passenger cars, vans, small buses built from 1 July 1988 onward) to have an anti-theft lock with three positions—engine on, engine off, and anti-theft—using a 5‑pin tumbler or equivalent with key uniqueness no better than 1-in-1,000. The lock must default to anti-theft when the key is removed, prevent skipping from engine‑on to anti‑theft, immobilise the vehicle in anti‑theft mode, and impose extra motion/step requirements if the steering wheel is the lock method. It targets manufacturers and importers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-00-anti-theft-lock-2006/documents"}}