{"id":"F2006L02691","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/01 – Anti-Theft Lock) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":436832,"registerId":"F2006L02691-fast-fetch-1775953907503","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/01 – Anti-Theft Lock) 2006","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 20.2\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nVehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/0125/01 – Anti-Theft LockAnti-Theft Lock) 20062006\n\nI, JAMES ERIC LLOYD, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, determine this vehicle standard under subsection 7 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nDated  31 July 2006\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n[SIGNED]\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nJames Eric Lloyd\n\n \n\nMinister for Local Government, Territories and Roads\n\n \n\nCONTENTS\n\n \n\n0. legislative provisions..............................................\n\nPurpose and SCOPE.....................................................\n\nAPPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION................................\n\n25.0. DEFINITIONS...................................................\n\n25.1. FUNCTIONS OF LOCK POSITIONS................................\n\n25.2. DESIGN OF LOCK...............................................\n\n25.3. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR STEERING LOCKS\n\n25.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS.....................................\n\nAPPENDIX 1...........................................................\n\n\n0. legislative provisions\n\n0.1. NAME OF STANDARD\n\n0.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 25/01 – Anti-Theft Lock) 2006.\n\n0.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 25/01 — 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 25/01 — 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 25/01 — 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 nation 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 a 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 AND IMPLEMENTATION\n\nThis ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder. The /01 Rule differs from the /00 Rule in that it adds new technical requirements (Section 25.3 - a wear producing test and a torque strength test) derived from ECE Regulation 18/01. The ECE R 18/01 is an acceptable Alternative Standard\n\nThere are no 'Acceptable Prior Rules' in the Applicability Table.  The Package 9 issue differs only in the explanatory text of this Applicability Section.\n\n \n\n\n\n\n- Vehicle Category ADR Category Code [[*]](#_ftn1) UNECE Category Code * Manufactured on or After Acceptable Prior Rules\n- Moped 2 wheels LA L1 Not Applicable\n- Moped 3 wheels LB L2 Not Applicable\n- Motor cycle LC L3 Not Applicable\n- Motor cycle and sidecar LD L4 Not Applicable\n- Motor tricycle LE L5 Not Applicable\n- Passenger car MA M1 1 Jan 1991 Nil\n- Forward-control passenger vehicle MB M1 1 Jan 1991 Nil\n- Off-road passenger vehicle MC M1 1 Jan 1991 Nil\n- Light omnibus MD M2\n- up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and up to 12 seats MD1 1 Jan 1991 Nil\n- up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and more than 12 seats MD2 Not Applicable\n- over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ MD3 Not Applicable\n- over 4.5 tonnes and up to 5 tonnes ‘GVM’ MD4 Not Applicable\n- Heavy omnibus ME M3 Not Applicable\n- Light goods vehicle NA N1 Not Applicable\n- Medium goods vehicle NB N2\n- over 3.5 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ NB1 Not Applicable\n- over 4.5 tonnes up to 12 tonnes ‘GVM’ NB2 Not Applicable\n- Heavy goods vehicle NC N3 Not Applicable\n- Very light trailer TA O1 Not Applicable\n- Light trailer TB O2 Not Applicable\n- Medium trailer TC O3 Not Applicable\n- Heavy trailer TD O4 Not Applicable\n\n\n \n\n\n25.0.                                DEFINITIONS\n\nRefer 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 out 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-oft 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\n25.3.                                PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR STEERING LOCKS\n\n25.3.1.                          A steering lock shall be subjected to 2,500 cycles in each direction of the wear producing test specified in Appendix 1.\n\n After completion of the test the steering lock shall continue to comply with the requirements of Clauses 25.2.4, 25.2.5, 25.2.6 and 25.3.2.\n\n25.3.2.                          When the steering lock is activated in the anti-theft position, it shall withstand without damage to the steering mechanism likely to compromise safety, the application of a minimum torque of 20 daN.m in both directions under static conditions.\n\n \n\n25.4.                                ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS\n\nThe technical requirements of ECE R. 18/01 'Power Driven Vehicles -Protection Against Unauthorised Use, shall be deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of this Rule.\n\nAPPENDIX 1\n\n(Clause 253.1 refers.)\n\nWEAR-PRODUCING TEST PROCEDURE FOR PROTECTIVE DEVICES ACTING ON THE STEERING\n\n \n\n1. TEST EQUIPMENT\n\n1.1. The test equipment shall consist of:\n\n1.1.1. a fixture suitable for mounting the sample steering complete with the protective device attached.\n\n1.1.2.  a means for activating and de-activating the protective device which shall include the use of the key.\n\n1.1.3. a means for rotating the steering shaft relative to the protective device.\n\n2. TEST METHOD\n\n2.1. A sample of the steering complete with the protective device is attached to the fixture referred to in paragraph 1.1.1 above.\n\n2.2.  One cycle of the test procedure shall consist of the following operations:\n\n2.2.1. Start position. The protective device shall be de-activated and the steering shaft shall be rotated to a position which prevents engagement of the protective device, unless it is of the type which permits locking in any position of the steering.\n\n2.2.2. Set to activate. The protective device shall be moved from the de-activated to the activated position, using the key.\n\n2.2.3.  [[*/]](#_ftn2) Activated. The steering shaft shall be rotated such that the torque on it, at the instant of engagement of the protective device shall be 5.88 Nm ± 025.\n\n2.2.4.  De-activated. The protective device shall be de-activated by the normal means, the torque being reduced to zero to facilitate disengagement.\n\n2.2.5.  [[**/]](#_ftn3) Return. The steering shaft shall be rotated to a position which prevents engagement of the protective device.\n\n2.2.6.  Opposite rotation. Repeat procedures described in paragraphs 2.2.2, 2,2.3, 2.2.4, and 2.2.5, but in the opposite direction of rotation of the steering shaft.\n\n2.2.7. The time interval between two successive engagements of the device shall be at least 10 seconds.\n\n2.3. The wear-producing cycle shall be repeated for the number of times specified in Clause 25.3.1 of this Rule.\n\n---\n\n\n[[*]](#_ftnref1) The category code may also be in the format L1, LA etc.\n\n[[*/]](#_ftnref2) If the protective device permits locking in any position of the steering, the procedures described in this paragraph and in paragraph 2.2.5. shall be omitted.\n\n[[**/]](#_ftnref3) If the protective device permits locking in any position of the steering the procedures described in paragraphs 2.2.3. and 2.2.5. shall be omitted.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of specifying anti-theft lock requirements for passenger vehicles. The 2006 revision added technical durability tests (wear-producing test and torque strength test) derived from ECE Regulation 18/01, but this represents a refinement of existing requirements rather than scope creep. The applicability table has not expanded to cover new vehicle categories beyond the original passenger car and light omnibus scope."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing: definitions are outsourced to a separate ADR (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories 2005)","Nested conditional requirements: Clause 25.2.6 triggers additional requirements (25.2.6.1 and 25.2.6.2) which themselves contain sub-options (25.2.6.2.1 vs 25.2.6.2.2)","Technical testing protocol in Appendix 1 with conditional branches (footnotes indicating omitted steps depending on lock type)","Dual citation system: uses both Australian ADR category codes (MA, MB, etc.) and UNECE codes (M1, M2, etc.) in the applicability table","Incorporation by reference: accepts ECE R.18/01 as an alternative compliance pathway without reproducing its text","Approximately 15 defined concepts or specific measurements embedded throughout (e.g., 'daN.m', '2 mm', '5.88 Nm', 'one in one thousand')","Repeal provisions with conditional logic (0.3.2) regarding instruments with multiple standards"],"plain_english_summary":"This law mandates safer ignition/steering locks for passenger cars and small buses (MA/MB/MC/MD1) made from 1991 onward to reduce theft and prevent accidental in‑motion locking. Locks must provide distinct engine‑on/off/anti‑theft positions that both stop the engine and disable steering/gearing, require extra deliberate action to engage steering locks, and meet security and durability tests (tumblers/uniqueness, cycle and torque resistance). It excludes motorcycles, trucks, larger buses, and trailers; 2006 updates added ECE R18/01-style durability requirements."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument replaces prior ADR 25/01 instruments and adds new technical performance tests (a wear‑producing durability test and a static torque strength test) derived from ECE R18/01, expanding the technical validation requirements manufacturers must meet (see Commencement/Repeal provisions and Clauses 25.3 and 25.4)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical test procedures and thresholds (wear‑producing test: 2,500 cycles; static torque 20 daN·m) (Clauses 25.3, Appendix 1).","Design requirements combining mechanical functions and anti‑theft performance (Clauses 25.1–25.2).","Applicability across multiple vehicle categories with manufacture‑date cutoffs (Applicability table).","Cross‑references to other ADR instruments for definitions and categories (Definitions note; Vehicle Standard ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories 2005).","Acceptance of an Alternative Standard (ECE R18/01) which requires equivalence assessment (Clause 25.4).","Ambiguity in an editorial drafting error for key uniqueness probability (“one in out thousand”) that creates implementation uncertainty (Clause 25.2.1).","Use of “Approved” lock types without an internal definition, creating administrative discretion on acceptance (Clause 25.2.1).","Manufacturer testing and certification cost and laboratory capability requirements implied by the specified procedures (Appendix 1)."],"plain_english_summary":"This rule requires vehicle locks to be designed and tested so keys are effectively unique within a model, lock positions provide engine‑on/off/anti‑theft functions, locks cannot be moved from 'engine on' to 'anti‑theft' without passing through 'engine off', and steering locks must survive 2,500 wear cycles and a 20 daN·m static torque (Sections 25.1–25.3; Appendix 1). Vehicle manufacturers and testing bodies bear redesign and certification costs. The Minister sets the standard and permits ECE R18/01 as an alternative (25.4)."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-25-01-anti-theft-lock-2006/documents"}}