{"id":"F2006L01429","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-29-00-side-door-strength-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":59049,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01429-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nVehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/0029/00 – Side Door Strength Side Door Strength) 20062006 Compilation 1\n\nCompilation: 1 (up to and including Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006 Amendment 1)\n\nCompilation Date: 19 September 2007\n\nCompiled by: Vehicle Safety Standards, Department of Transport and Regional Services.\n\nCONTENTS\n\nA. legislative provisions..............................................\n\nA.1. NAME OF STANDARD...........................................\n\nA.2. COMMENCEMENT..............................................\n\nA.3. REPEAL.......................................................\n\nB. SCOPE.........................................................\n\nC. APPLICABILITY................................................\n\n29.0. DEFINITIONS...................................................\n\n29.1. REQUIREMENTS................................................\n\n29.2. TEST PROCEDURE..............................................\n\n29.3. DETERMINATION OF CRUSH RESISTANCE........................\n\n29.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS.....................................\n\n29.5. EXEMPTION FROM TEST REQUIREMENTS........................\n\nCompilation NOTES.....................................................\n\n  \n\nA. legislative provisions\n\nA.1. NAME OF STANDARD\n\nA.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006.\n\nA.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 29/00 — Side Door Strength.\n\nA.2. COMMENCEMENT\n\nA.2.1. This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.\n\nA.3. REPEAL\n\nA.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 29/00 — Side Door Strength that is:\n\n(a) made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Standard Act 1989; and\n\n(b) in force at the commencement of this Standard.\n\nA.3.2. This Standard also repeals each instrument made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Standard Act 1989 that creates a vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 29/00 — Side Door Strength, 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\nB. SCOPE\n\nThe function of this Design Rule is to specify strength and stiffness requirements for side doors of passenger cars which can be used for occupant access to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment as a result of side impact.\n\nC. APPLICABILITY\n\nC.1. Applicability Summary\n\nC.1.1 This ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.\n\nC.1.2. For NA vehicles, applicability of this rule is limited to vehicles having two-wheel drive, which are not ‘Forward Control Vehicles’, and have front row ‘Seats’ only.\n\n  \nApplicability Table\n\n| Vehicle Category                  | ADR Category Code | UNECE Category Code | Manufactured on or After | Acceptable Prior Rules |\n| --------------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------- |\n| Moped 2 wheels                    | LA                | L1                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Moped 3 wheels                    | LB                | L2                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Motor cycle                       | LC                | L3                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Motor cycle and sidecar           | LD                | L4                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Motor tricycle                    | LE                | L5                  |                          |                        |\n|                                   | LEM               |                     | N/A                      |                        |\n|                                   | LEP               |                     | 1 July 1992              | Nil                    |\n|                                   | LEG               |                     | N/A                      |                        |\n| Passenger car                     | MA                | M1                  | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Forward-control passenger vehicle | MB                | M1                  | 1 July 1996              | Nil                    |\n| Off-road passenger vehicle        | MC                | M1                  | 1 July 1997              | Nil                    |\n| Light omnibus                     | MD                | M2                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Heavy omnibus                     | ME                | M3                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Light goods vehicle               | NA1               | N1**                | 1 July 1997*             | Nil                    |\n| Light goods vehicle               | NA2               | N1                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Medium goods vehicle              | NB                | N2                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Heavy goods vehicle               | NC                | N3                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Very light trailer                | TA                | O1                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Light trailer                     | TB                | O2                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Medium trailer                    | TC                | O3                  | N/A                      |                        |\n| Heavy trailer                     | TD                | O4                  | N/A                      |                        |\n\n\\* see clause C.1.2.\n\n\\*\\* up to 2.7 tonnes ‘GVM’ only\n\n29.0. DEFINITIONS\n\n29.0.1. Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.\n\n29.1. REQUIREMENTS\n\n29.1.0.1. The vehicle must meet the requirements of either clauses 29.1.1 or 29.1.2 at the ‘Manufacturer’s’ option.\n\n29.1.0.2. The vehicle must be so constructed that when any side door which can be used for occupant access is tested in accordance with clause 29.2, the crush resistance as determined by clause 29.3 must not be less than the following:\n\n29.1.1. Crush Resistance with ‘Seats’ Removed\n\n29.1.1.0. With ‘Seats’ that may affect the load upon, or deflection of, the side of the vehicle body removed from the vehicle, the vehicle must meet the requirements of Clauses 29.1.1.1 to 29.1.1.3.\n\n29.1.1.1. For initial crush resistance: 10 kN or 0.83 times the unladen weight of the vehicle, whichever is the lesser figure;\n\n29.1.1.2. For intermediate crush resistance: 15.5 kN or 1.3 times the unladen weight of the vehicle, whichever is the lesser figure; and\n\n29.1.1.3. For peak crush resistance: 31 kN or 2 times the unladen weight of the vehicle, whichever is the lesser figure.\n\n29.1.2. Crush Resistance with ‘Seats’ Installed\n\n5.2.0. With ‘Seats’ installed in the vehicle, and located in any horizontal or vertical position to which they can be adjusted and at any seat-back angle to which they can be adjusted, the vehicle must meet the requirements of clauses 29.1.2.1 to 29.1.2.3.\n\n29.1.2.1. For initial crush resistance:- 10 kN or 0.83 times the unladen weight of the vehicle, whichever is the lesser figure;\n\n29.1.2.2. For intermediate crush resistance: 19.44 kN or 1.63 times the unladen weight of the vehicle, whichever is the lesser figure; and\n\n29.1.2.3. for peak crush resistance: 55.33 kN or 3.5 times the unladen weight of the vehicle, whichever is the lesser figure.\n\n29.2. TEST PROCEDURE\n\n29.2.1. Preparation\n\n29.2.1.1. Side windows must be in the closed position and doors may be in the locked position.\n\n29.2.1.2. The body sill of the side of the vehicle body opposite to the side being tested must be placed against a substantially rigid surface.\n\n29.2.1.3. The vehicle body must be fixed in position by means of attachments located at or in front of the front wheel centreline and at or to the rear of the rear wheel centreline.\n\n29.2.2. Loading Device\n\n29.2.2.1. The loading device must consist of a substantially rigid cylinder or semi-cylinder 305 mm ± 5 mm in diameter, with edge radii of 12 mm ± 1 mm.\n\n29.2.2.2. The loading device must be of such a length that when set up in accordance with the procedure specified in Clause 29.2.3, one end surface is at least 12 mm beyond the bottom edge of the door window opening, but not of a length that will cause contact with any structure, other than window glass and ventilation window sashes, beyond the bottom edge of the door window opening during the test.\n\n29.2.2.3. The loading device must be so constrained that, during the test, it does not rotate nor is it displaced from its direction of travel.\n\n29.2.3. Test Method\n\n29.2.3.1. The loading device described in clause 29.2.2 must be used to apply the test load.\n\n29.2.3.2. The loading device must be located so that:\n\n29.2.3.2.1. its longitudinal axis is:\n\n29.2.3.2.1.1. parallel to the vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle; and\n\n29.2.3.2.1.2. in the transverse vertical plane of the vehicle which passes through the midpoint of a horizontal line which is drawn across the outer surface of the door 127 mm ± 2 mm above the lowest point of the door when the vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface;\n\n29.2.3.2.2. an end surface is not closer to the lowest point of the door than the line described in clause 29.2.3.2.1; and\n\n29.2.3.2.3. the cylindrical face of the device is in contact with the outer surface of the door.\n\n29.2.3.2.4. The location of the loading device is illustrated in Figure 1.\n\n29.2.3.3. The load must be applied to the outer surface of the door in an inboard transverse direction normal to the vehicle’s longitudinal centreline.\n\n29.2.3.4. The load must be applied such that the travel rate of the loading device does not exceed 13 mm per second until the loading device has been displaced either 460 mm or, provided the peak crush resistance has been satisfied, at least 310 mm. The test must be completed within 120 seconds.\n\n29.2.3.5. The variation of displacement of the loading device with applied load must be recorded during the test, either continuously or in increments of not more than 26 mm or 890 N for the total crush distance.\n\n29.3. DETERMINATION OF CRUSH RESISTANCE\n\n29.3.1. From the results recorded as specified in clause 29.2.3.5, a curve of load versus displacement must be plotted and the integral of the applied load with respect to the crush distances specified in clause 29.3.2 and clause 29.3.3 obtained. These quantities divided by the specified crush distances represent the average forces required to deflect the door over these distances.\n\n29.3.2. The initial crush resistance is the average force required to deform the door over the initial 155 mm of crush.\n\n29.3.3. The intermediate crush resistance is the average force required to deform the door over the initial 310 mm of crush.\n\n29.3.4. The peak crush resistance is the largest force recorded over a total crush distance not exceeding 460 mm.\n\n29.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS\n\nThe technical requirements of S3 and S4 of FMVSS 214‑35 F.R. 16801, October 30, 1970 \"Side Door Strength - Passenger Cars\" as amended by FMVSS 214‑58 FR 14169 - are deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of this rule.\n\n29.5. EXEMPTION FROM TEST REQUIREMENTS\n\nVehicles complying with the requirements of ADR 72/… are exempt from the requirements of this rule.\n\nLONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE OF VEHICLE\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\nLOADING DEVICE LOCATION AND APPLICATION TO THE DOOR\n\nFigure 1\n\n  \n\nCompilation NOTES\n\nThis compilation of Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 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 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006             | 11/05/2006        | 12/05/2006        |\n| Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006 Amendment 1 | 19/09/2007        | 20/09/2007        |\n\nTable of Amendments\n\n| Clause affected     | How affected | Amending instrument                                                                   |\n| ------------------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Applicability Table | rr           | Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 2006 Amendment 1 |\n| Figure 1            | ad           | Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 29/00 – Side Door Strength) 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":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original narrow focus on side door strength for passenger vehicles. The applicability table shows the rule has always been targeted at specific vehicle categories with staggered implementation dates. No evidence of scope creep into unrelated vehicle safety areas."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-referencing to external definitions document (ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories 2005) for all defined terms","Dual compliance pathways (seats removed vs seats installed) with different numerical thresholds for each","Precise technical specifications for test apparatus (305mm ± 5mm cylinder, 12mm ± 1mm edge radii, specific positioning 127mm above door bottom)","Applicability table with multiple vehicle categories, staggered commencement dates, and conditional exclusions (C.1.2 limitation for NA vehicles)","Alternative compliance via reference to foreign standard (FMVSS 214) with specific Federal Register citations","Exemption clause referencing another ADR (72) without specifying complete rule number","Mathematical calculation requirements for determining crush resistance (integrals of load versus displacement curves)"],"plain_english_summary":"This rule requires carmakers to design side doors on passenger cars and certain light commercial models so they resist crushing in side impacts, protecting occupants from being crushed. It applies mainly to passenger cars built from the late 1980s/1990s and to some light goods/forward-control vehicles; motorcycles, buses and heavy trucks are excluded. Compliance is shown by a standardized door crush test (with two test options), ensuring doors form a protective barrier in T‑bone collisions."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This 2006 instrument repeals earlier ADR 29/00 instruments and replaces them (A.3.1). Amendment 1 updated the applicability table and Figure 1 (Table of Amendments), and the Standard sets detailed applicability rules including a limitation for NA vehicles (C.1.2). It also includes an equivalence provision to FMVSS 214 (29.4) and an exemption for ADR 72‑compliant vehicles (29.5), meaning the scope and compliance pathways were adjusted from prior instruments."},"complexity_factors":["Technical test protocol with precise geometry, loading device specs, placement tolerances and travel/rate limits (29.2.2–29.2.3)","Numeric performance metrics defined as averages and peak values over specified crush distances requiring integration of load–displacement data (29.3.1–29.3.4)","Manufacturer choice between two testing regimes (seats removed or installed) with different numeric thresholds (29.1.0.1, 29.1.1–29.1.2) increases compliance-path options and design trade-offs","Wide applicability table across many ADR/UNECE vehicle categories and varied commencement dates, creating heterogeneous coverage for industry participants (C, C.1.1–C.1.2, applicability table)","Equivalence clause allowing certain FMVSS 214 provisions to be treated as meeting this ADR, which requires cross-reference and verification of foreign-standard compliance (29.4)","Exemption for vehicles complying with ADR 72, creating conditional carve-outs that must be checked by manufacturers and certifiers (29.5)","Repeal and replacement mechanics that require checking prior instruments and amendment history to determine current obligations (A.3, Compilation Notes, Table of Amendments)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Design Rule requires vehicles to meet numeric side‑door strength targets measured by a specified cylinder test and defined displacement/load calculations; manufacturers may test with seats removed or installed (clauses 29.1–29.3). It applies to listed ADR vehicle categories and affects manufacturers, importers and certifiers by imposing construction and testing obligations, allowing equivalence to parts of FMVSS 214 and an ADR‑72 exemption; compliance imposes testing and design costs and leaves manufacturers to choose the testing option (clauses C, 29.4–29.5, 29.1.0.1)."},"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-29-00-side-door-strength-2006","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-29-00-side-door-strength-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-29-00-side-door-strength-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-29-00-side-door-strength-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-29-00-side-door-strength-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-29-00-side-door-strength-2006/documents"}}