{"id":"F2006L02297","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 65/00 – Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":436807,"registerId":"F2006L02297-fast-fetch-1775953888817","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 65/00 – Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses) 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 65/0065/00 – Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy OmnibusesMaximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses) 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  5 July 2006\n\n \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\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.......................................................\n\n65.1. DEFINITIONS...................................................\n\n65.2. MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITING..............................\n\n65.3. MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITED BY GEARING...................\n\n65.4. MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITED BY ROAD SPEED GOVERNOR....\n\n65.5. MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED CAPABILITY............................\n\n65.6. TEST OF ROAD SPEED LIMITATION..............................\n\n65.7. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS.....................................\n\n\n0.                                          legislative provisions\n\n0.1.                                    NAME OF STANDARD\n\n0.1.1.                              This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 65/00 – Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses) 2006.\n\n0.1.2.                              This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 65/00 — Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses.\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 65/00 — Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses 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 65/00 — Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Goods Vehicles and Heavy Omnibuses, 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 national standard for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.\n\nThe function of this ADR is to specify  devices or systems used to limit the maximum road speed of heavy goods vehicles and heavy omnibuses.\n\nAPPLICABILITY\n\nThis ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.\n\n\n\n\n| Vehicle Category | ADR Category Code [[*]](#_ftn1) | UNECE Category Code * | Manufactured on or After | Acceptable Prior Rules |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\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 | Not Applicable |  |\n| Forward-control passenger vehicle | MB | M1 | Not Applicable |  |\n| Off-road passenger vehicle | MC | M1 | Not Applicable |  |\n| Light omnibus | MD | M2 | Not Applicable |  |\n| Heavy omnibus | ME | M3 |  |  |\n| over 5 tonnes , up to 14.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ |  |  | 1 July 1991 | Nil |\n| over 14.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ |  |  | 1 Jan 1991 | Nil |\n| Light goods vehicle | NA | N1 | Not Applicable |  |\n| Medium goods vehicle | NB | N2 | Not Applicable |  |\n| Heavy goods vehicle | NC | N3 |  |  |\n| up to 300 HP |  |  | 1 July 1991 | Nil |\n| over 300 HP |  |  | 1 Jan 1991 | Nil |\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\n65.1.                                DEFINITIONS\n\n65.1.1.                          Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.\n\n65.1.2.                          ’Set Speed’ - the maximum road speed specified in clause 65.5.\n\n65.2.                                MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITING\n\nThe maximum road speed capability shall not exceed the maximum road speed specified in clause 65.5 as determined in accordance with the requirements of:\n\n65.2.1.                          clause 65.6; or\n\n65.2.2.                          clause 65.3; or\n\n65.2.3.                          clause 65.4 and clause 65.6.\n\n\n65.3.                                MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITED BY GEARING\n\nThe maximum road speed capability shall be limited by selection of drive train gearing calculated by the formula:\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\nwhere:\n\nL = the engine manufacturer’s rated engine speed above which the engine governing system begins to substantially reduce power;\n\nA= the overall gear reduction between engine and drive wheels giving highest road speed; and\n\nM= the tyre revolutions per kilometre determined from Table 1 (shown below), or as determined by the ‘Administrator’ for tyres not listed, which gives the standard number of revolutions per kilometre.\n\n65.3.1.                          In the case of vehicles where the maximum road speed capability is determined by gearing, the engine manufacturer’s rated engine speed shall be permanently shown on a plate affixed to the engine.\n\nTABLE 1\n\nTYRE REVOLUTIONS PER KILOMETRE\n\nTyre Size Nominal Revolutions\n\n per Kilometre\n\n8.25 * 16 385\n\n8.25 * 20....................345\n\n9.00 * 20....................325\n\n10.00 * 20...................315\n\n11.00 * 20...................310\n\n12.00 * 20...................295\n\n13.00 * 20...................285\n\n14.00 * 20...................270\n\n \n\n9 R 22.5.....................345\n\n10 R 22.5....................325\n\n11 R 22.5....................315\n\n12 R 22.5....................305\n\n13 R 22.5....................295\n\n \n\n10.00 * 22...................300\n\n11.00 * 22...................295\n\n \n\n11.00 * 24...................280\n\n12.00 * 24...................270\n\n \n\n255/70 R 22.5................355\n\n275/70 R 22.5................345\n\n275/80 R 22.5................330\n\n295/80 R 22.5................320\n\n315/80 R 22.5................310\n\n385/65 R 22.5................315\n\n425/65 R 22.5................300\n\n\n65.4.                                MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED LIMITED BY ROAD SPEED GOVERNOR\n\nThe maximum road speed capability shall be controlled by the use of a road speed governor in accordance with the following:\n\n65.4.1.                          The maximum road speed setting must not be capable of being temporarily increased or removed.\n\n65.4.2.                          The road speed limiting function shall not actuate the vehicle’s service braking system.\n\n65.4.3.                          The road speed limiting function may allow normal accelerator control for the purposes of changing gear.\n\n65.4.4.                          No malfunction shall result in an increase in engine power above that demanded by the position of the driver’s accelerator control.\n\n65.4.5.                          All components necessary for the full function of the road speed limiting function shall be energised whenever the vehicle is being driven.\n\n65.4.6.                          The following parts shall be provided with the facility for sealing by a recognised authority:\n\n65.4.6.1.                    the governor road speed adjustment mechanism;\n\n65.4.6.2.                    the two ends of the link between the road speed limiter and the injection pump;\n\n65.4.6.3.                    the two ends of the link between the road speed limiter and the device providing the road speed signal;\n\n65.4.6.4.                    all internal parts of the road speed limiting equipment shall be made resistant to tampering by means of casings capable of being sealed; and\n\n65.4.6.5.                    the control unit in the case of an electronic road speed governor to prevent unauthorised entry into the box containing the electronic control circuitry.\n\n65.4.7.                          In the case of electronically re-programmable control devices:\n\n65.4.7.1.                    The system shall have provision to record and store in retrievable memory the current maximum road speed setting.\n\n65.4.7.2.                    The ‘Manufacturer’ shall advise the ‘Administrator’ of the protocol to be used to retrieve the data referred to in this clause.\n\n65.4.8.                          In the case of electronically re-programmable control devices the vehicle ‘Manufacturer’ shall establish and maintain ‘Approved’ arrangements to ensure that the maximum road speed capability of vehicles cannot be changed without necessary authorisation.\n\nThese arrangements may be established by the vehicle ‘Manufacturer’ in conjunction with the engine manufacturer, and are to restrict the capability to change maximum road speed to authorised agencies such as State or Territory distributorships of the vehicle and/or engine manufacturers.\n\n\n65.5.                                MAXIMUM ROAD SPEED CAPABILITY\n\n65.5.1.                          For a hauling vehicle designed for use in a \"Road Train\" the maximum road speed capability shall be no greater than that determined by the appropriate State or Territory authority..\n\n65.5.2.                          For other heavy goods vehicles and heavy omnibuses the maximum road speed capability shall be no greater than 100 km/h.\n\n65.6.                                TEST OF ROAD SPEED LIMITATION\n\nThis test is to determine the maximum road speed capability of vehicles.\n\nA vehicle representative of the vehicle type or a device representative of the road speed governor as appropriate shall meet these requirements.\n\n65.6.1.                          Test Conditions\n\n65.6.1.1.                    The settings of the test vehicle including the fuel feed, wheels and tyres, and transmission shall conform to the ‘Manufacturer’s’ specifications;\n\n65.6.1.2.                    the tyres shall be bedded and the pressures shall be as specified by the manufacturer;\n\n65.6.1.3.                    the vehicle shall be at ‘Unladen Mass’;\n\n65.6.1.4.                    the test track surface shall be free from standing water, snow or ice and shall be free from uneven patches and the gradient shall not exceed 2% and gradients shall not vary by more than 1% excluding camber effects; and\n\n65.6.1.5.                    the mean wind road speed measured at a height at least 1 metre above the ground shall be less than 6 m/s with gusts not exceeding 10 m/s.\n\n65.6.1.6.                    The instantaneous vehicle road speed shall be recorded throughout the test with a road speed measurement accuracy of at least ±1% at maximum time intervals of 0.1 seconds.\n\n65.6.2.                          Acceleration Test Method\n\nUsing the test conditions specified in clause 65.6.1, and starting from a road speed 10 km/h less that the ‘Set Speed’, the vehicle shall be accelerated as much as possible without changing gear by using a fully positive action on the accelerator control. This action shall be maintained without changing gear for at least 30 seconds after the ‘Set Speed’ is achieved.\n\n65.6.3.                          Acceptance Criteria for Acceleration Test Method\n\n65.6.3.1.                    With each gear which allows a theoretical maximum road speed above the ‘Set Speed’ engaged and when tested in accordance with Clause 65.6.2, within the first 10 seconds after reaching the ‘Set Speed’ the maximum vehicle road speed shall not exceed 105% of ‘Set Speed’ and the rate of change of vehicle road speed shall not exceed 0.5 m/s2 when measured over a time period greater than 0.1 seconds as shown in Figure 1.\n\n65.6.3.2.                    With each gear which allows a theoretical maximum road speed above the ‘Set Speed’ engaged and when tested in accordance with clause 65.6.2 and more than 10 seconds after reaching the ‘Set Speed’, the maximum vehicle road speed shall not differ from the ‘Set Speed’ by more than ±3.3% of ‘Set Speed’, the maximum vehicle road speed shall not vary by more than 3.3% of the ‘Set Speed’ and the rate of change of road speed shall not exceed 0.2 m/s2 when measured over a time period greater than 0.1 seconds.\n\n65.7.                                ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS\n\nRoad speed governors complying with BS AU 217: Part 1 1987 \"Maximum road speed limiters for motor vehicles\" marked with a set road speed equal to or lower than the ‘Set Speed’ shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Section 65.6.\n\n \n\n![](image.003.png)\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n---\n\n\n[[*]](#_ftnref1) The category code may also be in the format L1, LA etc.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: limiting maximum road speed for heavy goods vehicles and heavy omnibuses. The scope has not expanded beyond this core safety objective. The technical methods (gearing, governors, testing) and applicability thresholds (5 tonnes GVM, specific manufacture dates) align with the standard's original intent to cap heavy vehicle speeds."},"complexity_factors":["Technical engineering formulas (gear ratio calculations with tyre revolutions per kilometre)","Cross-reference to separate ADR Definitions standard (ADR 2005) for key terms","Multiple compliance pathways (three different methods to achieve speed limiting: gearing, governor, or testing)","Detailed test protocol with specific environmental conditions (wind speed, track gradient, tyre bedding)","Precise performance tolerances (±3.3%, 0.5 m/s², 0.2 m/s²) requiring measurement accuracy of ±1%","Nested sub-clauses up to four levels deep (e.g., 65.4.6.1 through 65.4.6.5)","Conditional applicability table with multiple vehicle categories and manufacture dates","Reference to external British Standard (BS AU 217:1987) as alternative compliance route"],"plain_english_summary":"This law caps top speed for heavy goods vehicles and large buses (over 5 tonnes) at 100 km/h (with road trains subject to state/territory limits) and requires manufacturers to fit tamper‑proof speed limiters via gearing, governors, or approved testing. It bars braking as a primary limiting method, mandates recording and dealer‑restricted reprogramming, and affects manufacturers, heavy‑vehicle operators, and regulators. The aim is improved safety and a level playing field."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument repeals earlier ADR instruments with the same name (clause 0.3) but retains the same functional scope: to require devices or systems that limit maximum road speed for heavy goods vehicles and heavy omnibuses and to set the design, testing and compliance requirements for those limits (Purpose & Scope; clause 65.5). It replaces prior instruments without expanding the vehicle categories governed beyond those listed in the applicability table."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple compliance paths: permissible speed control by gearing, mechanical governor, or governor plus test verification (clause 65.2).","Technical gearing formula requiring engine speed and overall gear reduction inputs (clause 65.3 and 65.3.1).","Detailed performance and environmental test conditions with tight measurement tolerances and time-based acceptance criteria (clauses 65.6.1–65.6.3).","Tamper-resistance and sealing obligations for mechanical and electronic governor components, including record storage and retrieval protocols (clauses 65.4.6–65.4.7).","Manufacturer responsibilities to provide approved arrangements limiting reprogramming and to plate engine rated speed (clauses 65.3.1 and 65.4.8).","Applicability matrix linking ADR and UNECE vehicle categories and manufacture dates, and special reference to state/territory authority determinations for road trains (Applicability table; clause 65.5.1).","Cross-references to external definitions and acceptable alternate standards (clause 65.1.1 and 65.7)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Australian Design Rule requires heavy goods vehicles and heavy omnibuses to be designed so their maximum road speed cannot exceed prescribed limits, using either gearing, a mechanical/electronic speed governor, or testing verification. It changes vehicle design and fitment rules and sets testing, sealing and record-keeping obligations. Manufacturers and authorised service agencies are the primary actors who must install, mark, seal and maintain the limiting systems; compliance affects vehicle capability and imposes technical and testing costs on those parties."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-65-00-maximum-road-speed-limiting-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-a/documents"}}