Commonwealth legislation

Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Act Number

202 of 1989

Collection

legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

9/10 complexity

What this legislation does

These Regulations set the detailed rules for getting road vehicles approved for use in Australia. They operate under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 to ensure cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles meet national safety and environmental standards (known as Australian Design Rules) before being sold or driven here.

Key things covered:

1. Vehicle Approvals

Allows manufacturers to apply for approval of vehicles or components as complying with national standards.
Provides pathways to approve vehicles that don’t fully meet standards if they are for testing, market research, racing, or exhibition.

2. Register of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (RSEV)

Creates a public online register for rare, unique or low-volume vehicles not normally sold in Australia (such as classic cars, special editions or high-performance variants).
Sets strict eligibility criteria based on appearance, design features, performance, or being a campervan variant.
Establishes a Review Panel (with industry and government representatives) to reconsider refused applications, with appeals possible to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

3. Registered Automotive Workshops (RAWs)

Establishes a licensing system for businesses that want to import and sell used vehicles.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989.

Official source available

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.