45Windscreen wipers and washers

45 Windscreen wipers and washers (1) A motor vehicle with 3 or more wheels that is fitted with a windscreen must be fitted with at least 1 windscreen wiper unless a driver in a normal driving position can obtain an adequate view of the road ahead of the motor vehicle without looking through the windscreen. (2) At least 1 windscreen wiper fitted to the motor vehicle must: (a) be able to remove moisture from the part of the windscreen in front of the driver to allow the driver an adequate view of the road ahead of the motor vehicle when the windscreen is wet; and (b) be able to be operated from a normal driving position; and

Motor Vehicles (Standards) Regulations 2003 – Australian Vehicle Standards Rules 21 (c) for a motor vehicle built after 1934 – continue to operate until the wiper is switched off; and (d) for a motor vehicle built after 1959 the driving position of which is nearer one side of the vehicle than the other: (i) be able to remove moisture from the part of the windscreen in front of the driver, and a corresponding part of the windscreen on the other side of the centre of the motor vehicle, to allow the driver an adequate view of the road ahead of the motor vehicle when the windscreen is wet; and (ii) if the windscreen wipers are operated by engine manifold vacuum – be provided with a vacuum reservoir or pump to maintain the efficient operation of the wiper or wipers while the vehicle is in motion. (3) If the motor vehicle was built after 1982 and has a GVM over 4.5 tonnes, it must also be fitted with a windscreen washer that can direct water onto the windscreen within the area swept by a windscreen wiper so the wiper can spread the water to all of the area swept by the wiper. Note The ADRs require certain vehicles with a GVM not over 4.5 tonnes to be fitted with a windscreen washer. (4) The windscreen washer must be able to be operated from a normal driving position.