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Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021
126What brakes a trailer must have
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126 What brakes a trailer must have
(1) A trailer with a GTM over 750 kilograms must have brakes that operate on at least one wheel at each end of one or more axles of the trailer.
(2) A semi-trailer or converter dolly with a GTM over 2 tonnes must have brakes that operate on all its wheels.
127 Operation of brakes on trailers
(1) The braking system of a trailer with a GTM over 2 tonnes must allow the driver of a motor vehicle towing the trailer to operate the brakes from a normal driving position.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to an unloaded converter dolly that weighs under 3 tonnes if the motor vehicle towing the converter dolly has a GVM over 12 tonnes.
(3) The brakes on a trailer with a GTM over 2 tonnes must—
(a) operate automatically and quickly if the trailer breaks away from the towing vehicle; and
(b) remain in operation for at least 15 minutes after a break‑away; and
(c) be able to hold the trailer on a 12% grade while in operation after a break-away.
128 Air or vacuum brakes on trailers
(1) If a trailer has air brakes, its braking system must include at least one air storage tank.
(2) If a trailer has vacuum brakes, its braking system must include at least one vacuum storage tank.
(3) An air or vacuum storage system must—
(a) be built to give a visible or audible warning to the driver of the towing vehicle, while in a normal driving position, of a lack of air or vacuum that would prevent the brakes from meeting the performance standards of clause 122; and
(b) be safeguarded by a check valve or other device against loss of air or vacuum if the supply fails or leaks.
(4) Subclauses (1), (2) and (3) do not apply to a trailer with a GTM of 2 tonnes or less.
Part 9—Control of emissions
This Part sets out requirements to ensure that motor vehicles do not emit too much smoke or noise and that exhaust gases cannot enter the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
Division 1—Crank case gases and visible emissions
129 Crank case gases
(1) This clause applies to a motor vehicle built after 1971 that—
(a) has 4 or more wheels; and
(b) is powered by a petrol engine.
(2) The vehicle must be built to prevent, or fitted with equipment that prevents, crank case gases from escaping to the atmosphere.
130 Visible emissions—vehicles with internal combustion engines
The visible emissions of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine must not exceed the levels set out in regulations 136, 137 and 138 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021[[4]](#endnote-5).
131 Exhaust emissions—diesel powered vehicles
The exhaust emissions of a diesel powered vehicle must not exceed the levels set out in regulations 139 and 140 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
**132 * * * * ***
**133 * * * * ***
Division 2—Exhaust systems
134 Exhaust systems
The exhaust system fitted to a motor vehicle must be constructed to ensure that exhaust gases are only emitted from a place designed by the manufacturer to emit such gases.
Division 3—Noise emissions
Subdivision 1—General
135 Measurement of stationary noise levels
For this Division, the stationary noise level of a motor vehicle is to be measured in accordance with the procedure set out for the kind of vehicle in the National Stationary Exhaust Noise Test Procedures for In-Service Motor Vehicles – September 2006 published from time to time by the National Transport Commission.
The National Stationary Exhaust Noise Test Procedures for In‑Service Motor Vehicles – September 2006 is available on the Commission's web site at [www.ntc.gov.au](http://www.ntc.gov.au).
136 Meaning of "certified to ADR 83/00"
For the purposes of this Division, a vehicle is certified to ADR 83/00 if—
(a) an approval was given under section 10A of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act (as in force before its repeal) to place an identification plate showing compliance with ADR 83/00 on the vehicle; or
(b) an approval is given under item 4(2) or 6(2) of Schedule 3 to the Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018 of the Commonwealth; or
(c) the vehicle has satisfied an entry pathway under section 15(2) of the Road Vehicle Standards Act, including compliance with ADR 83/00, and the vehicle is entered on the RAV.
137 Silencing device for exhaust systems
(1) A motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine must be fitted with a silencing device through which all the exhaust from the engine passes.
(2) For subclause (1), any silencing device designed to be manipulated by the vehicle's operator, such as by means of in-vehicle controls, must be designed so that it can be tested with the device fully opened.
Subdivision 2—Noise levels applying to vehicles certified prior to the application of ADR 83/00
**138 * * * * ***
139 Stationary noise levels—car-type vehicles and motor cycles and motor trikes
***car-type vehicle*** means—
(a) a car; or
(b) a utility truck, panel van, or another motor vehicle derived from a car design; or
(c) another motor vehicle with 4 or more wheels that is built mainly to carry not over 9 people, including the driver;
***dB(A)*** has the same meaning as in regulation 4 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
(2) The stationary noise level of a forward-control passenger vehicle (MB), off-road passenger vehicle (MC), passenger car (MA) or passenger car derivative must not exceed the relevant noise levels set out in regulation 143(2) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
(3) The stationary noise level of a motor cycle or trike must not exceed the relevant noise levels set out in regulation 145(2) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
140 Stationary noise levels—other vehicles with spark ignition engines
(1) This clause applies to a motor vehicle (except a motor vehicle to which clause 139 of this Schedule applies) with a spark ignition engine.
(2) The stationary noise level of the motor vehicle must not exceed the noise level applying to that vehicle under regulation 144(2) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
141 Stationary noise levels—other vehicles with diesel engines
(1) This clause applies to a motor vehicle (except a motor vehicle to which clause 132 of this Schedule applies) with a diesel engine.
(2) The stationary noise level of the motor vehicle must not exceed the noise level applying to that vehicle under regulation 144(4) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
Subdivision 3—Noise levels applying to vehicles certified to ADR 83/00
142 Stationary noise levels
The stationary noise level of a motor vehicle certified to ADR 83/00 must not exceed the relevant noise levels set out in regulation 142 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
Part 10—Alternative fuel systems
This Part sets out requirements to ensure that LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) fuel systems are safely installed in motor vehicles. In the case of vehicles with LPG system installed, there is an additional requirement to ensure that they can be identified as LPG-powered vehicles*.*
143 LPG-powered vehicles
(1) An LPG system installed in a motor vehicle, and the vehicle, must comply with all relevant requirements set out in the version of Australian Standard AS 1425 that was current at the time the system was installed in the vehicle.
(2) A motor vehicle that has an LPG system installed must have fixed conspicuously to its front and rear number plates the labels required by the version of Australian Standard AS 1425 that was current at the time the system was installed in the vehicle.
(3) If a motor vehicle had an LPG system installed before Australian Standard AS 1425 was first published, the vehicle must have fixed conspicuously to its front and rear number plates a label—
(a) that is made of durable material; and
(b) that is at least 25 millimetres wide and 25 millimetres high; and
(c) that is of a reflective red that conforms with either Australian Standard AS 1743 Road signs—Specifications or Australian Standard AS 1906 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes (Part 1: Retroreflective sheeting); and
(d) that states "LPGAS" or "LPG", or similar words or acronyms that have the same meaning, in capital letters at least 6 millimetres high.
144 Vehicles powered by natural gas
A natural gas system installed in a motor vehicle, and the vehicle, must comply with all relevant requirements set out in the version of Australian Standard AS 2739 that was current at the time the system was installed in the vehicle.
Forms of natural gas include CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LNG (Liquid Natural Gas).