Part 2—Interpretation and application of the Light Vehicle Standards
3—Definitions
(1) In these rules, unless the contrary intention appears—
adopted standard means a standard, except a national standard, that is adopted, applied or incorporated by the Light Vehicle Standards;
Rule 51(2)(c) applies Australian Standard AS 1973-1976 Retreaded Pneumatic Passenger Car and Light Truck Tyre.
ADR means a national standard known as an Australian Design Rule;
ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories) means the third edition ADR titled "Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule – Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005" made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act;
air brake means an air‑operated or air‑assisted brake;
Air Services Act means the Air Services Act 1995 of the Commonwealth;
Airservices Australia means the body established under section 7 of the Air Services Act;
Airservices Australia vehicle means a vehicle driven by any of the following persons in the course of the person's duty to Airservices Australia:
(a) the Chief Executive Officer of Airservices Australia appointed under section 34 of the Air Services Act;
(b) a person appointed to act as Chief Executive Officer of Airservices Australia under section 41 of the Air Services Act;
(c) a person employed under section 42 of the Air Services Act;
(d) a person engaged as a consultant under section 43 of the Air Services Act;
air storage tank, of a vehicle, means a tank fitted to the vehicle for storing compressed air;
ATM (aggregate trailer mass), of a trailer, means the total maximum mass of the trailer, as stated by the manufacturer, together with the trailer’s load and the mass imposed on the towing vehicle by the trailer when the towing vehicle and trailer are on a horizontal surface;
Australian Border Force vehicle means a vehicle driven by a member of the Australian Border Force, being—
(a) a person—
(i) who is covered by paragraph (a) of the definition of Immigration and Border Protection worker in section 4 of the Australian Border Force Act 2015 of the Commonwealth; and
(ii) who is in the Australian Border Force (as defined in that Act); or
(b) a person—
(i) who is covered by paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of the definition of Immigration and Border Protection worker in section 4 of the Australian Border Force Act 2015 of the Commonwealth; and
(ii) —
(A) whose services have been made available to the Australian Border Force; or
(B) who is performing services for the Australian Border Force;
Australian Standard (AS) or Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) means a standard approved for publication by Standards Australia;
Copies of Australian Standards or Australian/New Zealand Standards are available for purchase from Standards Australia at www.standards.org.au
axle means 1 or more shafts, positioned in a line across a vehicle, on which 1 or more wheels intended to support the vehicle turn;
axle group means a single, tandem or tri‑axle group;
braking system, of a vehicle, means all the brakes of the vehicle and all the components of the mechanisms by which they are operated;
British Standard means a standard approved for publication on behalf of the British Standards Institution;
Copies of British Standards are available for purchase from Standards Australia at
British Standards Institution means the institution of that name established under royal charter in the United Kingdom;
bus means a motor vehicle built mainly to carry people that seats over 9 adults (including the driver);
car means a motor vehicle built mainly to carry people that—
(a) seats not over 9 adults (including the driver); and
(b) has a body commonly known as a sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible or roadster; and
(c) has 4 or more wheels;
centre line, of an axle, means—
(a) for an axle consisting of 1 shaft—a line parallel to the length of the axle and passing through the centre of the axle; or
(b) for an axle consisting of 2 shafts—a line in the vertical plane passing through—
(i) the centre of both shafts; and
(ii) the centres of the wheels on the shafts;
centre line, of an axle group, means—
(a) if the group consists of 2 axles, 1 of which is fitted with twice the number of tyres as the other axle—a vertical line located one‑third of the way from the centre line of the axle with more tyres towards the centre line of the axle with fewer tyres; and
(b) in any other case—a line located midway between the centre lines of the outermost axles of the group;
combination means a group of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle connected to 1 or more vehicles;
converter dolly means a trailer with 1 axle group or single axle, and a fifth wheel coupling, designed to convert a semi‑trailer into a dog trailer;
daylight means the period in a day from sunrise to sunset;
diesel engine means an engine that works on the compression‑ignition principle, commonly known as a diesel engine;
dog trailer means a trailer (including a trailer consisting of a semi‑trailer and converter dolly) with—
(a) 1 axle group or single axle at the front that is steered by connection to the towing vehicle by a drawbar; and
(b) 1 axle group or single axle at the rear;
drawbar means a part of a trailer (except a semi‑trailer) connecting the trailer body to a coupling for towing purposes;
drive includes be in control of;
driver, of a vehicle, means the person driving the vehicle;
emergency brake means a brake designed to be used if a service brake fails;
emergency vehicle means a vehicle driven by any of the following in the course of the person's duty:
(a) a member of an emergency services organisation within the meaning of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005;
(b) an authorised officer under the Emergency Management Act 2004;
(c) a person engaged in the provision of emergency ambulance services under section 57(1) of the Health Care Act 2008 on behalf of SA Ambulance Service Inc or any other person engaged in the provision of emergency ambulance services under section 57(1) of that Act;
(d) a person engaged in the provision of emergency ambulance services under section 57(2)(a) of the Health Care Act 2008;
(e) a member of the armed forces of the Commonwealth engaged in police, fire fighting or ambulance duties or duties in connection with the urgent disposal of explosives or any emergency;
exempt vehicle means—
(a) an Airservices Australia vehicle; or
(b) an Australian Border Force vehicle; or
(c) an emergency vehicle; or
(d) a police vehicle;
fifth wheel coupling means a device, except the upper rotating element and the kingpin (which are parts of a semi‑trailer), used with a prime mover, semi‑trailer, or converter dolly, to allow quick coupling and uncoupling and to provide for articulation;
front fog light means a light used to improve the illumination of the road in case of fog, snowfall, heavy rain or a dust storm;
GTM (gross trailer mass) means the mass transmitted to the ground by the axles of a trailer when the trailer is loaded to its GVM and connected to a towing vehicle;
GVM (gross vehicle mass), of a vehicle, means the maximum loaded mass of the vehicle—
(a) as specified by the vehicle's manufacturer; or
(b) as specified by an Australian Authority if—
(i) the manufacturer has not specified a maximum loaded mass; or
(ii) the manufacturer cannot be identified; or
(iii) the vehicle has been modified to the extent that the manufacturer's specification is no longer appropriate;
high‑beam for a headlight or front fog light fitted to a vehicle, means that the light is built or adjusted so, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam of light projected is above the low‑beam position;
left, for a vehicle, means to the left of the centre of the vehicle when viewed by a person in the vehicle who is facing to the front of the vehicle;
light vehicle means a vehicle—
(a) if the vehicle is a trailer—with an ATM of 4.5 tonnes or less; or
(b) otherwise—with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less;
low‑beam for a headlight or front fog light fitted to a vehicle, means that the light is built or adjusted so, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam of light projected is—
(a) not higher than the centre of the headlight or fog light, when measured 8 metres in front of the vehicle; and
(b) not over 1 metre higher than the level where the motor vehicle is standing, when measured 25 metres in front of the vehicle;
moped means a motor bike or motor trike with an engine cylinder capacity of not over 50 millilitres and a maximum speed of not over 50 kilometres an hour;
motor bike means a motor vehicle with 2 wheels, and includes a 2‑wheeled motor vehicle with a sidecar attached to it that is supported by a third wheel;
motor trike means a motor vehicle with 3 wheels, but does not include a 2‑wheeled motor vehicle with a sidecar attached to it that is supported by a third wheel;
motor vehicle means a vehicle built to be propelled by a motor that forms part of the vehicle;
Motor Vehicle Standards Act means the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth;
mudguard means a fitting or device, with or without a mudflap, that is built and fitted to a vehicle in a way that will, as far as practicable, catch or deflect downwards any mud, stone, water, or other substance, thrown up by the rotation of the wheel of the vehicle for which the fitting or device is fitted;
national standard means a national standard under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act;
See also subrule (5).
nearer side of the vehicle, in relation to a light or reflector fitted to a vehicle, means the side of the vehicle that is closest to where the light or reflector is fitted;
parking brake of a vehicle, means the brake usually used to keep the vehicle stationary while the vehicle is parked;
point of articulation means—
(a) the axis of a kingpin for a fifth wheel; or
(b) the vertical axis of rotation of a fifth wheel coupling; or
(c) the vertical axis of rotation of a turntable assembly; or
(d) the vertical axis of rotation of the front axle group, or single axle, of a dog trailer; or
(e) the coupling pivot point of a semi‑trailer;
pole‑type trailer means a trailer that—
(a) is attached to a towing vehicle by a pole, or an attachment fitted to the pole; and
(b) is ordinarily used for transporting loads, such as logs, pipes, structural members, or other long objects, that can generally support themselves like beams between supports;
police officer means a member of South Australia Police, a member of the Australian Federal Police or a service police officer within the meaning of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 of the Commonwealth;
police vehicle means a vehicle driven by a police officer in the course of the police officer's duty;
prime mover means a motor vehicle built to tow a semi‑trailer;
rear overhang, for the purposes of Part 6 Division 2—see rule 60;
rear overhang line, for the purposes of Part 6 Division 2—see rule 60;
right for a vehicle, means to the right of the centre of the vehicle when viewed by a person in the vehicle who is facing to the front of the vehicle;
road—see rule 7;
road‑related area—see rule 8;
second edition ADR means a national standard incorporated in the document described as the Australian Design Rules for Motor Vehicle Safety, Second Edition published by the Commonwealth Government;
semi‑trailer means a trailer (including a pole‑type trailer) that has—
(a) 1 axle group or single axle to the rear; and
(b) a means of attachment to a prime mover that results in some of the load being imposed on the prime mover;
service brake for a vehicle, means the brake normally used to decelerate the vehicle;
side marker light means a light fitted to the side of a vehicle indicating the presence and length of the vehicle when viewed on that side;
single axle means an axle not forming part of an axle group;
single axle group means a group of at least 2 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre lines of the outermost axles is less than 1 metre;
Standards Australia means Standards Australia Limited ACN 087 326 690, or any body to which Standards Australia Limited is a successor in law or that is a successor in law to Standards Australia Limited;
State Government enforcement vehicle means a vehicle driven by any of the following in the course of the person's duty:
(a) an authorised officer under the Agricultural and Veterinary Products (Control of Use) Act 2002;
(b) an authorised officer under the Dangerous Substances Act 1979;
(c) a fisheries officer under the Fisheries Management Act 2007;
(ca) an authorised officer under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (South Australia) (other than a police officer, or an officer of a council referred to in section 519 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (South Australia) as modified by section 17 of the local application provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (South Australia) Act 2013);
(d) an inspector under the Livestock Act 1997;
(e) an inspector under the Plant Health Act 2009;
(f) an authorised person under the Primary Produce (Food Safety Schemes) Act 2004;
(g) an authorised officer under the Road Traffic Act 1961;
street rod vehicle means a vehicle that—
(a) has been modified for safe road use; and
(b) either—
(i) has a body and frame that were built before 1949; or
(ii) is a replica of a vehicle, the body and frame of which were built before 1949;
tandem axle group means a group of at least 2 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre lines of the outermost axles is at least 1 metre, but not over 2 metres;
third edition ADR means a national standard incorporated in the document described as the Australian Design Rules for Motor Vehicles and Trailers, Third Edition published by the Commonwealth Government;
towing vehicle for a trailer, means the vehicle towing the trailer;
trailer means a vehicle that is built to be towed, or is towed, by a motor vehicle, but does not include a motor vehicle that is being towed;
tri‑axle group means a group of at least 3 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre lines of the outermost axles is over 2 metres, but not over 3.2 metres;
turntable means a bearing built to carry vertical and horizontal loads, but that does not allow quick separation of its upper and lower rotating elements, and that is used to connect and allow articulation between—
(a) a prime mover and semi‑trailer; or
(b) the steering axle or axle group of a dog trailer and the body of the trailer; or
(c) a fifth wheel coupling and the vehicle to which it is mounted;
vacuum brakes means vacuum‑operated or vacuum‑assisted brakes;
vacuum storage tank of a vehicle, means a tank fitted to the vehicle for storing air at low pressure;
vehicle—see rule 4;
warning light means a light fitted to a vehicle designed specifically to warn road users of the vehicle's presence on a road;
yellow includes amber.
(2) The definitions in subrule (1) define certain words and expressions, and include signpost definitions to words and expressions defined elsewhere in the Light Vehicle Standards.
A signpost definition (e.g. road‑related area—see rule 8) is included in subrule (1) if the definition applies outside the rule defining the word or expression.
(3) The definitions in subrule (1) are part of the Light Vehicle Standards.
(4) A definition in the Light Vehicle Standards applies to each use of the word or expression in the Light Vehicle Standards, unless the contrary intention appears.
(5) For the purposes of the definition of national standard in subrule (1), a reference in the Light Vehicle Standards to a national standard is a reference to the national standard as in force from time to time.
4—Meaning of vehicle
(1) For the purposes of the Light Vehicle Standards, a reference to a vehicle is taken to be a reference to a light vehicle.
(2) To remove any doubt—
(a) a trailer is a vehicle; and
(b) a reference in the Light Vehicle Standards to a vehicle includes a reference to the equipment fitted to, or forming part of, the vehicle; and
(c) a reference in the Light Vehicle Standards to a vehicle is taken to be a reference to a single vehicle.
5—When restored vehicle is built
restored vehicle means a vehicle that is being, or has been, restored to the vehicle's manufacturer's specifications, so far as it is practicable to meet the specifications.
(2) For the Light Vehicle Standards, a restored vehicle is taken to have been built when the vehicle was originally built and not when the vehicle was restored.
6—Measurement of width of vehicles
For the purposes of the Light Vehicle Standards, the width of a vehicle is measured disregarding any of the following devices:
(a) an anti‑skid device mounted on the wheels of the vehicle;
(b) a central tyre inflation system fitted to the vehicle;
(c) any side marker light fitted to the vehicle;
(d) any mirror fitted to the vehicle;
(e) any reflector fitted to the vehicle;
(f) any signalling device fitted to the vehicle;
(g) any tyre pressure gauge fitted to the vehicle;
(h) any permanently fixed webbing assembly‑type device, if the maximum distance across the body of the vehicle, including any part of the device, is not more than 2.55 metres.
Example of permanently fixed webbing assembly‑type device—
A curtain‑side device.
7—What is a road
A road is an area that is open to or used by the public and is developed for, or has as 1 of its main uses, the driving or riding of motor vehicles.
8—What is a road‑related area
A road‑related area is any of the following:
(a) an area that divides a road;
(b) a footpath or nature strip adjacent to a road;
(c) an area that is open to the public and is designated for use by cyclists or animals;
(d) any public place that is not a road and on which a motor vehicle may be driven, whether or not it is lawful to drive a motor vehicle there.
9—Diagrams
(1) A diagram in the Light Vehicle Standards is part of the Light Vehicle Standards.
(2) A diagram of something is an illustrative example of the thing, but does not represent the thing's dimensions or the dimensions of any part of the thing.
10—Notes
A note in the Light Vehicle Standards is explanatory and is not part of the Light Vehicle Standards.
11—Examples
(1) An example (whether or not in the form of a diagram) in the Light Vehicle Standards is part of the Light Vehicle Standards.
(2) If the Light Vehicle Standards includes an example of the operation of a provision of the Light Vehicle Standards—
(a) the example is not exhaustive; and
(b) the example does not limit, and may extend, the meaning of the provision; and
(c) the example and the provision are to be read in the context of each other and of the other provisions of the Light Vehicle Standards, but, if the example and the provision as so read are inconsistent, the provision prevails.
12—Application to vehicles and combinations on roads and road‑related areas
The Light Vehicle Standards apply to motor vehicles, trailers and combinations on roads and road‑related areas.
13—Vehicles to which the Light Vehicle Standards do not apply
heavy vehicle means a vehicle—
(a) if the vehicle is a trailer—with an ATM of more than 4.5 tonnes; or
(b) otherwise—with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes.
(2) The Light Vehicle Standards do not apply to—
(a) a vehicle used only on a railway or tramway; or
(b) a vehicle designed to be controlled by a person walking next to it; or
(c) a vehicle propelled by a motor with a maximum power output of not over 200 watts; or
(d) a power‑assisted pedal cycle within the meaning of vehicle standards determined under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, as amended from time to time (other than a power‑assisted pedal cycle that has an auxiliary propulsion motor comprised (in whole or in part) of an internal combustion engine); or
(e) any cycle that was previously a power‑assisted pedal cycle within the meaning of vehicle standards determined under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, but that is no longer a power‑assisted pedal cycle because of a change to the way that concept is defined (other than such a cycle that has an auxiliary propulsion motor comprised (in whole or in part) of an internal combustion engine); or
(f) a motorised wheelchair that cannot travel at over 10 kilometres an hour; or
(g) a vehicle or combination that is being repaired, or is being tested in the course of being repaired, so it will comply with the Light Vehicle Standards; or
(h) a vehicle or combination being driven or towed directly to a place where it is to be repaired so it will comply with the Light Vehicle Standards; or
(i) a heavy vehicle.
With respect to paragraphs (d) and (e), power‑assisted pedal cycle is defined in ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories). The definition includes vehicles referred to as pedalecs.
14—Non‑application of Light Vehicle Standards—exemption under other laws
(1) A provision of the Light Vehicle Standards does not apply to a vehicle or combination if the vehicle or combination is exempt from—
(a) the provision under another law of this jurisdiction; or
(b) the corresponding provision of the law of another jurisdiction.
(2) However, the vehicle or combination is exempt only if all conditions of the exemption (if any) are being complied with.
An exemption allowing a greater dimension limit for a vehicle is subject to conditions about the route where, and times when, the vehicle is allowed to travel. A relevant provision of the Light Vehicle Standards does not apply to the vehicle only if the conditions are complied with.
15—Application of Light Vehicle Standards to vehicle complying with inconsistent ADR requirement
(1) A requirement of Parts 4 to 10 of the Light Vehicle Standards does not apply to a vehicle if the requirement is inconsistent with a requirement of a second or third edition ADR that the vehicle complies with (regardless of whether or not the vehicle is required to comply with the ADR requirement).
(2) Subrule (1) does not apply if the vehicle is not of the same class or type as the vehicles to which the ADR requirement applies.
As the second and third edition ADR do not apply to a vehicle built in 1968, the vehicle must comply with rule 123 (What braking system a motor vehicle must have). If the owner of that type of vehicle modified the brakes so that they did comply with the second edition ADR, any requirement in rule 123 in relation to the vehicle's brakes that was inconsistent with the second edition ADR would no longer apply to the vehicle.
However, if the modified brakes only comply with a rule of the second edition ADR that only applies to passenger cars, then rule 123 does apply, as rule 15(1) would not apply as a result of rule 15(2), because a vehicle is not a passenger car.
16—Application to vehicle subject of Motor Vehicle Standards Act approval
A provision of Parts 4 to 10 of the Light Vehicle Standards does not apply to a vehicle if—
(a) the vehicle does not comply with a requirement of an ADR applying to the vehicle; and
(b) the provision of the Light Vehicle Standards corresponds to the requirement of the ADR; and
(c) despite the non‑compliance, approval has been given, under section 10A(2) or (3) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, to place identification plates on vehicles of that type; and
(d) the vehicle complies with the approval conditions (if any).
Note 1—
Section 10A(2) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act deals with vehicles that do not comply with an ADR, but the non‑compliance is only minor and inconsequential.
Note 2—
Section 10A(3) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act deals with vehicles that do not comply with an ADR, and the non‑compliance is not minor and inconsequential, but the vehicle will be safe to use if conditions are complied with.
17—Interpretation of certain second edition ADRs
The words "left" and "right" in the following second edition ADRs have the opposite meaning in the application of the ADRs, in accordance with the Light Vehicle Standards, to a motor vehicle with a left‑hand drive:
(a) ADR 8 Safety Glass;
(b) ADR 12 Glare Reduction in Field of View;
(c) ADR 14 Rear Vision Mirrors;
(d) ADR 16 Windscreen Wipers and Washers;
(e) ADRs 18 and 18A Location and Visibility of Instruments;
(f) ADRs 35 and 35A Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems.
18—References to adopted standards
Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in a rule or subrule to an adopted standard is a reference to the adopted standard as in force when the rule or subrule commenced.
19—Compliance with particular adopted standards
(1) This rule applies if—
(a) a provision of these rules requires a vehicle, or a component of a vehicle, to comply with an adopted standard (the replaced standard); and
(b) the adopted standard has been replaced by a later adopted standard (the later standard).
(2) The vehicle or component is taken to comply with the replaced standard if the vehicle or component complies with the later standard.
A vehicle is taken to comply with the replaced standard AS 1973-1976 Retreaded Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres if the vehicle complies with the later standard AS 1973-1993 Pneumatic Tyres—Passenger Car, Light Truck, and Truck/Bus—Retreading and Repair Processes.
20—Compliance with requirement to have particular equipment
(1) A vehicle is taken to have equipment mentioned in the Light Vehicle Standards only if the equipment is—
(a) in working order; and
(b) if the equipment is fitted to a trailer that is being towed by an eligible towing vehicle and the equipment must be connected to the eligible towing vehicle to perform its intended function—connected to the eligible towing vehicle.
(2) In this rule—
eligible towing vehicle, for a trailer, means a towing vehicle that has equipment that is capable of being connected to the equipment fitted to the trailer.