Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018

Key Rules at a Glance

| Situation | What the Law Requires | |---|---| | Importing a vehicle | Must hold a type approval or import approval | | Selling a new vehicle | Vehicle must be on the RAV | | Vehicle recalls | Must comply with any recall notice; severe penalties apply | | Modifying a RAV-listed vehicle before first sale | Must not cause it to fall below entry standards | | Giving false information | Criminal offence |

Recalls — Big Consequences

If the government issues a recall notice (ordering you to fix or retrieve unsafe vehicles), you must comply. The penalties are massive:

• Companies: up to 5,250 penalty units (over $1.7 million at current rates)
• Individuals: up to 1,050 penalty units (over $340,000)

Standards — What Are They?

The Minister sets national road vehicle standards covering:

• Safety (e.g. brakes, airbags, structural integrity)
• Emissions (exhaust gases, noise)
• Anti-theft features
• Energy efficiency
• Security marking (e.g. VIN numbers)

These standards can incorporate international agreements Australia has signed, keeping us aligned with global vehicle rules.

How Is It Enforced?

Government inspectors can enter premises, examine vehicles, take samples, and seize evidence. The law uses a graduated (stepped) approach:

• Warnings and infringement notices (like fines) for minor breaches
• Civil penalties (money orders from a court) for serious breaches
• Criminal prosecution for the most serious conduct
• Courts can also order companies to run compliance training programs or publish public apologies

Consumer Protections

The national vehicle standards are treated as safety standards under Australian Consumer Law, meaning buyers have additional legal protections if a vehicle doesn't meet them.

Does State Law Still Apply?

In most cases, if your new vehicle is on the RAV and meets national standards, it does not need to separately comply with state vehicle standards — the federal standard overrides them.

Cost Recovery

The government charges fees for processing approvals and other services under this law. Unpaid fees can result in your approvals being suspended or revoked.