Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2021
sch.1-sec.146Drawbar couplings
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sch.1-sec.146 Drawbar couplings
A coupling for attaching a trailer, other than a semitrailer or pole-type trailer, to a towing vehicle must be built and fitted so that— the coupling is equipped with a positive locking mechanism; and the positive locking mechanism can be released regardless of the angle of the trailer to the towing vehicle. If the trailer is in a combination and is not fitted with breakaway brakes in accordance with section 127 (2) , it must be connected to the towing vehicle by— at least 1 chain, cable or other flexible device; and the coupling required under subsection (1) . The connection must be built and fitted so that— the trailer is kept in tow if the coupling breaks or accidentally detaches; and normal angular movement of the coupling is permitted without unnecessary slack. If practicable, the connection must be built and fitted so that, if the coupling accidentally detaches, the drawbar of the trailer is prevented from hitting the ground. For subsections (3) and (4) , a connection between a trailer and a towing vehicle includes anything connecting the trailer and the towing vehicle. a chain a cable a thing fixed to a trailer or vehicle towing trailer to which a chain is attached shackles. (sch.1-sec.146-ssec.1) A coupling for attaching a trailer, other than a semitrailer or pole-type trailer, to a towing vehicle must be built and fitted so that— the coupling is equipped with a positive locking mechanism; and the positive locking mechanism can be released regardless of the angle of the trailer to the towing vehicle. (sch.1-sec.146-ssec.2) If the trailer is in a combination and is not fitted with breakaway brakes in accordance with section 127 (2) , it must be connected to the towing vehicle by— at least 1 chain, cable or other flexible device; and the coupling required under subsection (1) . (sch.1-sec.146-ssec.3) The connection must be built and fitted so that— the trailer is kept in tow if the coupling breaks or accidentally detaches; and normal angular movement of the coupling is permitted without unnecessary slack. (sch.1-sec.146-ssec.4) If practicable, the connection must be built and fitted so that, if the coupling accidentally detaches, the drawbar of the trailer is prevented from hitting the ground. (sch.1-sec.146-ssec.5) For subsections (3) and (4) , a connection between a trailer and a towing vehicle includes anything connecting the trailer and the towing vehicle. a chain a cable a thing fixed to a trailer or vehicle towing trailer to which a chain is attached shackles.
- (a) the coupling is equipped with a positive locking mechanism; and
- (b) the positive locking mechanism can be released regardless of the angle of the trailer to the towing vehicle.
- (a) at least 1 chain, cable or other flexible device; and
- (b) the coupling required under subsection (1) .