17Ground clearance

17 Ground clearance

(1)  In this regulation –

ground clearance, of a vehicle, means the minimum distance to the ground from a point on the underside of the vehicle, except a point on a tyre, wheel, wheel hub, brake backing plate or flexible mudguard or mudflap of the vehicle.

(2)  A person must not use, or cause or permit the use of, a light motor vehicle or light combination unless it has a ground clearance of at least –

(a) 100 millimetres at any point within one metre of an axle; and

(b) one-thirtieth of the distance between the centres of adjacent axles at the midpoint between them; and

(c) at any other point, the distance that will allow the light motor vehicle or light combination to pass over a peak in the road with a gradient on either side of 1:15 if –

(i) the wheels of one axle of the vehicle or combination are on the slope on one side of the peak; and

(ii) the wheels of the next axle are on the slope on the other side.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a first offence, a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units; or

(b) a subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding 40 penalty units.

(3)  Subregulation (2) does not apply to a light motor vehicle with fewer than 4 wheels or any light trailer towed by such a vehicle.