© 2026 Zoe. All rights reserved.
Zoe is a legal information platform. Always consult the Federal Register of Legislation for authoritative text.
Commonwealth legislation
Specifies technical and approval rules for rear‑vision mirrors and other indirect‑vision devices for specified vehicle categories, covering mirror classes, dimensions, curvature, mounting, fields of view, testing, marking and type‑approval. It requires manufacturers, bodybuilders and certifiers to design, test and mark mirrors (or use accepted UN Regulations) to demonstrate compliance.
This matters because it fixes exact design limits, measurement methods and test/sample/marking obligations, while also creating exemption and grandfathering paths that change which vehicles must follow which tests.
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 14/02 – Rear Vision Mirrors) 2006.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 14/02 – Rear Vision Mirrors) 2006
originally made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and continued in force under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018
Compilation No. 3
Compilation date: 13/02/2024
Includes amendments up to: Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Amendment Instrument 2024 (No.1)
Prepared by: Vehicle Safety Policy and Partnerships, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 14/02 – Rear Vision Mirrors) 2006 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 13/02/2024 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
CONTENTS
LEGISALTIVE PROVISIONS...........................................4
SCOPE..............................................................4
APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION..............................4
DEFINITIONS........................................................6
REQUIREMENTS.....................................................6
EXEMPTIONS TO APPENDIX A........................................6
EXEMPTIONS TO APPENDIX B........................................7
ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS..........................................8
APPENDIX A – UNECE R46.....................................................9
APPENDIX B – UNECE R81....................................................77
APPENDIX C – ADR 14/02 - Rear Vision Mirrors...................................108
DEFINITIONS......................................................108
REQUIREMENTS FOR LEP; MA; MB; MC;
AND MD1 VEHICLES ONLY.........................................108
REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES OF CATEGORY LEG; NA
AND MD2 ONLY...................................................110
REQUIREMENTS FOR MD3; MD4; ME; NB;
AND NC VEHICLES ONLY..........................................110
REQUIREMENTS FOR LA; LB; LC; LD ...................................
AND LEM GROUP VEHICLES ONLY..................................110
ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL REAR VISION MIRRORS....................111
ENDNOTES.................................................................114
1. legislative provisions
NAME OF STANDARD
scope
The function of this vehicle standard is to specify requirements for rear vision mirrors and other devices which provide the driver with a clear and reasonably unobstructed view to the rear.
APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION
This vehicle standard applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in 3.3 Applicability Table.
Provided that they were tested to the SAE test procedure J964a August 1974, and meet the curvature specifications, vehicles certified to the requirements of any of the Acceptable Prior Rules as shown below in the Applicability Table are deemed to comply with this Rule.
Vehicles certified to the Australian Design Rule 14/03 – Devices for Indirect Vision, or a later version, are not required to comply with this rule.
Applicability Table
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border:0.75pt solid #000000; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Vehicle Category</span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">ADR Category Code</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">UNECE Category Code</span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Manufactured on or After</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Acceptable Prior Rules</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Moped 2 wheels</span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>LA</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>L1</span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1 March 1993</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>/00, /01</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Moped 3 wheels</span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>LB</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>L2</span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1 March 1993</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>/00, /01</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Motor cycle</span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>LC</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>L3</span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1 March 1993</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>/00, /01</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Motor cycle and sidecar</span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>LD</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>L4</span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1 March 1993</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>/00, /01</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Motor tricycle</span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>LE</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>L5</span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span><span>LEM</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1 March 1993</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>/00, /01</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span><span>LEP</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:67.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1 July 1992</span></p></td><td style="width:53.4pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Nil</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:165.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:52.05pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span><span>LEG</span></p></td><td style="width:43.35pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2.4pt; margin-bottom:2.4pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p>
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.