Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006
1Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006
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Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006
originally made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and continued in force under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018
Compilation No. 2
Compilation date: 31/10/2024
Includes amendments: Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024
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 43/01 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 31/10/2024 (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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006.
This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 43/01 — Vehicle Configuration and Marking.
Purpose and SCOPE
This Australian Design Rule (ADR) is part of the Australian motor vehicle standards system and is a national standard for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.
The function of this Australian Design Rule is to specify requirements for vehicle configuration, dimensions and marking.
APPLICABILITY
This ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.
The /01 issue differs from the /00 issue only in that it specifies new `VIN' requirements (Section 43.3.0). The Package 9 issue of /01 extends the Rule to LB and LE vehicles; and has changes to the registration plate dimensions in Figure 1.
Vehicles certified to the requirements of any of the “Acceptable Prior Rules” as shown below in the Applicability Table for a particular category shall be deemed to comply with this Rule.
IN ADDITION VEHICLES WHICH COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ADR 43/02 & ADR 61/00 NEED NOT COMPLY WITH ADR 43/01.
DEFINITIONS
Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.
TURNING CIRCLE
Every vehicle, including a motor vehicle in combination with a trailer, shall have a turning circle in either direction, as determined by reference to the extreme outer edge of the tyre track at ground level, not exceeding 25 metres in diameter.
MARKING
43.3.0.1. Every vehicle shall have a unique ‘Vehicle Identification Number'. The ‘Vehicle Identification Number' shall comply with the requirements of
43.3.0.1.1. ISO 3779, "Road Vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Content and structure" (Ref. No. ISO 3779 - 1983 (E) );
43.3.0.1.2 ISO 3780, 'Road Vehicles - World manufacturer identifier (WMI) code" (Ref. No. ISO 3780 - 1983 (E); and
43.3.0.1.3. ISO 4030, "Road Vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Location and attachment" (Ref. No. ISO 4030 - 1983 (E)), except that:
43.3.0.1.3.1 it is permissible to locate the 'VIN' on the left-hand side of the vehicle; and
43.3.0.1.3.2. Clause 4.2 of the ISO Standard 4030 is not applicable in Australia.
43.3.0.2. Alternative Standards
43.3.0.2.1. The technical requirements of FMVSS 115 - "Vehicle Identification Number" (44 FR 17,498 to 17,500; or 48 FR 22,569 to 22572 as amended by 50 FR 4,222) shall be deemed to be equivalent in application to the requirements specified in Clause 43.3.0.1.1 above.
43.3.0.2.2. The requirements of Australian Standard MP 55-1988, 'Vehicle Identification Number Codes", with the ‘VIN’ location on either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the vehicle shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Clause 43.3.0.1 above.
43.3.0.3. Reporting
The `Manufacturer' shall furnish a list of ‘Vehicle Identification Numbers' to the ‘Administrator' or a designated nominee at agreed periodical intervals.
`Compliance Plate'
Every motor vehicle and every applicable trailer shall bear an `Approved' 'Compliance Plate' which shall be placed in a conspicuous position on the vehicle.
Engine Number
An identification number shall be legible and permanently stamped, laser engraved, cast or a combination of these upon the main component of the engine at the time of its manufacture and such number shall be located where it can be readily seen when the engine is installed in the motor vehicle for which it was intended.
Trailer Plate
On every trailer, there shall be permanently affixed a plate in a prominent external position on which is:
`Manufacturer's' Name
`Date of Manufacture,
'Gross Trailer Mass' (in kg).
Tyre and rim data as required by the placard specified in Australian Design Rule 24/... -Tyre and Rim Selection'.
Information which is contained in the 'Compliance Plate’ or in a tyre placard in accordance with ADR 24/... 'Tyre & Rim Selection' does not need to be shown on the trailer plate.
Registration-Plates and Labels and their Holders
Registration Plates
All Vehicles other than L-Group Vehicles
Provision shall be made for mounting a registration plate (as shown in Figure 1) to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle so that no part of such plate will be more than 1,300 mm from the ground.
Provision shall be made for mounting a registration plate (as shown in Figure 1) to be affixed to the front of the motor vehicle forward of and parallel to the front ‘Axle’ so that no part of such registration plate will be more than 1,300 mm from the ground.
No part of a vehicle, including its standard equipment, regular production options or 'Equipment' shall be so located as to obscure any part of the registration plate(s).
I.-Group Vehicles Only.
Provision shall be made for mounting a registration plate to the rear of the vehicle so that the centre of each registration plate shall not be less than 300 mm from the ground.
Label Holder
All vehicles, other than L-Group vehicles, which have no windscreen, shall have a holder for the registration label affixed to their left-hand side in such a position as to be clearly visible to a person facing the holder at a distance of 6 metres.
For L-Group vehicles, a holder for the registration label shall be affixed in a conspicuous position on the vehicle.
Not used
Marking of 'Converter Dollies'
All 'Converter Dollies' shall have clearly and permanently marked on their chassis:
the name or trademark of the 'Manufacturer';
the ‘Manufacturer’s 'Gross Trailer Mass' rating; and
a unique serial number identifying the unit.
The requirements of Clauses 43.3.6.1 to 43.3.3.6.3 can be satisfied by the 'Compliance Plate' of the 'Converter Dolly'.
Visibility of Tray
On every vehicle which, together with the 'Equipment' thereof, is 2.2 m or more wide and which has a body of the tray type and does not have a 'Rear Marking Plate' (refer to ADR 13/... "Installation of Lighting and Light-signalling Devices'), there shall be displayed by painting or otherwise across the full width of the rearmost portion of the tray of such vehicle, a horizontal band having a uniform depth of at least 75 mm and being white or silver in colour and dearly visible.
DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES
‘Total Length' (including any 'Equipment’)
Rigid vehicles
The ‘Total Length’ of the rigid portion of any vehicle, other than an omnibus, or a 'Semi-trailer' shall not exceed 11 m and the distance from the 'Front End' to the line from which the 'Rear Overhang' is measured shall not exceed 8.3 m.
Except as provided for in Clause 43.4.1.1.2.1 the 'Total Length' of a rigid omnibus shall not exceed 12.2 m and the distance from the 'Front End' to the line from which the 'Rear Overhang' is measured shall not exceed a figure equal to 8.3 m plus the amount if any, by which the 'Total Length' exceeds 11 m.
The 'Total Length' of an omnibus equipped with a ‘Twin Steer Axle Group' and a 'Tandem Axle Group' operating on a specified route shall not exceed 12.8 m.
‘Semi-trailers'
The ‘Total Length' of a 'Semi-trailer' over which the maximum width of the vehicle may be attainable shall not exceed 12.5 m.
The distance from the 'Point of Articulation' to the line from which the 'Rear Overhang' is measured shall not exceed 9.0 m.
The forward projection from the 'Point of Articulation' of the ‘Semi-trailer' portion of an ‘Articulated Vehicle' shall be contained within a radius of 1.9 m.
Every ‘Semi-trailer’ shall, when viewed in plan, be contained wholly within the envelope shown in Figure 2.
Non-rigid Vehicles (other than 'Road Trains', 'B-Doubles' and 'Articulated Omnibuses’).
The 'Total Length' shall not exceed 17.5 m.
The 'Drawbar Length' forming part of the vehicle shall not exceed
5 m; or
8.5 m in the case of trailers having a single 'Axle Group'.
'Articulated Omnibuses'
The 'Total Length' of an 'Articulated Omnibus' shall not exceed 18 metres.
All parts of an 'Articulated Omnibus' except mirrors and signalling devices shall be capable of moving within a circular track having an inner radius of 5.3 m and an outer radius of 12 m.
'Rear Overhang’ (including ‘Equipment’)
Dimensions
Except ac provided in Clause 43.4.2.1.4, for a rigid motor vehicle having a 'Total Length' up to 9.5 metres, the 'Rear Overhang' shall not exceed 60 percent of the distance from the centreline of the front ‘Axle’ (or the front ‘Axle' of a 'Twin Steer Axle Group) to the line from which Rear Overhang' is measured, or 3.2 metres whichever is the lesser
For a trailer (other than a 'Semi-trailer') having a single 'Axle Group' the 'Rear Overhang' shall not exceed the length of the load space forward of the line at the rear of the vehicle from which 'Rear Overhang' is measured, or 3.7 metres whichever is the lesser.
For a 'Semi-nailer' the 'Rear Overhang' shall not exceed 50 percent of the distance between the centreline of the 'Fifth Wheel' king pin and the line from which Rear Overhang' of the 'Semi-trailer' is measured, or 3.2 metres whichever is the lesser.
The 'Rear Overhang’ of a rigid omnibus shall be the least of : 60 percent of the 'Wheelbase'; or for an omnibus with a 'Single Axle' towards the rear 3.2 m; or for any other rigid omnibus 3.7 m.
For all other motor vehicles and trailers (other than 'Semi-trailers') the `Rear Overhang' shall not exceed 60 percent of the distance from the centreline of the front `Axle’ (or the front `Axle' of a 'Twin Steer Axle Group' to the line from which 'Rear Overhang is measured, or 3.7 metres whichever is the lesser.
Not used
Not used
In the case -of a vehicle with 'Twin Steer Axle Group', the front 'Axle' of that group shall be the 'Axle' used to determine the permitted 'Rear Overhang’ in accordance with Clause 43.4.2.1.
' Height (including any 'Equipment')
Except as provided for in Clause 43.4.3.3 for a double-deck cattle trailer the height of any vehicle (other than a double-deck omnibus) shall not exceed 4.3 m.
The height of double-deck omnibus shall not exceed 4.4 m.
The height of a vehicle with a double-deck cattle trailer may be up to 4.6 m provided that:
the drawing vehicle shall have tandem driven rear ‘Axles', and if an interaxle differential is fitted then it shall be of the positive locking type;
double-deck cattle trailers (other than 'Sari-tailers') shall have a ‘Tandem Axle Group' towards the front and a ‘Triaxle Group' towards the rear, and
double-deck cattle ‘Semi-trailers’ shall have a ‘Triaxle Group' towards the rear.
‘Ground Clearance’
The 'Ground Clearance’ of a vehicle, other than an L-Group vehicle, measured from a horizontal road surface to any point on the underside of the vehicle except the tyres, wheels and wheel hubs shall, under the conditions of 'Maximum Loaded Test Mass' loading as specified in the relevant braking Rule, be not less than:
for any point in the width of the vehicle which is within one metre fore and aft of any ‘Axle', 100 mm;
for the mid-point between any 2 consecutive ‘Axles', the dimension in millimetres obtained by multiplying the distance between those 2 'Axles' in metres by 33.33; and
for any other point, 'Ground Clearance’ such that if the wheels of one 'Axle' are on one plane and the wheels on the next consecutive ‘Axle' are on another plane which intersects the first so that the angle between them is 7 degrees 38 minutes the point will pass over the apex transverse to the vehicle formed by that intersection, as shown in Figure 3.
'Overall Width' (including any 'Equipment')
The `Overall Width' of any motor vehicle (other than an L-Group vehicle) or trailer shall not exceed 2,500 mm.
The 'Overall Width' of an L-group vehicle shall be as follows
In the case of a 2 wheeled vehicle (LA or LC), the maximum width shall not exceed 1,000 mm.
In the case of a three wheel vehicle (LB or LE) or a motor cycle with a side car (LD), the maximum width shall not exceed 1,850 mm.
PROJECTION OF 'EQUIPMENT’
For vehicles other than L-Group vehicles, any 'Equipment' shall not project more than 1,200 mm from the 'Front End' or 'Rear End.
For the purposes of Clause 43.3.1 'Equipment' shall include the pole of a 'Pole-type Trailer'.
Any `Equipment' for L-Group vehicles (other than LD vehicles) shall not project:
more than 150 mm in front of the outer extremity of the front wheel or more than 300 mm behind the outer extremity of the rear wheel, or
more than 150 mm beyond the extreme outer portion of the vehicle on either side
Any 'Equipment' for LD vehicles only shall not project:
more than 600 mm in front of the outer extremity of the front wheel or more than 900 mm behind the outer extremity of the rear wheel; or
more than 150 mm beyond the extreme outer portion of the vehicle on either side.
`AXLE' CONFIGURATION
43.6.0. Vehicles shall satisfy the following requirements:
A rigid motor vehicle shall be supported by 2 `Axle' Groups' disposed as follows:
one towards the front of the vehicle, with all wheels connected to the steering system for that part of the vehicle, on either a `Single Axle' or a `Twin Steer Axle Group'; and
one towards the rear of the vehicle by an `Axle Group'.
A `Semi-Trailer' shall be supported towards the rear by an `Axle Group'.
A trailer other than a `Semi-trailer' shall be supported by either.
one ‘Axle Group'; or
an `Axle Group' towards both the front and rear of the trailer provided that all wheels in the front `Axle Group' are connected to the steering mechanism for that part of the vehicle.
`Load Sharing Suspension'
All the `Axles' in an `Axle Group', other than a `Twin Steer Axle Group' with not more than 2.0 metres horizontal distance between the centrelines of each ‘Axle’, shall be related to each other through a `Load Sharing Suspension’.
Figure 2
Figure 2 illustrates the requirements of clause 43.3.4.1.1.1 and 43.3.4.1.1.2
Figure 1
TOLERANCES:
External Dimensions 1 mm
Diameter of Fixing Holes 0.5 mm
Other Dimensions 0.5 mm
Figure 2
Figure 2 illustrates the requirements of clause 43.4.1.2.4
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 3 illustrates the requirements of clause 43.4.4.2.1
Figure 3
ENDNOTES
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted
orig = original
am = amended
par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
amdt = amendment
/sub‑subparagraph(s)
c = clause(s)
pres = present
C[x] = Compilation No. x
prev = previous
Ch = Chapter(s)
(prev…) = previously
def = definition(s)
Pt = Part(s)
Dict = Dictionary
r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament
reloc = relocated
Div = Division(s)
renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have
rep = repealed
effect
rs = repealed and substituted
F = Federal Register of Legislation
s = section(s)/subsection(s)
gaz = gazette
Sch = Schedule(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003
Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003
SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment
SR = Statutory Rules
cannot be given effect
Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)
mod = modified/modification
SubPt = Subpart(s)
No. = Number(s)
underlining = whole or part not
o = order(s)
commenced or to be commenced
Ord = Ordinance
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Name
Registration
Commencement
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 - Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006(F2006L02692)
17/08/06
18/08/06
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 - Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006 Amendment 1(F2007L00827)
29/03/2007
30/03/2007
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024(F2024L01388)
30/10/2024
31/10/2024
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected
How affected
Amending legislation/instrument
c 0.2
rep
Legislation Act 2003 – section 48D
c 0.3
rep
Legislation Act 2003 – section 48C
c 43.3.0.2.2
am
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/01 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006 Amendment 1
c 43.6.1.1
am
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024
c 43.7
am
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024
[*] The category code may also be in the format L1, LA etc.
[**] Provided that they comply with the new `VIN' requirements set out in Section 43.3.