CONTENTS
0. legislative provisions............................................................................ 3
SCOPE ............................................................................................................................ 3
APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION................................................................. 3
14.1. DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................... 5
14.2. REQUIREMENTS FOR MA; MB; MC; AND MD1 VEHICLES ONLY........... 5
14.3. REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES OF CATEGORY NA AND MD2 ONLY. 6
14.4. REQUIREMENTS FOR MD3; MD4; ME; NB; AND NC VEHICLES ONLY.. 7
14.5. REQUIREMENTS FOR L-GROUP VEHICLES ONLY.................................... 7
14.6. ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL REAR VISION mirrors................................... 7
14.7. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS.......................................................................... 8
APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................... 9
NOTES .......................................................................................................................... 11
0. legislative provisions
0.1. NAME OF STANDARD
0.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 14/01 – Rear Vision Mirrors) 2006.
0.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 14/01 — Rear Vision Mirrors.
0.2. COMMENCEMENT
0.2.1. This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.
0.3. REPEAL
0.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 14/01 — Rear Vision Mirrors that is:
(a) made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989; and
(b) in force at the commencement of this Standard.
0.3.2. This Standard also repeals each instrument made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 that creates a vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 14/01 — Rear Vision Mirrors, if there are no other vehicle standards created by that instrument, or amendments to vehicle standards made by that instrument, that are still in force at the commencement of this Standard.
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 rear vision mirrors to provide the driver with a clear and reasonably unobstructed view to the rear.
APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION
This ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.
The /00 Rule differs from the /00 Rule in that it permits 'Convex Mirrors' on the passenger's side and an additional 'Convex Mirror' on the driver's side of all vehicles. It also updates the SAE Test Procedure J964 to the J964a August 1974 version.
The Package 17 amends Appendix A S12.5 by deleting the table and replacing with a formula.
Provided that they were tested to the updated SAE test procedure; 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.
Vehicle Category | ADR Category Code | UNECE Category Code * | Manufactured on or After | Acceptable Prior Rules |
Moped 2 wheels | LA | L1 | 1 March 1991 | /00 |
Moped 3 wheels | LB | L2 | 1 March 1991 | /00 |
Motor cycle | LC | L3 | 1 March 1991 | /00 |
Motor cycle and sidecar | LD | L4 | 1 March 1991 | /00 |
Motor tricycle | LE | L5 | 1 March 1991 | /00 |
Passenger car | MA | M1 | 1 Jan 1991 | /00 |
Forward-control passenger vehicle | MB | M1 | 1 Jan 1991 | /00 |
Off-road passenger vehicle | MC | M1 | 1 Jan 1991 | /00 |
Light omnibus | MD | M2 | | |
| up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and up to 12 seats | MD1 | | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
| up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and more than 12 seats | MD2 | | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
| over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ | MD3 | | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
| over 4.5 tonnes and up to 5 tonnes ‘GVM’ | MD4 | | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
Heavy omnibus | ME | M3 | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
Light goods vehicle | NA | N1 | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
Medium goods vehicle | NB | N2 | | |
| over 3.5 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ | NB1 | | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
| over 4.5 tonnes up to 12 tonnes ‘GVM’ | NB2 | | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
Heavy goods vehicle | NC | N3 | 1 July 1990 | /00 |
Very light trailer | TA | O1 | Not Applicable | |
Light trailer | TB | O2 | Not Applicable | |
Medium trailer | TC | O3 | Not Applicable | |
Heavy trailer | TD | O4 | Not Applicable | |
14.1. DEFINITIONS
14.1.1. Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.
14.2. REQUIREMENTS FOR MA; MB; MC; AND MD1 VEHICLES ONLY
142.0 Any internal rear vision mirror fitted to a vehicle and intended to provide the driver with a view of following or overtaking vehicles shall have a flat reflecting surface i.e. of unit magnification.
14.2.1. An external mirror complying with the requirement of Clause 14.2.3 shall be fitted on the driver's side of the vehicle. An internal rear vision mirror shall also be provided except where the design of the motor vehicle does not provide for internal rear vision. In any case where the field of view requirements of Clause 14.2.2.1 are not met the vehicle shall be equipped with a passenger's side external rear vision mirror complying with Clause 14.2.3.
14.2.2. Internal Rear Vision Mirrors
14.2.2.1. Field of View - An internal mirror shall be installed that provides all drivers (with eyes located by the '95th Percentile Eye Ellipses' tangent contours) with a view to the rear, with an included horizontal angle of at least 20 degrees and sufficient vertical angle to provide a view of a level road surface extending to the horizon beginning at a point not greater than 61 metres to the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is occupied by the driver and 4 passengers or the designated `Seating Capacity', if less, based on 68 kg average occupant mass. The line of sight may be partially
obscured by seated occupants or by 'Head Restraints'.
14.2.2.2. Mounting
14.2.2.2.1. The mirror mounting shall provide a stable support for the mirror, and shall provide for adjustment by tilting in both horizontal and vertical directions.
14.2.2.2.2. If the mirror is in the 'Head Impact Area', the mounting shall deflect, collapse or break away without leaving sharp edges when the reflective surface of the mirror is subjected to a force of not more than 400 N in any 'Forward' direction that is not more than 45 degrees from the 'Forward’ longitudinal direction.
14.2.3. External Rear Vision Mirrors
14.2.3.1. Driver's Side
14.2.3.1.1. Field of View - A flat external mirror shall be installed that provides all drivers (with eyes located by the `95th Percentile Eye Ellipses' tangent contours) with a view of a level road surface extending to the horizon from a line perpendicular to a plane tangential to the driver's side of the vehicle at the widest point and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, extending 2.4 metres out from the tangential plane 11 metres behind the driver's eyes, with the `Seat' in the rearmost position. The line of sight may be partially obscured by rear body or wheel guard contours.
14.2.3.1.2. Mounting - The mirror mounting shall provide a stable support for the mirror and neither the mirror nor the mounting shall protrude further than the widest part of the vehicle body, except to the extent necessary to produce a field of view meeting the requirements of Clause 14.2.3.1.1. The mirror shall not be obscured by the unwiped portion of the windscreen, and shall be adjustable from the driver's seating position. The mirror and mounting shall be free of sharp points or edges that could contribute to pedestrian injury.
14.2.3.2. Passenger’s Side
14.2.3.2.1. Where a left-hand external mirror is provided in compliance with Clause 14.2.1 its mounting shall provide a stable support for the mirror. The mirror and mounting shall be free of sharp points or edges that could contribute to pedestrian injury. The mirror need not be adjustable from the driver's seating position, but shall be capable of adjustment by tilting in both horizontal and vertical directions.
14.2.3.2.2. The mirror shall be flat or convex.
14.2.3.2.3. For `Convex Mirrors' the reflective surface area is to be equal to or greater than that of a flat mirror required to meet the field of view requirements set out in Clause 14.2.3.1.1.
14.2.4. Mirror Construction
14.2.4.1. Reflectance
The reflectance value of the reflective flim employed shall be at least 35 percent. If a mirror is of the selective position prismatic type, the reflectance value in the night driving position shall be at least 4 percent.
14.2.4.2. 'Convex Mirrors'
Each motor vehicle using a 'Convex Mirror' to meet the requirements of Clause 14.2.3.2 shall comply with the following requirements
14.2.4.2.1. the radii of curvature shall not deviate by more than plus or minus 15 percent from the average radius of curvature when measured in accordance with the procedures specified in Appendix A.
14.2.4.2.2. the average radius of curvature is not to be less than 1,200 mm.
14.2.5. Test Procedure
14.2.5.1. Reflectance shall be determined in accordance with SAE document J964a "Test Procedure for Determining Reflectivity of Rearview Mirror", August, 1974.
14.2.5.2. The horizontal angle is measured from the projected eye point rather than the plane of the mirror.
14.3. REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES OF CATEGORY NA AND MD2 ONLY
Vehicles of category NA and MD2 shall have mirrors which comply with Clauses 14.2 or 14.4.
14.4. REQUIREMENTS FOR MD3; MD4; ME; NB; AND NC VEHICLES ONLY
14.4.1. There shall be affixed to every vehicle a mirror or mirrors so designed and fitted and of such dimensions as to be capable of reflecting to the driver as far as practicable a clear view of the road to the rear of the driver and of any following or overtaking vehicle.
14.4.2. At least one such mirror shall be affixed to each side of the vehicle and may project 150 mm beyond the point of 'Overall Width' of the vehicle or the 'Overall Width' of any trailer it may be drawing
14.4.2.1. if the vehicle is a goods vehicle or an omnibus
14.4.2.2. if the trailer be of greater width than the drawing vehicle; or
14.4.2.3. in any case where, because of the manner in which the vehicle is constructed or equipped, or the fact that it is drawing a trailer or for any other reason, the driver could not, by means of a mirror affixed to the inside of the vehicle, have reflected to the driver as far as practicable a clear view of the road to the rear of the driver and of any following or overtaking vehicle.
14.4.3. The mirrors may project 230 mm on each side beyond the point of 'Overall Width' of the vehicle provided that the mirror is capable of collapsing to 150 mm.
14.4.4. All such mirrors fitted to vehicles shall be at least 150 square centimetres in area
14.4.5. Mirrors on the driver's side shall be flat, and mirrors on the passenger's side may be flat or convex.
14.4.5.1. 'Convex mirrors', if fitted, shall meet the requirements of Clauses 14.2.4.2.1 and 14.2.4.2.2.
14.5. REQUIREMENTS FOR L-GROUP VEHICLES ONLY
All vehicles shall be equipped with 2 rear vision mirrors having the same curvature (including flatness), symmetrically placed relative to the centre of the steering control and of such dimensions as to be capable of reflecting to the driver as far as practicable a clear view of the road to the rear of the driver and of any following or overtaking vehicle.
14.5.1.1. Flat mirrors shall have not less than 80 square centimetres of reflective surface.
14.5.1.2. ‘Convex Mirrors’ shall have not less than 64.5 square centimetres of reflective surface and an average radius of curvature that is not less than 1,200 mm.
14.6. ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL REAR VISION mirrors
14.6.1. Mirrors in addition to those required by this Rule may also be fitted, provided that
14.6.1.1. they do not protrude or project beyond the vehicle more than allowed for other mirrors required by this Rule.
14.6.1.2. they do not obstruct or interfere with the field of view requirements provided by mirrors fitted to meet the specified requirements of this Rule.
14.6.1.3. if the mirror is the only minor on the left-hand side it shall be flat or convex with an average radius of curvature of at least 1,200 mm.
14.6.2. Additional mirrors need not meet the requirements of Clause 14.2.4.2.2 except as specified in Clause 14.6.1.3 above.
14.7. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS
14.7.1. The technical requirements of ECE R 46/00 or 46/01 – ‘Rear View Mirrors’ - shall be deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of this Rule for mirrors other than additional mirrors, except that for LE, M-group and N-group vehicles the reflecting surface of the internal mirror and the mirror on the driver's side shall be flat
14.7.2. The technical requirements relating to the component aspect of ECE R81/00 shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Clause 14.5.1.2.
14.7.3. In addition, the technical requirements relevant to two-wheeled vehicles of ECE R81/00, 'UNIFORM PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF REAR-VIEW MIRRORS AND OF TWO-WHEELED POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLES WITH OR WITHOUT SIDE CAR, WITH REGARD TO THE INSTALLATION OF REAR-VIEW MIRRORS ON HANDLEBARS.", shall be deemed equivalent to those of clause 14.5.1.2 of this regulation.