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Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/00 – 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originally made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and continued in force under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018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. 1

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 43/00 – 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

CONTENTS

 

43.0. legislative provisions.............................................4

Purpose and SCOPE.....................................................4

APPLICABILITY......................................................4

43.1. DEFINITIONS..................................................5

43.2. TURNING CIRCLE.............................................5

43.3. marking.......................................................6

43.4. DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES....................................8

43.5. PROJECTION OF ‘EQUIPMENT’.................................11

43.6. ‘Axle’ configuration.............................................11

43.7. ‘LOAD sharing suspension’.......................................12

ENDNOTES.........................................................13

 


  1.                                 legislative provisions
    1.                           NAME OF STANDARD
      1.                     This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/00 – Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006.
      2.                     This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 43/00 — 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.

 


43.0.4.  Applicability Table

 

Vehicle Category

ADR Category Code [*]

UNECE Category Code *

Manufactured on or After

Acceptable Prior Rules

Moped 2 wheels

LA

L1

1 July 1988

Nil

Moped 3 wheels

LB

L2

1 March 1991

Nil

Motor cycle

LC

L3

1 July 1988

Nil

Motor cycle and sidecar

LD

L4

1 July 1988

Nil

Motor tricycle

LE

L5

1 March 1991

Nil

Passenger car

MA

M1

1 July 1988

Nil

Forward-control passenger vehicle

MB

M1

1 July 1988

Nil

Off-road passenger vehicle

MC

M1

1 July 1988

Nil

Light omnibus

MD

M2

 

 

 

up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and up to 12 seats

   MD1

 

1 July 1988

Nil

 

up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and more than 12 seats

   MD2

 

1 July 1988

Nil

 

over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’

   MD3

 

1 July 1988

Nil

 

over 4.5 tonnes and up to 5 tonnes ‘GVM’

   MD4

 

1 July 1988

Nil

Heavy omnibus

ME

M3

1 July 1988

Nil

Light goods vehicle

NA

N1

1 July 1988

Nil

Medium goods vehicle

NB

N2

 

 

 

over 3.5 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’

   NB1

 

1 July 1988

Nil

 

over 4.5 tonnes up to 12 tonnes ‘GVM’

   NB2

 

1 July 1988

Nil

Heavy goods vehicle

NC

N3

1 July 1988

Nil

Very light trailer

TA

O1

1 July 1988

Nil

Light trailer

TB

O2

1 July 1988

Nil

Medium trailer

TC

O3

1 July 1988

Nil

Heavy trailer

TD

O4

1 July 1988

Nil

  1.                                 DEFINITIONS
    1.                           Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.
  2.                                 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.

  1.                                 marking

43.3.0  Identification Number

43.3.0.1. Every vehicle shall have a unique ‘Vehicle Identification Number’

  1.                           ‘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.

  1.                           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 intended.

  1.                           Trailer Plate
    1.                     On every trailer, there shall he 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'.

  1.               In the case where the trailer is fitted with passenger car tyres, the data specified in Clause 24.2.1 of that Rule.
  2.               In the case where the trailer is not fitted with passenger car tyres, the data specified in clause 24.3.1 of that Rule;
  1.                     Information which is contained in the ‘Compliance Plate’ does not need to be shown on the trailer plate,
  1.                           Registration Plates and Labels and their Holders
    1.                     Registration Plates
      1.               All Vehicles other than L-Group Vehicles
        1.        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.

Figure 2 Figure 2 illustrates the requirements of clause 43.3.4.1.1.1 and 43.3.4.1.1.2

Figure 1

  1.        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.
  2.        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).
  1.               L-Group Vehicles Only.
    1.        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.
  1.                     Label Holder
    1.               All 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.
    2.               For L-Group vehicles, a holder for the registration label shall be affixed in a conspicuous position on the vehicle.
  1.                           Not used
  2.                           Marking of 'Converter Dollies'

All `Converter Dollies' shall have clearly and permanently marked on their chassis:

  1.                     the name or trademark of the ‘Manufacturer’
  2.                     the 'Manufacturer's' 'Gross Trailer Mass' rating; and
  3.                     a unique serial number identifying the unit.
  4.                     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’.
  1.                           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 a least 75 mm and being white or silver in colour and clearly visible.

  1.                                 DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES
    1.                           'Total Length' (including any ‘Equipment’)
      1.                     Rigid vehicles
        1.               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.
        2.               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.
          1.        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.
      2.                     ‘Semi-trailers'
        1.               The ‘Total Length' of a 'Semi-trailer' over which the maximum width of the vehicle may be attainable shall not exceed 12.5 m.
        2.               The distance from the `Point of Articulation' to the line from which the 'Rear Overhang' is measured shall not exceed 9 m.
        3.               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.
        4.               Every ‘Semi-trailer' shall, when viewed in plan, be contained wholly within the envelope shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Figure 2 illustrates the requirements of clause 43.4.1.2.4

Figure 2

  1.                     Non-rigid Vehicles (other than 'Road Trains', ‘B-Doubles' and 'Articulated Omnibuses’).
    1.               The ‘Total Length' shall not exceed 17.5 m.
    2.               The 'Drawbar Length' forming part of the vehicle shall not exceed:
      1.        5 m; or
      2.        8.3 m in the case of trailers having a single 'Axle Group'.
  2.                     'Articulated Omnibuses’
    1.               The 'Total Length' of an 'Articulated Omnibus' shall not exceed 18 metres.
    2.               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.
  1.                           'Rear Overhang' (including any ‘Equipment’)
    1.                     Dimensions
      1.               Except as 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.
      2.               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.
      3.               For a 'Semi-trailer’ 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.
      4.               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.
      5.               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.
    2.                     Not used
    3.                     Not used
    4.                     In the case of a vehicle fitted with 'Twin Steer Axle Group'. the front 'Axle' of that group shall be the 'Axle' used to determine permitted 'Rear Overhang' in accordance with Clause 43.4.2.1.
  2.                           Height (including any 'Equipment')
    1.                     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.
    2.                     The height of double-deck omnibus shall not exceed 4.4 m.
    3.                     The height of a vehicle with a double-deck cattle trailer may be up to 4.6 m provided that :
      1.               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;
      2.               double-deck cattle trailers (other than ‘Semi-trailers’) shall have a ‘Tandem Axle Group’ towards the front and a ‘Triaxle Group' towards the rear.
      3.               double-deck cattle 'Semi-trailers' shall have a ‘Triaxle Group’ towards the rear.
  3.                           '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:

  1.                     for any point in the. width of the vehicle which is within one metre fore and aft of  any 'Axle', 100 mm;
  2.                     for the mid-point between any 2 consecutive 'Axles', the dimension in millimetres obtained by multiplying the distance between the 2 'Axles' in metres by 33.33; and
  3.                     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 intersect 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.


Figure 3 Figure 3 illustrates the requirements of clause 43.4.4.3

Figure 3

  1.                           ‘Overall Width’ (including any ‘Equipment’)
    1.                     The 'Overall Width' of any motor vehicle (other than an L-Group vehicle) or trailer shall not exceed 2,500 mm.
    2.                     The 'Overall Width' of an L group vehicle shall be as follows :
      1.               In the case of a two wheel vehicle (LA or LC), the maximum width shall not exceed 1,000 mm.
      2.               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.
  1.                                 PROJECTION OF `EQUIPMENT’
    1.                           For vehicles other than L-Group vehicles, any 'Equipment' shall not project more than 1,200 mm from the 'Front End or 'Rear End’.
      1.                     For the purposes of Clause 43.5.1, 'Equipment' shall include the pole of a 'Pole-type Trailer'.
    2.                           Any 'Equipment' for L-Group vehicles (other than LD vehicles) shall not project :
      1.                     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 outer portion of the vehicle on either side.
    3.                           Any 'Equipment' for LD vehicles only shall not project:
      1.                     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
      2.                     more than 150 mm beyond the extreme outer portion of the vehicle on either side.
  2.                                 ‘Axle’ configuration

43.6.0. Vehicles shall satisfy the following requirements:

  1.                           A rigid motor vehicle shall be supported by 2 'Axle' Groups' disposed as follows:
    1.                     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
    2.                     one towards the rear of the vehicle by an 'Axle Group'.
  2.                           A 'Semi-Trailer' shall be supported towards the rear by an 'Axle Group'.
  3.                           A trailer other than a 'Semi-trailer' shall be supported by either.
    1.                     one 'Axle Group'; or
    2.                     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.
  1.                                 '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'.

 

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.

 


 

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

 

 


 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 43/00 - Vehicle Configuration and Marking) 2006
(F2006L02743)

18/08/06

19/08/06

 

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024
(F2024L01388)

30/10/2024

31/10/2024

 

 


 

Provision affected

How affected

Amending legislation/instrument

c 43.0.2

rep

Legislation Act 2003 – section 48D

c 43.0.3

rep

Legislation Act 2003 – section 48C

c 43.4.2.1.2

am

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024

c 43.4.5.2.1

am

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Twin Steer Amendments 2024

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.