Road Transport Reform (Heavy Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1995 No. 55
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1995 No. 55
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Transport
Road Transport Reform (Vehicles and Traffic) Act 1993
Road Transport Reform (Heavy Vehicle Standards) Regulations
Subsection 7(1) of the Road Transport Reform (Vehicles and Traffic) Act 1993 provides that the Governor-General may make regulations to apply as laws of the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory covering vehicle standards, driver and rider standards, vehicle operations and traffic rules.
The Road Transport Reform (Heavy vehicle Standards) Regulations (the Regulations) provide a set of standards relating to the design and construction of all vehicles over 4.5 tonnes. These standards apply in conjunction with the Australian Design Rules.
The Regulations also include a performance standard which provides that a vehicle must be maintained in a safe and good working condition.
The Regulations provide the responsible Minister with the power to grant exemptions from the requirement to comply with the standards in certain circumstances.
The Regulations provide that where a vehicle or trailer does not comply with the relevant heavy vehicle standards, the owner and driver are guilty of an offence. The Regulations set a penalty of not more than $2,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a body corporate for such an offence.
The Regulations will be incorporated into the law of the States and the Northern Territory by means of adopting legislation, in accordance with the Heavy Vehicles Agreement.
The Regulations commence on a date agreed by the Ministerial Council for Road Transport and specified by the Minister by notice in. the Gazette.