Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006L02687 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006

 

 

 

Made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanatory Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Transport and

Regional Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 2006

 

CONTENTS

 

1. legislative context................................................

2. impact of the legislative instruments act 2003...........................

3. content and effect of ADR 10/00 - Steering Column......................

4. consultation arrangements..........................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  1.                        legislative context

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 — Steering Column) 2006 is made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act).  The Act enables the Australian Government to establish nationally uniform standards for road vehicles when they are first supplied to the market in Australia.  The Act applies to such vehicles whether they are manufactured in Australia or are imported as new or second hand vehicles.

The making of the vehicle standards necessary for the Act's effective operation is provided for in section 7 which empowers the Minister to "determine vehicle standards for road vehicles or vehicle components".

Australian Design Rule (ADR) 10/00 was originally determined in Determination of Motor Vehicle Standards Order No. 1 of 1989 and has been amended in one subsequent determinations.  ADR 10/00 is being remade to comply with the requirements of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (LIA) and to enable its registration in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.  The remaking of ADR 10/00 has not altered the substance of the standard as last determined.

  1.                        impact of the legislative instruments act 2003

Until now ADRs have been determined in “packages”, that is, a single determination will create, amend and repeal multiple ADRs.  In example, Determination 1 of 1991 amended 32 ADRs and Determination 2 of 2003 created one new ADR and amended 13.  The determination is the legislative instrument, not the ADR itself.

 

The intent of the LIA is to allow easy access to all legislative instruments and to be able to track their history and changes.  The current form of determination used to created vehicle standards does not allow for this as it is difficult to isolate the change history of individual ADRs and the legislative instruments (the determinations) do not contain the information of importance to those using the ADRs – the vehicle standards.

 

In consultation with the Attorney General’s Department it has been agreed that the most effective solution is to remake each ADR as a separate vehicle standard determined under section 7 of the Act.  In doing this, there is no need to backcapture the old determinations and the new layout better fits the intent of the LIA.  With each ADR as a separate vehicle standard it will be possible for interested parties to view the ADR and its change history on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

  1.                        content and effect of ADR 10/00 - Steering Column
    1.                  Overview of the ADR

The function of this vehicle standard is to minimise crushing or penetrating injuries to drivers due to the column as a result of frontal impact.

  1.                  Changes to the ADR

The following changes have been made to the ADR:

  • Format.  The ADR is now presented as a single column of text rather than two columns.
  • Spelling and grammar.  Several typographical errors have been corrected.
  • Insert the following as clause 0.

“0. Legislative provisions

0.1. NAME OF STANDARD

0.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006.

0.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 10/00 — Steering Column.

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 10/00 — Steering Column 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 10/00 — Steering Column, 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. “

  • Replace the text of clause 10.1.0 with “Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.”

 

The text of clause 0 has been provided by the Attorney General’s Department to facilitate remaking each ADR as a separate legislative instrument.  This text repeals and replaces each ADR as a vehicle standard independently of the Determination under which it was made.  Once all ADRs made under a particular Determination have been remade, that Determination is repealed.  The use of 0 as a clause number is to preserve the existing clause numbering of the ADR.

 

Changes to clause 10.1.0 have been made to reference the ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories as remade for the LIA requirements.

  1.                  Documents Incorporated by Reference

This section lists documents referenced in the vehicle standard and how they can be obtained.

 

  • Australian Design Rules can be purchased on CD-ROM from the Department of Transport and Regional Services.  As the ADRs are remade, they will also be available at http://www.comlaw.gov.au.
    • Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule – Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005 (s10.1.0)
  • Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards can be obtained from the US Department of Transport, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.
    • FMVSS 203 32 FR 2414, February 3, 1967 "Impact Protection for the Driver from the Steering Control System" incorporating amendments 36 FR 232 December 2. 1971 (s10.4.2)
    • FMVSS 204-32 FR 2421 February 3, 1967 “Steering Column Displacement – Passenger Cars” incorporating amendment 36 FR 232 December 2, 1971 (s10.4.3)
  • Society of Automotive Engineers documents can be purchased from their website http://www.sae.org.
    • J944 ‘Steering Wheel Assembly Laboratory Test Procedure, December 1965 (s10.2.1)
    • J944a - "Steering Control System Passenger Car - Laboratory Test Procedure', November 1968 (s10.2.1)
    • J850, 'Barrier Collision Tests', February 1963 (s10.2.2)
  1.                        consultation arrangements
    1.                  Specific Consultation Arrangements for this Vehicle Standard

As the changes to this vehicle standard are purely administrative (to comply with the LIA) no public consultation has been undertaken.

 

The Department of Transport and Regional Services has sought advice and assistance from the Office of Legislative Drafting and the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on how best to handle the backcapture requirements of the LIA.

 

The Office of Regulation Review has agreed that a regulation impact statement is not required as the intent and technical content of the vehicle standard has not changed.

 

 

Overview

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006 was enacted to establish nationally uniform standards for road vehicle steering columns under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. This Act aims to ensure the safety of drivers by minimising injuries caused by steering columns during frontal impacts. The 2006 remaking of the Australian Design Rule 10/00 was necessitated by the need to comply with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which requires clearer access to legislative instruments and their histories. This remaking ensures that each ADR is treated as a separate legislative instrument, facilitating easier tracking of changes and history. The changes to ADR 10/00 were primarily administrative, including format adjustments and typographical corrections, without altering the substantive content of the standard. This legislative instrument was created under the authority of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, with the policy objective of enhancing vehicle safety and aligning with modern legislative practices.

Scope and Application

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006 applies to all road vehicles supplied in Australia, irrespective of whether they are manufactured domestically or imported. This standard is established under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, which mandates nationally uniform standards for road vehicles at the time of their first supply to the market in Australia. The Act covers new and second-hand vehicles alike, ensuring consistent safety and performance criteria across the nation. The Australian Design Rule (ADR) 10/00, specifically targeting steering column safety to prevent driver injuries in the event of a frontal impact, has been remade to comply with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and to be registered under the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. This remaking has not altered the substantive content of the standard, maintaining its original intent and technical specifications. ADR 10/00 is one of several ADRs that have been individually re-established as separate legislative instruments to enhance accessibility and traceability, as mandated by the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Key Provisions

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006, made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, is designed to ensure that road vehicles sold in Australia meet uniform safety standards, particularly focusing on steering column integrity to prevent driver injuries in frontal impacts (section 7). This legislative instrument aims to align with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, ensuring clarity and accessibility of the vehicle standards (clause 0). It specifies that the standard comes into effect on the day after its registration (clause 0.2) and repeals previous versions of the standard made under the same Act (clause 0.3). The text of the standard has been updated to correct typographical errors and to reference the ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories as required by the Legislative Instruments Act (clause 0, clause 10.1.0). The Act imposes several obligations on parties involved in the manufacture, importation, or sale of vehicles in Australia. Manufacturers must ensure their vehicles comply with the standard, particularly regarding the design and construction of the steering column to prevent driver injury in collisions (clause 10.4.2, clause 10.4.3). Importers and dealers are also required to ensure that any vehicles they bring into or sell in Australia meet these standards. The Act further mandates that any references to Australian Design Rules in other regulations or standards are updated to reflect the remade standards (clause 0.3.1, clause 0.3.2). Failure to comply with the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 10/00 – Steering Column) 2006 can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, non-compliance can lead to penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, breaches of motor vehicle standards typically attract fines that can be substantial, depending on the severity and frequency of the offence. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the seizure of non-compliant vehicles and legal action against the manufacturers, importers, or dealers responsible for the breach. These penalties are designed to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of road users.

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Regulatory Standards
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Regulation
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Regulatory Standards
Commencement Provisions
Repeal & Amendment

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.