Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 23/01 – Passenger Car Tyres) 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Originally made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and continued in force under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018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: 06/12/2025

Includes amendments: Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Amendment Instrument No. 1 of 2025

Prepared by: Vehicle Safety Policy and Partnerships, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

CONTENTS

A. legislative provisions

B. function

C. APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

23.1. DEFINITIONS

23.2. REQUIREMENTS

23.3. TEST PROCEDURES

23.4. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS

Endnotes

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 23/01 – Passenger Car Tyres) 2006 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 06/12/2025 (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. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

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. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

1.                                          legislative provisions
   1.                                   NAME OF STANDARD
      1.                             This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 23/01 – Passenger Car Tyres) 2006.
      2.                             This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 23/01 — Passenger Car Tyres.
2.                                          function

The function of this vehicle standard is to specify requirements of strength, construction and standard pressure/load relationships for passenger car tyres of particular size designations.

1.                                          APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION
   1.                                    Applicability Summary
      1.                              This national standard applies to tyres fitted to vehicles as set out in the table below, however the following vehicles are exempt from this national standard:
         1.                        MB, MC, MD or NA when fitted with light truck or truck tyres; and
         2.                        LEP , LEG, TA or TB when fitted with tyres other than new passenger car tyres.

Vehicles certified to the requirements of any of the Acceptable Prior Rules as shown below in the Applicability Table for a particular category are to be deemed to comply with this national standard.

1.                        ADR 23/00 cannot be used for V, W, Y or Z-rated tyres. In addition, in general to use ADR 23/00, the tyres must have been tested on a ‘Measuring Rim’ in one of the ‘Nominated Standards’.

1.                                    Applicability Table

* Refer to clause C.1.1.4

1.                                 DEFINITIONS

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

1.                                 REQUIREMENTS
   1.                           Size and Construction
      1.                     The tyre manufacturer must specify the ‘Nominated Standard’ with which the tyre design complies in respect to ‘Maximum Load Rating’, inflated dimensions, design or ‘Measuring Rim’ and approved alternative ‘Rim’ fitments.
      2.                     The ‘Administrator’ may accept a tyre, ‘Rim’ or tyre and ‘Rim’ combination not incorporated in a ‘Nominated Standard’ listed below:
         1.               the Tyre and Rim Standards Manual of the Tyre and Rim Association of Australia, 1995 Edition;
         2.               the 1995 (US) Tire and Rim Association Inc. Year Book;
         3.               the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association Year Book, 1995 Edition;
         4.               the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS-D4202) dated 1982 “Dimensions of Tires”, and (JIS-D4218) dated 1981 “Contours of Rims”; or
         5.               the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (E.T.R.T.O.) Data Book dated 1995.
   2.                           Performance Requirements
      1.                     General

Each new tyre must conform to each of the following:

1.               It must meet the requirements specified in clause 23.2.2.2 for its size designation, type, ‘Maximum Load Rating’, ‘Speed Category’ or ‘Service Description’.
2.               It must incorporate at least 4 ‘Treadwear Indicators’ approximately equally spaced, each of which provides for a visual indication when the ‘Tread’ in the vicinity of the indicator has a ‘Groove’ depth of 1.60 + 0.40, - 0.25 mm.

1.                     Test requirements
   1.               Test sample selection

Three new tyres having identical characteristics when described according to requirements of clause 23.2.3 must comprise a test sample:

1.        one tyre must be used for physical dimensions, resistance to ‘Bead’ unseating, and strength, in sequence;
2.        a second tyre must be used for tyre endurance; and
3.        a third tyre for high speed performance.

1.               In the tests, pressures must be established within 10 kPa or one psi (as appropriate) of the values specified for each test.
2.               Physical dimensions requirements

Each tyre must conform to each of the following when measured in accordance with clause 23.3.1:

1.        its actual ‘Section Width’, ’Overall Tyre Width’ and ‘Tyre Outer Diameter’ dimensions must be within the maxima and minima specified in the ‘Nominated Standard’ for a new tyre of that size designation and type.
2.        where the ‘Nominated Standard’ specifies a minimum ‘Size Factor’, the tyre’s ‘Size Factor’ must be at least as large as the specified minimum ‘Size Factor’ for its size designation and type.

1.               Resistance to ‘Bead’ unseating requirements (for tubeless tyres only). When tested in accordance with clause 23.3.2 the applied force required to unseat the tyre ‘Bead’ at the point of contact must not be less than:
   1.        6,670 N for tyres with a ‘Specified Design Section Width’ of less than 6.3 inches, or 160 mm;
   2.        8,890 N for tyres with a ‘Specified Design Section Width’ of 6.3 inches or 160 mm or more but less than 8 inches or 205 mm; or
   3.        11,120 N for tyres with a ‘Specified Design Section Width’ of 8 inches or 205 mm or more.
2.               Tyre strength requirements

Each tyre must meet the requirements for minimum breaking energy specified in Table 3 when tested in accordance with clause 23.3.3.

1.               Tyre endurance requirements

After completion of the laboratory test wheel endurance test specified in clause 23.3.4 no tyre is to have ‘Tread Separation’, ‘Ply Separation’, ‘Cord Separation’, ‘Belt Separation’ or ‘Bead Separation’, ‘Chunking’, or broken cords.

1.                     High speed test requirements

After completion of the high speed test specified in clause 23.3.5 no tyre is to have ‘Tread Separation’, ‘Ply Separation’, ‘Cord Separation’, ‘Belt Separation’ or ‘Bead Separation’, ‘Chunking’ or broken cords.

1.                           Labelling Requirements. Each tyre must be conspicuously labelled on both ‘Sidewalls’ in the case of symmetrical tyres and at least on the outer ‘Sidewall’ in the case of ‘Asymmetrical Tyres’ with each of the following permanently moulded in letters and figures at least 3.8 mm high and depth at least 0.25 mm if below the background surface or 0.4 mm if above the background surface:
   1.                     tyre size designation, which includes the ‘Speed Category’ symbol as determined from Table 4 either within the size designation or adjacent to the size designation as part of the ‘Service Description’, and ‘Tyre Carcass Construction Symbol’ for ‘Radial Ply Tyres’ or ‘Bias-belted Tyres’ and optionally, in the case of ‘Diagonal Ply Tyres’;
   2.                     the ‘Maximum Load Rating’ for the tyre expressed in kilograms followed by the word “kilograms” (or “KILOGRAMS”) or the abbreviation “kg” (or “KG”) or the ‘Maximum Load Rating’ for the tyre expressed in pounds followed by the word “pounds” (or “POUNDS”) or the abbreviation “lbs” (or “LBS”) or the ‘Load Index’ symbol (from Table 2) adjacent to the size designation as part of the ‘Service Description’. Tyres must be labelled unambiguously in respect to ‘Maximum Load Rating’ or ‘Load Index’;

1.               For tyres with a ‘Speed Category’ “V”, “W”, “Y” or “Z”, the ‘Maximum Load Rating’ labelled on the tyre ‘Sidewall(s)’ must be the maximum load which applies at speeds up to the following:

Speed Category “V” - 210 km/h

Speed Category “W” and “Z”  - 240 km/h

Speed Category “Y”  - 270 km/h

1.                     identification of manufacturer by:
   1.               Name; or
   2.               Brand name and an ‘Approved’ code mark;
2.                     the word “TUBELESS” if applicable;
3.                     the word “RADIAL” if applicable;
4.                     the words “BIAS-BELTED” if applicable;
5.                     a date code consisting of 3 digits, the first 2 nominating the week of the year and the third digit the year of manufacture on at least one ‘Sidewall’ of the tyre; and
6.                     in the case of ‘Asymmetrical Tyres’, a clear indication which side of the tyre is to face outwards when fitted to the vehicle.

1.                                 TEST PROCEDURES
   1.                           Physical Dimensions Test
      1.                     Determine tyres physical dimensions under uniform ambient conditions as follows.
         1.               Mount the tyre on a ‘Test Rim’ and inflate it to the pressure specified for measurement in the ‘Nominated Standard’.
         2.               If no pressure is specified for measurement, mount the tyre on a ‘Test Rim’ and inflate it to the pressure designated for its ‘Maximum Load Rating’ in the ‘Nominated Standard’ reduced by 60 kPa (or 8 psi as appropriate).
      2.                     Condition it at ambient room temperature for at least 24 hours.
      3.                     Readjust pressure to that specified in clauses 23.3.1.1.1 or 23.3.1.1.2 as appropriate.
      4.                     Caliper the ‘Section Width’ and ‘Overall Tyre Width’ at 6 points approximately equally spaced around the tyre circumference.
      5.                     Record the average of these measurements as the ‘Section Width’ and ‘Overall Tyre Width’, respectively.
      6.                     Determine ‘Tyre Outer Diameter’ by measuring the maximum circumference of the tyre and dividing this dimension by π.
   2.                           Resistance to ‘Bead’ Unseating Test (for tubeless tyres only)
      1.                     Preparation of tyre ‘Test Rim’ assembly
         1.               Wash the tyre, dry it at the ‘Beads’, and mount it without lubrication or adhesive on a clean, painted test ‘Rim’.
         2.               Adjust the pressure to the applicable pressure specified in clause 23.3.1.1.2 at ambient room temperature.
         3.               Mount the tyre and ‘Test Rim’ in the fixture shown in Figure 1, and force either of the standard blocks shown in Figure 2 against the tyre ‘Sidewall’ as required by the geometry of the fixture, or by any other ‘Approved’ test procedure.
      2.                     Test procedure
         1.               Apply the load through the block to the tyre’s outer ‘Sidewall’ at a distance no less than that specified in Figure 1 or the mid point of the tyre’s section height, for the applicable ‘Test Rim’ at a rate of 5010 mm per minute, with the load arm substantially parallel to the tyre and ‘Rim’ assembly at the time of engagement.
         2.               Increase the load until the ‘Bead’ unseats or the applicable value specified in clause 23.2.2.2.4 is reached.
         3.               This test must be repeated at least 4 times at locations approximately equally spaced around the tyre circumference.
   3.                           Tyre Strength (Breaking Energy) Test
      1.                     Preparation of tyre
         1.               Mount the tyre on a ‘Test Rim’ and inflate it to the applicable pressure specified in clause 23.3.1.1.2.
         2.               Condition it at test room temperature for at least 3 hours.
         3.               Readjust its pressure to that specified in clause 23.3.1.1.2.
      2.                     Test procedure
         1.               Force a cylindrical steel plunger with a hemispherical end and a diameter of 19±1.6 mm perpendicularly into the ‘Tread’ as near to the centreline as possible, avoiding penetration into any ‘Tread’ ‘Groove’, at the rate of 50 ±10 mm per minute.
         2.               Record the force and penetration at the moment of breaking at each of 5 test points approximately equally spaced around the circumference of the tyre. If the tyre fails to break before the plunger is stopped on reaching the ‘Rim’, and the required minimum breaking energy is not achieved, then the required minimum breaking energy is deemed to have been achieved at that point.
         3.               Compute the breaking energy for each test point by means of the following formula:

where:

W = Energy, joules

F = Force, newtons

P = Penetration, mm.

1.               Determine the breaking energy value for the tyre by computing the average of the 5 values obtained in accordance with clause 23.3.3.2.3.

1.                           Tyre Endurance Test
   1.                     Preparation of tyre
      1.               Mount a new tyre on a ‘Test Rim’ and inflate it to the applicable pressure specified in clause 23.3.1.1.2.
      2.               Condition the tyre assembly at a temperature not less than 35oC for at least 3 hours.
      3.               Readjust tyre pressure to that specified in clause 23.3.1.1.2 immediately before testing.
   2.                     Test procedure
      1.               Mount the tyre and ‘Test Rim’ assembly on a test axle and press it against a flat-faced steel test wheel of an outside diameter not greater than 1.71 metres and at least as wide as the ‘Section Width’ of the tyre to be tested, or an ‘Approved’ equivalent test wheel.
      2.               During the test the ambient temperature at a distance of not less than 150 mm and not more than one metre from the tyre shall be at least 35oC. No provision is to be made for cooling the tyre during the test.
      3.               Conduct the test at not less than 80 km/h test speed with loads and test periods not less than those shown in the following schedule:-

1.                           High Speed Test
   1.                     Preparation of tyre
      1.               Mount the tyre on a ‘Test Rim’ and inflate it to a pressure equal to the pressure specified in the ‘Nominated Standard’ for its ‘Maximum Load Rating’ plus an increase no greater than that specified in Table 1 for its ‘Speed Category’.
      2.               Condition the tyre assembly at a temperature not less than 35oC for at least 3 hours.
      3.               Readjust the tyre pressure to that specified in clause 23.3.5.1.1 immediately before testing.
   2.                     Test procedure
      1.               Mount the tyre and ‘Test Rim’ assembly on a test axle and press it against a flat-faced, steel test wheel of an outside diameter not greater than 1.71 metres, and at least as wide as the ‘Section Width’ of the tyre to be tested (or an ‘Approved’ equivalent test wheel) with a load not less than the percentage of the ‘Maximum Load Rating’ of the tyre,

‘Speed Category’ “H” and below  - 80.0%

‘Speed Category’ “V” - 72.8%

‘Speed Category’ “W”, “Y” and “Z” - 68.0%

1.               During the test the ambient temperature at a distance of not less than 150 mm and not more than one metre from the tyre shall be at least 35oC. No provision is be made for cooling the tyre during the test.
2.               Operate the equipment to bring the ‘Test Wheel Speed’ from zero up to the initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ in a period of at least 10 minutes.
3.               Except in the case of tyres with a ‘Speed Category’ “Z” the initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ is equal to the maximum speed shown in Table 1 as corresponding to the tyres ‘Speed Category’ symbol, less 40 km/h.
4.               The initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ for tyres of ‘Speed Category’ “Z” must be at least 200 km/h.
5.               Operate the equipment with the ‘Test Wheel Speed’ not less than the initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ for at least 10 minutes, then at not less than the initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ plus 10 km/h for at least a further 10 minutes, then at not less than the initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ plus 20 km/h for at least a further 10 minutes and finally at not less than the initial ‘Test Wheel Speed’ plus 30 km/h for at least a further 20 minutes.

1.                                 ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS

The technical requirements specified in Annex 7 of the United Nations Regulation No. 30/02 (including Supplement 1 to the 02 Series of Amendments) - Tyres are deemed to be equivalent to the technical requirements of clause 23.2.2.2.7 (High Speed Test) of this rule.

TABLE 1 -

MAXIMUM PRESSURE INCREASE - HIGH SPEED TEST

TABLE 2

LIST OF ‘LOAD INDEX’ SYMBOLS versus ‘Maximum Load Rating’

TABLE 3

MINIMUM BREAKING ENERGY VALUES (JOULES)

For tyres with a test inflation pressure other than as specified above, the required minimum breaking energy value is given by the relevant formulae shown below:

Equation in metric

B.E. (Joules) = 7.35 x (P1 - 140)

where: P1 = test pressure in kPa

Equation in imperial

B.E. (Joules) = 36.7 x (P2 - 16)

where: P2 = test pressure in psi

For rayon ‘Diagonal Ply Tyres’ or rayon ‘Bias-Belted Tyres’, the required breaking energy value is to be reduced by 36.5 per cent.

For tyres with ‘Specified Design Section Width’ less than 160 mm (or 6.30 inches) the required breaking energy value is to be reduced (or further reduced) by 25.0 per cent.

TABLE 4

SPEED CATEGORY FOR TYRE

For tyres marked with a - or in the absence of any of the above symbols, the ‘Speed Category’ must be as follows:

Figure 1 - ‘Bead’ Unseating Fixture

Note – Dimensions in mm

Figure 2 - Diagrams of ‘Bead’ Unseating Blocks

(Dimensions in mm)

Material: Aluminium 355

T-6 Condition

Finish - 1.25 micrometre; or

other ‘Approved’ material

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

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history