Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006

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

Legislation au F2006L01433 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

 

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006

made under the

Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989

 

Compilation: 1 (up to and including Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006 Amendment 1)

Compilation Date: 18 November 2017

Compiled by: Vehicle Safety Standards, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

1. LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS.....................................3

2. FUNCTION....................................................3

3. APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION........................3

4. DEFINITIONS..................................................4

5. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS....................................4

6. INDIVIDUAL SPECIFICATIONS..................................4

7. TEST PROCEDURES............................................4

COMPILATION NOTES..............................................6

 


1.                                          LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS

1.1.                                    NAME OF STANDARD

1.1.1.                              This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006.

1.1.2.                              This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 45/01 — Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations.

1.2.                                    COMMENCEMENT

1.2.1.                              This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.

1.3.                                    REPEAL

1.3.1.                              This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations that is:

 (a) made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Standard Act 1989; and

 (b) in force at the commencement of this Standard.

1.3.2.                              This Standard also repeals each instrument made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Standard Act 1989 that creates a vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations, 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.

2.                                          FUNCTION

2.1. The function of this Australian Design Rule (ADR) is to specify the photometric requirements for lighting and light-signalling devices which will ensure adequate illumination for the driver of the vehicle and signal to other road users the position, orientation, intention and movement of the vehicle, without producing undue glare for other road users.

3.                                          APPLICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

3.1. This ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table below.

3.2. ‘External Cabin Lamps’ shall comply with the relevant requirements of this ADR.

3.3. The circumstances under which such lamps are mandatory, optional, alternative or prohibited are set out in ADR 13/...


4.                                          DEFINITIONS

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

5.                                          GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

5.1.                                    Lamps shall be so designed and constructed that in normal use, despite the vibrations to which they may then be subjected, they continue to function satisfactorily and retain the characteristics prescribed by this Rule.

5.2.                                    The colour of the light emitted shall be in accordance with the chromaticity requirements within Appendix A of Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 13/00 – Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles) 2005.

6.                                          INDIVIDUAL SPECIFICATIONS

6.1.                                    ‘EXTERNAL CABIN LAMP’

6.1.1.                              Colour of light emitted:  White or Amber.

6.1.2.                              Intensity of light emitted:

6.1.2.1.                        Minimum:  0.3 cd within the angles of light distribution of clause 6.1.3.

6.1.2.2.                        Maximum:  12 cd in any direction.

6.1.3.                              Angles of light distribution:

6.1.3.1.                        Vertical:  from 5° above to 15° below the horizontal.

6.1.3.2.                        Horizontal:  forward from 45° to the left to 45° to the right.

6.1.4.                              Other requirements:  None.

7.                                          TEST PROCEDURES

7.1.                                    All measurements shall be made with a standard filament globe of the category prescribed for the device, or LED light source as specified by the manufacturer, the supply voltage being so regulated as to produce the normal luminous flux prescribed.  In the case that the LED light source is fitted to the unit and not removable, the unit shall be tested as supplied at the voltage specified by the manufacturer.

7.2.                                    Photometric measurements

7.2.1.                              Measurement methods

7.2.1.1.                        During photometric measurements, stray reflections shall be avoided by appropriate masking.

7.2.1.2.                        Measurements shall be carried out in such a way as to meet the following requirements:

7.2.1.2.1.                  The distance of measurement shall be such that the law of the inverse of the square of the distance is applicable;

7.2.1.2.2.                  The measuring equipment shall be such that the angular aperture of the receiver viewed from the reference centre of the light is comprised between 10’ and one degree;

7.2.1.2.3.                  The intensity requirement for a particular direction of observation shall be deemed to be satisfied if that requirement is met in a direction deviating by not more than one-quarter of a degree from the direction of observation.


COMPILATION NOTES

This compilation of Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006 includes all the instruments set out in the Table of Instruments.  The Table of Amendments provides a history of clauses that have been amended, inserted or deleted.

 

Table of Instruments

Name of Instrument

Registration Date

Commencement Date

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006 (F2006L01433)

10/05/2006

11/05/2006

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006 Amendment 1 (F2017L01492)

17/11/2017

18/11/2017

 


Table of Amendments

Clause affected

How affected

Amending instrument

0.1.

1.1.

Amendment 1

0.1.1.

1.1.1.

Amendment 1

0.1.2.

1.1.2.

Amendment 1

0.2.

1.2.

Amendment 1

0.2.1.

1.2.1.

Amendment 1

0.3.

1.3.

Amendment 1

0.3.1.

1.3.1.

Amendment 1

0.3.2.

1.3.2.

Amendment 1

Purpose & Scope

am

Amendment 1

Application and Implementation

am

Amendment 1

Subclauses

am

Amendment 1

Applicability Table

del

Amendment 1

45.1.

4.

Amendment 1

45.1.1.

4.1.

Amendment 1

45.2.

5.

Amendment 1

45.2.1.

5.1.

Amendment 1

5.2

ad

Amendment 1

45.2.2. (and subclauses)

del

Amendment 1

45.3.

6.

Amendment 1

45.3.1. (and subclauses)

del

Amendment 1

45.3.2. (and subclauses)

6.1.

Amendment 1

45.3.3. to 45.3.9.4.

del

Amendment 1

45.4.

7.

Amendment 1

45.4.1.

am

Amendment 1

 

ad = added or inserted

am = amended

del = deleted or removed

rr = removed and replaced

= clause renumbered.  This takes the format of old no. new no.

Overview

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006 is a legislative instrument made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. This standard aims to specify the photometric requirements for lighting and light-signalling devices to ensure adequate illumination for drivers and to signal the position, orientation, intention, and movement of vehicles without causing undue glare to other road users. The standard applies to the design and construction of vehicles and outlines the general and individual specifications for external cabin lamps, including colour, intensity, and angles of light distribution. It was enacted to address the need for consistent and effective lighting and signalling standards in vehicles, thereby enhancing road safety. The standard was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and its policy objective is to ensure that vehicles meet safety standards in terms of their lighting and signalling systems.

Scope and Application

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006, made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, is designed to ensure that lighting and light-signalling devices on vehicles meet specific photometric requirements. This standard applies to the design and construction of vehicles, specifically to external cabin lamps, and mandates their compliance with the set specifications to ensure adequate illumination and signalling for the driver and other road users, without causing undue glare. It is applicable to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and commenced on 11 May 2006, replacing previous standards with the same title. The Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which provide additional details and amendments to the standard.

Key Provisions

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations) 2006, made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, sets out the photometric requirements for lighting and light signalling devices on vehicles, ensuring that these devices provide adequate illumination and signal to other road users without causing undue glare. This Standard, which may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 45/01 – Lighting and Light Signalling Devices not Covered by ECE Regulations, commenced on 11 May 2006. It repealed the previous vehicle standard with the same name made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, as well as any related instruments that had no other vehicle standards or amendments in force at the commencement of this Standard. The Standard applies to the design and construction of vehicles and specifies the requirements for 'External Cabin Lamps'. These lamps must comply with the photometric requirements set out in the Standard, including the colour of the light emitted and the intensity and angles of light distribution. The lamps must be designed and constructed to function satisfactorily despite normal vibrations, and the colour of the light must meet the chromaticity requirements specified in Appendix A of the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 13/00 – Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles) 2005. For external cabin lamps, the light emitted must be white or amber, with a minimum intensity of 0.3 cd within the specified angles and a maximum intensity of 12 cd in any direction. The vertical and horizontal angles of light distribution are also specified. Compliance with this Standard involves ensuring that vehicle manufacturers design and construct lighting and light signalling devices that meet the specified photometric requirements. This includes conducting photometric measurements using standard filament globes or LED light sources as specified by the manufacturer, and avoiding stray reflections by appropriate masking. The distance of measurement must be such that the law of the inverse of the square of the distance applies, and the measuring equipment must have an angular aperture between 10’ and one degree. The intensity requirement for a particular direction of observation is met if the requirement is met within a deviation of one-quarter of a degree from the direction of observation. Failure to comply with this Standard may result in legal consequences, though specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not detailed in the legislative instrument itself. However, under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, penalties for non-compliance with vehicle standards can include fines and other civil or criminal penalties as prescribed by the Act. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any relevant state or territory laws.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Vehicle Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Regulatory Standards
Enforcement Powers

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.