Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 2006

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

Legislation au F2006L02299 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2006

 

CONTENTS

 

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

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

3. content and effect of ADR 63/00 - Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains..

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  1.                        legislative context

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 63/00 — Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 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) 63/00 was originally determined in Determination of Motor Vehicle Standards Order No. 1 of 1989 and has been amended in one subsequent determinations.  ADR 63/00 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 63/00 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 63/00 - Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains
    1.                  Overview of the ADR

The function of this vehicle standard is to specify additional requirements for trailers designed for use in road trains.


  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.
  • Replace clause A with the following.

“A. Legislative provisions

A.1. NAME OF STANDARD

A.1.1. This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 2006.

A.1.2. This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 63/00 — Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains.

A.2. COMMENCEMENT

A.2.1. This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.

A.3. REPEAL

A.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 63/00 — Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains that is:

(a) made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989; and

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

A.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 63/00 — Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains, 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 the Definitions clause with “Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.”

 

The text of clause A 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. 

 

Changes to clause 63.1  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
  • SAI Global can provide both Australian standards and English translations of many international standards.  Their website is accessible at http://www.standards.com.au/catalogue/script/search.asp.
    • Australian Standard 1773-1990 "Articulated Vehicles - Fifth Wheel Assemblies" (s63.5.2.1)
    • Australian Standard 2175-1990 "Articulated Vehicles - Kingpins" (s63.5.2.2)
    • Australian Standard 2213-1984 "50 mm Pin-type Couplings and Drawbar Eyes for Trailers" (s63.5.2.3)
  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 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 2006 was enacted under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 to establish uniform standards for road vehicles, including trailers used in road trains, ensuring safety and compliance in the supply of both domestically produced and imported vehicles. This legislation addresses the need to streamline and modernise the regulatory framework for vehicle standards to align with the requirements of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. The Act facilitates the establishment of clear, accessible, and easily tracked legislative instruments for vehicle standards by remaking each Australian Design Rule (ADR) as a separate legislative instrument. This approach ensures that each ADR can be individually viewed and its history tracked on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, enhancing transparency and compliance. The policy objective is to provide a robust and efficient regulatory environment that supports the safety and uniformity of vehicle standards across Australia.

Scope and Application

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 2006 applies to trailers specifically designed for use in road trains, ensuring they meet certain safety and design standards. This standard applies to both domestically manufactured and imported trailers, whether they are new or second-hand. The standard is established under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, which grants the Minister the authority to determine vehicle standards for road vehicles and components. The Act applies nationally, ensuring uniform standards across Australia regardless of where the trailers are manufactured or imported from. The remaking of Australian Design Rule (ADR) 63/00 as a separate legislative instrument under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 facilitates better tracking and access to the vehicle standards, but it does not alter the actual content or requirements of the ADR. The standard specifies additional requirements for trailers designed for road trains, incorporating references to other Australian Standards and international standards to ensure comprehensive compliance. The legislative changes have been administrative, aimed at aligning with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, and no public consultation was deemed necessary as the technical content and intent of the ADR remained unchanged.

Key Provisions

The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 63/00 – Trailers Designed for Use in Road Trains) 2006 sets out specific requirements for trailers intended for use in road trains. This standard, made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, details the technical specifications and compliance criteria that trailers must meet to be legally used in road trains across Australia. Section 63.1 of the ADR outlines the necessary structural and operational standards, while section 63.2 specifies the requirements for coupling devices and connections. The ADR also incorporates relevant Australian and international standards by reference, such as Australian Standard 1773-1990 for fifth-wheel assemblies and Australian Standard 2175-1990 for kingpins. The Act imposes several obligations on parties involved with the manufacturing, importation, and use of trailers in road trains. Manufacturers and importers must ensure that trailers comply with the standards specified in ADR 63/00 before they are supplied to the market. These standards cover aspects such as the design, construction, and testing of trailers to ensure they meet safety and performance criteria. Vehicle owners and operators are also required to maintain their trailers in compliance with these standards to ensure roadworthiness and safety. The Act mandates that trailers used in road trains must be registered and that they must display relevant identification numbers and markings as specified in the ADR. Breach of the provisions outlined in ADR 63/00 can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, failure to comply with the vehicle standards can lead to fines and potential imprisonment. For instance, supplying a non-compliant trailer can result in fines up to $5,500 for individuals and $27,500 for corporations, as well as imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, operators found using trailers that do not meet the specified standards may face penalties for driving unsafe vehicles, which can include fines and suspension of their driving licenses. The seriousness of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the standards to ensure public safety on Australian roads.

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Commercial Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Repeal & Amendment
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
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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.