General
- Introduction
- Certification
- Trailer Plate
- Vehicle Identification Number
- Registration
- Responsibility for Safety
1. INTRODUCTION
The Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and Regulations came into force on 1 August 1989. The Act makes it an offence to import sell or present for first registration a new or imported vehicle which does not comply with the National Standards for Road Vehicles and Vehicle Components (the National Standards) except under circumstances where an exemption has been granted by the Administrator of Vehicle Standards (the Administrator). The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for Motor Vehicles and Trailers have been prescribed as the National Standards.
The Federal Act introduced a single national uniform set of requirements for the design and construction of vehicles to replace State and Territory legislation which required compliance with the ADRs as a condition of registration.
This Vehicle Standards Bulletin summarises the construction requirements for caravans and trailers necessary to meet the ADRs and trailers built to meet the requirements in this bulletin are accepted as meeting the ADRs.
The ADRs and Australian Standards referenced in this bulletin may be amended from time to time and it is the trailer builder's responsibility to ensure the latest requirements are being met.
2. CERTIFICATION
The Administrator has determined that trailers of an Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) up to 4.5 tonnes will not be subject to certification. Therefore manufacturers of these trailers are not
required to affix compliance plates to their trailers.
Instead manufacturers must include the following statement on the trailer plates described in Section 3 below:
This trailer was manufactured to comply with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.
It is the responsibility of the person or company manufacturing a trailer to ensure that the trailer when first supplied to the market meets the requirements of the ADRs.
3. TRAILER PLATE
On the outside of every trailer there must be affixed in a prominent position protected from accidental damage a plate showing at least the following information.
- Manufacturer's Name
- Trailer Model
- Vehicle Identification Number (described in Section 4)
- Date of Manufacture
- Aggregate Trailer Mass
- The Certification Statement (specified in Section 2)
This plate may also include additional information such as Tare Mass and Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) and the tyre placard information in Section 16.
The plate must be of durable non-corrosive metal and permanently affixed to the trailer by pop rivets hammer drive screws or welding. Adhesives are not acceptable. The information must be legible and embossed indented etched or engraved in letters and numbers not less than 2.5 mm high.
4. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
All trailers must be identified by means of a 17 character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN to be used is that specified by the International Standards Organisation otherwise known as an ISO VIN. Its most important use is in the tracing and recording of stolen vehicles and as such it is recommended that the VIN be stamped on a substantial part of the trailer in addition to the mandatory requirements specified in Section 3.
Manufacturers of up to 500 trailers per year must obtain their VIN structure from their local registering authority.
Manufacturers of more than 500 trailers per year must contact the National Vehicle Identification Coordinator at the NEVDIS Administration Unit on Ph. 02 9218 6546 for information about their VIN structure and about the method of reporting their VINs.
5. REGISTRATION
Registration of vehicles remains the responsibility of the States and Territories. Trailer manufacturers should consult the registering authority where their trailers will be registered for registration procedures such as inspection.
5.1 Registration Plate Provision
must be made for mounting of a 372 mm x 136 mm registration plate to the rear of every trailer so that no part of the plate is more than 1300 mm from the ground.
5.2 Registration Label Holder
Every trailer is required to display its registration label on the left hand side. If there is no window in this location a registration label holder must be fitted.
6. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY
The ADRs do not address all areas of safety of vehicles. Manufacturers should note that they have a responsibility for the overall safety of their trailers. Manufacturers should also be aware that the Trade Practices Act provides for goods with any safety related defects to be recalled and the problem rectified.
The proper procedures for recall are contained in 'Procedures for the Rectification of Safety Related Defects in Vehicles and Related Products'.
This recall code is available from:
Vehicle Safety Standards
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601
There is provision for compulsory recall in the Trade Practices Act should a manufacturer not voluntarily meet its recall obligations.
Vehicle Safety Issues