ROAD TRANSPORT (VEHICLE REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2000 (2000 NO 12)

Australian Capital Territory Numbered Regulations

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ROAD TRANSPORT (VEHICLE REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2000 (2000 NO 12) - NOTES

- made under the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999

2nd edition ADR—see clause 14 of Schedule 1.
3rd edition ADR—see clause 15 of Schedule 1.
50mm kingpin means a kingpin meeting the dimension requirements for a 50mm kingpin in Australian Standard AS 2175–1990 Articulated Vehicles Kingpins.
75mm kingpin means a kingpin with the dimensions mentioned in clause 174 of Schedule 1.
90mm kingpin means a kingpin meeting the dimension requirements for a 90mm kingpin in Australian Standard AS 2175–1990 Articulated Vehicles Kingpins".
"administrator of vehicle standards means the Administrator of Vehicle Standards mentioned in section 22 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth).
adopted standard"—see clause 22 of Schedule 1.
"ADR (or "Australian Design Rule")—see clauses 11 and 13 of Schedule 1.
"air brake" means an air-operated or air-assisted brake.
"alternative headlight" means a headlight that is operated instead of another headlight by a dipping device.
another jurisdiction—see the Act, dictionary.
applicable vehicle standards—see regulation 103 (What are the applicable vehicle standards?).
"approved premises", for Part 6.3 (Inspections)—see regulation 115.
"articulated bus" means a bus with at least 2 rigid sections that allow passengers access between the sections and are connected to allow rotary movement between the sections.
"Australian Design Rule"—see ADR.
"Australian Transport Council"—see the Act, dictionary.
"authorised examiner", for Part 6.3 (Inspections)—see regulation 115.
authorised person"—see the Act, dictionary.
"axle means 1 or more shafts, positioned in a line across a vehicle, on which 1 or more wheels intended to support the vehicle turn.
"axle group" means a single, tandem, twinsteer, tri or quad axle group.
"B-double" means a combination consisting of a prime mover towing 2 semitrailers.

B-double

bicycle rack means a device designed or adapted—

(a) to be attached to the rear of a motor vehicle (other than a motorbike or a motortrike); and

(b) to transport bicycles, wheelchairs, invalid chairs or, if approved by the road transport authority, other apparatus or vehicles.

bicycle rack numberplate means a numberplate issued by the road transport authority under these regulations to the registered operator of a motor vehicle for display on a bicycle rack on the vehicle.
"brake" means a device for retarding or controlling the rotation of the wheels of a vehicle and for bringing the vehicle to a stop.
"braking system", of a vehicle, means all the brakes of the vehicle and all the components of the mechanisms by which they are operated.
British Standard means a standard approved for publication on behalf of the British Standards Institution.

Note Copies of British Standards are available from offices of Standards Australia.

"British Standards Institution" means the institution of that name established under royal charter in the United Kingdom.
"bus" means a motor vehicle built mainly to carry people that seats more than 9 adults (including the driver).
"car "means a motor vehicle built mainly to carry people that—

(a) seats no more than 9 adults (including the driver); and

(b) has a body commonly known as a sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible or roadster; and

"car derivative" means a motor vehicle—

(a) that is of the kind known as a utility, station wagon or panel van; and

(b) that is of the same make as a factory-produced car; and

(c) in which the part of the body form that is in front of the windscreen, and most of the mechanical equipment, are the same or substantially the same as in a factory-produced car.

"centre-line", of an axle group, means—

(a) if the group consists of 2 axles, one of which is fitted with twice the number of tyres as the other axle¾a line located 1/3 of the way from the centre-line of the axle with more tyres towards the centre-line of the axle with fewer tyres; or

(b) in any other case¾a line located midway between the centre-lines of the outermost axles of the group.

Centre-line of a tandem axle group fitted with an equal number of tyres on each axle

Centre-line of a tandem axle group fitted with different numbers of tyres on each axle

Centre-line of a tri axle group

Centre-line of a quad axle group

"certificate of approval", for Part 6.3 (Inspections)—see regulation 115.
certificate of approved operations means a certificate issued or accepted for a registrable vehicle under regulation 114 (Installation of operations plates, modification of vehicles etc).
"clearance light" means a light that, when operated, provides an indication of the width of a vehicle, together with any load or equipment on it, when viewed either from the front or from the rear of the vehicle.
"combination" means a group of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle connected to 1 or more vehicles.
compliance plate means a plate mentioned in clause 62 (Compliance plate to be attached to certain motor vehicles) or 63 (Compliance plate to be attached to certain trailers) of Schedule 1.
"component identification number", for a vehicle part of a registrable vehicle—see regulation 154 (Definitions for pt 6.4).
"controlled access bus" means a bus, other than an articulated bus, over 12.5m long.
"converter dolly" means a trailer with 1 axle group or single axle, and a fifth wheel coupling, designed to convert a semitrailer into a dog trailer.

Converter dolly

"daylight" means the period in a day from sunrise to sunset.
"dealer", in relation to a vehicle, means the holder of a vehicle sale licence under the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977".
"defect notice means a defect notice under paragraph 25 (4) (a) of the Act.
"designated place" means a place designated by the road transport authority.
"dipping device" means a device by which the driver of a motor vehicle can, from the normal driving position—

(a) if the vehicle has 1 headlight-dip the main beam of light projected by the headlight, or turn off the headlight and simultaneously turn on an alternative headlight; or

(b) if the vehicle has 2 headlights—dip the main beam of light projected by each headlight, or turn off the headlights and simultaneously turn on 2 alternative headlights; or

"dog trailer" means a trailer (including a trailer consisting of a semitrailer and converter dolly) with—

(a) 1 axle group or single axle at the front that is steered by connection to the towing vehicle by a drawbar; and

(b) 1 axle group or single axle at the rear.

Dog trailer

"drawbar" means a part of a trailer (other than a semitrailer) connecting the trailer body to a coupling for towing purposes.
"drive" a vehicle—see the Act, dictionary.
"driver"—see the Act, dictionary.
"D-value" means the theoretical horizontal reference force between towing vehicle and trailer.
"eligible vehicle" means a vehicle eligible for registration under regulation 26.
"emergency brake" means a brake designed to be used if a service brake fails.
"emergency vehicle "means a vehicle driven, or intended to be driven, by an emergency worker driving the vehicle in the course of his or her duties as an emergency worker.
emergency worker—see the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Regulations 1999", dictionary.
"examiners register, for Part 6.3 (Inspections)—see regulation 115.
fifth wheel coupling means a device, other than the upper rotating element and the kingpin (which are parts of a semitrailer), used with a prime mover, semitrailer or converter dolly, to allow quick coupling and uncoupling and to provide for articulation.
"fog light "means a front fog light or a rear fog light.
"front fog light" means a light used to improve the illumination of the road in case of fog, snowfall, heavy rain or a dust storm.
"garage address", of a vehicle—see the Act, dictionary.
"GCM "(or gross combination mass")—see the Act, dictionary.
"glazing means material fitted to the front, sides, rear or interior of a vehicle, through which the driver or a passenger can obtain a view of the road, but does not include a coating added after manufacture of the material.
"GTM" (or "gross trailer mass") means the mass transmitted to the ground by the axles of a trailer when the trailer is loaded to its GVM and connected to a towing vehicle.
GVM (or gross vehicle mass)—see the Act, dictionary.
heavy vehicle"—see the Act, dictionary.
"high-beam, for a headlight or front fog light fitted to a vehicle, means that the light is built or adjusted so, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam of light projected is above the low-beam position.
historic vehicle means a motor vehicle, other than a veteran vehicle or a vintage vehicle, built not less than 30 years before—

(a) the day it was last registered; or

(b) if it is unregistered and is to be registered—the date of registration.

"home address"—see the Act, dictionary.
"identification label", for a trader's plate, means an identification label for the plate issued under regulation 90 (Identification labels for trader's plates) or 92 (Replacement identification labels).
"identification plate", for a vehicle, means a plate authorised to be placed on the vehicle, or taken to have been placed on the vehicle, under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cwlth).
"implement" means a motor vehicle that—

(a) is built—

(i) as an excavator, road grader, road-roller, bulldozer, forklift truck or similar item of equipment; or

(ii) to perform a function that equipment mentioned in subparagraph (i) can perform; and

(b) is not built on a chassis of a type normally used in the construction of a truck.

"inspect"—see the Act, dictionary.
"jurisdiction"—see the Act, dictionary.
"left", for a vehicle, means to the left of the centre of the vehicle when viewed by a person in the vehicle who is facing towards the front of the vehicle.
"light vehicle" means a registrable vehicle that is not a heavy vehicle.
"lost" includes mislaid or unable to be found for any reason.
"low-beam", for a headlight or front fog light fitted to a vehicle, means that the light is built or adjusted so, when the vehicle is stopped on level ground, the top of the main beam of light projected is—

(a) not higher than the centre of the headlight or fog light, when measured 8m in front of the vehicle; and

(b) not more than 1m higher than the level where the vehicle is standing, when measured 25m in front of the vehicle.

A headlight in the low-beam position

"major defect notice"—see subregulation 159 (1) (a) (Issue of defect notices and formal warnings).
"minor defect notice"—see subregulation 159 (1) (b).
"moped" means a motorbike or motortrike with an engine cylinder capacity of not over 50ml and a maximum speed of not over 50km/h.
"motorbike" means any motor vehicle that has 2 wheels, and includes a 2-wheeled motor vehicle with a sidecar attached to it that is supported by a 3rd wheel.
"motortrike" means a motor vehicle with 3 wheels, but does not include a 2-wheeled motorbike with a sidecar attached to it that is supported by a 3rd wheel.
"motor vehicle"—see the Act, dictionary.
"motor vehicle certification board" means the body that—

(a) is known under the name Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board; and

(b) consists of representatives of the Commonwealth, each of the States and the ACT and Northern Territory; and

(c) has, as an objective, to ensure that vehicles supplied for use in, built in, or imported into, Australia are designed and built to—

(i) comply with the requirements of Australian Design Rules; or

(ii) provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that provided by Australian Design Rules.

"mudguard" means a fitting or device, with or without a mudflap, that is built and fitted to a vehicle in a way that will, as far as practicable, catch or deflect downwards any stone, mud, water or other substance thrown up by the rotation of the wheel to which the fitting or device is fitted.
"national standard"—see clauses 12 and 13 of Schedule 1.
"night "means the period between sunset on one day and sunrise on the next day.
nominated configuration, for a registration period of a registrable vehicle, means the configuration, nominated by the registered operator, in which the vehicle will operate for the registration period.

Note See also the definition of "configuration".

non-standard registration number means a number that is determined to be a non-standard registration number under regulation 47.
"number" includes a letter of the alphabet.
"numberplate" means a vehicle numberplate or bicycle rack numberplate.
"operations plate" means a plate installed on a registrable vehicle in accordance with regulation 114 (Installation of operations plates, modification of vehicles etc).
"owner"—

(a) of a prescribed right to a non-standard registration number—see regulation 46 (Definitions for pt 3.5 (Numberplates)); or

(b) of premises—see regulation 115 (Definitions for Part 6.3 (Inspections)).

"plate-holder", of a numberplate—see regulation 46 (Definitions for pt 3.5 (Numberplates)).
point of articulation means—

(a) the axis of a kingpin for a fifth wheel; or

(b) the vertical axis of rotation of a fifth wheel coupling; or

(d) the vertical axis of rotation of the front axle group, or single axle, of a dog trailer; or

(e) the coupling pivot point of a semitrailer.

Point ofarticulation—fifth wheel coupling on a converter dolly (forming the frontaxle group of a dog trailer)

Point of articulation—fifth wheel on a prime mover

Pointof articulation—axis of a kingpin for fifthwheel

"pole-type trailer" means a trailerthat—

(a) is attached to a towing vehicle by a pole, or an attachment fitted to a pole; and

(b) is ordinarily used for transporting loads, such as logs, pipes, structural members or other long objects, that can generally support themselves like beams between supports.

Pole-typetrailer

"police vehicle" means a vehicle driven,or intended to be driven, by a police officer in the course of his or herduty.
prescribed requirements, for premises and equipment onpremises—see regulation 115 (Definitions for pt 6.3(Inspections)).
prescribed right, to a special registrationnumber—see regulation 46 (Definitions for pt 3.5(Numberplates)).
proprietor, ofpremises—see regulation 115 (Definitions for pt 6.3(Inspections)).
prime mover means a motor vehicle built to towa semitrailer.
public vehicle—see the Road Transport(General) Act 1999, section 100.
quad axle group means agroup of 4 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines ofthe outermost axles is over 3.2m, but not over 4.9m.
rear foglight means a light used on a vehicle to make it more easily visiblefrom the rear in dense fog.
rear overhang, of a vehicle, meansthe distance between the rear overhang line and the rear of thevehicle.
rear overhang line, of a vehicle,means—

(a) if there is a single axle at the rear of the vehicle—the centre-line of the axle; or

(b) if there is an axle group at the rear of the vehicle—the centre-line of the axle group, decided without regard to the presence of any steerable axle unless all axles in the group are steerable.

Rear overhang and rear overhang line—vehicle with tri axle group at rear

Rear overhang and rear overhang line—motor vehicle

Rear overhang and rear overhang line—semitrailer

"register"—see registrable vehicles register.
registered operator—see the Act, dictionary.
registered vehicle means a registrable vehicle registered under the Act.
"registrable vehicle"—see the Act, dictionary.
"registrable vehicles register"—see the Act, dictionary.
"registration certificate", for a vehicle, means a registration certificate issued for the vehicle under regulation 40 (Registration certificates).
registration charge category means—

(a) for a heavy vehicle—the vehicle's type under the Road Transport Charges (Australian Capital Territory) Act 1993 (Cwlth); or

(b) for a light vehicle—the vehicle's category under the current determination of the Minister under section 96 of the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 determining the fees, charges and other amounts payable in relation to the registration of vehicles.

registration label, for a vehicle, means a registration label issued for the vehicle under regulation 44 (Registration labels).
"registration number", for a registrable vehicle, means the distinguishing registration number given to the vehicle under subregulation 49 (1) (Vehicle numberplates).
"registration provisions", for Chapter 2 (Application of regulations)—see regulation 6.
relevant vehicle registration authority means—

(a) for a registered vehicle or a vehicle that has been, but is no longer, registered in any jurisdiction—the vehicle registration authority that last registered the vehicle; or

(b) if the vehicle has never been registered—the vehicle registration authority for the jurisdiction where the vehicle is used or intended to be used.

"responsible person", for a vehicle—see the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 10.
"right"—

(a) to a non-standard registration number—see regulation 46 (Definitions for pt 3.5 (Numberplates)); and

(b) for a vehicle—means to the right of the centre of the vehicle when viewed by a person in the vehicle who is facing to the front of the vehicle.

"road"—see the Act, dictionary.
road related area—see the Act, dictionary.
road tank vehicle has the same meaning as in the 6th edition of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail as approved by the Competent Authorities Panel, the Australian Committee for the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Transport Ministers of Australia and published jointly by the National Road Transport Commission and the Federal Office of Road Safety (now known as the Australian Transport Safety Bureau).

Note The code is available at Ausinfo bookshops.

road train means a combination, other than a B-double, consisting of a motor vehicle towing at least 2 trailers (counting a converter dolly supporting a semitrailer as a single trailer).

Road train

road transport authority (or "authority")—see the Act, dictionary.
road transport legislation—see the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 6.
"seatbelt" means a belt or similar device that is fitted to a motor vehicle and designed to restrain or limit the movement of a person who is seated in the vehicle and wearing the belt or device, if the vehicle suddenly accelerates or decelerates.
"semitrailer" means a trailer (including a pole-type trailer) that has—

(a) 1 axle group or single axle to the rear; and

(b) a means of attachment to a prime mover that results in some of the load being imposed on the prime mover.

"service brake", for a vehicle, means the brake normally used to decelerate the vehicle.
"sidecar" means any car, box or other receptacle attached to the side of a motorbike and for the transport of which a 3rd wheel is provided.
"side marker light" means a light that, when operating, is visible from the side of the vehicle where it is attached.
"single axle group" means a group of at least 2 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is less than 1m.
"single axle" means an axle not forming part of an axle group.
"station wagon" means a car—

(a) in which the part of the body form adjacent to and in front of the front seat or seats, and most of the mechanical equipment, are the same or substantially the same as in a car of the same make; and

(b) in which the body is carried without significant reduction in height from the front seat or seats to, or substantially towards, the rear of the vehicle; and

(d) that is built with a rear seat or seats that can be folded or removed readily to provide additional floor space for goods; and

(e) that, when the seat or seats immediately to the rear of the front seat or seats are in position to seat people, the vehicle has a substantial space for goods in proportion to the overall size of the interior of the vehicle.

"steerable axle", for a vehicle, means an axle the wheels of which are connected to a steering mechanism for the vehicle.
"tandem axle group" means a group of at least 2 axles in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is at least 1m, but not over 2m.
"tare mass", for a motor vehicle, means—

(a) for a motorbike or motortrike—the mass of the vehicle when ready for use, unoccupied and unladen, with all fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity (except the fuel tank which must be empty) and with all standard equipment and any options fitted; and

(b) for any other vehicle—the mass of the vehicle when ready for use, unoccupied and unladen, with all fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity (except for the fuel tank which must contain 10L of fuel) and with all standard equipment and any options fitted.

"taxi"—

(a) see the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 100; and

(b) includes a restricted taxi.

"the Act" means the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999.
third-party policy—see the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 158.
"tow truck "means a truck that—

(a) is built or used for towing broken-down or damaged vehicles; and

(b) includes, or has permanently attached to it, a crane or similar apparatus for—

(i) lifting a vehicle partly clear of the ground; and

(ii) keeping it partly clear of the ground while towing it.

"tractor" means a motor vehicle that—

(a) is built mainly to supply motive power for machinery or to haul another vehicle; and

(b) cannot carry a load (other than tools, spare parts, fuel, water, oil, or other accessories, necessary for use in connection with the vehicle) or any part of the weight of a vehicle being towed or its load.

"trader's plate"—see the Act, dictionary.
"traffic offence detection device"—see the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999, dictionary.
"trailer"—see the Act, dictionary.
"transport enforcement vehicle "means a vehicle used by authorised persons to enforce the road transport legislation.
tri axle group means a group of at least 3 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is over 2m, but not over 3.2m.
"truck" means a motor vehicle (whether or not in combination with a trailer) that is built mainly—

(a) to carry goods or merchandise or to carry materials used in a trade, business or industry; or

(b) for use in work other than carrying people;

but does not include a motorbike or tractor.

"turntable" means a bearing built to carry vertical and horizontal loads, but does not allow quick separation of its upper and lower rotating elements, and that is used to connect and allow articulation between—

(a) a prime mover and a semitrailer; or

(b) the steering axle or axle group of a dog trailer and the body of the trailer; or

"twinsteer axle group" means a group of 2 axles—

(a) with single tyres; and

(b) fitted to a motor vehicle; and

(d) the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of which is at least 1m, but not over 2m.

Twinsteer axle group on a motor vehicle

"unleaded petrol motor vehicle" means a vehicle required to be manufactured to operate on unleaded petrol in accordance with the requirements of an applicable ADR.
unregistered vehicle means an unregistered registrable vehicle.
unregistered vehicle permit—see the Act, dictionary.
"use"—see the Act, dictionary.
vacuum brakes means vacuum-operated or vacuum-assisted brakes.
"vehicle"—see the Act, dictionary.
vehicle inspection station means a place operated by or for the road transport authority to find out whether registrable vehicles comply with the applicable vehicle standards for the vehicles.
"vehicle numberplate" means a numberplate issued by the road transport authority under these regulations other than a bicycle rack numberplate, and, in Division 3.5.6 (Damaged, lost, stolen or destroyed numberplates), includes a trader's plate.
vehicle part, of a registrable vehicle—see regulation 154 (Definitions for pt 6.4 (Component identification numbers)).
vehicle registration authority means the road transport authority or the corresponding authority of another jurisdiction.
"veteran vehicle" means a motor vehicle built before 1919.
"VIN", of a vehicle, means the vehicle identification number allocated to the vehicle in accordance with the ADRs.
"vintage vehicle" means a motor vehicle built after 1918 and before 1931.
"windscreen", of a vehicle, means the main front windscreen of the vehicle, but does not include a wind deflector or other subsidiary windscreen.
"yellow" includes amber.

Endnotes

Notification

1 Notified in the Gazette on 29 February 2000.

Penalty units

2 Section 33AA of the Interpretation Act 1967 (as applied by section 9 of the Subordinate Laws Act 1989) deals with the meaning of offence penalties that are expressed in penalty units.

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory Executive makes the following regulations under the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999.

Dated 25 February 2000.

BRENDAN SMYTH
Minister

GARY HUMPHRIES
Minister

Australian Capital Territory

Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2000

Subordinate Law 2000 No 12

CONTENTS

Regulation

SCHEDULE 1

VEHICLE STANDARDS

SCHEDULE 2

PRESCRIBED REQUIREMENTS

DICTIONARY

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