Contents

Part I                      Preliminary                                                                 

                        1      Name of regulations [see Note 1]                                      6

                        2      Interpretation                                                                   6

                        3      Australian Design Rules                                                 13

                      3A      Mass management compliance assurance schemes         14

                      3B      Road friendly suspension                                                14

Part II                     Registration of Vehicles                                         

Division 1                 Requirements for paragraphs 13 (1) (a) and (b) of the Act

                        4      Interpretation                                                                 16

                        5      Requirements in respect of motor vehicles and trailers       16

                      5A      Maximum road speed limiting -- heavy motor vehicles      18

                      5B      Tampering with road speed governors etc                         19

                      5C      Exceeding speed limit                                                    19

                      5D      Contravention of road transport laws                                 21

Division 2                 Insurance                                                                       

                        6      Approved insurers                                                          22

                        7      Third‑party policy                                                           22

                        8      Application of Division to motor vehicles etc belonging to the Commonwealth or any State         23

                        9      Registered motor vehicle etc to be insured                       23

                       10      Certificate of insurance to be produced, or insurer to be nominated, at time of registration of certain motor vehicles etc                                                          24

                       11      Cancellation of third‑party policy                                      26

                       12      Rights etc of insurer, owner etc of vehicle with respect to claims for damages   26

Division 2A              Vehicle mass limits                                                        

                  12AA      Application of Division                                                     27

                    12A      Permitted gross mass limits                                           27

                    12B      Axle loads                                                                     29

                12BAA      Axle loads for single steer axles                                      30

                  12BA      Concessional mass limit                                                 31

                    12C      Higher mass accreditation and route requirements            31

                    12E      False statement of gross vehicle mass                            33

                    12H      Overloaded vehicle                                                         33

                      12I      Weighing vehicles                                                          35

                     12J      Weighing vehicles -- procedure                                       37

                    12K      Unloading overloaded vehicles                                         37

Division 2B              B‑doubles                                                                       

                     12L      On which routes may a B‑double operate?                       38

                    12M      General specifications for B‑doubles                                39

                    12N      How must a B‑double be identified?                                 39

                    12O      Dimensions of a B‑double -- height                                 39

                    12P      Dimensions of a B‑double -- overall length                       40

                  12PA      Dimensions of a B‑double -- length available for carrying animals        41

                    12Q      Dimensions of a B‑double -- minimum axle spacings        42

                    12R      Starting and running a B‑double on grade                         43

                  12RA      Anti‑lock braking systems                                              43

                    12S      Service brakes -- pneumatic systems                             44

                     12T      Brake line failure protection                                             45

                    12U      Simultaneous parking brake application                           46

                    12V      Selection of fifth wheel assemblies                                  46

                   12W      Selection of fifth wheel kingpins                                       46

                     12X      Mounting of fifth wheel assemblies                                   46

                    12Y      Spray suppression devices                                             47

                     12Z      Tracking                                                                        47

                   12ZA      Distribution of load                                                         47

Division 2BA            Registration and operation of FIRS B‑doubles               

                12ZAA      Total maximum permitted gross mass                             47

                12ZAB      Certain B‑doubles not to be operated                               48

                   12ZB      Circumstances in which State or Territory permits are required            48

Division 3                 Inspection of vehicles                                                    

                       13      Inspection in contemplation of registration                        48

                       14      Exemption from inspection                                              50

                       15      Inspection after alteration etc to vehicle                            51

Division 4                 Certificates of registration, registration plates and registration labels     

                       16      Issue of certificate of registration etc                                52

                       17      Affixing etc of registration label                                        53

                       18      Replacement and return of certificates of registration and registration labels     54

                    18A      Damage to, and loss etc of, registration certificate            56

                       19      Damage to, and loss etc of, registration label                   57

                       20      Declaration that registration label etc has been destroyed  57

                       21      Registration plate                                                           58

                       22      Affixing of registration plates                                           59

                       23      Damage to, and loss etc of, registration plate                   60

                    23A      Cancellation or suspension of registration                         61

                  23AA      Cancellation or suspension of registration by a Registration Authority other than the relevant Registration Authority                                                     62

                    23B      Return of certificates of registration and registration labels on cancellation of registration           63

                       24      Return of registration plates on cancellation or expiry of registration     63

                       25      Circumstances where registration plates not to be returned on surrender of registration 64

                       26      Offences in relation to registration label etc                      64

Division 5                 Miscellaneous                                                                

                       27      Period specified for purposes of paragraph 9 (3) (b) of the Act  67

                       28      Notification of change of name or address of owner           67

                       29      Notification of transfer of ownership                                  68

                    29A      Vehicle to be operated according to registration                69

Part IV                   Miscellaneous                                                           

                    48A      Fees                                                                             70

                       49      Fees specified for the purposes of subsection 3 (10) of the Act            71

                       50      Prescribed declarations for the purposes of subparagraph 19 (2) (c) (ii) of the Act          71

                       51      Fees etc specified for the purposes of paragraph 23 (5) (a) of the Act   71

                    51A      Certificate evidence                                                        72

                    51B      Smoking in buses                                                          74

                       52      Payment of penalty as an alternative to prosecution          75

Schedule 1              Certification performance standard                             79

Schedule 2              Approved insurers                                                       82

Schedule 3              Axle spacing                                                                83

Schedule 4              Axle load limits                                                           86

Schedule 4A            State and Territory laws under which relevant instruments are made     89

Part 1                       Laws for higher mass limit vehicles                                  89

Part 2                       Laws for B‑doubles                                                         89

Schedule 5              Fees and maximum fees for purposes of paragraphs 3 (10) (a) and 3 (10) (b) of the Act   91

Notes                                                                                                          92

 

  

Notes to the Interstate Road Transport Regulations 1986

Note 1

The Interstate Road Transport Regulations 1986 (in force under the Interstate Road Transport Act 1985) as shown in this compilation comprise Statutory Rules 1986 No. 291 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which came into force on 1 January 2005, it is a requirement for all non‑exempt legislative instruments to be registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. From 1 January 2005 the Statutory Rules series ceased to exist and was replaced with Select Legislative Instruments (SLI series). Numbering conventions remain the same, ie Year and Number.

Table of Instruments

Year and number	Date of notification in Gazette or FRLI registration	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
1986 No. 291	13 Oct 1986	1 Jan 1987 (see Gazette 1986, No. S661)
1986 No. 386	22 Dec 1986	1 Jan 1987 (see Gazette 1986, No. S661)	--
1987 No. 141	25 June 1987	1 Jan 1987	--
1988 No. 152	30 June 1988	1 July 1988	--
1990 No. 144	25 June 1990	25 June 1990	--
1990 No. 435	21 Dec 1990	21 Dec 1990	--
1991 No. 343	12 Nov 1991	15 Nov 1991	--
1992 No. 350	9 Nov 1992	9 Nov 1992	--
1994 No. 94	7 Apr 1994	7 Apr 1994	--
1994 No. 255	13 July 1994	13 July 1994	--
1995 No. 5	3 Feb 1995	3 Feb 1995	--
1995 No. 151	28 June 1995	1 July 1995	--
1996 No. 250	13 Nov 1996	13 Nov 1996	--
1999 No. 11	11 Feb 1999	11 Feb 1999	--
1999 No. 133	30 June 1999	Schedule 1 (Part 2): (a) Remainder: 30 June 1999	--
2001 No. 15	13 Feb 2001	13 Feb 2001	--
2002 No. 13	21 Feb 2002	21 Feb 2002	--
2004 No. 346	8 Dec 2004	8 Dec 2004	--
2006 No. 56	21 Mar 2006 (see F2006L00843)	25 Nov 2005	--
2006 No. 162	26 June 2006 (see F2006L01944)	1 July 2006	--
2006 No. 357	18 Dec 2006 (see F2006L04095)	1 Jan 2007	--

(a)    Regulation 2 (b) of Statutory Rules 1999 No. 133 provides as follows:

         These regulations commence as follows:

         (b)     immediately after the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 1 -- Part 2 of         Schedule 1.

         Schedule 1 (Part 1) commenced on 30 June 1999.

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted      am. = amended      rep. = repealed      rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part I
R. 1........................................	rs. 1999 No. 11
R. 2........................................	am. 1988 No. 152; 1990 No. 144; 1991 No. 343; 1992 No. 350; 1994 No. 94; 1995 No. 151; 1999 No. 133; 2002 No. 13; 2006 Nos. 162 and 357
R. 3........................................	am. 1988 No. 152
R. 3A.....................................	ad. 1999 No. 133
R. 3B.....................................	ad. 1999 No. 133
Part II
Division 1
Heading to Div. 1................ of Part II	rs. 1994 No. 94; 1999 No. 11
R. 5........................................	am. 1988 No. 152; 1990 No. 144
R. 5A.....................................	ad. 1990 No. 435
	am. 1991 No. 343; 1992 No. 350; 1995 No. 151
R. 5B.....................................	ad. 1990 No. 435
	rs. 2002 No. 13
R. 5C.....................................	ad. 1999 No. 11
	am. 1999 No. 133; 2001 No. 15
Note to r. 5C (2)..................	rs. 2001 No. 15
R. 5D.....................................	ad. 2001 No. 15
Division 2
R. 6........................................	rs. 1986 No. 386
	am. 1999 No. 133
R. 8........................................	am. 1986 No. 386
R. 9........................................	rs. 1986 No. 386
R. 10.....................................	am. 1986 No. 386
R. 12.....................................	am. 1986 No. 386
Division 2A
Div. 2A of Part II...................	ad. 1988 No. 152
R. 12AA.................................	ad. 1999 No. 133
R. 12A...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 1991 No. 343; 1992 No. 350; 1994 No. 94; 1996 No. 250; 1999 No. 133; 2006 No. 162
R. 12B...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 1991 No. 343; 1995 No. 151; 1999 No. 133; 2006  No. 162
Note to r. 12B (1)................	ad. 2006 No. 357
R. 12BAA..............................	ad. 2006 No. 357
R. 12BA................................	ad. 2006 No. 162
R. 12C..................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	rep. 1995 No. 151
	ad. 1999 No. 133
	am. 2002 No. 13; 2004 No. 346
Note to r. 12C (5)................	rs. 2004 No. 346
R. 12D..................................	ad. 1998 No. 152
	rep.1995 No. 151
R. 12E...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 1995 No. 151
	rs. 2002 No. 13
Rr. 12F, 12G........................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	rep. 1995 No. 151
R. 12H..................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 1991 No. 343; 1994 No. 94; 1995 No. 151; 1999 No. 133; 2002 No. 13
Note to r. 12H (1)................	ad. 1995 No. 151
Note to r. 12H (4)................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	rep. 1999 No. 133
R. 12I....................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	rs. 1990 No. 144
	am. 1991 No. 343; 2002 No. 13
R. 12J...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
R. 12K...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	rs. 1990 No. 144
	am. 1991 No. 343; 2002 No. 13
Division 2B
Div. 2B of Part II...................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12L...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1999 No. 133; 2002 No. 13; 2004 No. 346
R. 12M..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1996 No. 250
R. 12N..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12O..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1992 No. 350
R. 12P...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	rs. 1996 No. 250; 2006 No. 56
	am. 2006 No. 357
R. 12PA................................	ad. 2006 No. 56
R. 12Q..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1995 No. 151; 1996 No. 250
R. 12R..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12RA................................	ad. 1996 No. 250
R. 12S...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12T...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1996 No. 250
R. 12U..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12V...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1996 No. 250
R. 12W..................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	rs. 1996 No. 250
R. 12X...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	am. 1996 No. 250
R. 12Y...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12Z...................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
R. 12ZA.................................	ad. 1991 No. 343
	rs. 1992 No. 350
Division 2BA
Div. 2BA of Part II................	ad. 1994 No. 255
R. 12ZAA..............................	ad. 1996 No. 250
R. 12ZAB..............................	ad. 1996 No. 250
	rs. 2002 No. 13
R. 12ZB................................	ad. 1994 No. 255
Division 3
R. 13.....................................	am. 1988 No. 152; 1995 No. 151
R. 14.....................................	rs. 1999 No. 11
R. 15.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
Division 4
R. 16.....................................	am. 1999 No. 133
R. 17.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 18.....................................	am. 1999 No. 133
R. 18A...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
R. 20.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 21.....................................	am. 1988 No. 152; 1991 No. 343; 1995 No. 151
R. 22.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 23A...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 2001 No. 15
R. 23AA.................................	ad. 2001 No. 15
R. 23B...................................	ad. 1998 No. 152
	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 24.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 26.....................................	am. 1988 No. 152; 2002 No. 13
Division 5
R. 27.....................................	am. 1995 No. 151
R. 28.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 29.....................................	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 29A...................................	ad. 2001 No. 15
	rs. 2002 No. 13
Part III....................................	rep. 1995 No. 151
Rr. 30-32.............................	rep. 1995 No. 151
R. 33.....................................	am. 1986 No. 386
	rep. 1995 No. 151
Rr. 34-44.............................	rep. 1995 No. 151
R. 45.....................................	am. 1986 No. 386
	rep. 1995 No. 151
R. 46.....................................	rep. 1995 No. 151
Rr. 47, 48.............................	am. 1986 No. 386
	rep. 1995 No. 151
Part IV
R. 48A...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 1995 No. 151
R. 49.....................................	am. 1999 No. 133
R. 49A...................................	ad. 1990 No. 144
	rep. 1995 No. 151
R. 51A...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 1995 No. 151
R. 51B...................................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	am. 2002 No. 13
R. 52.....................................	am. 1996 No. 250; 2001 No. 15
Schedule 1
Schedule 1AA......................	ad. 1999 No. 133
Renumbered Schedule 1.........................................	1999 No. 133
Schedule 2..........................	am. 1986 No. 386
	rep. 1995 No. 151
Schedule 2
Schedule 1..........................	am. 1986 No. 386; 1987 No. 141; 1988 No. 152
Renumbered Schedule 2.........................................	1999 No. 133
Schedule 3..........................	rep. 1986 No. 386
Schedule 3
Schedule 1A........................	ad. 1988 No.152
	am. 1995 No. 5
	rs. 1996 No. 250
Renumbered Schedule 3.........................................	1999 No. 133
Schedule 4
Schedule 1B........................	ad. 1988 No. 152
	rs. 1991 No. 343; 1995 No. 151
	am. 1999 No. 133
Renumbered Schedule 4.........................................	1999 No. 133
	rs. 2006 No. 162
Schedule 4A
Schedule 4A........................	ad. 2004 No. 346
Schedule 5
Schedule 4..........................	rs. 1988 No. 152
Renumbered Schedule 5.........................................	1999 No. 133