NSW - Vehicle Legislations / RTA Guidelines

[Twincam16]

Helpful info on NSW rules and regulations for things like ride height, increased wheel size, motor modifications, tints, etc etc.

NSW Vehicle Legislation (http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+522+2007+sch.2+0+N?tocnav=y)


RTA Standards (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_dl1.html)

Modifications & Engineering (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_06_-_guidelines_for_light_vehicle_modifications_nov_20 07.pdf)
Tinting (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi03_rev3.pdf)
Wheels & Tyres (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi09_rev4.pdf)

[Stevil]

This is interesting ?? I had a tyre monkey try and tell me a near new tyre was illegal cause it was almost missing the groove on the out side of the the tyre.

Now if you read the RTA tyre guidelines, it almost reads as thou you could have upto 25% of the tread missing, certainly wouldn't want to test that theory !! lol

RTA states - For all other vehicles, a tyre must have a tread pattern around its circumference that is at least 1.5mm
deep across at least 75% of the tyre surface that contacts the road.

[3K9]

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi6.pdf

Update on VSI 6 on the 8th on November 2013.


26

Reinforcement of the chassis (eg boxing chassis or fitting ¾ chassis/body reinforcing
kits).
Example requiring certification:
•
Fitting additional structural members to a chassis.
Example not requiring certification:
•
Fitting a strut tower brace.

http://sites.cdnis.edu.hk/students/042696/files/2013/07/minions_what-11.png

A strut tower brace is a member, a structural member!

[lilthug]

Example not requiring certification:
•
Fitting a strut tower brace.


read properly

[3K9]

Example not requiring certification:
•
Fitting a strut tower brace.



read properly

Huh, didn't you read my last sentence?

[Chernoby1]

Is the car compromised without it or with it altered? Not really imo; thus not structural member?

[bennjamin]

Is the car compromised without it or with it altered? Not really imo; thus not structural member?

I think he means the law states it isn't - but technically it CAN compromise the cars chassis. He must be an engineering student and has conflicting thoughts in his head lol.

[3K9]

I think he means the law states it isn't - but technically it CAN compromise the cars chassis. He must be an engineering student and has conflicting thoughts in his head lol.

I am just mechanically minded! =P
Nup, not an engineering student. Hopefully I will be one next year.

[dorikin]

Did a bit of researching into this recently and thought I would share some useful links I found.

As above the Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) No.6 - Light Vehicle Modifications was updated in November 2013. The VSI is more or less a guideline and should be read in conjunction with the legal document - Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme Declaration of Modification or Class of Modification Order 2013 (the Order) which contains a full list of modifications that require certification.

The main changes to Light Vehicle Modifications since November 2013 are:

- Replacement engines may have 20% greater capacity (up from 15%);
- Modified engines, including electric/hybrid, may achieve 20% higher power output;
- An option for alternative emission testing; and
- 7% increase in wheel/tyre size.


Here is some of the information found in VSI 06:

Significant modifications requiring certification

ENGINE
An engine that is not of an original family of engine for the series of models, or any
engine more than 20% larger than the largest original optional engine for that series.

Examples requiring certification:
• Replacement of 2.0 litre Honda engine with 2.0 litre Mitsubishi engine.
•Replacement of 2.0 litre engine with an engine capacity greater than 2.4 litres.

Example not requiring certification:
•Replacement of a 2.0 litre engine with an engine of 2.4 litres capacity or less and from the same vehicle series.


Fitting of turbochargers or superchargers not originally offered by the engine or vehicle
manufacturer, or increasing the original power output by more than 20%.

Examples requiring certification:
•Fitting a turbocharger/supercharger to any vehicle of a make and model not offered
with a turbocharger/supercharger by the manufacturer.
•Modifications to a vehicle with a power output of 100 kilowatts, which results in a
power output of greater than 120 kilowatts.


I also found this interesting FAQ about roll cages:

Can roll cages be used in vehicles as long as they are designed and constructed properly?

Roll cages can be used in vehicles provided the installation meets the applicable vehicle standards. Installing a roll cage has the potential to affect one or more Australian Design Rules (ADRs), in which case certification will be required. The relevant standard is the requirement in Clause 21 of Schedule 2 of the Regulation that everything in a vehicle’s construction and operation must not pose a danger to any person. Four-point roll cages can still meet this requirement, however six-point roll cages cannot because the configuration of a six-point roll cage creates a rigid item
directly in the head-strike area and obstructs the driver’s vision through the windscreen and adjacent side windows. A six-point roll cage may be installed in a vehicle if the front part is removed when the vehicle is used on a road or road-related area. Guidance on the fitting of roll cages can be found in Section LK of VSB No.14.


More info can be found at:
VSI No.6 http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi6.pdf
VSCCS FAQ http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsccs_faqs.pdf
Declaration of Modification or Class of Modification Order 2013 (Pg.5-8) http://www.gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gaz_Gazette%20Split%202013_2013-151.pdf

[Grayfox]

Can't find anything about headlight tinting.
Want to add some SPI vision tints to my civics headlights, they are like a flyscreen in design so some parts are tinted some are not.

http://www.spi-vision.co.uk/images/headlight-1-col.jpg
http://www.spi-vision.co.uk/images/bikelight-1-col.jpg

[dorikin]

you would probably have to refer to the relevant ADR
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/design/adr_online.aspx



AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES
Any modification to a vehicle (whether or not listed in the Order) has the potential to affect one or more ADRs. Unless exempted by RMS (or ADRs do not apply to that vehicle), any modification that affects an applicable ADR will require certification; for example, a pole-mounted information technology (IT) screen is likely to affect one or more ADRs, and if this is the case, a VSCCS certificate will be required for the modification.

[Grayfox]

Gone through all of the ones regarding headlights or front lighting.
Could not find anything about tints.

[Chernoby1]

Did it say a minimum light output? Pretty sure I've seen that written somewhere.

[Grayfox]

Didn't see anything about it, those SPItints block very little light.

[daevilone]

read this:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi29_rev1.pdf

specifically...

Tinted headlight covers must not be used if they cause the headlights or direction
indicators to emit a colour other than that allowed by the Regulation.

headlights must show only white light, and when on at night, illuminate the road ahead of
the vehicle for at least:
– 25 metres on low-beam
– 50 metres on high-beam.

so as long as they can still illuminate the road for 25m and do not affect the colour you should be alright.

[Grayfox]

read this:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi29_rev1.pdf

specifically...

Tinted headlight covers must not be used if they cause the headlights or direction
indicators to emit a colour other than that allowed by the Regulation.

headlights must show only white light, and when on at night, illuminate the road ahead of
the vehicle for at least:


– 25 metres on low-beam
– 50 metres on high-beam.

so as long as they can still illuminate the road for 25m and do not affect the colour you should be alright.

I wish they could also emit a yellow light.

Then i would buy an old french car.
And use yellow bulbs.

[Chernoby1]

I wish they could also emit a yellow light.

Then i would buy an old french car.
And use yellow bulbs.

Buy old french car, buy old bulbs, claim it came out like from factory... laugh as the police realise you need to meet the laws of 1972 which didn't specify white light.

[bennjamin]

Buy old french car, buy old bulbs, claim it came out like from factory... laugh as the police realise you need to meet the laws of 1972 which didn't specify white light.

Problem is you still get the defect fine and notice and then need to pass it to clear the defect. Times and monies wasted

[Chernoby1]

Problem is you still get the defect fine and notice and then need to pass it to clear the defect. Times and monies wasted

True. TBH though, its french... hardly ever get pulled over i rekon.
And if it really was a concern, how does club rego work in NSW? same as vic where the club is responsible for managing the defects / ect?

[Grayfox]

Buy old french car, buy old bulbs, claim it came out like from factory... laugh as the police realise you need to meet the laws of 1972 which didn't specify white light.

Old french cars used normal bulbs.
There headlight housing lens was yellow.

If i were to get an old french car it would be either an alpine A110 or renault 8.
I still have standards to keep up after all.

[nate92]

Is a 1992 eg vti with a k24 engineered to the car illegal for p platers?

[Tai]

Its only illegal if you get caught.

[jv-st]

Rather then make a new thread I thought I would just post here. As a P-plater (green), is it strictly not allowable to drive any car with an engine swap? Going from a 1.6 to 1.8, engine has already been registered to the car.

I'm reading some conflicting things. Some say it's completely not allowed. Some don't. ie.


B18 is legal in NSW with p plates since it falls under the up to 15% engine capacity increase rules.

All you need to do after the conversion is get a blue slip (adjustment of records) and also you need a receipt for the engine.

Then again, this was from a couple years back. I just need something conclusive that's all.

inb4 I didn't search enough :(