Part II Part II
DIVISION 3 DIVISION 3
MOTOR VEHICLES GENERALLY, INCLUDING TRAILERS Part I
DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES
Maximum length, width and height
43. The limits prescribed in this Part may be exceeded only with the prior written permission of the District Superintendent or Superintendent and subject to compliance with any conditions of such permission. Except where otherwise provided, such limits refer to the motor vehicle together with any loading or equipment thereon.
44. Length-
(!) Rigid Vehicles-
(a) The maximum length of the rigid portion of any vehicle not being a semi- trailer shall be 11 metres and the distance from the front of the vehicle to the line from which the rear overhang is measured shall not exceed 8.3 metres;
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause (a), the maximum length of a motor omnibus or service omnibus shall be 12.2 metres, provided that the distance from the front of the omnibus to the line from which the rear overhang is measured, shall not exceed a figure equal to 8.3 metres plus the amount if any by which the overall length exceeds II metres;
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subclauses (a) and (b), the maximum length of a motor omnibus or service omnibus equipped with tandem axles and two steering axles and approved by the Commissioner for Transport which operates over routes determined by the Commissioner for Transport, shall be 12.8 metres.
(2) Articulated Vehicles Other Than Motor Omnibuses or Service Omnibuses- (a) The maximum length of an articulated vehicle shall be 17.5 metres;
REGULATIONS Sch. to Pt. 13, c. 47 69 (b) The maximum length of a semi-trailer shall be 12.5 metres excluding any projection beyond the front of the trailer which lies within an arc of 1.9 metres radius described from the point of articulation;
(c) The maximum distance from the point of articulation to the line from which the rear overhang is measured shall be 9 metres;
(d) The maximum forward projection from the point of articulation of a semi- trailer portion of an articulated vehicle shall be contained within a radius of 1.9 metres from the point of articulation.
(3) Combination Vehicles-
(a) The maximum length of a combination of a motor vehicle and a trailer shall be 17.5 metres;
(b) The maximum length of the drawbar of a trailer fitted with a steering front axle or group of axles forming part of a combination of motor vehicle and trailer which complies with sub-paragraph (a) shall be:
(i) 5 metres; or
(ii) 9 metres in the case of trailers having a single axle or axle group.
(4) Articulated Motor Omnibuses or Service Omnibuses-
(a) The maximum length of an articulated omnibus approved by the Commissioner for Transport which operates over routes determined by the Commissioner for Transport shall be 18 metres;
(b) The rear overhang of the forward section measured to the point of articulation shall not exceed forty per centum (40%) of the distance from the centre line of the front axle to the line from which the rear overhang of the forward section is measured.
(c) All parts of an articulated omnibus except mirrors and signalling devices shall be capable of moving within a circular tract having an inner radius of 5.3 metres and an outer radius of 12 metres.
As amended by regulations published Gazette 25 September 1965, pp. 392; 27 November 1971, pp. 1475-7; 22 June 1974, pp. 1116-20; 18 December 1976, p. 1681.
Further substituted by regulations published Gazette 11 March 1978, p. 1032 (as from 3 April 1978);
As amended by regulations published Gazette 10 October 1981, pp. 625-6; 2 May 1987, pp. 196-7.
45. Width-
(!) Motor omnibus or service omnibus-2.5 metres (excluding any rear vision mirror, signalling device, or both);
(2) Any other motor vehicle, together with its loading and any fastening thereon (excluding any rear vision mirror, signalling device or both)-2.5 metres.
Substituted by regulations published Gazette 28 August 1965, p. 2041; as amended by regulations published Gazette 26 April, 1969, p. 1517; 22 June 1974, pp. 1116-20; 29 November 1975, pp. 1255-59.
46. Height-Double-deck omnibus-4.4 metres. Any other motor vehicle-4.3 metres.
As amended by regulations published Gazette 22 June 1974, pp. 1116-20; 29 November 1975, pp. 1255-59.
Part II
TRAILER COUPLINGS
Weight and Dimensions of Trailer-Affixing of Semi-trailers
47. Any coupling for use between a motor vehicle and any trailer, caravan or other vehicle to be towed by it and to control the movement of such trailer, caravan or other vehicle shall comply with the following requirements:-
(!) It shall be so constructed that-
(a) It will permit sufficient angular movement between the two vehicles;
(b) It can be disconnected regardless of the angle of the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle;
(c) Any vehicle being towed cannot become accidentally disconnected from the towing vehicle;
(2) It shall be such that it will prevent, as far as possible, lateral swing of the vehicle being towed.
(3) The brackets or other means of securing its forward and rearward portions to the towing vehicle and the vehicle to be towed shall be of sufficient strength and rigidity.
(4) It shall be of sufficient strength to be capable of drawing with safety the vehicle to be towed and any loading or equipment thereon.
47A. A coupling used as a connection between passenger cars and derivatives thereof and a trailer which trailer is first registered on or after the First day of January, 1971, and which is of a laden weight not exceeding 2.3 tonnes shall be a ball coupling conforming with Australian Standard D18-1968 for Ball Couplings for Automotive Purposes.
Such ball coupling shall have a loading capacity equal to the static weight of the trailer loaded to its maximum load.
Original c. 47A renumbered as c. 47B by regulations published Gazette 24 October 1970, pp. 735-6.
Present c. 47A inserted by regulations published Gazette 24 October, 1970, pp. 735-6;
as amended by regulations published Gazette 22 June 1974, pp. 1116-20; 29 November 1975, pp. 1255-59.
Safety Connections on Trailers
47B. (l) On and after 1st June, 1964, in addition to the requirements of clause 47 of this Schedule, there shall be affixed to a substantial portion of the towing vehicle and to the frame, tow bar or other substantial portion of the trailer, caravan or other towed vehicle, a safety connection consisting of a chain or chains, cable or cables, or other non- rigid connection or connections.
(2) Such safety connection shall-
(a) be of sufficient strength to be capable of holding in tow the trailer, caravan or other towed vehicle in the event of failure or accidental detachment of the trailer coupling;
(b) be as short as practicable;
(c) be so connected and affixed that-
(i) it is not liable to accidental disconnection but is readily detachable from the towing vehicle;
(ii) it permits all normal angular movements of the coupling without more slack than is necessary; and
(iii) it will prevent the forward end of the drawbar from striking the ground in the event of failure or accidental detachment of the coupling.
(3) The equipment used in affixing any safety connection to the towing vehicle and to the trailer, caravan or other towed vehicle shall be of sufficient strength to ensure the holding in tow by the safety connection of the trailer, caravan or other towed vehicle in the event of failure or accidental detachment of the coupling. ·
(4) This clause shall not apply to any trailer, caravan or other towed vehicle if such trailer, caravan or other vehicle is fitted with a braking system as described in subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of clause 58 of this Schedule, or to any semi-trailer or pole-type trailer.
(5) In the case of a trailer, caravan or other vehicle to be towed registered in any other State or Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia or other country it shall be sufficient compliance with this clause if the safety connection used conforms with the requirements of the law for the time being in force in such State, Territory or other country.
REGULATIONS Sch. to Pt. 13, c. 54 71 Present c. 47B (original c. 47A) inserted by regulations published Gazette 18 January 1964, pp. 162-3; re-numbered as c. 47B by regulations published Gazette 24 October 1970, pp. 735-6.
48. ( 1) A trailer shall not be of such weight or dimensions that it will be likely to prevent the driver of a vehicle drawing it from safely controlling it and such vehicle.
(2) A semi-trailer shall be securely joined to the forward portion of an articulated vehicle.
Part III