Version No. 020

Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009

S.R. No. 118/2009

Version incorporating amendments as at
30 January 2015

table of provisions

Regulation Page

xi

Regulation Page

Chapter 1—Preliminary 1

Part 1.1—Preliminary 1

1 Objectives 1

2 Authorising provisions 2

3 Commencement 2

4 Revocations 2

Part 1.2—Interpretation 3

5 Definitions 3

6 Corporation may declare matters for the purposes of Regulations 26

7 Corporation may authorise officers for the purposes of Regulations 27

8 Interpretation—vehicles, combinations and loads 28

9 Interpretation—distance between parallel lines 28

10A Vehicle width 28

11 Approved forms, notices etc. 29

Chapter 2—Vehicle registration 30

Part 2.1—Exempt from registration 30

12 Exemptions from registration 30

Part 2.2—Eligibility for registration 32

13 Registered operator 32

14 Eligible vehicles 32

Part 2.3—Vehicle standards and certification 34

15 Compliance with standards for registration 34

16 Corporation may require new vehicle and engine identification numbers to be stamped or displayed 34

17 Duplicate vehicle and engine identification numbers 35

18 Offence to alter, deface, remove, substitute or tamper with a vehicle identification number 35

19 Inspection of identification numbers 35

20 Non-complying and non-standard vehicles 36

20A Vehicles equipped with camera mounts 36

21 Installation of operations plates and the modification of vehicles 37

Part 2.4—Application for registration 39

22 Names in which vehicle cannot be registered 39

23 Who may apply for registration 39

24 Form of application 39

25 Supporting evidence 40

26 Inspection of vehicles for the purpose of registration 41

27 Lodgement of application, supporting evidence and payment 42

28 Inspection of vehicles 42

29 Decision about application 43

30 Conditional registration 45

31 Dealer certification scheme 46

Part 2.5—Registration 48

Division 1—Register 48

38 Information to be recorded in register 48

39 Changes to be recorded in the register 49

40 Registered operator may search the register 49

Division 2—Certificates 49

41 Certificates of registration 49

42 Replacement of certificate of registration 50

Division 3—Registration period 50

43 Period of registration 50

Division 4—Registration numbers 52

44 Registration numbers 52

Division 5—Number plates 53

45 Number plates 53

46 Replacement of lost, stolen etc. number plates 54

47 Number plates property of State 54

48 Affixing number plate 54

48A Hybrid vehicles 56

48B Electric powered passenger cars 57

49 Obligation if towing another vehicle 57

50 Offence—use of vehicles and number plates 58

50A Authority given by Corporation 59

Division 6—Registration labels 59

51 Corporation to issue registration label 59

52 Registration label to be affixed in visible and readable way 60

53 Where registration label to be affixed on heavy vehicle or heavy trailer 61

54 Corporation may issue replacement label 62

55 Offence not to affix registration label 62

Division 7—Obligations 62

56 Obligations of registered operators 62

Part 2.6—Registration number rights and nonstandard number plates 65

Division 1—Registration number rights 65

57 Sale of registration number rights 65

58 Refusal to sell registration number rights 65

59 Transfer of registration number rights 66

60 Grounds for cancellation of registration number rights 67

61 Notice of cancellation of registration number rights 68

62 Compensation 69

Division 2—Non-standard number plates and slimline number plates 69

63 Non-standard number plates 69

64 Slimline number plates 70

Division 3—Authorised agents 70

65 Authorisation of agents 70

Part 2.7—Renewal of registration 72

66 Notice of renewal of registration 72

67 Application for renewal of registration 72

68 Period of renewal of registration 72

69 Renewal of registration 73

70 Return of number plates 74

Part 2.8—Transfer of registration 76

Division 1—Obligations of persons disposing of registered vehicles 76

71 Obligations of certain persons disposing of registered vehicle 76

72 Dealer disposing of registered vehicle to person who is not a dealer must provide certificate of roadworthiness 77

73 Dealer disposing of registered vehicle to person other than dealer must give Corporation documentsetc. 77

74 Division not applicable in certain circumstances 78

Division 2—Obligations of acquirers 79

75 Obligations of acquirers other than under legal process 79

76 Obligations of a person acquiring possession under court order or other legal process 80

77 Repossession and restoration 81

78 Application for transfer by joint owners 81

79 Application for transfer of registration by legal personal representative 82

80 Mandatory refusal to record transfer 82

81 Discretionary refusal to record transfer 83

82 Notice of refusal to record transfer 84

83 Corporation may make entry in register pending application for transfer 84

84 New certificate of registration to be issued 85

Part 2.9—Written-off vehicles 86

85 Application of Part 86

86 Definitions 86

87 Obligations of insurers and self-insurers in relation to write-offs 88

88 Obligations of motor wreckers in relation to writeoffs 89

89 Obligations of motor car traders in relation to writeoffs 90

90 Obligation to disclose information to purchaser of written-off vehicle 91

91 Obligation of insurer or self-insurer to affix notices or labels to writeoffs 91

92 Obligation of motor wrecker or motor car trader to affix notices or labels on writeoffs 91

93 Entering vehicle on the register of writtenoff vehicles 92

93A Register of written-off vehicles 93

94 Information to be included if motor vehicle entered on register 93

95 Removal or amendment of entries on the register of writtenoff vehicles 94

96 Certified extract of information from the register of written-off vehicles 96

97 Register and renewal of registration of written-off vehicles 96

97A Register and renewal of registration of repairable write-off where cosmetic hail damage only 97

98 Form and supply of VIV certificate 98

99 Authorisation of persons to issue certificate 98

100 Renewal of registration 98

Part 2.10—Fees 99

101 Fees for registration and renewal of registration of heavy vehicles 99

102 Concessional registration fees for other vehicles 99

103 Fees for the transfer of registration 101

104 Search and extract fees 101

106 Refunds 102

107 Application of certain fees 104

108 Fees for interstate registration functions 105

Part 2.11—Expiry, surrender, suspension and cancellation of registration 106

Division 1—Expiry 106

109 Expiry of registration 106

Division 2—Surrender 106

110 Application for surrender 106

111 Requirements for surrender 106

112 Approval of application 107

113 Cancellation of registration because of application to surrender registration 107

Division 3—Suspension 108

114 Grounds for suspension 108

115 Procedure for suspension 110

116 Effect of suspension 111

Division 4—Cancellation 111

117 Cancellation of registration 111

118 Obligation of registered operator if registration cancelled 112

119 Cancellation of registration of written-off vehicles 113

Part 2.12—Review and appeal rights 114

Division 1—Internal review 114

120 Grounds for internal review 114

121 When application for internal review must be made 115

122 Who is to conduct internal review 115

123 Decision about internal review 115

Division 2—Internal review of decisions about written-off vehicles 116

124 Who may apply for review 116

125 When application must be made 116

126 Who must consider application for internal review 117

127 Decision about internal review 117

Division 3—External review 117

128 Application for external review 117

Division 4—Appeals 118

129 Appeal to the Magistrates' Court 118

Chapter 3—Use of unregistered vehicles 120

Part 3.1—Exemptions 120

130 Exemption for vehicles used for the purpose of obtaining registration 120

131 Exemption for vehicles temporarily in Victoria 121

132 Exemption of vehicle by Corporation 122

Part 3.2—Short term unregistered vehicle permits 123

133 Application for permit 123

134 Decision about issuing permit 123

135 Authorisation given by permit 123

136 Permit may be subject to conditions 124

137 Variation, revocation or expiry of permit 124

Part 3.3—General identification marks and trade plates 126

Division 1—Preliminary 126

138 Definitions 126

139 Interpretation 126

Division 2—Identification marks and trade plates 127

140 Application for identification mark and trade plates 127

141 Assignment of general identification mark and supply of trade plates 127

142 Annual fee for general identification mark and trade plates 127

144 Persons who cease to be eligible persons 128

Division 3—Use of unregistered vehicles on a highway 128

145 Use of unregistered vehicles with trade plates 128

146 Use of unregistered vehicle on highway without trade plate 129

147 Use of unregistered vehicle with trade plates by manufacturer or dealer 129

148 Use of unregistered vehicle with trade plates by prospective purchaser 130

149 Use of unregistered vehicle with trade plates by fleet owner 131

150 Use of unregistered vehicle with trade plates by certain eligible persons 131

151 Unregistered vehicle with trade plates may be used to carry or tow another vehicle 132

Part 3.4—Club permits 133

152 Definitions 133

153 Club permit is a registration permit 135

154 Approval of vehicle club 135

155 Application for club permit 136

156 Issue of club permit, club permit label and log book 137

157 Log book obligations 140

157A Duration and conditions of club permit 141

157B Authorisation given by club permit 142

157C Renewal of club permit 142

157D Vehicle audits 143

157E Suspension or cancellation of club permits 144

157F Replacement log book 145

157G Club permit number plates 145

157H Disposal of vehicles operated under club permits 147

157I Notification regarding club membership 147

157J Transitional arrangements 148

Chapter 4—General mass and dimension limits and other requirements for light vehicles 150

Part 4.0—Preliminary matters 150

157K Non-application to heavy vehicles 150

Part 4.1—General mass limits 151

158 Mass limits for vehicles 151

159 Mass limits for tyres, wheels and axles 151

163 Mass limit for trailers being towed by light motor vehicles 152

Part 4.2—General dimension limits 154

164 Maximum heights 154

165 Maximum width for vehicles 154

166 Maximum length for motor vehicles 154

167 Maximum length for trailers 155

168 Maximum length for combinations 155

169 Rear overhang 156

170 Trailer drawbar lengths 156

171 Ground clearance 157

172 Front and side projections 157

Part 4.3—Other requirements 158

173 Warning signals for certain rear projections 158

Part 4.4—Offences and exemptions 159

174 Offence to use on a highway a vehicle that does not comply with a relevant dimension limit 159

175 Offence to use on a highway a vehicle that does not comply with regulation173 160

176 Dimension limits do not apply to certain classO vehicles 160

Chapter 5—Dimension limits and other requirements for ClassO vehicles 162

Part 5.1—ClassO vehicles 162

Division 1—Interpretation 162

177 ClassO vehicle 162

Division 2—ClassO notices 162

178 Exemption from Schedule 7 by classO notice 162

179 Contents of classO notices 163

Division 3—ClassO permits 163

180 Exemption from Schedule 7 by classO permit 163

181 Contents of classO permits 165

Division 4—Offences 166

182 Offence to fail to comply with a relevant requirement of Schedule 7 166

183 Offences for failing to comply with certain pilot vehicle requirements 167

184 Offences for failing to comply with number of pilot vehicles required 168

185 Offences for failing to comply with pilot vehicle requirements contained in Part 5 of Schedule 7 169

186 Failure of escort vehicle to comply with a relevant requirement set out in Schedule 7 169

Chapter 6—Testing and repair of vehicles 171

Part 6.1—Licensing of testers 171

199 Corporation may license persons and approve premises for examining and testing vehicles 171

200 Application for licence or approval 171

201 Corporation may issue licence 171

202 Approval of additional or replacement premises 172

203 Duration of tester's licence 172

204 Tester's licence may be subject to conditions 172

205 Tester's licence may be for more than one premises 172

206 Renewal of licence 173

207 Corporation to keep register of licensed testers 173

208 Duplicate tester's licence 173

209 Tester's licence not transferable 173

Part 6.2—Supervision of testers 174

210 Failure to pay renewal fee 174

211 Suspension and cancellation of tester's licence 174

212 Failure to comply with notice 175

213 Action on expiry, surrender, suspension or cancellation of tester's licence 175

Part 6.3—Standards of equipment and qualifications of persons employed in testing 176

214 Equipment to be used in examining and testing vehicles 176

215 Qualifications of persons employed in testing 176

216 Proof of qualifications 177

Part 6.4—Duties of licensed testers 178

217 Display of signs 178

218 General duties of licensed tester 178

219 Duty of licensed tester to keep records 180

220 Corporation may give directions about examining and testing of vehicles 181

221 First and second examination and test 182

222 Completing test reports 184

223 Certificates of roadworthiness 184

224 Testers to operate at premises for which licensed 184

Part 6.5—Issue of certificates of roadworthiness and test reports 185

225 Form of certificate of roadworthiness 185

226 Form of test reports 185

227 Issue of certificates of roadworthiness 185

228 Supply of certificates of roadworthiness and test reports 186

229 Cancellation of unused certificates 186

230 Security of certificates and reports 187

231 Certificate and test forms not transferable 187

232 Power to impound false certificate of roadworthiness 187

233 Offence to substitute equipment on tested vehicle 188

Part 6.6—Records of repairs 189

234 Garages to keep record of repairs of vehicles 189

Chapter 7—Vehicle defect notices for light vehicles 191

234A Non-application to heavy vehicles 191

235 Type of vehicle defect notice 191

236 What must be included in vehicle defect notice 191

237 How vehicle defect notice to be given to driver or registered operator 192

238 Driver of vehicle to give notice to registered operator 193

239 What defective vehicle label must contain 193

240 Use of vehicles in breach of notice conditions 194

241 Recording of vehicle defect notices 194

242 Clearance of vehicle defect notices 195

243 Withdrawal of vehicle defect notice 195

244 Offence for unauthorised removal or defacement of defective vehicle label 196

Chapter 8—General offences 197

244A Non-application to heavy vehicles 197

245 Altered number plates 197

245A Altered registration labels and club permit labels 198