Found this mentioned on another site and thought some here may want to double check their vans.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/4caravan-owner-taken-for-a-ride-by-the-law.htm

Gday...

I have read the article a number of times now and I am nonplussed. 

It appears that the NRMA is aware of a regulation/law that caravan/trailer number plates must be mounted no higher than 1.3metres above the ground.

And obviously a police officer was aware of it as well and applied the letter of this law in issuing a fine. 

Unfortunately, the article does not provide a link, or other identification, of such a law/regulation. 

I certainly am not challenging that somewhere such a regulation/law must exist but I have spent a little bit of time through my old friend Mr Google trying to locate such a document. I have been completely unsuccessful. 

These are some of the fruits of those searches. There are regulations within but none mention 1.3metres above ground - only 20 metres of visibility. All seem to show the same diagram to determine the application of the "20 metre" rule -

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/standards/vsi-58-number-plate-visibility.pdf

http://www.rego.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/551196/70052-Number-plate-visibility-information-sheet-26082013.pdf

http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg/rtr1975303/s25.html

http://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/numberplate/index.html

[edit: sorry  missed Victoria - https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/number-plates]

Is someone please able to locate the regulation, and provide a link perhaps. 

cheers - John

Gday...

Feeling a trifle guilty, insomuch that I had no idea how high from the ground the number plate on my van is, I got out the tape.

The number plate on my van is 1.2metre above the ground, so thankfully, I shall not see the inside of a gaol cell any time soon

However, it makes it interesting in just how high the number plate was on the van that was booked.

Like most news articles, there just isn't sufficient information to form a value judgement.  

Cheers - John

Found this bit of info:

9.1 Registration Plate (Number Plate)

Provision must be made for mounting of a 372 mm x 136 mm registration plate to the rear of every trailer so that no part of the plate is more than 1300 mm above the ground

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_a.aspx#anc_7

Gday...

Thanks Hylda&John.

Glad to see that at least my van complies.

I will add this little bit of useless information to my "things I like to look out for when travelling" list.

It helps to make trips on long, lonely roads less tiresome.

Cheers - John

For those that are interested.

ARD 61 (Australian Design Rule), published document VSB1 -2009, section 9.1 states:

Registration Plate (Number Plate)

Provision must be made for mounting of a 372 mm x 136 mm registration plate to the rear of every trailer so that no part of the plate is more than 1300 mm above the ground.

This applies to ALL states registrations.

So I ask the question, if your caravan is non compliant to ADR 61-02 section 9 and the van is still under warranty then the following section should apply;

6. Conditions Relating to Non-Complying Road Trailers

If a road trailer does not comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act) or this bulletin, the manufacturer or importer is required to:

1. Conduct a safety investigation into the issues surrounding the non-compliance. This investigation shall report on the cause of the non-compliance, the number of road vehicles affected and any other relevant facts or circumstances. This report should then be forwarded to the Administrator of Vehicle Standards within 14 days.
2. If an issue of non-compliance is detected the manufacturer or importer is to cease supplying the affected vehicles to the market immediately and to notify owners that the vehicle does not comply and should be withdrawn from service until action can be undertaken to correct the non-compliance.
3. The manufacturer must determine if the non compliance is a safety related issue, in which case a voluntary or mandatory recall is to occur in accordance with the Procedures for the Rectification of Safety Related Defects in Vehicles and Related Products (the Recall Code). In instances where the non compliance is deemed not to be a safety related matter, a manufacturer or importer may utilise a field service campaign to resolve the non-compliance.

So, return your caravan to a selling dealer and ask them to fix the number plate location and any electrical work at no cost.

It would be interesting to check with the state DFT and find out who is responsible for the work if out of warranty.......I would suggest the seller is responsible for all cost, he has a duty of care for the van to be legal on the road.

I would be asking for a refund for the cost of the fine from the seller, you won't get the demerit points back.

I would push  the issue !!!!

Hi Guys

I understand that this is a law but as laws go it is extremely minor (except for $415/3D Points). I also understand that the Police are charged with up holding the law but for the sake of common sense what is wrong with pulling the criminal over and letting them know what the standards are so they rectify it.

I don't believe any Police commissioner would agree that this is such a high priced crime that a simple warning (education) could not have rectified but to fine some one borders on abuse of office.

In essence, in this case the coppers a jerk!!!!!

Wouldn't go as far as to call him a jerk, He's just another person in uniform that has studied the books for easy infractions to get his booking count up to satisfy his superiors. I would look at fighting it in court as far as the points are concerned, because in spite of my above statement, it is over the top., it's not unsafe, and it's not endangering anyone.

Hi All,

What a load of bull........s.....t .

If he had more get up, he  would challenge and take it to the local court magistrate. He / She would  flip it under section 10 of the local traffic act.

I did simlar here in Sydney. My son was booked for putting two tyres over double yellow lines by 300mm,(Filmed by Highway patro,l in cars camara,) in narrow street. to pass a stationery truck.

We returned to the same spot on a Saturday morning before this went any further.

We videoed and took photo's of 114 cars, trucks, taxis, both government vehicles, council garbage trucks as well, in exactly the same spot over a two hour period.

Took them to the area police station. ( Fine was to stay,) We wrote to the dept recovery office.(Fine is to Stay).

My son, Wife And I attended the local court.

The male Magistrate looked at six photo's only. and asked the prosercuting  sargent  would the NSW police dept be prepaired to follow up in their own time, to issue the 114 offenders with the same infringement notice, If this young man makes a formal complaint to the police.

The Prosercuting sargent did not challenge. And it was throwen out.

My son had held his licence only for six years, without a infringement / penilties. The police cited, leniency only applied to those who had ten years without infringement. The Magistrate told our son to keep up his good driving record, and be a good example to other young drivers.

                                                                                                    LET COMMON SENCE PREVAIL.

I agree in education.......but as they say the law is the law . I think the height requirements for the number plate is for the speed/safety cameras etc.

Yesterday, someone was saying that your mudflaps must be no higher than the centre of your hubs, I know that the book states the mudflap must not be lower than 230mm from the ground.

I have also heard that the breakaway cable cannot be attached to the D shackle holding the chain, it cable must be attached separately to the tow bar, the problem is that many tow bars the D shackle hole will not accept 2 D shackles (different sizes of course).

G'day Migra,

         The breakaway cable is NOT allowed to be attached to the tow bar at all. It must be attached elsewhere on the towing vehicle.

Regards,

Gday...

Thanks for the concern.

Green 20 ltr Jerry is diesel - rarely filled. Considered safe even if filled.

Small red 10ltr Jerry usually only has 4 to 5 ltrs of ULP - if I am going 'bush' and might need chainsaw. I therefore fill it at the town immediately before heading to the 'bush camp'. It is rarely filled and I rarely use chainsaw as I find my bow saw and axe work best.  

I have been advised by 'authorities' that this amount in small Jerry, carried well inside the steel carrier, is not an unsafe practice.

Cheers - John

Bruce and Bev wrote:

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yet another example of wildly different laws in Each State so that the 1000's of otherwise useless public servants can maintain their over paid jobs by each writing their own ideas.

 

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 No truer words ever spoken/

Mike

I understand the reason for your comment however the following maybe of interest to you.

Break away cable anchor point

 NSW VSI9 - Revision 4 Nov 2003

Comment only:

This anchor point must be independent of the tow hitch. It is recommended that it either be attached to the main body of the tow bar assembly or to the chassis of the tow vehicle.

It must not be attached to the Tow Bar Tongue, safety chain or the safety chain attachment point.

From the RMS (RTA)

The break Away cable must be attached:

On a mounting point strong enough to pull the cable out of the switch without failure of that mounting point.

 A mounting point not located on a 'tongue' which can be removed.

In a position that does not allow the cable to catch on debris and/or be cut or frayed by fouling on other (vehicle or trailer) components or the ground (road)

Thanks for that Migra, obviously haven't seen that NSW document as I'm in SA. Had remembered seeing this discussion previously, and it was stated there what I wrote as there had been a situation where the whole tow bar came off the tow vehicle!!. Always happy to be corrected.

Regards,

Au contraire Rocky Lizard - Diesel when atomised does ignite with a bang

Mine is ok , but 1.3 is pretty high , no dramas from this end.

I am about to add another spare , it is all going to be done professionally.

Nothing else has to be altered , plate is right , lights are ok.

I believe for the bike rack , you have to get a"little number plate" from 'rta'.

It is interesting, in the current Caravan & motorhome magazine (No 217), pages 24, 25 and 30 show an image of a Crusader caravan which appears the number plate is higher than 1300mm and on page 43 a Honda ad shows an image of a caravan with its number plate being higher than 1300mm, if so, these caravans are illegal and how could they be registered and who registered the caravans.

i have written to the editor of the above magazine bringing their attention to this issue and have asked them to contact the caravan industry for comment and what is the caravan industry going to do to correct the situation, A, B or C.

6. Conditions Relating to Non-Complying Road Trailers

If a road trailer does not comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act) or this bulletin, the manufacturer or importer is required to:

1. Conduct a safety investigation into the issues surrounding the non-compliance. This investigation shall report on the cause of the non-compliance, the number of road vehicles affected and any other relevant facts or circumstances. This report should then be forwarded to the Administrator of Vehicle Standards within 14 days.
2. If an issue of non-compliance is detected the manufacturer or importer is to cease supplying the affected vehicles to the market immediately and to notify owners that the vehicle does not comply and should be withdrawn from service until action can be undertaken to correct the non-compliance.
3. The manufacturer must determine if the non compliance is a safety related issue, in which case a voluntary or mandatory recall is to occur in accordance with the Procedures for the Rectification of Safety Related Defects in Vehicles and Related Products (the Recall Code). In instances where the non compliance is deemed not to be a safety related matter, a manufacturer or importer may utilise a field service campaign to resolve the non-compliance.

I have requested a reply so I await their comment !!!!!!

I await with interest.

P.S. With the RMS in NSW now taking the caravan inspection from normal motor vehicle inspectors and moving it to heavy vehicle motor inspection stations some of the issues will be corrected. The problem is the costs to rectify the problem is always on the consumer NOT the manufacturer or selling dealer.

Bas + Eve wrote:

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Bruce and Bev wrote:

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yet another example of wildly different laws in Each State so that the 1000's of otherwise useless public servants can maintain their over paid jobs by each writing their own ideas.

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 No truer words ever spoken/

---

 Bunkum, The first issue of VSB-1 was issued in June 1999. It has been accepted by all states. I believe the number plate dimension has been in every revision, we are up to revision 5. I remember reading through the motor traffic NSW regulations in the 70s and there were dimensions for the placement of lights and number plates similar to the ones in VSB-1. The states have been talking together about uniform traffic laws and regulations. The introduction of compliance plates in 1989 is one of these uniform regulations. Many more have followed.

Before you start maligning politicians and public servants get your facts straight. Comments like those just make you look stupid idiots and shows we should not take notice to anything you post.

It is an ADR, therefore applies to ALL states

brickies wrote:

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www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/numberplate/index.html

Now the Queensland rule don't say anything about how high off the ground

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 That is just an advisory notice applying to "replacing or changing a number plate." It is not legislation, just advice expounding some sections of legislation.

Queensland has adopted VSB-1. You will find the rules in it that apply to Qld. In turn VSB-1 is a collection of pieces of legislation from superior sources, in this case Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 61/02 - Vehicle Marking) 2005  Section 9, REGISTRATION PLATES AND LABEL HOLDERS.
    

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