Not sure Phillipn but is is clearly in writing at Vic Roads in Victoria. I know this as I have been through this in the last two weeks and relocated my plate lower. Both Vic Roads and Police say the same thing. The police actually told me that unless they were provoked they couldn't be bothered as they have much more important things to be doing.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
This has been discussed a couple of times in "Techies" Jamjar. Pop in there and have a read, Quickly though, the number plate must be no more that 1300mm from flat ground to top edge of plate and visable from 20mts at a 45* angle leff, right and above. It also must have a light for night driving.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
More important than being in the handbook is that mechanics authorised to do pink and blue slips should have to be aware of the ruling. I'll be calling the mechanic who gave me the blue slip, to let him know.
I've been trying to picture the height of where the plate was on my van. I'm 164cm and only had to bend a little bit to see the screws on the plate, so am thinking the height was ok. However, there definitely isn't a light source, as it was just flat to the body of the van.
I remember many moons ago reading through a road rules book from the NSW RTA (now RMS) which had a disclaimer to the effect that all rules in the book were guidelines only, the 'real' rules were in the Motor Traffic Act. Thought at the time that another Brazilian rain forest was needlessly decimated to print that book...
Joe
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Hino Rainbow motorhome conversion towing a Daihatsu Terios
More important than being in the handbook is that mechanics authorised to do pink and blue slips should have to be aware of the ruling. I'll be calling the mechanic who gave me the blue slip, to let him know.
I've been trying to picture the height of where the plate was on my van. I'm 164cm and only had to bend a little bit to see the screws on the plate, so am thinking the height was ok. However, there definitely isn't a light source, as it was just flat to the body of the van.
J.
Hi
It has always been a requirement to have a light on the rear number plate. Ever since people started driving cars at night Nothing new there !
The number plate height has only become an issue since people started making a style "statement" with the silly looking new vans in vogue now IMHO. It is really the fault of the manufacturers that the plates do not comply with the regs. They sign a compliance certificate to say they comply with the regulations to get the initial registration done. Obviously they do not comply.
More important than being in the handbook is that mechanics authorised to do pink and blue slips should have to be aware of the ruling. I'll be calling the mechanic who gave me the blue slip, to let him know.
I've been trying to picture the height of where the plate was on my van. I'm 164cm and only had to bend a little bit to see the screws on the plate, so am thinking the height was ok. However, there definitely isn't a light source, as it was just flat to the body of the van.
J.
Hi
It has always been a requirement to have a light on the rear number plate. Ever since people started driving cars at night Nothing new there !
The number plate height has only become an issue since people started making a style "statement" with the silly looking new vans in vogue now IMHO. It is really the fault of the manufacturers that the plates do not comply with the regs. They sign a compliance certificate to say they comply with the regulations to get the initial registration done. Obviously they do not comply.
Jaahn
John, the number plate issue started after a fellow was fined $400+ in NSW. It is not a "style statement", it is fact. The manufactures are the ones who should pay the fines for no complying.
The number plate requirement for caravans registered in NSW has been advised as late as 2007 clause 61(2)(b) and in Vic in 2009 REG48(1)(b), Tasmania in 2010 REG63(1)(ii), south Australia in 2010 REG24(24)(a), WA REG25(1) and NT sect16.
So ALL caravans should have no excuse of not complying.
The number plate height rule (cl 52 (1)(a) has been in place at least since 2007, the reg states "use vehicle without correctly fixed/displayed number plate" a fine fine of $415.00 and 3 demerit points apply.
In addition, if you refer to NSW Legislation, Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) regulation 2007, Schedule 2 Vehicle Standards, Sec 61 Number Plates, Cl 2 (2)(a)(b)(c) refers to the height(1300mm) and other requirements of the number plate e.g. visibility and being obscured.
If you read Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) No 58, published 21st March 2011 - number plate visibility, all is explained.
This number plate height and visibility issue is an Australian wide requirement.
All caravan manufacturers MUST be held responsible for any non-compliance to these regulations and at their cost.
-- Edited by migra on Monday 26th of October 2015 10:02:48 AM
-- Edited by migra on Monday 26th of October 2015 12:42:20 PM
-- Edited by migra on Monday 26th of October 2015 12:52:54 PM
The number plate requirement for caravans registered in NSW has been advised as late as 2007 clause 61(2)(b) and in Vic in 2009 REG48(1)(b), Tasmania in 2010 REG63(1)(ii), south Australia in 2010 REG24(24)(a), WA REG25(1) and NT sect16.
So ALL caravans should have no excuse of not complying.
The number plate height rule (cl 52 (1)(a) has been in place at least since 2007, the reg states "use vehicle without correctly fixed/displayed number plate" a fine fine of $415.00 and 3 demerit points apply.
In addition, if you refer to NSW Legislation, Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) regulation 2007, Schedule 2 Vehicle Standards, Sec 61 Number Plates, Cl 2 (2)(a)(b)(c) refers to the height(1300mm) and other requirements of the number plate e.g. visibility and being obscured.
If you read Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) No 58, published 21st March 2011 - number plate visibility, all is explained.
This number plate height and visibility issue is an Australian wide requirement.
All caravan manufacturers MUST be held responsible for any non-compliance to these regulations and at their cost.
-- Edited by migra on Monday 26th of October 2015 10:02:48 AM
-- Edited by migra on Monday 26th of October 2015 12:42:20 PM
-- Edited by migra on Monday 26th of October 2015 12:52:54 PM
The message is not getting through to a lot of caravan owners. We were in north Qld in the winter and vans with number plates above the required height was a common sight.
The one that stood out was a van from SA with the plate close to 2 meters from the ground.
Q: Who is registering the caravans when they are not compliant.....it is about time the vehicle inspectors refuse to register the van.
In NSW, a caravan over 2 tonne GTM must now be inspected by a heavy vehicle inspector NOT a car inspector.
The heavy vehicle inspector will inspect the van for both a safety check and also a compliance check which will include the number plate height and the fitting of an approved remote battery monitor to the tow vehicle when presented for inspection.
The NSW RMS have advised heavy vehicle inspectors of these items MUST be checked, if failure to do so could have the RMS remove their inspection authority.
We rejected 3 caravans last week for the above, the owners were not happy and became aggressive when told of these defects, they drove out to find another inspector but they did not know that their vans were listed on the RMS computer as being defective and if presented again for inspection would have to correct the defects.
The RMS are aware of manufacturers registering caravans with the number plate height being non compliant.
Maybe VicRoads could call into Dandenong South (46% of market share) and check the vans leaving that manufacturer for being compliant.
New buyers should refuse acceptance until the van is compliant, they might get the message.
It is not a good look when editors of a Caravan magazine are shown towing caravans with number plates above the legal height, what are they saying to the law.
Their is a link in the topic on merging traffic [ NSW hand book ] .
In the section on number plates their is no mention on the height from the ground,[ the old 1300mm rule].
Why would that be in a drivers handbook? Its rightful place is in the design rules publications. Whilst you were looking there did you notice the specifications for the placement of lights, the specifications for mud flaps on trailers or the subject of rated shackles on safety chains?
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
non-compliance at the time of registration of newer RVs is all about money in brown paper bags!
I found out from a WA DOT Inspector that the bigger RV dealers didn't even take the vehicles in for inspection, but had an "arrangement" with a few of the DOT staff just to take the papers down and the staff would sign off and the vehicle was duly reg'd and handed over to the buyer.
He was at pains to point out it was only a few DOT staff, but certain Dealers made sure to turn up when these guys were working.
We have a friend with a new off road van made by one of the larger manufacturers. When the subject of plate height came up early this year on the Forum we all went out and measured the plates. Mine is an "all terrain" and the plate was about 5cm above the correct height. Our friends new off roader was at 1.8m and none of the new RVs complied. Only the older vans had their plates set low (and probably before this regulation was even thought about)
Moral of the story are manufacturers don't care about the various "compliants" when it doesn't suit the "style" of van they want to develop and of course the retailer will just shrug their shoulders and say, well we only sell them, we don't make them
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Nothing new there !
