Vehicle compliance and modification

Vehicle accessories

Any vehicle accessory must:

  • be securely fitted without increasing the risk of injury to any person or
  • not impede the safe control of the vehicle or
  • not affect the vehicle being roadworthy.

Vehicles must be fitted with at least two main beam headlamps to illuminate the road over a long distance ahead of the vehicle.

You need at least one main beam headlamp on a motorcycle.

Up to four main beam headlamps may be fitted to a vehicle.

Additional lights

Additional lighting such as driving lamps, fog lamps and search lamps may be fitted to vehicles in the Northern Territory (NT).

Any additional driving lamps, fog lamps or work lamps fitted to a vehicle must be designed and securely fitted in a way that:

  • minimises the likelihood of injury to a person making contact with the vehicle
  • does not obstruct the driver's view of the road and traffic to the front of the vehicle
  • does not compromise the vehicle's compliance with the Australian Vehicle Standards Rules and Australian Design Rules.

Australian Standards and Australian Design Rules for additional lights

High beam driving lamps (spotlights)

You can fit a combination of up to eight main beam and driving lamps (spot lights) to a vehicle (except motorcycles).

There are no overall height restrictions to the mounting position of a driving lamp, however the driver needs to have a clear view of the road ahead.

The driver's view should not be obstructed by a driving light on a bumper, bull bar or nudge bar.

The driving lamp/s must be in the same position on both sides of the vehicle.

An LED light bar may be mounted as a single lamp and must be mounted in the centre of the vehicle.

All driving lamps must turn off when the vehicle's main beam headlamps are switched to dipped beam or low beam.

Fog lamps

You can fit two fog lamps to a vehicle with at least four wheels. The lights must be mounted according to all of the following:

  • symmetrically
  • not more than 400mm from the sides (extreme outer edge) of the vehicle
  • at least 600mm apart
  • not less than 250mm above the ground so the top of the beam is not higher than the centre of the fog lamp, when measured eight metres in front of the vehicle.

Fog lamps must be able to be operated independently from the headlights and driving lamps. As a minimum, they must only be able to operate when the park lamps are on.

Search or work lamps

Additional lamps can be used for temporary purposes such as any of the following:

  • reading of signs
  • handling or adjusting of loads
  • providing additional illumination in off-road situations.

These lights may be fitted to a vehicle in any location on the vehicle.

High output light source lamps

The below information helps to explain high output light source lamps when fitted as replace lamp assemblies to a dipped beam (low beam) circuit as an in-service vehicle modification.

As light technology advances away from tungsten and halogen lamps and production costs decrease, some vehicle manufacturers/Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) are offering high output dipped beam headlamp as standard equipment.

New light source technology includes:

  • “Gas-discharge light source" - a light source where the element for visible radiation is a discharge arc producing electro-luminescence/fluorescence (i.e. Xenon, Bi-Xenon – up to 3 times brighter than halogen).
  • "Light-emitting diode (LED) light source" - a light source where the element for visible radiation is one or more solid state junctions producing injection-luminescence/fluorescence (low heat generation).
  • Laser – a light source where a blue laser excites yellow phosphorus producing an intense white light (up to 2 times brighter than high intensity discharge (HID) lamps).

Lamp requirements

Under Australian Design Rules (ADR), requirements for high output light source lamps and assemblies include self-levelling and headlamp cleaning devices for lamps producing more than 2000 lumens (a measure of light output).

Retro-fitting lamps

Retro-fitting original headlamps with non-ADR complying aftermarket globes or non-standard lamp assemblies to the dipped beam (low beam) circuit of a vehicle does not guarantee that the headlamp will comply with the specific set of ADR performance requirements.  This could render the vehicle unsuitable for road use.

Vehicles found with non-complying lighting may be defected or refused registration in the NT.

High output light source conversion kits

Aftermarket LED replacement globes and headlamp assemblies advertised for “Off Road Use Only” are not ADR compliant and are not suitable for on-road use.

Aftermarket kit manufacturers or suppliers must provide evidence that replacement lamps comply with the ADRs if:

  • the conversion kit fits into the original manufacturer equipment (OEM) headlamp housing in place of the original dipped beam (low beam) lamp and
  • there is no change to the headlamp lens, reflector or housing.

You must apply to the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) for approval to fit high output light source dipped beam (low beam) lamps to your vehicle.

Before your modification can be approved, you will need to provide the MVR with certification evidence from a qualified Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or approved engineering signatory that the lights comply with the ADR requirements listed below.

Australian Standards and Australian Design Rules for lamps

Lamps must be certified to comply with the following ADRs:

How to apply

To get  approval of your lamps so that your vehicle can remain registered, you will need to submit engineering certification to the MVR.

The light clarity of a window on vehicles is referred to as luminous transmittance (LT).

If you apply a coating or tint on the driver and front passenger side windows, the windows must have an LT of at least 35%.

A coating or tint applied rearward of the driver's seating position must have an LT of at least 15%.

Any coating or tint applied to vehicle windows and windscreens must be non-reflective and must not have any distortion or bubbling.

Glazing used in the front windscreen of a motor vehicle must have an LT of at least:

  • 75% for a vehicle built after 1971
  • or 70% for another vehicle.

You can apply a strip with any LT to the following areas of a windscreen:

  • the area above the highest point of the windscreen that is swept by a windscreen wiper
  • or the upper 10% of the windscreen.

No other coating or tinting is allowed on the windscreen.

Glazing in the interior of a light vehicle must have a LT of at least 70%.

Bicycle racks

A bicycle carrying rack is usually fitted to the tow bar or boot of a vehicle, or the roof rack.

You must do all of the following:

  • attach the bicycle rack according to the manufacturer's instructions
  • make sure welding on the bicycle rack fits with Australian standards
  • secure the tow bar or roof rack and its load
  • secure the bicycle to the rack
  • make sure the the bicycle rack is free of sharp edges and protrusions.

Rules for fitting a bike rack

You must make sure the bicycle rack and its load does not do any of the following:

  • project excessively behind the rear of the vehicle
  • exceed rear overhang limits (60% of the vehicle's wheel base)
  • protrude more that 150mm beyond the extreme width of either side of the vehicle
  • block any vehicle lights
  • block the driver's vision of the rear of the vehicle
  • block the number plate.

If the bike rack blocks the view of the number plate you can re-locate the number plate, or place an additional number plate onto the bicycle rack.

You will have to pay a fee for the extra number plate, and it must be identical to the number plate on the vehicle.

You should also remove the bike rack from your vehicle when not using it to carry bikes.

Roof racks (ladder racks)

Rules for fitting a roof rack

Ladder racks positioned forward of the windscreen should not do any of the following:

  • project more than 150mm from each side of the vehicle or make the vehicle more than 2.5m wide
  • obscure any lights – or an additional light must be fitted or the original light must be relocated
  • have any sharp edges or protrusions on supports, braces and brackets
  • interfere with a person's access to the vehicle.

Ladder racks should be removed when not in use.

Bicycle carrying racks and rear-mounted carrying devices

Any load-carrying device that is roof mounted, towbar-mounted or mounted to the rear of a vehicle must comply with requirements.

Load-carrying devices may include:

  • bicycle carrying racks - roof and towbar-mounted
  • wheelie bin carriers - towbar-mounted.

Requirements for all load-carrying devices

You must follow all of these requirements when using load-carrying devices:

  • make sure the load-carrying device is fit for purpose and is fitted and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
  • all welding carried out in the manufacture of a steel load-carrying device must follow Australian / New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 1554.1 Structural Steel Welding - Welding of Steel Structures
  • the load-carrying device must be secure and suitable for its load
  • make sure the load is adequately secured to the load-carrying device when transporting and that the load-carrying device is adequately secured to the vehicle
  • make sure the load-carrying device and its attachment to the vehicle is suitable for the weight of the load
  • make sure the load-carrying device is free of sharp edges and protrusions.

Lighting visibility requirements

You must make sure the load-carrying device does not obscure your vehicle's lights. You may need additional lighting such as a removable light board.

Number plate visibility requirements

Make sure your number plate is not obscured.

You may need to relocate the number plate when using a load-carrying device or get an additional number plate from an MVR office.

If you relocate your number plate or fit another number plate you should consider a number plate light.

Driver vision and safety requirements

Make sure you can see the rear of the vehicle.

The load-carrying device should be removed when not being used to reduce potential hazards to other road users.

Requirements for rear-mounted load carrying devices

There are additional requirements to the above for rear-mounted load carrying devices.

Make sure the load-carrying device and it's load does not:

  • project excessively behind the rear of the vehicle
  • exceed rear overhang limits - 60 per cent of the vehicle's wheelbase
  • protrude more than 150mm from the width of either side of the vehicle.

You should only mount large base radio antennas on the front of your vehicle if it is impossible or impractical to install the antenna to the rear of the vehicle.

The antenna must be attached to the left side and as low as possible.

Only one large base antenna may be fitted to the front of the vehicle. The maximum diameter permitted is 75mm.

The antenna must not:

  • have any sharp edges or protrusions
  • obscure any light - additional lights must be fitted or the original light relocated if a light is blocked.

Bonnet scoops or projections may be fitted to a vehicle provided the driver's vision is not restricted.

Bonnet-mounted scoops or projections must meet the following requirements:

  • When a 165mm diameter sphere is placed on the bonnet in front of the scoop (or bonnet projection) and rolled backwards until it touches the scoop, no forward point of the scoop or point of contact between the sphere and the scoop must lie above a horizontal plane passing through the centre of the sphere.
  • It must be possible to see either the surface of the road 11m in front of the driver's eye or all of the front edge of the body when looking across the top of the bonnet scoop.
    Bonnet scoop - the surface of the road 11m is visible in front of the driver's eye
  • The edges at the front of a scoop must be well rounded with a minimum of 10mm radius.
  • The scoop must not have reflective surfaces that will cause glare towards the driver.
  • A bonnet scoop manufactured from a plastic or fibre glass material may be fitted, providing that the hole in the original bonnet does not reduce the strength or impact resistance of the bonnet  or a rigid component – eg: an air cleaner or carburettor.
  • Holes may be cut in the bonnet and the protrusion of an air cleaner or carburettor above the bonnet line, but below the bonnet scoop providing that the bonnet scoop or raised bonnet section is manufactured from equivalent gauge mild steel, compared with that of the original bonnet.
  • If any bonnet reinforcing braces are cut or modified, the design of the modified bonnet must be of equal strength to the original bonnet and any sharp edges created must be suitably treated.
  • All edges and corners shall have a radius of not less than 5mm and of general design and construction to reduce to a minimum the risk of bodily injury to any person.

Bull bars must be designed and fitted so that the safety of the vehicle is not adversely affected.

A bull bar must include all of the following:

  • securely mounted and supported
  • free of sharp protrusions and all exposed sections of the bull bar and fittings must be radiused and de-burred
  • have extra lights fitted, according with Australian Design Rules, if it obscures any light
  • matte black on surfaces that could reflect light from the vehicle's headlights.

It must not be any of the following:

  • a danger to other road users
  • obstruct the vision of the driver
  • project further from the front of the vehicle than is necessary for its attachment. Bull bars should not add a significant load to the front suspension.
  • obscure any light – including indicator lights at all viewing angles.

Vehicles fitted with an airbag or manufactured with full frontal impact occupant protection must only be fitted with a bull bar that has been:

  • certified by the vehicle manufacturer as suitable for that vehicle
  • or certified by the manufacturer as complying with the Australian Design Rules  and doesn't interfere with the airbag timing mechanism.

Bull bars that comply with Australian standards 4876.1-2002 provide a higher level of pedestrian protection.

When fitting a fishing rod holder, you must follow all of the below:

  • the fitting allows the driver to see the road and traffic to the front and sides of the vehicle
  • the vehicle's lighting isn't  obstructed by rods or holders
  • rod holders are either removed when they are not in use or retracted behind the bull bar with no protruding surfaces.

Any additional internal or external gauges must be safely fitted and not do any of the following:

  • interfere with the field of view of the driver
  • produce glare to the driver
  • have the possibility of an oil pressure line breaking with pressurised fluids spraying onto the windscreen.

Side skirts, front and rear spoilers may be fitted provided road clearance and air flow for brake cooling is not affected.

They must not be fitted so that it is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to any person.

All material is to be of a suitable thickness and be free from sharp edges or corners.

Rear spoilers must be within the body shape or outline of the mounting surface – e.g. boot outline.

The minimum thickness of end plates is 4mm and they must be free of sharp edges or corners.

DVD screens, television receivers and visual display units can be installed in a vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions or Australian Standards.

The screen must not do any of the following:

  • obscure the driver's view of the road
  • impede the movement of anyone in the vehicle
  • interfere with restraint systems such as head restraints, seat belts and airbags.

More information

For more information, read vehicle information bulletins and forms.

Light vehicle standards for registration

When conducting vehicle roadworthy inspections in the Northern Territory (NT), minimum standards for vehicle roadworthiness must be followed.

These standards are set out on the light vehicle inspection manual.

The manual is for:

  • authorised inspectors
  • police officers
  • transport inspectors.

Read the light vehicle inspection manual in sections below:

Any accessory must:

  • be securely fitted without increasing the risk of injury to any person or
  • not impede the safe control of the vehicle or
  • not affect the vehicle being roadworthy.

For more information, read vehicle accessories.

Driver training vehicle: apply to fit dual control

You must get approval before you fit dual controls to a vehicle for driver training.

You must be an approved driver trainer or service provider to apply for modification approval.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you must follow these steps:

Step 1. Apply for technical advisory committee approval for your modifications or see an authorised type-approval modifier.
Step 2. Ensure your modifications are installed and meet Australian Standards.

Read below for more information.

Technical advisory committee approval

The technical advisory committee (TAC) meets on the first Wednesday of each month (except January).

The closing date for applications is close of business on the last Wednesday before the scheduled meeting. Although you should note that most driver training applications are handled 'out of session' of an ordinary meeting.

Find out more about how to apply for technical advisory committee (TAC) approval.

Type-approval

Under a “type-approval” arrangement, prior assessment of the modification type has been approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for specific modifiers – refer to Information Bulletin V55 Driver training (dual control fitment) PDF (568.1 KB).

Australian Standards

You should read the Australian Standards 3954.1-1991 for dual control vehicles. You will need to pay a fee to access these standards online.

As a guide, the vehicle must have all of the following:

  • a passenger's side brake pedal
  • an additional internal rear vision mirror that the instructor can see traffic approaching from the rear - sun visor mounted vanity mirrors are not acceptable
  • a clearly visible label fitted to the passenger's side of the dashboard carrying the words 'This vehicle is fitted with dual controls.'

The dual controls must be mounted:

  • on a suitable structural section of the vehicle
  • as close as possible to the same horizontal and vertical plane as the driver's side pedals
  • so that travel and response is similar to those of the driver's side pedals.

Pedals, cables and pivots must be of equivalent strength, material and durability as original controls.

How to apply

To apply to fit dual control to a vehicle, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application to modify a vehicle PDF (882.2 KB)

Step 2. Submit your application.

You can submit your application by email or mail.

Vehicle standards officer
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
GPO Box 2520
Darwin NT 0801
vehiclestandards.mvr@nt.gov.au 

After you have applied

If your application is approved, you will be sent an approved in principle letter.

It should be noted that once the vehicle has been approved, the MVR will  place a 'no transfers allowed' on its registration. This means the vehicle must be returned to standard before there is a change of ownership.

For more information contact the MVR office.

More information

For more information get the driver training vehicles - dual control fitment information bulletin PDF (568.1 KB).

Light bus seat modifications

Adding or removing seats in motor vehicles as a modification may change the vehicle’s Australian Design Rule (ADR) classification.

This can affect the vehicle’s compliance with ADRs for its vehicle classification.

Seating modifications may be done for operational reasons, such as wheelchair access for persons with disabilities or to improve luggage carrying capacity.

Modifications shouldn't be done to meet driver licensing conditions. There is no maximum seating criteria for a C class driver licence.

Light bus categories

A light bus must have a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3.5 tonne or less.

There are two categories of light buses based on seating capacity:

  • MD1 - seating capacity of 9 to 12
  • MD2 - seating capacity of more than 12.

Modification rules

Removing seats from an MD2 bus so that it qualifies as an MD1 bus is classified as a basic modification when it is supported with engineering certification for the change of the vehicle category.

Basic modifications are modifications that don't affect the level of safety, strength and reliability of the vehicle's systems.

A basic modification is assessed and approved at an MVR vehicle standards centre. You don't need to submit a written application.

Under a “type-approval” arrangement, prior assessment of the modification type has been approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for specific modifiers – refer to Information Bulletin V80 Light vehicle bus seating reduction and vehicle category change (MD2 to MD1) PDF (582.1 KB).

Engineering report

You must get an engineering certification for your modifications by a recognised engineer. This needs to be submitted to the MVR.

The engineering report must include all of the following:

  • details of seating removed
  • details of child restraint anchorage fitment
  • details of all applicable ADRs for the vehicle category
  • certification that the modified vehicle meets the intent of all ADRs for an MD1 vehicle and that it is fit for purpose.

For example, an MD1 bus has additional design requirements when compared with an MD2, including:

  • safety rims
  • head restraints
  • passenger car tyres
  • anti-theft lock
  • child restraint anchorages and child restraint fittings
  • certification requirements.

What is excluded

These rules about modifications don't cover a factory new vehicle modification. This type of modification requires an Australian Government second stage of manufacture approval.

More information

For more information get a copy of V80 Light bus seating reduction and in-service vehicle category change PDF (582.1 KB).

Pastoral vehicles: registration standards

There are special vehicle standards for certain types of pastoral vehicles to meet registration requirements.

Hauled implements and trailers

Movement

Each trailer or hauled implement must follow the path of the towing vehicle without deviation – for example:

  • it doesn't swing or deviate more than 100mm from a straight line when travelling
  • does not continually oscillate from side to side.

Width

Vehicles, trailers and implements more than 2.5m wide

You can:

  • not drive on a public road or highway between sunset and sunrise
  • drive during the day if you get an over width permit.

Trailers and hauled implements 2.5 metres or less wide for use after dark

The vehicle must be fitted with:

  • two red reflectors, one mounted on each side of the rear of the trailer or implement, as near as practical to the exterior of the vehicle
  • one tail light (red) mounted either centrally, or to the right of centre, facing to the rear of the vehicle.

Passenger cars, derivatives and trucks

Steering

There must not be any obvious wear or excess free play in any component.

Brakes

Brakes must be operating on all wheels with no more than 50% pedal movement. No hydraulic fluid leaks permitted. All adjustments and wear shall be within manufacturer's limits. No oil or grease on linings.

Springs and suspension

There must be a minimum of 50% of original bump stop gap remaining, no broken spring leaves.

Tyres

The remaining tread depth to be at least 1.5mm on face of tread (1/16 inch - full width).

Lighting

For 24 hours use, your vehicle must include all of the following: 

  • two headlights (high and low beams)
  • one tail light
  • one brake light (centre or right hand side)
  • two reflectors (red) at rear - one on each side
  • indicators both front and rear.

For daylight use only, your vehicle must have all of the following:

  • one stop light
  • two reflectors (red) at rear - one on each side indicators both front and rear.

Body

Chassis and structural panels are to be free from cracks and signs of advanced rust. Surface rust if left unattended will become advanced rust which is generally seen as an eruption of oxidised metal either on bare metal or under the paint.

Occupant safety

Seats must be securely mounted to the vehicle. A minimum of lap type seat belts for each seat in open type vehicles which in normal use would be required to have seat belts fitted. Enclosed vehicles should have original type and number of seat belts fitted. For vehicles which have had doors removed, a device to prevent occupant falling out must be fitted – for example: a safety device or bar mounted across the opening at approximate waist height to an average size person. Interior free of sharp fittings.

Mirrors

There must be one rear view mirror mounted either centrally or on right hand side, depending on vehicle type.

Exhaust

The exhaust must be fitted with a silencer (muffler) and extend beyond the rear most passenger space.

Fuel tanks

Tanks are not to be fitted within occupant space (except where an original fitment). To be securely mounted and to have metal piping except that a flexible hose may be fitted between chassis and engine to allow for relative movement. No leaks.

Pastoral motorcycles

Tyres

There must be a minimum of 1.5mm tread depth on full face of remaining tread width.

Brakes

Brakes must be operative on both front and rear wheels with not more than 50% control movement.

Steering

There must be no obvious wear or excess free play in headstand bearings.

Exhaust

The exhaust must be fitted with a correctly secured silencer (muffler).

Lighting

For 24 hour use, your vehicle must have all of the following:

  • headlight (high and low beam)
  • tail light
  • brake light
  • red reflector (rear).

For daylight use, your vehicle must have all of the following:

  • stop light
  • red reflectors (rear).

Footrests

You must have footrests.

Tractors

Tyres

There must be a minimum of 1.5mm depth of tread on surface contact area of steering tyres. The carcass of all tyres must be in sound condition.

Brakes

Brakes must be in operating condition. No hydraulic fluid leaks permitted. All adjustments and wear shall be within manufacturer's limits. All of the linings and friction surfaces of dry brake assemblies must be free of oil grease.

Steering

No steering faults are permitted. Where power assisted or hydraulic - no leaks permitted. All adjustments and wear shall be within manufacturer's limits. All components with safety locking provision (split pins, lock wire) shall be adequately secured.

Lighting

For 24 hour use, your vehicle must have:

  • headlights (front work lights will be acceptable as head lights).
  • one tail light
  • one brake light
  • two red reflectors (rear one on each side)
  • indicators at the front and rear for vehicles with enclosed cabins.

For daylight use, your vehicle must have:

  • stop light
  • red reflectors (rear).
  • indicators front and rear for vehicles with enclosed cabins.

Oil or fuel leaks

Oil or fuel leaks which can be seen during an inspection of the vehicle, that deposit oil or fuel onto the ground, are not permitted.