The Second Edition Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are national vehicle standards that first came into effect on 1 January 1969. They were endorsed by the then Australian Transport Advisory Council. The Second Edition ADRs were selectively applied by each state and territory for vehicles manufactured from 1 January 1969.
From 1 July 1988, the Second Edition ADRs were gradually replaced by the Third Edition ADRs. For vehicles provided to the Australian market after July 1989, the Third Edition ADRs made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 were applicable. The same arrangement continues under the current Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018.
Vehicles that are subject to an ADR when built or imported are required to continue to comply with the applicable ADRs when they are in-service. These arrangements are managed by each state and territory.
The Second Edition ADR documents have been provided as they were at a point in time and there may have been different versions. They are retained here for historical purposes. Some information or documents may not meet WCAG 2.0 requirements. To request an accessible copy, please contact us.
| Title | Number | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Reversing Signal Lamps PDF: 75 KB | 1 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Door Latches And Hinges PDF: 209 KB | 2 | 1 Jan 1971 |
| Seat Anchorages For Motor Vehicles PDF: 142 KB | 3 | 1 Jan 1971 |
| Seat Anchorages For Motor Vehicles PDF: 160 KB | 3a | 1 Jan 1977 |
| Seat Belts PDF: 77 KB | 4 | 1 Jan 1969 |
| Seat Belts PDF: 307 KB | 4a | 1 Jan 1974 |
| Seat Belts PDF: 1124 KB | 4b | 1 Jan 1975 |
| Seat Belts PDF: 1263 KB | 4c | 1 Jan 1976 |
| Seat Belts PDF: 1253 KB | 4d | 1 Jan 1984 |
| Seat Belt Anchorage Points PDF: 259 KB | 5a | 1 Jan 1969 |
| Seat Belt Anchorages PDF: 933 KB | 5b | 1 Jan 1975 |
| Direction Turn Signal Lamps PDF: 245 KB | 6 | 1 Jan 1973 |
| Direction Turn Signal Lamps PDF: 239 KB | 6a | 1 Jul 1981 |
| Hydraulic Brake Hoses PDF: 311 KB | 7 | 1 Jan 1970 |
| Safety Glass PDF: 175 KB | 8 | 1 Jul 1971 |
| Standard Controls For Automatic Transmissions PDF: 563 KB | 9 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Steering Columns PDF: 80 KB | 10a | 1 Jan 1971 |
| Steering Columns PDF: 102 KB | 10b | 1 Jan 1973 |
| Internal Sun Visors PDF: 48 KB | 11 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Glare Reduction In Field Of View PDF: 95 KB | 12 | 1 Jan 1973 |
| Rear Vision Mirrors PDF: 204 KB | 14 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Demisting Of Windscreens PDF: 228 KB | 15 | 1 Jan 1971 |
| Windscreen Wipers And Washers PDF: 233 KB | 16 | 1 Jan 1973 |
| Fuel Systems For Goods Vehicles PDF: 263 KB | 17 | 1 Jul 1975 |
| Location And Visibility Of Instruments PDF: 170 KB | 18 | 1 Jan 1973 |
| Location And Visibility Of Instruments PDF: 203 KB | 18a | 1 Jan 1981 |
| Safety Rims PDF: 127 KB | 20 | 1 Jul 1970 |
| Instrument Panels PDF: 187 KB | 21 | 1 Jan 1973 |
| Head Restraints PDF: 162 KB | 22 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Head Restraints PDF: 156 KB | 22a | 1 Jan 1975 |
| New Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres PDF: 5802 KB | 23 | 1 Jan 1974 |
| New Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres PDF: 4041 KB | 23a | 1 Jan 1984 |
| New Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres PDF: 712 KB | 23b | 1 Jan 1986 |
| Tyre Selection PDF: 332 KB | 24 | 1 Jan 1973 |
| .Tyre Selection PDF: 404 KB | 24a | 1 Jan 1986 |
| Anti-Theft Locks PDF: 92 KB | 25 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Anti-Theft Locks PDF: 112 KB | 25a | 1 Jan 1978 |
| Vehicle Engine Emission PDF: 458 KB | 26 | 1 Jan 1972 |
| Vehicle Engine Emission Control PDF: 1294 KB | 27 | 1 Jan 1974 |
| Vehicle Emission Control PDF: 1834 KB | 27a | 1 July 1976 |
| Vehicle Emission Control PDF: 1957 KB | 27b | 1 Jan 1982 |
| Vehicle Emission Control PDF: 2020 KB | 27c | 1 Jan 1983 |
| Motor Vehicle Noise PDF: 273 KB | 28 | 1 Jan 1974 |
| Motor Vehicle Noise PDF: 331 KB | 28a | 1 Jul 1980 |
| Side Door Strength PDF: 194 KB | 29 | 1 Jan 1977 |
| Diesel Engine Exhaust Smoke Emissions PDF: 409 KB | 30 | 1 Jul 1976 |
| Hydraulic Braking Systems PDF: 1243 KB | 31 | 1 Jan 1977 |
| Seat Belts For Heavy Vehicles PDF: 726 KB | 32 | 1 Jul 1977 |
| Seat Belts For Heavy Vehicles PDF: 383 KB | 32a | 1 Jul 1980 |
| Motorcycle And Moped Braking Systems PDF: 735 KB | 33 | 1 Mar 1976 |
| Motorcycle And Moped Braking System PDF: 852 KB | 33a | 1 Mar 1988 |
| Child Restraint Anchorages PDF: 154 KB | 34 | 1 Jul 1976 |
| Child Restraint Anchorages PDF: 456 KB | 34a | 1 Jan 1985 |
| Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems PDF: 1379 KB | 35 | 1 Jan 1979 |
| Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems PDF: 1516 KB | 35a | 1 Jul 1980 |
| Exhaust Emission Control For Heavy Duty Vehicles PDF: 778 KB | 36 | 1 Jul 1978 |
| Exhaust Emission Control For Heavy Duty Vehicles PDF: 773 KB | 36a | 1 Jan 1988 |
| Vehicle Emission Control PDF: 4088 KB | 37 | 1 Jan 1986 |
| Heavy Trailer Braking System PDF: 1624 KB | 38 | 1 Jul 1984 |
| Motorcycle And Moped Noise PDF: 551 KB | 39 | 1 Mar 1985 |
| Motorcycle Noise PDF: 959 KB | 39a | 1 Mar 1988 |
| Light Duty Vehicle Emission PDF: 3951 KB | 40 | 1 Jan 1988 |
| Control Mandatory Operation On Unleaded Petrol PDF: 216 KB | 41 | 1 Jan 1988 |
| Definitions—Volume 1 PDF: 665 KB |