Publications in the Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) series provide information on the design, manufacture, sale, modification, maintenance, import and repair of road vehicles for industry and other clients.
The term 'road vehicles' includes both motor vehicles and trailers.
The series is an important way for the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Department of Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Communications to communicate information about road vehicle matters.
The purpose of publishing the information in the VSBs is to:
- give advance notice of matters of concern;
- set out codes of practice and other standards which supplement legislative requirements;
- provide advice on road vehicle design safety and operations; and
- draw attention to information of use to persons involved with road vehicles in a range of capacities.
Note that some of the bulletins have not been prepared by the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch, but are hosted on the Department's website as a central point of reference. Members of the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board and/or the Technical Liaison Group are responsible for writing a number of VSBs. Where appropriate, matters dealt with in VSBs will also have been considered by other bodies, such as the National Transport Commission and the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure.
Current Vehicle Standards Bulletins:
- VSB 1 (Revision 6)—Trailers with an Aggregate Trailer Mass of 4.5 Tonnes or less
Please note: this material relates to the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA). - VSB 1 (Revision 5)—Building Small Trailers (cp)
Please note: this material relates to the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA). - VSB 4—Steering Conversions for Left Hand Drive Vehicles (cp) PDF: 348 KB
VSB 4—Steering Conversions for Left Hand Drive Vehicles (cp) DOCX: 787 KB - VSB 5—Manufacture and Installation of Additional Seats (cp) PDF: 1898 KB
VSB 5—Manufacture and Installation of Additional Seats (cp) DOCX: 1349 KB
Note: The current version VSB 5 is published here.
The previous versions VSB 5A and VSB 5B are also published here:
(a) as legacy documents to assist in enforcement actions on vehicles modified prior to 28th March 2017 (ie the publication of VSB 5, Issue 3.0), and
(b) as reference documents for those jurisdictions that continue to accept new modifications to VSB 5A & VSB 5B.
Please contact your relevant registration authority for any further guidance on applicability.- VSB 5A—Commercial Manufacture and Installation of Additional Seats (cp) PDF: 77 KB
VSB 5A—Commercial Manufacture and Installation of Additional Seats (cp) DOC: 118 KB - VSB 5B—Construction and Installation of Additional Seats by Individuals (cp) PDF: 930 KB VSB 5B—Construction and Installation of Additional Seats by Individuals (cp) DOC: 1949 KB
- VSB 5A—Commercial Manufacture and Installation of Additional Seats (cp) PDF: 77 KB
- VSB 6—Heavy Vehicle Modifications (cp): hosted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
- VSB 7A—Design Parameters Necessary for Compliance with ADR 59/00—Part A (cp) PDF: 3526 KB
VSB 7A—Design Parameters Necessary for Compliance with ADR 59/00—Part A (cp) DOCX: 3125 KB - VSB 7B—Design Parameters Necessary for Compliance with ADR 59/00—Part B (cp) PDF: 2328 KB VSB 7B—Design Parameters Necessary for Compliance with ADR 59/00—Part B (cp) DOCX: 1990 KB
- VSB 11—Certification of Road-Friendly Suspensions
VSB 11—Certification of Road-Friendly Suspensions PDF: 326 KB
VSB 11—Certification of Road-Friendly Suspensions DOCX: 136 KB - VSB 12—Rear Marking Plates—hosted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
- VSB 14—National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP)
Low Volume Manual
- New Vehicle Low Volume Vehicle Scheme Evidence Examination Procedures Manual PDF: 1516 KB
New Vehicle Low Volume Vehicle Scheme Evidence Examination Procedures Manual DOCX: 137 KB
Street Rod Manual
3rd Edition Australian Design Rules
2nd Edition Australian Design Rules
The Australian Design Rules (ADR) set standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions for road vehicles, whether manufactured in Australia or imported as new or second hand vehicles. Please click on the link to access the ADRs.
- (cp) = Code of Practice
- (ib) = Information Booklet
- (pu) = Periodic Update
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