New laws governing raised and lowered vehicles!

Correct and correct, though under the ADRs there are already a number of restrictions in terms of what you can and can't do to your car, eg what the minimum clearance is etc, so an astute copper may pick up on those issues covered under the existing laws.
 
Maybe this will help. It's a link to the RTA VSI50 on the topic regarding the new regulations for raising & lowering of vehicles.

RTA VSI50

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Hate to go against the trend here but I'm not too upset by this. In fact, in principle I agree. There is a misconception that lowered cars will handle better- but this is only true to a limited extent. It is all to do with roll centres and COG (centre of gravity)- and the fact that cars were never designed to be that low. A guy in our club did a back to back test between a 10mm lowered car and a 30mm lowered car. He was quicker in the 10mm lowered car. And on the road, the more standard cars will cope better with the lousy roads we have, expecially in NSW.

With raised cars, it is much the same thing. The COG is raised, and the standard geometry (and CV joints) cannot cope with it. The chaances of the car rolling in an emergency are thus greater. While there are undoubted advantages for offroad vehicles to have greater ground clearances, the fact remains that in most instances they travel a lot more k's on highways to get offroad. So for the first time in a LONG time, I think in general the NSW government is right. I cannot believe I said that!
 
That doc sure clarifies things a bit.
"other changes"
as your not likely to get a certificate from a lift kit manufacturer,
your pretty much required to use a engineering signatory.
So how much would that add $wise to a lift kit install?
consider the document lists "The safety of raised or lowered vehicles may be reduced in the following areas:"
so addressing those areas may introduce necessary further work.

But i'm not sure if its retrospective, ie if you already have a lift kit?


"Vehicles modified beyond the limits specified in this VSI No. 50 will not be registered for unrestricted
use on roads and road-related areas in NSW"

what does that in practice mean ? have seen some massively lifted 4wd trucks on the road...........
 
Well the way I read it in RTA VSI50 is that you are fine upto 50mm.

"...Vehicles raised more than 50 mm above the original trim height as established by the vehicle's manufacturer ... will only be conditionally registered in NSW and will have restricted access to roads and road related areas."

This is were it gets a little messy:

"Certification:
A vehicle whose ride height has been modified must have a certificate stating that the modifications conform to the safety standards requirements specified in the Regulation, including conforming to the relevant ADRs, and that the safety levels of the modified vehicle, pertaining to both the vehicle’s occupants and other road users, have not been reduced from its original condition.

For a vehicle that has been raised up to 50 mm in accordance with its manufacturer’s specifications and using parts supplied by the manufacturer or equivalent parts, the certificate must be provided by the manufacturer or a manufacturer’s authorised dealer, a person competent in such modifications or an engineering signatory."

"How to register a raised or lowered vehicle:
Once a vehicle has been raised or lowered, it must be checked by an Authorised Examiner at an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS) inspection, commonly referred to as a ‘blue slip’ inspection. This inspection will cover the design and installation of the components used in the modification, and include specific safety check requirements and verification of the certificate issued by the engineering signatory or manufacturer as appropriate. Once the vehicle has passed an AUVIS inspection, an ‘Adjustment of Records’ form must be completed and presented to an RTA registry for processing.

The registered operator of a vehicle found to have been raised or lowered without the certificates required by this VSI No. 50 or whose records have not been amended accordingly during an RTA inspection or on-road police inspection may be issued with a defect notice or have its registration suspended or cancelled."

So, as I understand it. You can go up to 50mm and get normal registration but you have to get it certified. This, I would think, should only apply to those that alter their suspension after 31st July, 2009 commencement date. But it is not very clear if this is the case.
 
I"ve now had a chance to read through that VSI, and it states that it commences from the 31st July OR when you get a blue slip. It would thus appear that if your car is already modified and you keep it registered, you should be ok. But it remains abiguous and therefore seemingly unenforceable in some instances.
 
[FONT=&quot]The NSW 4WD [/FONT]Association, 4WD NSW-ACT Inc had a meeting with the RTA late last week, here is an update:

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
We had a very enlightening meeting with the RTA, and are now aware of the circumstances of the introduction of the revised regulations.
There will be a great deal of confusion for a period of time as the finer details are released to the engineers.
We have requested that the RTA delay implementation to allow the situation to be clarified & we will approach the Minister directly to request that implementation be delayed. An answer is expected hopefully within the week on this issue.
It was made clear that the new regulations are clearly aimed at a safety issue & consideration of other road users. The issue was hastened by a Coroners verdict which involved a fatality caused by a 4WD which had an excessive lift.
Points of clarification
1. The rules are not retrospective & will only apply to new modification to suspension.
2. If you have already booked, purchased or in the process of modifying your suspension up to +100mm, then we believe there will be a moratorium on the period you will have to complete the installation PRIOR to the application of the new regulations. This has yet to be confirmed in detail.
3. The installation of lifts up to +50mm will require a statement by the installer that the modification to the suspension has been completed according to the manufacturer’s instructions & specification, and in the correct tradesman like manner. The details of the statement required are to be advised in due course.
4. Lifts in excess of 50mm will be allowed but will require certification by a RTA certified authority but will have a conditional registration, the details of which have yet to be approved.
Be assured that we are working to resolve this issue to achieve the best outcome for you as club members.
As more details become available which clarify the situation, we will advise you.
We will continue to make representation to the Minister, and urge you to make representation to your local MP in respect to the derogatory language, undue hast in implanting these issues and lack of consultation in the process.
The VSI50 is a working document, and as such the revised regulations will be applicable. However with the ongoing testing by the AAAA & National 4WD Industry Council, it is a possibility that with positive results we maybe able to have the regulation modified in due course
The positive outcome to the meeting is an understanding that future developments by the RTA will be made in consultation with 4WD NSW-ACT Inc, where ever possible and they now have a greater understanding of our role in the community
Click to expand...
 
Such a healthy topic, in a good way.

We shall overcome, even if I am looking at just scraping in the deadline.
 
As things are, with ACT rego, it will be less of an issue for you
 
It's also worth noting that the 5cm is total lift over standard, so if you have a 2" lift you could not run larger than standard tyres. Which would make the majority of 4wd's on NSW roads illegal. Its bull****.
 
Good news:

NSW MINISTER FOR ROADS
MICHAEL DALEY MP
N E W S R E L E A S E
MINISTER AGREES TO FURTHER CONSULTATION ON CAR MODIFICATION LAWS
Wednesday 29 July 2009
Minister for Roads Michael Daley today met with representatives from the 4WD communityand car industry who asked for the introduction of proposed vehicle modification rules to be delayed and for more time to consult.
Mr Daley said he agreed to put the rule changes on hold and that more consultation was needed following the meeting.
“I’ve listened to feedback from the industry and the community, and have agreed to set up a working party to look more closely at how we are going to address this road safety issue,” he said.
“All of those who attended today’s meeting agreed that safety is paramount and that unsafe modifications of vehicles do need be stamped out.
“The working group will include representatives from the NSW Centre for Road Safety,
Four Wheel Drive NSW-ACT, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, the
Australian 4WD Industry Council as well as other agencies and experts,” Mr Daley said.
Executive Director of Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Stuart Charity said this was a terrific outcome.
“We’re passionate about road safety and we understand the intent of the regulation is to make the roads safer,” he said.
We’re looking forward to working towards a practical solution that meets road safety objectives while also taking industry views into account,” Mr Charity said.
Greg Redfern from Four Wheel Drive NSW-ACT also welcomed the outcome and said the working group would have their full support.
“We want to eliminate unsafe practices in the driving community and we’ll work with the government to make sure these new regulations meet those objectives without any adverse consequences for the motoring community at large,” he said.
“We all agree that there is no place for extreme and illegal modifications, but the clubs in our association follow a strict code of conduct and ethics, and we want to make sure they’re not punished,” Mr Redfern said.
Contact: 9228 5665
 
Another problem with these modification 'standards', is that under Vehicle Standards Brief 14 (VSB 14), is that Subarus are considered 'cars' and not '4x4's', and therefore are not eligable for modifictions (ie lifts) at all.:surprised::confused::cry:

The fight is not over yet!

(sorry, I havent worked out how to add the link)

Beigewagon.
 
GOOD NEWS!!!!!
4wd monthly just sent out an email saying that dur to people complaining the law has been posponed indefenitaly.
 
What I am unsure of is was it only going to be a NSW law, or were all the stes going to implement it? I thought it was only NSW , with the other states looking on.
 
NSW only, everyone else is looking to or have already adopted NCOP.

Sort of going to be a moot point anyway as any vehicle with stability control is not going to be allowed to do suspensions mods at all in the future.

I think I'll be keeping the Paj for a while. That 10 year drive train warranty is looking better and better.
 
apsilon said:
Sort of going to be a moot point anyway as any vehicle with stability control is not going to be allowed to do suspensions mods at all in the future.
Click to expand...
I sure that I heard somewhere that you could overcome that problem by using a "piggy back" system that accounted for the additional height difference.
Whether it's legal or not though, I'm not sure.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
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