Greetings!  

We wish to clarify the requirements for positioning number plates on vehicles when designing and building products which are spelt out in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 (VSB 1) and ADR61/02.

In brief, no part of the number plate can be more than 1300mm from the ground; and no part of the vehicle or its equipment can obscure the plate.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport administers VSB 1 which is the National Code of Practice for Building Small Trailers (not exceeding 4.5 tonnes aggregate trailer mass).

Clause 9.1 Registration Plate (Number Plate) of VSB 1 states:

Provision must be made for mounting of a 372 mm x 136 mm registration plate to the rear of every trailer so that no part of the plate is more than 1300 mm above the ground.

Trailers that are in ADR Category Code TB (Light Trailer), TC (Medium Trailer) and TD (Heavy Trailer) must also comply with Clause 9.1.1.3 of ADR61/02:

No part of a vehicle, including its standard equipment, regular production options or 'Equipment' must be so located as to obscure any part of the registration plate(s).

Should you have any queries or comments, please contact us by email or tel 03-9815 2015. 

Technical Team

RVM AUSTRALIA