Vehicle Standards Guides

Our Vehicle Standards Guides (VSG) provide advice on a range of issues about heavy vehicle standards and modifications.

We create these guides based on frequently asked questions and hot topics that arise from time to time.

Title Topic
VSG37 - Components excluded from vehicle length (PDF, 215KB) Provides information about items that are not included when measuring vehicle length. VSG37 coincides with VSG35.
VSG36 - Vehicle width (PDF, 267KB) Provides information about the regulation of vehicle width, including how it is measured. VSG36 coincides with VSG35. 
VSG35 - Implementation of width changes for Safer Freight Vehicles (PDF, 316KB) Provides information on the Australian Government changes to the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) to allow an increase in the maximum width of some heavy motor vehicles.
VSG34 - Installation of alternative fuel systems (PDF, 222KB) Provides advice to operators and modifiers about the requirements for modifying or installing alternative fuel systems.
VSG33 - Implementation of the Road Vehicle Standards Act (PDF, 179KB) - updated 29 April 2022 Provides information for operators, manufacturers, importers, and modifiers of heavy vehicles about the introduction of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cth) (RVSA).
VSG32 - Enhanced Braking Visibility (PDF, 329KB) Provides information for operators and owners of heavy vehicles about ways to improve braking visibility. It describes three methods that may increase the visibility of a heavy vehicle during braking events.
VSG31 - Road trains - Trailer coupling requirements (PDF, 475KB) - updated 2 December 2024 Provides information for vehicle inspectors, Approved Vehicle Examiners and owners of heavy vehicles about road train rated trailers.
VSG30 - Vehicle Mounted Lifting Systems - Width Requirements (PDF, 208KB) Provides information for Approved Vehicle Examiners (AVEs) and owners modifying heavy vehicles by the addition of lifting equipment.
VSG29 - Rear Marking Plates and Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle signs (PDF, 171KB) Rear marking plates that are faded, damaged, incorrectly fitted or no longer clearly marked with all required information must be replaced with Class 1A, 400 or UNR70 plates.
VSG28 - In-Service Emission Testing - Portable Emissions Measuring System Equipment (PDF, 148KB) - updated 9 December 2024

Advice on alternative method of checking gaseous emission and ensuring compliance after modifying a heavy vehicle’s engine.

Additional information on the testing procedure can be found in the Simplified Emissions Test Procedure - Portable Emissions Measurement System (PDF, 522KB)
VSG27 - Labelling requirements for Hydrogen and Electric-powered vehicles (PDF, 235KB) - updated 9 December 2024 Advice to manufacturers and operators of hydrogen and electric-powered vehicles (including hybrid vehicles) regarding new labelling requirements from 1 January 2019.
VSG26 - Detainee transport vehicle standards exemption (PDF, 236KB) Advice on the National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Detainee Transport Vehicle) Exemption Notice 2023 (No. 1).
VSG25 - Connecting Advanced Braking Systems in combination (PDF, 184KB) Advice to heavy vehicle owners and operators about when a trailer equipped with an advanced braking system must have the antilock braking system (ABS)/electronic braking system (EBS) electrical plug connected.
VSG24 - Emergency services speed limiting exemption notice (PDF, 222KB) - updated 19 June 2023 Advice to emergency service entities on the requirement for heavy emergency vehicles to comply with maximum road speed limiting requirements.
VSG23 - 26 metre B-double Car Carriers - archived 2 December 2024 Advice about changes made to the requirements for a B-double and is fitted with two decks for carrying vehicles which is covered by the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation.
VSG22 - Requirements for tag trailers (PDF, 319KB) - updated 10 December 2019 Advice to heavy vehicle owners and operators about what a tag trailer is and the applicable requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

VSG21 - National roller brake testing procedure (PDF, 182KB) - updated May 2024

Please note the following supporting documents:

Provides inspectors who operate at third party approved inspection stations (AIS) with information about the new National roller brake testing procedure (RBT procedure).
VSG19 - Vehicle warning signs (PDF, 572KB) - updated 15 December 2021 Information about warning sign requirements for combinations longer than 22m.
VSG18 - Low friction plates on fifth wheels and skid plates (PDF, 317KB) - updated 9 December 2024 Information for operators, manufacturers and installers about the installation and compliance requirements of low friction plates (LFPs).
VSG17 - Implementation of revised tip truck hoisting system requirements (PDF, 166KB) Advice about the implementation of the revised tip truck hoisting system requirements detailed in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6).

VSG16 - 50mm ball couplings (PDF, 297KB) – updated July 2024

Please note the following supporting document:

 Advice about the installation and use of 50mm ball couplings on heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of more than 5000kg.
VSG15 - Front underrun protection design and installation guidance (PDF, 369KB) - updated 19 June 2023 Provides information for the heavy vehicle industry about the design and installation requirements of front underrun protection (FUP) systems and devices.
VSG14 - NHVIM Fact Sheet - Brake Testing - archived 9 April 2024 Information about machine brake testing, namely roller brake testing is available in Section 2 Brakes of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.
VSG13 - Rear-loading waste collection vehicles in New South Wales (PDF, 216KB) - updated 13 June 2022 Information about the vehicle standards exemption (notice) for rear-loading waste collection vehicles operating in New South Wales.
VSG12 - Truck-mounted attenuators (PDF, 290KB) - updated 22 April 2022 Advice to heavy motor vehicle owners, operators and modifiers about the fitting and use of truck-mounted crash attenuators (attenuators).
VSG11 - Fitting of additional reflectors and conspicuity markings (PDF, 182KB) - updated 9 September 2024 Fitting of additional reflectors and conspicuity markings on heavy vehicles intended to improve their visibility.
VSG10 - Backlit Badges and Logos (PDF, 248KB) Fitment and use of backlit badges, emblems or logos on heavy vehicles.
VSG9 - Re-rating of Gross Vehicle Mass (PDF, 200KB) Heavy vehicle safety standards requirements for modifying a vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM).
VSG8 - Film on bus emergency exits (PDF, 464KB) - updated 30 April 2022 Advice for manufacturers, modifiers, owners and operators of buses about the vehicle standards requirements when applying films (advertising, vandal proofing, tinting and other films) to bus emergency exits.
VSG7 - Modifications to new vehicles (PDF, 207KB) - updated 25 February 2022 Advice for vehicle owners, modifiers, and dealers, modifying a heavy vehicle before the vehicle has been provided to a consumer for the first time in Australia.
VSG6 - Update for Approved Vehicle Examiners in New South Wales - archived 2 December 2024 Historical advice to vehicle owners and modifiers in New South Wales (NSW) about modifications previously classed as “owner certified” that require approval by an Approved Vehicle Examiner (AVE).
VSG5 - Converting a vehicle into a motorhome (PDF, 491KB) Heavy vehicle safety standards requirements to consider when converting a vehicle into a motorhome that will have a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater than 4.5t.
VSG4 - Inspection of drawbar eyes (PDF, 1.2MB) Inspection of drawbar eye couplings and identifying some common issues that may lead to coupling failure.
VSG3 - Semitrailer rear bumpers (PDF, 219KB) Changes to the requirements for rear bumper bars on semitrailers.
VSG2 - Changes to heavy vehicle safety standards (PDF, 171KB) - updated 9 December 2024.

Advice to the heavy vehicle industry about changes made to the heavy vehicle safety standards on 12 April 2024.
VSG1 - Driving Lamps (PDF, 216KB) Heavy vehicle safety standards requirements when attaching LED light bars to a heavy vehicle for use as a driving lamp.