Australia should keep its technical design rules for trucks and heavy trailers, but completely harmonise its light vehicle rules with international standards, the ATA submission to the Government’s review of Australian Design Rule (ADR) harmonisation says.

The ADRs are technical standards that apply to new and used vehicles being provided to the Australian market for the first time.

The submission says that Australia must retain its own design rules for heavy vehicles, because Australia is the world leader in allowing long and heavy vehicles onto the road network.

In addition, Australia has a domestic truck and trailer manufacturing industry that provides an individual and customised product to the Australian market.

While the heavy vehicle ADRs should be harmonised with the United Nations regulations wherever possible, their development needs to evolve at a pace that can be met by Australia’s local manufacturers and international suppliers who develop specific Australian models.

The submission argues that the light vehicle ADRs should completely harmonised with the UN regulations, to enable global vehicle manufacturers to release new vehicles into our market with the latest technologies in a shorter time frame at lower cost.

Australia would continue to have input into these global standards through the international standards development process.

On 7 February 2025, the review asked the ATA for more information on three of the issues discussed in the submission.

The ATA’s response is also attached to this page.