Rules in detail: Vehicle condition and speed limits

Windscreen of a light motor vehicle

What the rule says. The transparent windscreen of a light motor vehicle must give the driver enough visibility for safe driving, must be made of safety glass, and must let through at least 70% of visible light.

Why it matters. A dark or poor windscreen reduces what you can see.

In practice. A driver who adds dark film so that only 50% of light passes through the windscreen is below the required 70% and does not comply. Check any tint or film you add, because it must never take the light below the stated 70% or make it harder to see out.

Key idea: Safety glass, good visibility, at least 70% light transmittance.

Windscreen wipers

What the rule says. A light or heavy motor vehicle with a windscreen must have at least one windscreen wiper. In operation, it must wipe the outside of the windscreen directly in front of the driver continuously, evenly and adequately.

Why it matters. Clear glass in front of the driver is essential in rain.

In practice. A car with a windscreen but no wiper may not be used on a public road. A worn blade that smears and leaves the area in front of you unclear in rain does not wipe evenly and adequately, so replace it early.

Key idea: At least one wiper that clears the driver's view continuously and evenly.

Exhaust silencers and exhaust pipes

What the rule says. A motor vehicle must have an efficient exhaust silencer, and the engine's exhaust gas must pass through it. The vehicle may not be used on a public road if exhaust gas or smoke is so dense that it is a nuisance to or blocks the view of other road users, if the exhaust pipe or silencer is where oil or other flammable liquid or material can drip or fall onto it, if it is not in efficient working order, or if exhaust gas or smoke leaks into the driving cab or passenger compartment.

In practice. A leaking exhaust that lets fumes into the cabin makes the vehicle unfit for the road.

Key idea: Efficient silencer, no dense smoke, no oil dripping on it, no leaks into the cab.

Fuel tank, electrical wiring and battery

What the rule says. A motor vehicle may not be used on a public road if its fuel tank, carburettor, fuel receptacle or fuel pipes are defective or so exposed that they are a source of danger. It may not be used if the fuel tank has no effective cap. It may not be used unless the electrical wiring and battery are properly installed, insulated and maintained so they are not a source of danger.

In practice. A missing fuel cap, or frayed wires with bare cable showing, means the vehicle may not be used on a public road until repaired.

Key idea: Fuel system, tank cap, wiring and battery must not be a source of danger.

Engine cover

What the rule says. A light or heavy motor vehicle may not be used on a public road unless its engine is covered so that it is not a source of danger.

Why it matters. An exposed engine can injure people or start fires.

In practice. If the engine of a vehicle is left uncovered so that it is dangerous, the vehicle may not be used on a public road. Make sure the engine is covered before you drive. Each time you close the bonnet or fit the engine cover, make sure it is secure, since a cover that is loose or missing does not meet the rule.

Key idea: The engine must be covered so it is not a danger.

Excessive noise and speedometers

What the rule says. No person may operate a vehicle on a public road in a way that causes excessive noise. A motor vehicle designed for, or able to reach, a speed of 60 kilometres per hour or more must be fitted with a speedometer that is in good working order.

Why it matters. A working speedometer lets you keep within the speed limit.

In practice. Revving the engine loudly in a suburb at night is excessive noise. A car that can reach 120 kilometres per hour but has a broken speedometer may not be used on a public road.

Key idea: No excessive noise; speedometer needed if the vehicle can reach 60 km/h or more.

General speed limits

What the rule says. A general speed limit applies on all roads and does not have to be shown by a road traffic sign. Unless a road traffic sign says otherwise, the limit is 60 kilometres per hour on every public road in an urban area, 100 kilometres per hour on every public road outside an urban area other than a freeway, and 120 kilometres per hour on every freeway. Exceeding the speed limit is an offence.

In practice. On a town street with no speed sign, 60 applies. On a road between two towns that is not a freeway, 100 applies, so driving at 110 is an offence. If a sign shows a different limit, follow the sign.

Key idea: General limits: 60 urban, 100 outside urban (not freeway), 120 freeway, unless signed.

Quick recap

• Light motor vehicle windscreen: safety glass and at least 70% visible light transmittance
• At least one windscreen wiper that wipes the driver's view continuously, evenly and adequately
• Efficient exhaust silencer; no dense smoke, no dripping oil or fuel onto it, no leaks into the cab
• Fuel tank needs an effective cap; wiring and battery must be insulated and safe
• Engine must be covered so it is not a source of danger
• Speedometer required for vehicles that can reach 60 km/h or more
• General limits: 60 km/h urban, 100 km/h outside urban areas (not freeways), 120 km/h on freeways