Road Rules reg license plates & bike racks

Leej

I think you can order a number plate for your purpose from the RMS.

...and you'll probably get a different answer each time you ask!

I can't see why it should matter whether it's left or right - otherwise either my previous car (a Holden Jackaroo which had the rego plate on the RHS) or my current car (Toyota Prado which has the rego plate on the LHS) would be illegal.

I'd doubt the rego plate on either of them are visible from the other side of the vehicle, noting that both of these cars have the spare wheel mounted right next to the rego plate.

This is for the ACT:

The Regulation requires that a numberplate is not obscured, defaced or otherwise not legible.
The Regulation requires that a numberplate must be visible at a distance of 20 metres from it
and within all the areas described by an arc extending at an angle 45° above the surface of the
numberplate and 45° above and to either side of the vehicle as shown. This is depicted on
following pages 2 and 3 in Figure 1 for light vehicles, Figure 2 for trailers, Figure 3 for
motorcycles and Figure 4 for heavy vehicles.

More at: Number plate visibility

I thought that was what I said.

Phil

Phil,
I positively agree with your sentiments about removing empty bike racks. They are very dangerous especially when vehicles are parallel parked.
I have seen reference to legislation that requires their removal when not in use.

Hi Allan There is a reference to it in the ACT documents and the words are quite specific enough.

The ACT guide states:

[quote]
Why do I have to remove the bike rack when it is not being used?

Removal is necessary for two reasons:
1. To protect other people (third parties) from injury.
• Because it protrudes from the rear of the vehicle, the bike rack can cause injury to other people who are unaware it is there. Children moving around the vehicle are particularly vulnerable.
• You may be liable for these injuries.
2. To prevent damage to the vehicle’s tow bar.
• There is evidence to suggest that the combination of light weight and slender column type construction of the bike racks can cause a high frequency vibration, leading to metal fatigue of the tow bar tongue and ultimately its failure.
• If the tow bar tongue should fail while being used for towing, there is a very real risk of the trailer, caravan etc. colliding with someone and/or another vehicle.

What else should I do to minimise the risk of injury to other people?
Padding should be applied to any sharp projections on the bike rack that cannot be removed.
[/quote]

It's a shame that the word "should" is used. That is one of the ways people can get "around" the law.

And just in case we have some "pickers" wanting to have a go at me, I am all for a way of carrying bikes. I just want it done safely.

Phil

Phil,

Here are the Regs for NSW:

NSW bike carrier regs.

Guess they can nab you if considered dangerous:

Penalties apply if:
? The bicycle rack or any bicycle fitted to it obscures any light (including the centre mounted stop light)
or the number plate.
? The bicycle rack, with or without bicycle/s, creates a dangerous protrusion to either side, or the rear of
the vehicle

Hmm, interesting reference document there Phil!

It seems BOTH my previous car (Jackaroo) and my current car (Prado) are illegal (along with almost everything else with a factory rear-mounted spare wheel) - there's no way you'd see the whole rego plate at 45º on the opposite side of the car - the spare wheel would obstruct at least part of the number plate.

Pretty much the same Lyn.

The wording could be strengthened a bit where they say "Make sure" etc. What ever happened to "shall" and "will". Are they scared of upsetting some one.

Yeah I agree with your comment. What do they mean by a "dangerous protrusion". To some the whole bike is a dangerous protrusion. Even the handlebars could kill if you hit then after flying off a motor bike. Same as the fishing rod holders at the front. Hmmm Wishy washy wording again.

Law!! Thank god I don't have to interpret in in court.

Phil

Hi Tim

All laws change. I recall when we didn't even have to have seat belts in the car let alone wear them. And there wasn't any speed limit out of towns.

Things change. And hopefully for the betterment of all not just a minority. Not that I didn't say always for the best.

Catchya

Phil

Off topic I know.

I was led to believe the bullbar mounted fishing rod holder's were illegal in all states. I hope so, so is anyone able to clarify?

yep. Anything that prutudes from the from of the vehicle. Driving lights are as well if they are protruding forward. Was told if the rod holders can be positioned behind the bullbar, without sticking out, they are fine.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/vehicle_standards.html

Actually, SDG, anything that protrudes beyond the original profile, so an attachment to the bullbar that projects forward of the bullbar profile is illegal.
As, in fact, is a towbar that is not in use. Strictly speaking, the ball and tongue, should be removed from the vehicle unless in use for towing, if it projects beyond the rear profile of the vehicle as original. The rear mounted spare wheel is counted as original profile, so Tim doesn't have to worry!

Pretty much the same as in the ACT.

As posted elsewhere, in VIC you can also temporarily move the cars rego to the bike carrier but how's going to do that?

Forgot to add rack number must be illuminated at night.

That one's always confused me a little. There has to be some leeway otherwise we'd all have to carry blow up bikes to hang off the carrier when we park and head off on our ride. Or do they expect that the whole shebang will be dismantled and "mantled' (lol) every time?

Yeah agree totally, also what about when leave want to take the bike for sevice, or drop off the rider and go to the end point later to pick them up?

Ok if you can fit it in the car but a real pain when you have to do so.

I don't think that's anything to worry about. It would not be worth the courts time to proceed. All you would need to do when you got back to find the bluey on the windscreen is take a photo (date and time stamped naturally) of the car showing the location (mountain car park etc) and the bikes leaning on the car. Send the photo in with a letter explaining the situation. All cancelled I bet.

I don't think that it would work though if parked at a supermarket. All the ones that I have seen come off quickly and easily and could be left in the car or back at the tent/van.

Phil

I think that would be slightly wrong as jayco offer rear bike racks as a factory fitted option on most vans hence warrenty would auotomatically apply
Steve

Could be just the type I have. We were discussing the variety that attach to the rear bar, or hung off wheel. Either that, or the sales rep don't know what he is talking about. lol

Ever considered changing your screen name to
olgrumpyone?
or
olsarcasticone? LOL

No I only get grumpy when people ask legal questions when it is only a simple 5 minute phone call to speak to the people who enforce the laws or set the laws and in return get the correct reply.

Some would sooner ask a forum and get twenty different answers and a whole heap of if's But's and maybes....... and still not know the answer or interprate or get the wrong answer and take it a fact.

Emailing is a good idea as you can keep a copy of the correspondence in case you have to use it to prove it's legal.

There use to be an ad on TV that was set in a scene of a back yard bbq with a some mates standing around drinking and the catch phrase was "would you ask your mate Dazza for financial advise"...... Dazza was a no hope mate.

And on a parting note...... it seems many have lost the art of communications by voice over a telephonic system or in person and email is losing numbers as well........ hence why at work we have set up a text only number for people who have lost the ability to communicate normally either from the lack of how too or from a disability/medical condition, we handle about 30 text messages a day.

And how dare you call me GRUMPY...... I am not GRUMPY......LOL ROFL LOL..... might have something to do with xmas..... I hate xmas and birthdays and any other Hallmark manufactured occasions.

Now where are those tablets......

LOL Olcoolone. Even FDL (You may need to ask me about that one)

Some are not skilled at Google searching and find it easier to simply ask on a forum. There are usually some there, like me, who are willing to do a search on their behalf.

Your text-only phone number is interesting. Very appropriate for the younger generation who are so skilled at texting. That's NOT me!

Perhaps I should not wish you Merry Xmas! I'll just say Cheers Mr Grump. (and a LOL)

Merry Christmas LOL

Olcoolone,

Most like to participate on this forum, such as myself, just as you do also, that's obvious. That adds to its appeal.

We get a good spread of advice both correct and not so correct. LOL

So what, that's what we like about this place and it keeps us coming back, even the knockers.

After all, the narks would have nothing to do if it wasn't for conflicting info. LOL.

Like Allan B said, some of us cannot manage a lot of these modern technologies so any help we can get is appreciated.

Anyway it is better to give than receive, so they say.

So you keep giving it to us old mate. ROFLMAO

Oh and Merry Xmas to you and yours.

By the way a friend has "Grumpy's Humpy on his caravan.
They also call him "Grumpah". No relation is he??? LOL.

Cheers, Bruce.

Is dazza his forum name? I don't want to get my tax advice from a fake dazza.

Here he is....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRVXuCKBk7I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYCcYZfgtxk&list=PL1859FF5794841377

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrT4n6vRC1U

And a bit off topic have a look at this......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y