Technical bulletins

There have been changes to the Australian Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation. Included in these changes is the introduction of the Road Vehicle Regulator (ROVER) administration system and the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV), a publicly searchable database of vehicles that have met the requirements of the RVS legislation and been given Australian Design Rules (ADR) approval. The RAV replaces the need for the physical ADR compliance plates previously fitted to vehicles.

After 30 June 2023, all road vehicles - cars, trucks, trailers, caravans etc must be entered on the RAV before they can be provided to the market for the first time in Australia.

The RAV is searchable using the vehicle’s permanently marked Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and ROVER is searchable using the Vehicle Type Approval number (VTA number).

How to verify if a vehicle is compliant with with relevant ADRs

1. Visit the Register of Approved Vehicles Public Search

2. Enter the VIN into the search field.

• If the vehicle is ADR-approved the search field will take you to another screen with the approval number shown as in example below. Go to step 3.
• If the search notifies the VIN is incorrect or not on the RAV, and the vehicle is new and the importer is claiming ADR compliance go to step 4. Otherwise, alternative evidence of compliance will be required.

3. Click on the blue approval number text and the next screen will list all the ADRs and other vehicle attributes relating to the vehicle search.

• The VI must check the ADR’s listed in ROVER to confirm that that the vehicle meets all the required standards relating to the class of vehicle being certified for entry.
• The ADR standard listed must show full, substantial or partial compliance to be accepted.

4. If presented with documentation (other than an SoC) for a New vehicle showing compliance with Australian Design Rules using a VTA number, visit the List of road vehicle type approvals and enter the VTA number. The next screen will list all the ADRs and other vehicle attributes relating to the vehicle search.

• The VI must check the ADR’s listed in  confirm that that the vehicle meets all the required standards relating to the class of vehicle being certified for entry.
• The VI must check the VIN range is correct for the vehicle. Use the Download current RVD link to see the VIN range.
• The ADR standard listed must show full, substantial or partial compliance to be accepted.

Vehicles with Australian Second Stage of Manufacture

If the VIN confirms Second stage manufacture certification on RAV as below.

• The VI must check the ADR’s listed in ROVERto confirm that that the vehicle meets all the required standards relating to the class of vehicle being certified for entry.
• The ADR standard listed must show full, substantial or partial compliance to be accepted.