Correct as at 9th May 2024. It may be superseded at any time.
Extract taken from: Vehicle Inspection Portal > VIRMs > In-service certification (WoF and CoF) > Motorcycles > Vehicle Exterior
2 Vehicle Exterior
2-1 External projections
Reasons for rejection
Condition and performance (Note 1)
1. The risk of a component (Note 5) hooking a vehicle, or hooking or grazing a person, has not been minimised.
2. An ornamental object or fitting (Note 2) protrudes in such a way that it is likely to injure a person.
3. A protruding object or fitting that has a functional purpose (Note 3) is not installed so that the risk of causing injury to a person is minimised, eg the object or fitting:
a) is of excessively heavy construction for the purpose for which it has been fitted, or
b) has sharp corners, or
c) slopes forward, unless this is necessary to fit the contours of the vehicle, or
d) has an unnecessarily wide gap between the object or fitting and the front of the vehicle, or
e) exceeds the vehicle’s width by more than 100mm on either side.
4. A protruding component, object or fitting is not securely fitted.
5. a protruding object or fitting adversley affects the rider’s vision or control.
Modification (Note 4)
6. A modification affects an external projection – including a protruding object or fitting that has a functional purpose and affects the driver’s vision or control of the vehicle, and:
a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 2-1-1), and
b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:
i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or
ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card, or
iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13.
Note 1
The external projections requirements relate to the design and maintenance of objects and fittings that protrude from the exterior of the motor vehicle with regard to the safety of other motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The attachment of such objects and fittings to the vehicle is addressed in the Vehicle structure section of this manual.
Note 2
Ornamental object or fitting means an object or fitting that does not have a practical purpose, eg bonnet emblems.
Note 3
Functional object or fitting means an object or fitting that has a practical purpose, eg panniers, pack racks, spare wheel carriers, and so on.
Note 4
Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing any structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.
Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with equivalent undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.
Note 5
Components include damaged, corroded and exposed body panels.
Table 2-1-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is never required: |
|---|---|
Any modification for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services |
|
Towbars |
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Permitted equipment
1. A motor vehicle may be fitted with a protruding ornamental or functional object or fitting.
Condition and performance
2. A protruding ornamental object or fitting must not be likely to injure a person.
3. A protruding object or fitting that has a functional purpose must be installed so that the risk of the object or fitting causing injury to a person is minimised.
4. Components of a motor vehicle, including damaged or corroded body panels, must be such that the risk of their hooking a vehicle, or hooking or grazing a person, is minimised.
5. A protruding object or fitting must not adversely affect driver vision or driver control.
Modification
6. A modification that affects an external projection must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:
a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV specialist certification (Table 2-1-1), and
b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.
Page amended 1 December 2016 (see amendment details).
2-2 Footrests
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment
1. A motorcycle is not fitted with adequate footrests for:
a) the rider, or
b) the pillion passenger where there is a pillion passenger seating position.
Condition
2. A footrest or footrest mounting is:
a) insecure, or
b) weakened by corrosion or other damage.
Modification
3. A modification affects the footrest, and is:
a) not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 2-2-1), or
b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:
i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or
ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card, or
iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13.
Table 2-2-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is never required: |
|---|---|
Any modification for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services |
|
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. A motorcycle must have:
a) footrests for the rider, and
b) footrests for the pillion passenger if provision is made for pillion riding.
Condition
2. Footrests must be adequate.
Modification
3. A modification that affects a footrest must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:
a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV certification (Table 2-2-1), and
b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.
Page amended 1 December 2016 (see amendment details).
2-3 Dimensions
Note: The vehicle inspector need only inspect dimensions in detail if there is doubt about the vehicle’s compliance.
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory requirement
1. A vehicle does not meet the dimension requirements set out in Table 2-3-1 (see also Figure 2-3-1, Figure 2-3-2, and Figure 2-3-3).
Table 2-3-1. Dimension requirements
(see also Figure 2-3-1, Figure 2-3-2, and Figure 2-3-3)
Dimension | Maximum distance | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Width | 1.1m (motorcycle without sidecar) 2.55m (motorcycle with sidecar or motor tricycle) | Measurement does not include:
|
| Overall length | 12.6m (no tow coupling fitted) 11.5m (tow coupling fitted) | Measurement does not include collapsible mirrors. |
Height | 4.3m | |
Forward distance | 9.5m (no tow coupling fitted) 8.5m (tow coupling fitted) | Forward distance is measured from the centre of the rear axle to the front of the vehicle. Measurement does not include collapsible mirrors. |
Rear overhang | 4m | Rear overhang is measured from the centre of the rear axle to the rear of the vehicle. |
Front overhang | 3m | Front overhang is measured from the front edge of the driver’s seat to the front of the vehicle. |
Table 2-3-2. Modifications that do not require LVV certification
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is never required: |
|---|---|
Any modification for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services |
|
Figure 2-3-1. Maximum width for a motorcycle
(Note: Dimensions in red updated in VDAM 2016)
Figure 2-3-2. Maximum width for a motorcycle with sidecar or a motor tricycle
(Note: Dimensions in red updated in VDAM 2016)
Figure 2-3-3. Other dimensions for a motorcycle, motorcycle with sidecar, or motor tricycle
(Note: Dimensions in red updated in VDAM 2016)
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory requirement
1. A vehicle must meet the dimensions in Table 2-3-1.
Page amended 1 February 2017 (see amendment details).