AustraliaI bought a grey-import vehicle and it doesn't meet Australian Design Rules. What now?
Grey-import vehicles must comply with the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) to be registered. If yours doesn’t, it cannot be registered or driven on public roads unless specially approved under strict conditions.
What the Law Says
The importation and use of motor vehicles in Australia is governed by the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 and associated rules. Grey-import vehicles — those not originally supplied for the Australian market — are subject to the same safety and emissions standards as locally supplied vehicles.
Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, a vehicle must meet applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs) before it can be registered for use on Australian roads. The ADRs set national technical standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft, and environmental performance.
The Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019 specify that a vehicle imported outside the official supply chain (a 'grey import') must either be covered by an existing approval (e.g., as a 'special purpose vehicle') or undergo assessment and modification to meet ADRs. There is no general exemption for personal imports.
Importers must keep records of vehicle compliance assessments for at least 3 years, and modifications to achieve ADR compliance must be certified by an approved automotive engineer or authorised officer.
Statutory TextA road vehicle must not be supplied in the Australian market unless it complies with the applicable Australian Design Rules.
— Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, s. 15 — Requirement to comply with Australian Design Rules
Statutory TextThe Minister may approve a vehicle that does not comply with an applicable Australian Design Rule if satisfied that the vehicle is safe and suitable for use on Australian roads.
— Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, s. 26 — Ministerial approval for non-compliant vehicles
Statutory TextAn approved automotive engineer must certify that modifications made to a vehicle result in compliance with the applicable Australian Design Rules.
— Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019, r. 147 — Certification of modifications
What to Do
Contact the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to confirm your vehicle’s eligibility for ministerial approval under section 26.
Engage an approved automotive engineer to assess and modify your vehicle to meet relevant ADRs.
Obtain written certification from the engineer confirming ADR compliance.
Submit the certification and application for registration to your state or territory transport authority.
If modification is not feasible, consider exporting the vehicle or using it only on private land (where no registration is required).
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
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European UnionNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.