DRIVERS of vehicles with five-post bullbars have been given a two-year exemption from vehicle registration regulations in NSW.
Roads and Freight Minister Duncan Gay has announced bullbars on light vehicles, within a reasonable tolerance of the requirements, would be excluded from the rule.
Following a campaign in The Land, Mr Gay said today he would issue a ministerial order to address the matter of non-compliant bullbars currently subject to a compliance campaign.
“This has been a real issue in the bush and there is no simple solution,” Mr Gay said.
“But we are working to make sure vehicles on our roads are safe.
“This exemption will provide vehicle owners who have inadvertently fitted a non-complying bullbar to their vehicle or are unsure about their bullbar compliance, with time to have their bullbar inspected by Roads and Maritime Services.
“Owners will be allowed to drive with their bullbar fitted during the exemption period.
“This exemption is about ensuring vehicle owners, who thought that they were doing the right thing, aren’t disadvantaged.
“However, bullbars that grossly exceed the current Australian Standards that are called up by NSW regulations will not be exempt.
“This decision flows on from the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group meeting last week.
“Clear guidelines will be provided to relevant agencies about what bull bars are compliant, what bullbars will be exempt and what are clearly illegal.
“Any owners who are unsure or who have already received a defect notice for a bullbar they believe should be exempt, should then have their vehicle inspected at an RMS Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station.
“The relevant agencies have been made aware of the ministerial order and will work to address outstanding infringement notices.”
More in Thursday's The Land.
