Check fifth wheels/turntables

• Where ADR 62 applies, the fifth wheel/turntable does not display the manufacturer’s name/trademark, nominal size (eg 50mm) and the gross mass rating;

• The mating parts of a coupling used to connect a semi-trailer to a towing vehicle allow the semi-trailer to roll to an extent that makes the towing vehicle unstable (eg quick release turntable fitted to a ballrace turntable);

• The top and bottom mounting flanges have insufficient effective fasteners (eg ballrace);

• Fasteners either side of the mounting frame, plate or pivot brackets are insufficient or ineffective;

• Fifth wheel/turntable mounting plate or sub frame assembly securing bolts are missing, broken or loose, or the fasteners are "U" bolts;

• There is movement between the fixed mounting components;

• There is more than 5 mm horizontal movement between:

Check pin couplings and pintle hooks

• Where ADR 62 applies a 50mm pin type coupling does not display the manufacturer’s name/trademark, rated vertical load and the gross mass rating;

• Pin couplings or pintle hooks have any missing, loose, broken, deformed or cracked fasteners including welds. (See Figure 2.2);

• Any mounting bolts, fasteners or weld beads have advanced corrosion;

• The area that the pin coupling or pintle hook is mounted on is loose or cracked or any locking mechanism is not fitted or is inoperative;

• The pin coupling or pintle hook welds have cracks; Pin couplings or pintle hooks are worn beyond the manufacturer’s limits. If the manufacturer’s limits are not known, any dimension on a wear surface of the horn of a pintle hook or pin coupling is worn more than 5% of the original diameter.

Check engine and driveline

• Engine and driveline mounts or driveline components are loose, cracked, broken or are missing components or fasteners;
• Any universal joint or securing bolts are loose or missing;
• Engine and transmission controls are inoperative;
• A vehicle fitted with automatic transmission is capable of being started when the transmission control is in a position to drive the vehicle;
• A vehicle fitted with automatic transmission does not have, in the driver’s compartment, an indicator showing the transmission control position (where applicable);
• Seals on covers between the engine and the passenger compartment are missing, distorted or damaged in a way that allows fumes to enter the passenger compartment;
• Engine emits excessive smoke for at least 10 seconds continually at or near the discharge end of the exhaust pipe;
• Emission control equipment is missing or inoperative;
  

NOTE: Modifications to emission equipment can effect smoke emission or emission of non-visible pollutants

• Crankcase gases escape into the atmosphere (applies to petrol engines fitted with positive crankcase ventilation only);
• The engine lets out sparks, flames, oil or fuel residue;
• A diesel engine is not fitted with a device that prevents the engine from being started accidentally or inadvertently;
• Fuel injection equipment, engine speed governor or any other part of an engine is adjusted so that it increases smoke;
• Maximum road speed limiting is greater than 100kph or State and Territory instructions. See ADR 65.
  

NOTE: Adjustments or modifications to components of the fuel system have the potential to affect compliance of a vehicle with emission standards. The manufacturer’s advice should be sought to ensure the vehicle is kept within prescribed limits. A test to determine compliance with National Diesel Emission Standards may be undertaken in jurisdictions that have the necessary test equipment.

Check air brake system integrity (including air over hydraulic)

Step 1. Start the engine and charge up the braking system until the low pressure warning device turns off. Apply the brake several times until the low pressure warning device activates.

1. A visual or audible warning device connected to the brake system does not provide a warning to the driver when the air pressure is lowered to less than the following levels, unless the manufacturer specifies a different level:

• 420 kPa (60psi) for ADR 35 vehicles, or

• 350 kPa (50psi) for pre-ADR 35 vehicles

Step 2. Build the pressure up to its maximum level and note this pressure

1. The cut-out pressure is more than 1120 kPa (160psi), or less than 720kPa (100psi) unless other values are recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 3. With the engine running, apply the service brakes several times until the governor "cuts in"

The governor cut-in pressure is less than 550kPa (80psi), unless another value is recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 4. Recharge the system to maximum pressure. Stop the engine. Have the assistant apply and hold the service brake. Check around the vehicle for audible air leaks

1. Any air leak;
2. With the brake system fully charged, the engine stopped and the service brake applied, the air brake pressure drops more than 20 kPa (3psi) per minute. An additional drop per minute of 5 kPa is allowed for each trailer that may be attached.
   

Step 5. Release the service brake

1. With the engine stopped and the service brake released, the air brake pressure drops more than 15 kPa per minute. An additional drop per minute of 5 kPa is allowed for each trailer that may be attached.

Step 6. Fully apply and release the service brake four more times

1. After four more full applications of the service brakes the reservoir pressure drops to less than 50 % of the maximum value observed in Step

Step 7. Fully deplete the braking system by repeatedly applying the service brake. Observe the operation of the low pressure warning device (see "reason for rejection" (a)). Observe operation of spring brakes, if fitted.

1. Spring brakes activate before the low pressure warning device activates.

Step 8. Apply and release the parking brake

1. The parking brake is inoperative or is unable to be released at least once.

Step 9. Charge up the braking system by operating the engine at manufacturer's recommended speed, if necessary. Note the time it takes for the system to charge from zero to 80% of the maximum pressure (as noted in Step 2).

1. Time taken to charge from zero to 80% of maximum pressure exceeds 5 minutes.

Step 10. One at a time, open the drain valve of each reservoir for a sufficient time to notice a pressure drop on the pressure gauge(s)

1. Air reservoir drain valves are inoperative;
2. Excessive oil drains from the reservoir (this usually indicates a faulty compressor);
3. Where ADR 35 applies, the pressure in both sub-circuits falls when the reservoir of one of the sub-circuits is drained.

Note: Although it is usually a sign of neglected brake maintenance, excessive water in a reservoir is not a reason for rejection, provided that it is fully drained during the check.

Step 11. Where ADR35 applies and the vehicle is new, or has had major brake repairs involving plumbing, one sub-circuit should be fully drained and a check made that the brakes on the remaining sub-circuit operate when the service brake is applied (observe actuators or feel for pressure in flexible brake lines). The brake pressure should then be recharged and the test repeated for the other sub-circuit.

1. When the air-pressure in one (and only one) sub-circuit is fully drained any brake connected to the other sub-circuit fails to operate when the service brake is applied;
2. Where fitted, spring brakes apply when one sub-circuit is fully drained.
   

Check brake components

Reasons for rejection

• Brake pedals do not have an anti-slip surface across the complete surface;

• Brake pedals or handles are broken or missing;

• Brake control mountings, pivots, cables or links are kinked, loose, broken, excessively worn or binding;

• A ratchet or locking device on a parking brake control does not hold the parking brake in the applied position;

• Park brake control can be released with only one action;

• Abrasions or cuts on brake hoses penetrate further than the outer protective covering;

• Brake pipes, hoses and connections are cracked, broken, kinked, crimped, damaged by heat or have visible signs of leakage, swelling or bulging;

• Brake drums or discs are not fitted or have missing pieces, or cracks other than short heat cracks inside the drums;

• Drums or discs are worn beyond manufacturers specifications;

• Any caliper, wheel cylinder or master cylinder leaks;

• Linings or pads are contaminated with oil, grease or brake fluid;

• The thickness of the linings or pads is less than the manufacturer’s recommended minimum. If this is not known or is no longer appropriate, the thickness of the linings or pads is less than

Check windscreen and windows

Reasons for rejection

1. The wiped area of the windscreen in front of and on the same side of the vehicle as the driver, (shown in the following diagram as Area A), has:

• damage (such as scoring, sandblasting or severe discolouration) that interferes with the driver’s view;

• any bulls-eye or star fracture that exceeds 16 mm in diameter, or any two (2) of the following;

• hairline crack up to 30 mm long;

• a crack from the edge of the windscreen up to 75 mm long.

NOTE: Grooves in windscreens that are designed specifically to clean the wiper blades are not regarded as damage unless they affect the driver’s view. Approved grooving is usually identified by the installer.

1. Any cracks in a laminated windscreen penetrate more than one layer of glass or are more than 150 mm long;
2. Any glazing used in any motor vehicle is not safety glass (except a caravan) and where ADR 8 applies, the glass does not display an identification mark or symbol;
3. Glazing is loose in its frame or cracked to the extent that sharp edges are exposed;
4. Glazing, other than the windscreen, that is necessary for the driver to see the road is discoloured, obscured, badly scratched, sandblasted or fractured to the extent that it interferes with the driver’s view;
5. Items that obscure the driver’s view are placed in Area A or the corresponding area on the other side of the windscreen.
   

Check seat belts

Reasons for rejection

1. Any seat belt or attaching point is loose, cracked or has missing fasteners;
2. Any retractor, buckle or adjustment device is inoperative;
3. Webbing is cut, burnt, tied in a knot, frayed, stretched, severely deteriorated or has broken stitching.
4. Seat belts are not fitted in accordance with the table below.
   

Check Rear Marker Plates

Reasons for rejection

• Rear marker plates not fitted to a truck that has a GVM greater than 12 tonnes;

• Rear marker plates not fitted to a bus that has no provision for standing passengers;

• Rear marker plates do not comply with AS 4001.1-1992 or State or Territory instructions;

• Rear marker plates are faded, damaged or incorrectly fitted.

Check suspension components

• U-bolts or other spring to axle or spring pack clamp bolts, centre bolts, spring eyes or hangers, torque, radius or tracking component assemblies, control arms, bushes or any parts used to attach them to the vehicle frame or axle are cracked, loose, broken, missing or worn beyond manufacturers’ limits;

• Any "walking beam" type heavy vehicle suspension has signs of damage to beam;

• Springs are cracked, broken or missing;

• Air bags leak or sag;

• Leaves in a leaf spring are displaced sideways more than 10% of their width or so that they contact wheels, brakes or the frame;

• Shock absorbers, if originally fitted, are missing, loose, inoperative or leak;

• Any suspension component is not correctly aligned or is damaged, loose or broken;

• Any nut, bolt or locking mechanism is insecure or missing.

Check fifth wheels/turntables

• Where ADR 62 applies, the fifth wheel/turntable does not display the manufacturer’s name/trademark, nominal size (eg 50mm) and the gross mass rating;

• The mating parts of a coupling used to connect a semi-trailer to a towing vehicle allow the semi-trailer to roll to an extent that makes the towing vehicle unstable (eg quick release turntable fitted to a ballrace turntable);

• The top and bottom mounting flanges have insufficient effective fasteners (eg ballrace);

• Fasteners either side of the mounting frame, plate or pivot brackets are insufficient or ineffective;

• Fifth wheel/turntable mounting plate or sub frame assembly securing bolts are missing, broken or loose, or the fasteners are "U" bolts;

• There is movement between the fixed mounting components;

• There is more than 5 mm horizontal movement between:

* the pivot bracket pin and bracket, or
* a slider bracket and slide base.

• There are cracks in mounting angles or plates, pivot brackets, slider components or coupler plates except for casting shrinkage cracks;

• The fifth wheel pivot bracket pin/s or bushes are missing, insecure or excessively worn;

• The locking mechanism on either side of a sliding coupling is missing, inoperative or excessively worn;

• End stops on slides are missing or insecure;

• King pin locking mechanism parts are missing, or damaged to the extent that the king pin is not securely held;

• The top and bottom plates, flanges and welds are loose, cracked, missing or broken;

• Ball bearing type turntables are worn beyond the manufacturer’s specifications, or to the extent that the upper and lower flanges or bearing halves touch each other or the ball bearings seize.