State by State - Tyre & Lift Regulations

[mjrandom]

275/65 is 14mm larger.

[sleeky5]

SA

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transpo...eels-and-tyres
The overall diameter of a wheel and tyre fitted to a vehicle must not be more than 15 mm greater than the largest tyre size listed on the tyre placard and not more than 15 mm less than the smallest tyre size listed on the placard.

What size tyre can you get that is only 15mm larger in diameter? It appears that even a 265/70 is illegal in SA.

[mjrandom]

Andrew, great thread. Can you add track changes to that too please. Also ( and I haven't checked lately) those Qld specs only apply to vehicles without ESC, those with are limited to 75mm total lift. I will check again when I get a chance.

ACT

TAS

NT

http://www.transport.nt.gov.au/__dat...mbined-DoT.pdf
Link within above document directs to NCOP VSB14
https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/..._2011%20v3.pdf

1.1 BASIC MODIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION
The following modifications may be performed without certification if they are carried out inaccordance with sub-section 2 General Requirements and the total change in vehicle heightresulting from all modifications performed, does not exceed 50mm.

Note: In NSW, although vehicles whose height has been changed up to 50mm do not require certification by an engineering signatory, the registration authority must be notified of the modification.
 Tyre and rim substitution carried out within the limits specified in this Section;
 Lowering and raising suspensions (by not more than one third of the original suspension travel provided the original vehicle height is not increased or decreased by more than 50mm);
 Raising the vehicle with a body lift kit provided the original vehicle height is not increased by more than 50mm (refer to sub-section 4.11 for conditions and limitations);
 Shock absorber substitution;
 Spring and sway bar substitution;
 Track rod and strut brace installation;

1.2 MODIFICATIONS REQUIRING CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION LS
The following modifications require certification under the LS Codes;
 Steering and suspension modifications;
 Suspension strut or upright substitution;
 Rear axle substitution; and
 Raising the vehicle beyond 50mm but not more than 150mm.

1.3 MODIFICATIONS NOT COVERED UNDER SECTION LS
The following modifications are not covered under Section LS, nor by any other Section ofVSB 14.Section LS Tyres, Rims, Suspension and SteeringVersion 2.0 – 1 January 2011 Page 7/LS85
 Vehicle lifts that exceed 150mm: Raising vehicles beyond 150mm is not covered under this Code of Practice.
 Vehicle Lifts to any Vehicle that has had its track reduced: Vehicles that have had atrack reduction will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
 Installation of Variable Air or Hydraulic Suspension Systems: Installation of nonoriginal suspension systems that allow the ride-height of the vehicle to be varied by the driver are not covered under this Code of Practice.
 Modifications to Vehicles fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC): These vehicles have limitations on the modifications covered by Section LS – refer to Clause 2.6 for further details.

WA

SA

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transpo...eels-and-tyres
The overall diameter of a wheel and tyre fitted to a vehicle must not be more than 15 mm greater than the largest tyre size listed on the tyre placard and not more than 15 mm less than the smallest tyre size listed on the placard.

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving...n-modification
Fitting tyres and rims with a larger diameter to those listed on the vehicle's tyre placard may also affect vehicle ride height.
It is acceptable provide that the overall diameter of the alternative rim/tyre combination is not greater that 15 mm over the largest combination or 15 mm smaller than the smallest combination specified on the vehicle's tyre placard.
In four wheel drive vehicles an increase in overall diameter of up to 5 0 mm is acceptable.

VIC

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/me...les.ashx?la=en

This option allows a combination of suspension lift and the fitting of larger diameter tyres that results in a total lift of up to 75mm without the need for the testing and certification normally required by VSB14 for lifts above 50mm provided the following requirements are met.
The vehicle's suspension may be raised by up to 50mm, provided that at least two thirds of the original suspension travel in either direction is retained

NSW

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/...si-09-rev4.pdf
The outside diameter of the wheel and tyre combination must be no more than 15mm over the largest diameter wheel and tyre combination specified for the vehicle and not more than 15mm below the smallest diameter wheel and tyre combination specified for the vehicle.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/...ifications.pdf
Altering vehicle ride height by more than one third of the manufacturer’s suspension travel in the direction of the ride height change.

Examples requiring certification:
• Conversion from coil to leaf springs.
• Any modification to the suspension configuration.
• Fitting a suspension of a different design eg from a different make and model (eg from coil springs to leaf springs).
• Fabrication of suspension mounting points.

Examples not requiring certification:
• Modification of suspension with components or parts which meet or exceed the original vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
• Fitting uprated roll (sway) bars, shock absorbers, springs, struts or manufacturer’s options for that particular year make and model.

Replacement of tyres that change tyre overall diameter by more than 7% of the overall original diameter*.
* ’overall original diameter’ means the maximum outside diameter of the largest tyre specified by the vehicle’s original manufacturer as an option for the vehicle, as shown on the vehicle’s tyre placard.

Example requiring certification:
• Replacing 215/65R17 (712 mm overall diameter) tyres with 265/65R17 (776 mm overall diameter) tyres, an increase in overall diameter of 64 mm, or 8%.

Example not requiring certification:
• Replacing 215/65R17 (712 mm overall diameter) tyres with 235/65R17 (738 mm overall diameter) tyres, an increase in overall diameter of 26 mm, or 4%.

Tip: To determine if the tyres you have selected require certification you need to look at the tyre placard fitted to the vehicle by the manufacturer. Sometimes the tyre placard will show more than one tyre size, allowing optional tyres of that size to be fitted. If one of the tyre sizes marked on the placard (eg 215/65R17) matches the marking on thetyre sidewalls, certification is not required.

Replacement of wheels where the rim width exceeds the largest wheel combination specified by the manufacturer by greater than 25 mm.

Example requiring certification:
• Fitting a wheel with a width of greater than 225 mm, when the greatest wheel width specified by the manufacturer is 195 mm.

Example not requiring certification:
• Fitting a wheel with a width of 205 mm, when the greatest wheel width specified by the manufacturer is 195 mm.

Tip: Refer to VSI No.9 Guidelines for alternative wheels and tyres for more information

Replacement of wheels and tyres where the wheel and tyre combination does not comply with the manufacturer’s minimum load carrying capacity specifications.

Example requiring certification:
• Fitting car tyres to a van or any goods-carrying vehicle for which ‘light truck‘ rated tyres are specified.

Tip: The manufacturer’s minimum load carrying specifications will be detailed on thetyre placard fitted to the vehicle.

QLD

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Veh...fications.aspx
A vehicle's ride height can be increased in a number of ways. These include:

• Tyre diameter increase
• Raising a vehicle's suspension
• Body blocks

The limit a vehicle's ride height can be increased is dependant on which combination of the above method(s) are used. Each of the above vehicle lift methods have a maximum allowable increase they can achieve (maximum suspension lift 50mm, maximum tyre diameter increase 50mm, maximum body block lift 50mm). The maximum total combined lift of the vehicle cannot exceed 125mm.

The above link then leads to the following Minor Modifications publication
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Sa...ifications.pdf

Suspension
Lowering or Raising of Vehicles

The raising or lowering of a vehicle’s suspension is permitted without specific approval, provided:

• at least two thirds of the original suspension travel in either direction ismaintained
• coil springs remain in locating seats on full suspension droop
• the normal relationship between the front and rear suspension heightsis not unduly affected
• replacement springs have the same or greater load capacity as theoriginal springs
• suspension coil springs are not shortened by cutting or heating
• leaf spring suspensions are not raised by the use of extended shackles,adjustable metal plates or by placing the leaf springs to the opposite side of the axle
• if lowering blocks are used, they are either steel or aluminium
• the vehicle maintains a minimum running clearance of 100mm and the requirements in Australian Design Rule(ADR) 43 are met*
• a vehicle fitted with Electronic Stability Control (commonly known as ESC) is not modified if the operation of the ESC is affected, unless the ESC system is adjusted accordingly.

*Generally, a vehicle which maintains a minimum clearance of 100mm between the ground and any point on the underside of the vehicle (except a point on a tyre, wheel, wheel hub, brake backing plate or flexible mudguard or mudflap)will meet ADR 43.

For more information regarding ground clearance and running clearance please refer to the LS section of the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification.

The following information provides some general guidance about raising a vehicle’s height
A vehicle lift up to and including 75mm combining both suspension lift and tyre diameter increase (maximum suspension lift 50mm, maximum tyre diameter increase 50mm) is acceptable under self certification.

A vehicle lift between 76mm and 125mm (inclusive) combining a suspension lift, a tyre diameter increase and a body lift(maximum suspension lift 50mm, maximum tyre diameter increase 50mm, maximum body lift 50mm) requires certification and testing by a Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Approved Person.

Please Note: The above mentioned maximum tyre diameter tyre increase is for 4WD off-road vehicles. A passenger car or passenger car derivatives must not increase their tyre diameter by more than 15mm.

For further information please refer to the LS section of the Queensland Code of Practice – Vehicle Modifications

Variable Air or Hydraulic Suspension Systems
Airbag or air pressurised shock absorber helper springs may be fitted in addition to the original suspension. However,replacing some or all of the suspension system with an air or hydraulic suspension requires specific approval from TMR.

Suspensions Sway Bars, Torque Rods and Traction Rods
Auxiliary suspension control devices may be fitted without specific approval,provided they are properly engineered and secured and do not affect minimum ground clearance.

Adjustable sway bars, torque rods and traction rods may be fitted, provided they are designed and manufactured in accordance with good engineering practice, are suitable for on-road use and do not alter the vehicle suspension or steering geometry while used on the road network.

Shock Absorbers
Replacement shock absorbers (including struts and strut inserts) may be fitted without specific approval, provided they have been manufactured as replacement units for the particular vehicle model and have compatible mountings and dimensions.

The aim of this thread is to place the regulations from each state that relates to legal maximum tyre size increase and suspension lift.

Feel free to add and correct any info with links and a cut and paste of the relevant section.

I hope that this thread will help others decide on what tyre and suspension mods to go for and whether an engineer's certificate is required.