OK. for 4 wheel drive vehicles there is an exemption. It just so happens that Touaregs are listed as MC. Off road Passenger rated.
see the links below.
Every vehicle in Australia is categorised according to its purpose, but some seem to be in the wrong category. That's important for off roaders.
practicalmotoring.com.au
I researched all this when I put Cooper Zeon tyres on my R50 to go bush and for towing a large boat.
as long as the off road tyre has a speed rating of 180kmh ( in my case) you are ok.
This is the out clause for off road tyres
However, this is an exemption. In a very rare moment of collective intelligence, the Australian road authorities have said this:
Source :
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/s..._LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_Nov_2015_v4.pdf
So, all you need is tyre rated for N (140km/h) for your 4×4, which is pretty slow so all but the most extreme tyres will be compliant.
Now “special features for offroad use” is a bit subjective, but the definitive answer is that the vehicle is classified as MC, i.e.:
4.3.3. OFF-ROAD PASSENGER VEHICLE (MC)
A passenger vehicle having up to 9 seating positions, including that of the driver and being designed with special features for off-road operation. A vehicle with special features for off-road operation is a vehicle that:
(a) Unless otherwise ‘Approved‘ has 4 wheel drive; and
(b) has at least 4 of the following 5 characteristics calculated when the vehicle is at its ‘Unladen Mass‘ on a level surface, with the front wheels parallel to the vehicle’s longitudinal centreline, and the tyres inflated to the ‘Manufacturer‘s’ recommended pressure:
(i) ‘Approach Angle‘ of not less than 28 degrees;
(ii) ‘Breakover Angle‘ of not less than 14 degrees;
(iii) ‘Departure Angle‘ of not less than 20 degrees;
(iv) ‘Running Clearance‘ of not less than 200 mm;
(v) ‘Front Axle Clearance‘, ‘Rear Axle Clearance‘ or ‘Suspension Clearance‘ of not less than 175 mm each.
Alternatively, a vehicle that meets the definition of CATEGORY G – OFF-ROAD VEHICLES under Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is in category M1.
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2012C00326
I think it could be easily argued that low range, cross-axle or centre differential locks etc are also Offroad Features.
So, bottom line is that if you have a 4X4 in Australia, you need fit only N speed rated tyres, and match or exceed the load rating. That shouldn’t restrict your offroad tyre choice to any significant degree, so you can go fit suitable rubber for your travels.
If you want to know more about tyre sizes, then you can use my
tyre calculators, and watch the videos below:
