Vehicles for wilderness areas

Requirements for vehicles providing services in a wilderness area

Conventional enclosed vehicle bodies may not be suited to some applications in wilderness areas. The vehicle design must be able to protect the occupants from overhanging foliage and inclement weather.

Alternative body types are permitted provided design approval has been obtained from us. To avoid costly mistakes, obtain written approval before manufacture, modification, or purchase of a vehicle.

If the bus is used in the wilderness, it must comply with the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) applying to a non-route service bus that were in force when the bus was manufactured.

The following are considered mandatory for all vehicles of this type:

• the driver and front passenger seating positions must have full windscreen protection
• adequate roll over protection must be provided for all occupants
• all seating positions are to be forward facing
• buses must comply with ADR requirements for non-route service buses, at the date of manufacture.

For more information, refer to the Nature Conservation Act 1992, schedule, for the definition of wilderness.

References

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2018

• Section 18Q: Suitability of buses for service classifications, including wilderness areas.
• Schedule 1AA, Part 7: Requirements about design generally, including vehicles used in wilderness areas

Read the full PT Regulation on the Queensland Legislation website.

Nature Conservation Act 1992

• This act provides the legal framework for protecting Queensland's natural areas and may influence vehicle requirements for wilderness areas.

Read the full Act on the Queensland Legislation—Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Australian Design Rules (ADRs)

• The ADRs are national standards for vehicle safety, emissions, and design, applicable to all vehicles, including buses, based on their classification and intended use.

Refer to Australian Government—Australian Design Rules (ADRs).