TowSmart rules & compliance

Check the rule behind every safer towing decision.

Official towing, trailer, loading, braking, coupling and mass resources — organised by jurisdiction and linked to the authority that issued them.

Build a guided check Search all rules How updates work

AUS 6 sources ACT 1 sources NSW 1 sources VIC 2 sources QLD 2 sources SA 1 sources WA 1 sources TAS 1 sources NT 2 sources

Official regulatory sources

Find the official rule that applies.

Choose a jurisdiction first. National technical codes do not replace state and territory approval, inspection or registration requirements.

17 official resources

Downloads open on the issuing authority’s website.

AUS Current

Design rules

Australian Design Rules

National standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions for new vehicles supplied to Australia.

Cars Utes & light trucks Heavy vehicles Motorcycle Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Version: Current series
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

AUS Current

Load restraint

Load Restraint Guide 2025

Official best-practice load restraint guidance covering loading performance standards, systems and worked examples for road vehicles.

Utes & light trucks Heavy vehicles Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Version: 2025 edition
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

AUS Current

Inspection manuals

National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual

Inspection criteria for heavy vehicles. Version 3.1 remains current until 1 August 2026.

Heavy vehicles Heavy Truck Bus Heavy Trailer

Issued by: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Version: Version 3.1
Source check: First check queued

View official rules

AUS Current

Codes of practice

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 — National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification

National technical code for construction and modification of light vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes. State and territory approval and registration processes still apply.

Cars Utes & light trucks Motorcycle Trailers Individually Constructed 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Version: Live document collection
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

AUS Current

Codes of practice

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 — National Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modifications

National modification code and certification guidance for heavy vehicles.

Heavy vehicles Heavy Truck Bus Heavy Trailer

Issued by: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Version: Version 3.2
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

AUS Upcoming

Inspection manuals

National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual — upcoming edition

Version 3.2 becomes effective on 1 August 2026 and is shown in advance so operators can prepare.

Heavy vehicles Heavy Truck Bus Heavy Trailer

Issued by: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Version: Version 3.2
Effective: 1 Aug 2026
Source check: First check queued

View official rules

ACT Current

Inspection manuals

ACT Light Vehicle Inspection Manual

Official ACT roadworthiness inspection requirements for light vehicles.

Cars Utes & light trucks Motorcycle Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Access Canberra
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

Download official PDF Authority page

NSW Current

Towing rules

NSW towing a trailer or caravan

Official NSW rules and guidance for towing capacity, braking, couplings, safety chains, loads, dimensions and licence restrictions.

Cars Utes & light trucks Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Transport for NSW
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

VIC Current

Towing rules

Victoria caravan towing rules and safety

Official Victorian towing safety and road-rule guidance for caravans and trailer combinations.

Cars Utes & light trucks Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Transport Victoria
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

VIC Current

Inspection manuals

Victoria VSI 26 — Roadworthiness requirements

Official Victorian guideline for vehicle roadworthiness inspections and certificates.

Cars Utes & light trucks Motorcycle Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Transport Victoria
Version: VSI 26
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

QLD Current

Inspection manuals

Queensland Light Vehicle Inspection Manual

Official inspection requirements for light vehicles used by approved inspection stations.

Cars Utes & light trucks Motorcycle Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

Download official PDF Authority page

QLD Current

Towing rules

Queensland towing vehicles and trailers

Official Queensland requirements for suitable tow vehicles, roadworthy trailers, couplings, loaded mass limits and safe operation.

Cars Utes & light trucks Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

SA Current

Towing rules

South Australia light vehicle towing and trailer regulations

Official South Australian limits and requirements for towing mass, brakes, couplings, loading and safe trailer operation.

Cars Utes & light trucks Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Version: MR25
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

WA Current

Towing rules

Western Australia Safe Towing Guide

Official Western Australian guide to trailer mass, brakes, couplings, safety chains, speed and roadworthy towing combinations.

Cars Utes & light trucks Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Western Australian Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

Download official PDF Authority page

TAS Current

Inspection manuals

Tasmania Light Vehicle Inspection Manual — Reasons for Rejection

Official Tasmanian light vehicle roadworthiness rejection criteria and inspection manual resources.

Cars Utes & light trucks Motorcycle Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Tasmanian Department of State Growth — Transport Services
Version: Current manual collection
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

NT Current

Inspection manuals

Northern Territory Light Vehicle Inspection Manual

Official Northern Territory inspection standards and reasons for rejection for light vehicles.

Cars Utes & light trucks Motorcycle Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Northern Territory Government
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

View official rules

NT Current

Towing rules

Northern Territory road users handbook — towing

Official Northern Territory road rules for towing trailers and caravans, including registration, roadworthiness, chains, loads and following distance.

Cars Utes & light trucks Trailers 4WDs & off-road vehicles

Issued by: Northern Territory Government
Version: General road rules section
Source check: 28 Jul 2026

Download official PDF Authority page

Current means checked

A living source register, not a forgotten links page.

TowSmart fingerprints each official page or document on a schedule. When its bytes change, the affected record leaves the public library until the new version, effective date and plain-language description have been reviewed.

01
Monitor
Check official authority pages and downloads daily.
02
Detect
Compare source fingerprints, versions and effective dates.
03
Review
Hold changed material back until a person verifies it.
04
Publish
Restore the verified official link with a clear current status.

Important:

TowSmart provides access to official sources and general navigation help. It does not provide legal advice, engineering certification, a roadworthy certificate or approval to modify a vehicle. Requirements depend on the vehicle, manufacture date, intended modification and jurisdiction. The issuing authority’s current material always governs.