Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia? ADR Rules Explained

If you are considering fitting an external windscreen sunvisor to a 4WD, ute, classic vehicle or touring vehicle, one of the first questions to ask is: Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia?

The answer is not as simple as a blanket “yes” or “no”. Australian vehicle requirements can depend on the vehicle, the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs), the way the accessory is installed and the rules applying to modified vehicles in the relevant state or territory.

This guide explains the main Australian regulatory considerations for external sunvisors, including ADR 92, ADR 93, ADR 11, ADR 12 and VSB 14.

If you are looking for a vehicle-specific visor, you can also browse the external car sunvisor range from Visor Investments PTY or our 4WD sunvisors.

Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia?

Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia? There is no single ADR that simply declares every external sunvisor legal or illegal across every vehicle.

Instead, an external sunvisor should be considered in the context of the vehicle’s applicable standards, its installation and the requirements governing modified vehicles.

For a particular vehicle, important considerations can include whether the accessory creates an issue with external projections, whether it affects the driver’s forward field of view and whether the installation complies with applicable modification requirements.

This means the legality of a particular external sunvisor cannot be determined solely by looking at the accessory itself.

What Are the Australian Design Rules?

The Australian Design Rules are national standards covering vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions requirements for road vehicles. The Australian Government publishes the current ADRs through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.

The current Third Edition ADR listing includes standards dealing with areas such as occupant protection, lighting, glazing, external projections and forward field of view.

You can view the current Australian Design Rules directly through the Australian Government.

What Is ADR 92?

ADR 92 – External Projections

ADR 92 is titled “External Projections”. It is therefore one of the ADRs that is relevant when considering accessories fitted to the exterior of a vehicle.

An external sunvisor extends outside the original body profile of many vehicles, so the installation should be considered with regard to the requirements that apply to external projections and the particular vehicle.

This does not mean that every external sunvisor automatically violates ADR 92. The actual design, mounting method, position and applicable vehicle requirements matter.

For the current ADR listing and applicable documentation, refer to the Australian Government ADR database.

What Is ADR 93?

ADR 93 – Forward Field of View

ADR 93 covers Forward Field of View. This is particularly relevant when discussing an accessory positioned above or around the windscreen.

The purpose of considering forward field of view is straightforward: the accessory should not create an unacceptable obstruction to the driver’s required view.

When an external sunvisor is installed, the driver’s normal seating position and the geometry of the vehicle should be considered rather than judging visibility from outside the vehicle.

After installation, sit in the normal driving position and check the view through the windscreen. If the visor appears to intrude into the required field of view, the installation should be assessed before the vehicle is used.

Does ADR 11 Apply to External Sunvisors?

ADR 11 is titled “Internal Sun Visors”. The Australian Government describes ADR 11 as specifying requirements for internal sun visors and adjacent vehicle structure.

That distinction is important. ADR 11 is specifically concerned with internal sun visors, so it should not simply be treated as the ADR governing an exterior windscreen sunvisor.

External accessories need to be considered under the requirements applicable to the exterior modification and the vehicle itself.

What About ADR 12 and Glare Reduction?

ADR 12 is titled “Glare Reduction in Field of View”. However, the current Australian Government ADR listing states that ADR 12/00 ceased to have effect for new vehicles from 9 December 2003.

This is worth knowing because older online articles sometimes refer to ADR 12 as though it were a current blanket rule governing every sunvisor installation.

For current vehicles and modifications, the applicable ADRs and state or territory requirements should be checked rather than relying on an old summary of ADR 12.

Does VSB 14 Apply to External Sunvisors?

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 (VSB 14) is the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification.

The Australian Government describes VSB 14 as providing technical requirements for modifications to light vehicles and says it is a live document that can be revised. It also states that VSB 14 does not cover the administrative requirements of individual states and territories.

VSB 14 can therefore be an important reference when considering vehicle modifications, but it should not be interpreted as a universal statement that every particular accessory is automatically approved.

The official VSB 14 page is available through the Australian Government Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 resource.

What Does VSB 14 Say About Modified Vehicles?

VSB 14 is intended to provide technical requirements for modifications and help ensure modified vehicles continue to meet applicable requirements.

The Australian Government states that state and territory governments have regulations governing vehicle modifications. It also notes that vehicle modifications need to maintain compliance with applicable vehicle standards, including relevant ADRs.

This is why checking your state or territory’s current requirements is important if an external sunvisor is being added as a vehicle modification.

Can an External Sunvisor Obstruct Your Vision?

An external sunvisor can potentially affect the driver’s forward view depending on its design, size, mounting position and the vehicle on which it is installed.

That does not mean that every external sunvisor creates a visibility problem. The practical question is whether the particular installation interferes with the relevant field of view for that vehicle.

Before driving, check the visor from the driver’s normal seating position.

• Check the upper portion of the windscreen.
• Check both sides of the driver’s forward view.
• Check visibility when seated in the normal driving position.
• Check that the visor is securely mounted.
• Check that the visor has not shifted after installation.
• Check visibility again after adjusting the driver’s seat.

Does the Size of an External Sunvisor Matter?

Size can matter because a larger accessory may extend further into the driver’s field of view or create different external projection considerations.

However, there is no useful universal rule that says a particular width or depth automatically makes every external sunvisor legal or illegal on every Australian vehicle.

The vehicle, installation position, construction and applicable requirements all need to be considered together.

What About Classic Cars and Older 4WDs?

Older vehicles can raise additional questions because the ADRs applicable to a vehicle can depend on its date of manufacture and the standards that applied to it.

This is particularly relevant for classic LandCruisers, older Toyota 4WDs, Nissan Patrols, Ford vehicles and other older vehicles that may have different compliance requirements from a modern vehicle.

When dealing with an older vehicle, avoid assuming that a rule applying to a new vehicle automatically applies in exactly the same way to an older vehicle.

What About Imported Vehicles?

Imported vehicles can also require additional consideration because their original certification, modification history and Australian registration circumstances may differ.

If an imported vehicle is being modified after entering Australia, the applicable Australian requirements should be checked for that vehicle rather than relying solely on the standards of the country where the vehicle was originally sold.

Are External Sunvisors Legal on 4WDs?

External sunvisors are commonly considered for 4WDs because vehicles such as LandCruisers, Patrols and utes are frequently used for touring, work and long-distance driving.

However, being designed for a 4WD does not by itself establish legal compliance. The particular product and its installation still need to be considered against the applicable requirements.

For example, if you are fitting a visor to a Toyota LandCruiser 78 Series, you should check the actual fitment, mounting position and driver’s forward visibility after installation.

You can read our 78 Series external sunvisor guide for additional fitment information.

State and Territory Rules Matter

Australian vehicle regulation is not limited to the federal ADR framework.

VSB 14 specifically explains that it does not cover the administrative requirements of each state and territory and advises vehicle modifiers to contact the registration authority in the relevant jurisdiction for the latest requirements.

This means that if you are unsure about a particular external sunvisor installation, you should check the rules applying to your vehicle in the state or territory where it is registered.

Do not rely solely on a retailer’s statement that an accessory is “legal in Australia” when making a compliance decision for a specific modified vehicle.

External Sunvisor Legal Checklist

Before fitting an external sunvisor, consider the following:

• ☐ Is the visor designed for the specific vehicle?
• ☐ Is the mounting system appropriate for the vehicle?
• ☐ Does the installation affect the driver’s forward field of view?
• ☐ Does the installation create external projection concerns?
• ☐ Is the visor securely mounted?
• ☐ Are the relevant vehicle standards being maintained?
• ☐ Does your state or territory have additional modification requirements?
• ☐ Have you checked the current requirements rather than relying on an old forum post?

How to Install an External Sunvisor Correctly

Correct installation is an important part of any accessory modification.

Before tightening the final fasteners, test-fit the visor and check its alignment, clearance and position. Make sure the visor is securely supported and does not interfere with the driver’s forward view.

Our external windscreen sunvisor installation guide provides a step-by-step overview of test fitting, alignment, tightening and post-installation checks.

Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia? The Practical Answer

Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia? The practical answer is that legality depends on the particular vehicle, accessory, installation and applicable requirements rather than a single nationwide rule that applies identically to every external sunvisor.

ADR 92 on external projections and ADR 93 on forward field of view are particularly relevant areas to consider. ADR 11 specifically concerns internal sun visors, while ADR 12’s glare-reduction standard ceased to have effect for new vehicles from 9 December 2003.

For modified light vehicles, VSB 14 provides a national code of practice covering technical requirements, while state and territory administrative requirements remain important.

If you need a definitive compliance determination for your particular vehicle, check with the registration authority in the state or territory where the vehicle is registered or seek advice from an appropriately qualified vehicle modifier or engineer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are External Sunvisors Legal in Australia?

There is no single blanket rule that makes every external sunvisor legal or illegal on every Australian vehicle. The particular vehicle, visor design, installation, applicable ADRs and state or territory requirements all need to be considered.

Does ADR 92 apply to external sunvisors?

ADR 92 is the Australian Design Rule titled “External Projections”, making it relevant when considering exterior accessories. Whether a particular visor installation complies depends on the vehicle, accessory and installation.

Does ADR 93 apply to external sunvisors?

ADR 93 covers Forward Field of View. Because an external sunvisor is positioned around the windscreen, the driver’s forward field of view should be considered when assessing the installation.

Does ADR 11 cover external sunvisors?

ADR 11 is specifically titled “Internal Sun Visors” and addresses internal sunvisors and adjacent vehicle structure. It should not simply be treated as the primary ADR governing an exterior sunvisor.

Is ADR 12 still current?

The Australian Government’s current ADR listing states that ADR 12/00, Glare Reduction in Field of View, ceased to have effect for new vehicles from 9 December 2003.

Does VSB 14 make an external sunvisor automatically legal?

No. VSB 14 provides a national code of practice for light vehicle construction and modification, but it does not cover the administrative requirements of each state and territory. The particular vehicle and modification still need to meet applicable requirements.

Should I check with my state registration authority?

Yes. The Australian Government advises modifiers to contact the registration authority in the relevant jurisdiction for the latest administrative requirements.