Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board
Installation and location of aftermarket in-vehicle visual display unit devices Guidelines
Preface
The In-Vehicle VDU Devices Working Group, which developed these guidelines, comprises representatives from state and territory transport authorities and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The Working Group is chaired by the WA Department of Transport and reports to the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board (AMVCB).
Background
In recent years, the increasing availability of relatively low-cost, portable electronic devices with Visual Display Units (VDUs) has led to a substantial increase in the use of these devices in vehicles. Devices such as Digital Video Disc (DVD) screens and reversing cameras can generally be installed in a motor vehicle without specific approval.
However, only devices that are considered driver’s aids are allowed to be visible to the driver while the vehicle is in operation.
Note: A number of these VDU devices are designed to assist the driver of the vehicle and are therefore considered a driver’s aid. Other units (or non-driver’s aids) are designed for entertainment purposes, which can cause dangerous distractions to the driver and other vehicle operators.
For other types of devices, no part of the device’s image screen may be visible to the driver in the normal driving position, unless the display is automatically disabled or placed in a position that is hidden from the driver while the vehicle is in operation.
Concern about safety issues, in light of the rapidly increasing use of these devices, has led to discussions at a national level, through forums such as the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board (AMVCB). As a result, the national In-Vehicle VDU Devices Working Group was convened to develop these guidelines.
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