Queensland

Understanding road laws

Road laws Vehicle standards Advice to Parent/Client form Disclaimer FAQs

Introduction

When a special purpose car seat, modified Australian standard car seat, specialty harnesses/vest, or other devices (e.g seatbelt buckle covers) is used there are specific road rules and vehicle standards that must be complied with in Queensland.

Find out more below.

If you can't find the information you are looking for please get in contact with us.

Road rules

This Queensland Road Rules enable an allied health professional (called a specialist) to prescribe a suitable restraint type for a child or young person under 16 years of age, in accordance with AS/NZS 4370.

Under the road rules the allied health professional completes an Advice to Parent form, which the driver must carry in the vehicle the child or young person is travelling in. The driver must also comply with any conditions outlined in the Advice to Parent form.

Note: the road rules define a specialist (prescriber) as a doctor, occupational therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist, or biomedical engineer.

Complying with vehicle standards (seatbelt buckle covers)

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have published a safe movement guideline for a vehicle fitted with a seatbelt buckle cover. MACA worked closely with TMR to develop the guideline which is aimed at improving access to seatbelt buckle covers, where prescribed, for families of children with disabilities.

Issued under Section 53 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2021, the guideline exempts a vehicle from certain vehicle standards and removes the current requirement of applying to TMR for an exemption - providing certain requirements are met.

Read more about the exemption and requirements here.

Advice to Parent/Client form

The Advice to Parent form must be carried by the driver in the vehicle the child is travelling in at all times.

The Advice to Client form can be completed for clients 16 years and over, but is not a legal requirement.

The MACA Guide, provided free to participants of our online training course, includes detailed information to assist prescribers in completing the form.

Download Advice to Parent form (under 16 years) (.pdf)Download Advice to Client form (16 years and over) (.pdf)

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The Advice to Parent form is only for use by MACA trained professionals. MACA bears no responsibility for unauthorised use of this form.

FAQs

Model Australian Road Rules were first introduced in 1999 and form the basis of the road rules in each state and territory.

The National Transport Commission is responsible for maintaining the Australian Road Rules. Many jurisdictions copy the model law, however MACA’s review of each state and territory’s road rules impacting on the transport of children with disabilities and medical conditions revealed examples where jurisdictions have not followed the model law.

MACA will be participating in the upcoming review of the Australian child restraint road rules and is committed to working with each state and territory to ensure consistent rules.

MACA's training, resources and templates are kept up to date to reflect any changes to state and territory road laws.

We have extensively reviewed the current legislative environment which means we have a deep understanding of each state and territory's road laws. We work closely with road agencies, to remove unnecessary barriers and to identify opportunities for improvement.

This approach is increasing awareness of the transport needs of children with disabilities and medical conditions and has resulted in some new laws for the use of seatbelt buckle covers.

Our website, information resources and training are regularly updated to reflect any changes.

We need road laws for children and adults with disability that have been developed based on research, and that protect their right to safe transport.

Due to the lack of research in this area their needs have not been considered equal to the needs of those without disabilities and medical conditions.

MACA is changing this through our research and upcoming participation in the review of the Australian child restraint road rules. Read more about this in our media release.

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Queensland

Introduction

Road rules

Complying with vehicle standards (seatbelt buckle covers)

Advice to Parent/Client form

Disclaimer

FAQs

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