South Australia
Understanding road laws
Introduction
When children or young people are prescribed special purpose car seats, modified Australian standard car seats, specialty harness/vests, and other devices (e.g seatbelt buckle covers) there are specific road rules that must be complied with in South Australia.
The most common rules for South Australia are summarised below.
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Requirements
There are different rules for transporting children under 7 years, and children and young people aged 7 to under 16 years.
If a child with disability or medical condition (under 16 years of age) is prescribed a special purpose car seat, modified Australian standard car seat, or specialty harness/vest the following road rules must be complied with.
Children under 7 years (special purpose car seat)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child in an Australian standard car seat, and able to transport the child in a special purpose car seat providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states the child is unable to travel in a Australian standard car seat because of their medical condition or disability
* the child is travelling in a child restraint designed for a person with a disability or medical condition
* the driver is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
Children under 7 years (modified Australian standard car seat, harness/vest)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child in an Australian standard car seat, and able to transport the child in a modified Australian standard car seat or harness/vest providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a disability or medical condition
* the person is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
Children 7 to under 16 years (all restraint types)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child or young person in an Australian standard car seat or vehicle seatbelt, providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a disability or medical condition
* the person is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
Improving access to specialty products
From 30 March 2024, South Australian families of children with disability no longer need to attend the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s (DIT) office in Regency Park in person for a vehicle inspection to use a speciality child restraint that has been prescribed for their child’s needs.
This follows three years of advocacy from MACA to remove unnecessary laws and processes impacting on families' access to and use of specialty products, such as special purpose car seats.
Read more about these welcome changes in our media release.
Advice to Parent form
MACA recommends an Advice to Parent form be carried in each vehicle the child travels in. In some states and territories, this is 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.
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
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