Australian Capital Territory
Understanding road laws
Introduction
When children are prescribed special purpose car seats, modified Australian standard car seats, harnesses/vests, and other devices (e.g seatbelt buckle covers) there are specific road rules that must be complied with in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The most common rules for the ACT are summarised below.
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Road laws
There are different rules for transporting children under 7 years, and children 7 to under 16 years, and vehicle standard exemption requirements for the legal use of seatbelt buckle covers.
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 harness/vest the driver is required to comply with the following road rules.
Children under 7 years (special purpose car seats)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child in an Australian standard car seat, providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states the child is unable to travel in an 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 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 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
The driver is exempt from transporting a child in an Australian standard car seat or vehicle seatbelt, providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states a medical practitioner believes the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a medical condition or disability
* the person is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
Seatbelt buckle covers
The ACT Government (Transport Canberra and City Services) advises that seatbelt buckle covers are not compliant with the Australian Design Rules applicable to seatbelts, or the ACT Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000 (Vehicle Registration Regulation).
Parents/guardians can apply for an exemption under section 104 of the Vehicle Registration Regulation by contacting the Vehicle Inspection and Technical Unit in Access Canberra via email vitu@act.gov.au or phone 02 6207 7236.
For more information refer to MACA's buckle cover model policy.
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.
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