The Queensland Government`s new 4WD lift laws came into force on Friday 26 October 2018. It`s great to see that QLD has now joined other states in accordance with the National Code of Practice for Modifications to Suspended Elevators. *The specified lift heights are 50% of the tire diameter and do not apply to passenger cars other than 4WD vehicles (MC, NA and NB1 vehicles). For more information, see the Tires and Rims section of the Vehicle Standards Bulletin. Requirements for modifying vehicle lifts are covered by the Queensland Code of Practice (QCOP). You may recall the problems with the Queensland Police Service`s Operation Lift late last year and the statement issued shortly thereafter by the Queensland Government confirming that the state will bring Queensland`s lift laws into line with New South Wales`. What didn`t follow long after were more operations against the four-wheel drive community, with even more fines imposed in connection with the northern state`s more draconian laws. We are pleased to inform you that the laws are now in force, as long as you do not exceed the total indicated travel of 75 mm, even for vehicles equipped with ESC equipment, you are driving a legal and roadworthy vehicle. *Queensland already allows such a lift for vehicles that are not equipped with ESC.

The codes that determine elevator requirements are currently under review. A 50mm suspended platform without a technical certificate was approved for ESC vehicles under National Code Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 (VSB14) in November 2015 and shortly thereafter, adopted in Queensland under the Queensland Code of Practice for Vehicle Modifications. While 4×4 lift bills are now consistent with those of other major states, Bailey has debunked a myth circulating on social media about vehicles that have been legally altered in other states that break Queensland law. The first statement from Mark Bailey, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, said: “Next month we will amend the sections of the Queensland Code of Practice that govern vehicle buoyancy rules.” Next month we will be amending sections of the Queensland Code of Practice, which governs vehicle lift rules,” Bailey said. Currently, only vehicles without ESC can have a maximum combined stroke of 75 mm. “It is important to note that this gives Queensland maximum momentum with certification in line with national code practice and other states. The new rule allows a vehicle equipped with ESC to increase suspension travel by 50 mm and tire diameter by 50 mm (increasing ride height by 25 mm). The impact of this campaign was linked to the Queensland Government`s announcement of changes to vehicle lift laws.

The office of the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Honourable Mark Bailey, MP, today issued a statement indicating that Queensland`s laws will be amended next month. There have been no recent changes to Queensland`s suspension and repeal laws. Other combined modifications to the elevator, such as changes to steering, suspension or wheels, must comply with the National Code of Practice for the Construction and Modifications of Light-Duty Vehicles. I would like to correct some confusion in recent media reports and online messages about the alleged changes to Queensland`s laws amending elevator laws and how they relate to a recent police operation. While noting that Queensland already allows a total stroke of 75mm for non-ESC 4WD, the Queensland Minister said the rule changes allow ESC vehicles to share the same lift rules that apply in other states. Non-ESC 4WD lifts have also been increased, with the maximum combined travel that can be certified (with technical approval) increased from 125 mm to 150 mm. This operation was not aimed at enforcing new laws, as no new laws had been introduced. It is permissible to lift a vehicle up to 75 mm without specific certification, testing or approval, provided that the vehicle continues to meet all other requirements of vehicle standards. The travel limit of 75 mm may only consist of a maximum suspension of 50 mm and/or 25 mm tyres. This is a 25mm increase over Queensland`s previous rule, which allowed a total of only 50mm (suspension) on 4×4 vehicles equipped with ESC equipment. The Queensland Government has introduced new laws on the modification of 4WD lifts that align Queensland with other states and territories.

The government says this is the first major change to Queensland`s 4WD lift laws since the state`s lift laws were introduced in 2012. “These changes, made following consultations between my department and industry, will increase the maximum certifiable stroke in Queensland from 125mm to 150mm. A vehicle stroke of up to 150 mm is allowed with certification by an approved person. The maximum limit of 150 mm may include a maximum suspension of 75 mm, 25 mm tires and 50 mm body blocks. The tire stroke heights are 50% of the tire diameter, a tire stroke of 25 mm, for example, results from an increase in the tire diameter of 50 mm. While some of the vehicles that broke down would now be legal, Bailey said at the time that the operation had not enforced anything new in terms of Queensland`s suspension and lift laws. All complaints related to the buoyancy/height of the vehicle and at this point the other regulations remain the same. Issues such as tires that are outside the body line, unauthorized modifications, and elevations beyond the allowed limits will continue to be enforced as in other states.

On Queensland and finally push their laws to ally with their neighbours to the south! Elevators exceeding the required limits outlined in this table require individual approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Major Roads. For more information on changes to vehicle lift change codes, see the Queensland Code of Practice: Vehicle Modifications. This is not the first time the Queensland government has been in the media spotlight for its mishandling of changes to the state`s vehicle modification laws, having had to scrap proposed strict weight improvement laws two months ago. On Thursday 20 September 2018, the Queensland Government announced that it would introduce greater consistency in lift laws for Queensland 4×4 owners. These changes are due to a number of vehicles that have been seized and notices of defects issued as part of a campaign by Queensland authorities to enforce laws different from those of other states. At the time of the statement, although the Queensland Code of Conduct sections were amended within a month, there was no deadline to amend Queensland`s lift laws, but they have now done so. With the approval of non-certified lifts up to 75mm for ESC vehicles, Queensland laws are now in line with those of Victoria and NSW. The recent outcry over vehicles defecting in Queensland because that state`s vehicle modification laws are different from those in other states appears to have changed. In addition, Queensland`s maximum allowable race will be comparable to the practice of the national code and other states by allowing certified lifts up to 150mm. It has been announced that they will amend the sections of the Queensland Code of Practice relating to lift laws, which will come into force in October 2018.