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Tuesday, 1 July 2014

PPSR Changes the Definition of 'Motor Vehicle'.

We all think we have a pretty good idea as to whether something is a motor vehicle or not.  And when it comes to cars, trucks, motor bikes etc we’re on pretty safe ground, but what about ride-on lawnmowers (or even a motorised lawnmower that isn’t a ride-on) or fork lift trucks or cranes or motorised shovels etc.?  This is where things become substantially less clear cut and we begin to grudgingly accept that a formal definition might not be a bad idea.  

However, the definition that the PPSA has been using may have been a little too all embracing:

The item is a motor vehicle under the PPS Act if it is built to be propelled wholly on land by a motor that forms part of it (but not if it runs on rails, tram lines or other fixed path), has a unique serial number and is also capable of travelling at more than 10km/hr OR has a total motor power greater than 200W.

I suspect that it is this speed OR power component of the definition that would allow certain lawnmowers to suddenly become motor vehicles.

However, from today (1st July 2014) this has all changed with that OR being changed to AND.

Yes, indeed, this is a massive shift and perhaps, at long last, all those that have been clamouring for this change will finally be able to rest easy.

The new motor vehicle definition is, henceforth:

The item is a motor vehicle under the PPS Act if it is built to be propelled wholly on land by a motor that forms part of it (but not if it runs on rails, tram lines or other fixed path), has a unique serial number and is also capable of travelling at more than 10km/hr AND has a total motor power greater than 200W.


By the way, there has been no change to that part of the definition that allows for property that can be towed at speeds of more than 10km/h to be classed as motor vehicles, such as caravans, trailers and…


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