Find out what you need to register and operate a motor trike.
What is a motor trike?
A motor trike is a motor vehicle with 3 wheels - and no floorpan ahead of the driver. Common examples include the rear-engined Bontrike, Can Am Spyder, Oztrike, and Harley Davidson motorcycles that are fitted with a two-wheeled rear axle.
A motor trike does not include:
a motorcycle with side car attached, or
a motor vehicle with 3 wheels that has a body type similar to or commonly known as a sedan, station wagon, coupe convertible, roadster, utility, tray or van.
This is a copy VicRoads registation requirements for a three wheeled motor vehicle which l think they classify the Aptera as, in Australia, Victoria.
I've sent the details of a couple specialist ADR compliance firms who specialise in all aspects of ensuring vehicles meet the requirements. I'd say it's touch and go we'll get the Aptera in its current form. There are a few grey areas surrounding the width which currently makes it a car under the rules different to the problems faced by Morgan with its narrower frame.
Hence why it is hard to determine the status without a more intimate knowledge of all the regs and appropriate departments within government to get clarifications.
Obtaining Australian Design Rule (ADR) Compliance has been a protracted process, during which time the Morgan 3 Wheeler has had to be re-engineered from a 3-wheeled motorcycle, to a 3-wheeled car. The Australian technical requirements are unique in the world in this regard. Whilst it has been a long and costly process, we do believe that we now have a better product and we can claim to have the best Morgan 3 Wheelers of any market.Most of the technical changes to the ADR version of the ‘M3W’ as it has affectionately come to be called, are ‘under the skin’, but some are obvious.The most obvious visual change is the redesigned induction system, revised to meet ADR noise regulations. A larger air-cleaner is now mounted under the bonnet, as a result the induction pipes are now visible at the front of the engine. These design changes ensures that this already unique car is even more distinctive in its Australian livery, having acquired a ‘moustache’.Other changes to the ADR version of the M3W include:
· Re-positioned front indicators· Wind deflectors, in place of a wind screen· Collapsible steering column· Padded steering wheel· Higher roll-over hoops with headrests· Dash padding· Larger ‘car’ side mirrors· Central mirror· Side repeater indicators· Side reflectors· Seat belt warning light and buzzer· Brake failure warning light· Third brake light· Reversing light.
From what I can find in the ADR's the Aptera will likely fall under a car classification as it has a steering wheel, similar to the Morgan 3 wheeler. If classed as car the only dimension of concern is width which is max 2500mm. I'd say it would need discussing with someone from the department of infrastructure for clarification. I'll do some more research as I'm actually pretty interested in it.
@Mayandy Are there restrictions in New Zealand for the width and length, for 3 wheeled vehicles? E.g. in Europe it is width = 2 m/79 in and length =4 m/157 in.
Register and operate a motor trike
Find out what you need to register and operate a motor trike.
What is a motor trike?
A motor trike is a motor vehicle with 3 wheels - and no floorpan ahead of the driver. Common examples include the rear-engined Bontrike, Can Am Spyder, Oztrike, and Harley Davidson motorcycles that are fitted with a two-wheeled rear axle.
A motor trike does not include:
a motorcycle with side car attached, or
a motor vehicle with 3 wheels that has a body type similar to or commonly known as a sedan, station wagon, coupe convertible, roadster, utility, tray or van.
This is a copy VicRoads registation requirements for a three wheeled motor vehicle which l think they classify the Aptera as, in Australia, Victoria.
Hi fellow aussies, I love the Aptera, but do you think they will built it comply to Australia Design Rules as a car.
Obtaining Australian Design Rule (ADR) Compliance has been a protracted process, during which time the Morgan 3 Wheeler has had to be re-engineered from a 3-wheeled motorcycle, to a 3-wheeled car. The Australian technical requirements are unique in the world in this regard. Whilst it has been a long and costly process, we do believe that we now have a better product and we can claim to have the best Morgan 3 Wheelers of any market. Most of the technical changes to the ADR version of the ‘M3W’ as it has affectionately come to be called, are ‘under the skin’, but some are obvious. The most obvious visual change is the redesigned induction system, revised to meet ADR noise regulations. A larger air-cleaner is now mounted under the bonnet, as a result the induction pipes are now visible at the front of the engine. These design changes ensures that this already unique car is even more distinctive in its Australian livery, having acquired a ‘moustache’. Other changes to the ADR version of the M3W include:
· Re-positioned front indicators · Wind deflectors, in place of a wind screen · Collapsible steering column · Padded steering wheel · Higher roll-over hoops with headrests · Dash padding · Larger ‘car’ side mirrors · Central mirror · Side repeater indicators · Side reflectors · Seat belt warning light and buzzer · Brake failure warning light · Third brake light · Reversing light.
From what I can find in the ADR's the Aptera will likely fall under a car classification as it has a steering wheel, similar to the Morgan 3 wheeler. If classed as car the only dimension of concern is width which is max 2500mm. I'd say it would need discussing with someone from the department of infrastructure for clarification. I'll do some more research as I'm actually pretty interested in it.
@Mayandy Are there restrictions in New Zealand for the width and length, for 3 wheeled vehicles? E.g. in Europe it is width = 2 m/79 in and length =4 m/157 in.
There's taking orders from New Zealand so they must be right hand drive and 240v
When?
Yes to both.