Thread: driving around with full set of bonnet tools is it ok

The pedestrian related ADR's didn't come into existence until after the Pereties were made, so I wouldn't put too much weight on that argument personally. All the talk is about Perenties but my 101 had a pick, shovel, crank handle and a dirty great big fair lead hanging out the front which would chop someone's leg off if they were unfortunate enough to get hit by it. I've had plenty of Police look over the vehicle - the talk is never about things like that, just that it is an unusual and cool vehicle.

Again, it's our nanny society that thinks everyone is about to get killed by a pick or anything else strapped to the bonnet of a vehicle. Give me a break....

If you like them there, leave them there - plenty do, and I've never heard of anyone getting booked for this, and no one is rotting in Gaol for doing so.

Interesting that this sort of thing causes people to carry on about the legalities, etc but does anyone bat an eyelid about all the 4x4's cruising around on 33" or 35" tyres - also illegal on most vehicles they are fitted to, fishing rod holders on bull bars, roof mounted lights, etc, etc, etc... but everyone seems fine with those sort of things. The tools issue is just the latest crusade by people that really need to be enjoying life more IMO.

Rant over.

i wouldn't get too wrapped up in this. The series vehicles carry the spare wheel mounts on the bonnet - a potential threat to errant pedestrians. Bear in mind the frontal protection (bulbar) rules only affect post 2003(?) vehicles, and as pointed out, Land Rover released the Tanamai with tool holders and look at the airlift hooks on the Perenties...

The ADF and emergency services all have vehicles and fittings, both internal and external, that appear to be non-ADR compliant but they do have vehicle standards and engineering dispensations allowing them to be used on the road - there isn't 'do what you want' exemption for the military in peacetime operations.

Stick to the rules and don't worry about urban stories/what ifs too much - otherwise there's probably not much point getting out of bed each morning.

I've been driving my Perentie for the last 10 years without any issue.

Whenever an issue such as this pops up, people often say "in my opinion". This, although true, is not helpful.
Some others say "it's in the ADRs" or "they had an exemption" then offer no proof or have misinterpreted the appropriate document. More unhelpful opinion or misinformation.


I would encourage you all to read the ADRs and VSIs that apply at the time of manufacture. There are some interesting words that are hidden away in those documents.
Don't try to interpret them yourself. When the vehicles were manufactured, teams of qualified automotive engineers interpreted the rules, determined they complied and fixed compliance plates to the vehicles. What makes you think you are more qualified than a team of automotive engineers?


As one person has mentioned about the Tanami. It was considered to apply to the ADRs at the time. If it didn't, it wouldn't have been sold.


I'm not removing my tools.


Just a little note, if you are concerned about the pick and threads, slip a short piece of heater hose on them.

better yet, ring up the vehicle standards number and ask them.

I licensed ARN51745 with the tools on the bonnet. The inspector didn't even comment on the tools. I left the double spare wheel carrier and jerry can holders in place as well as the RFSV baskets on the side. The tail lights were deemed ok as well as the recovery points both front and rear.

The only major concern at the time was to remove the rear facing dickie seat from the cargo area of the vehicle and to fit an approved vehicle immobiliser, which is a law unique to WA for vehicles younger than 30 years I believe.

From my reading of other peoples experiences there is so much variation on what you can have and what must be modified or removed that it is impossible to make any real call until you get pulled over by the boys in blue and asked to remove your garden tools or at worst you get a yellow sticker (defect notice). I have mine mounted as I do venture off the bitumen at least a couple of times a week chasing a few waves north of where I live. I have only used the shovel though so far and that was to help someone else out of a situation and also to make a pit toilet when I stayed over night.

I am leaving mine on until I'm told different.

Regards Warrick.

Garden Tools After Linseed Oil and Wax by warrick palmateer, on Flickr

Back in the 70's was in the Engineers and we had 6*6 Tippers.
We also had seats so we could sit inside the tippers.

Was told Engineers, (ok lowly Sappers) could do this, not other Corp. I suppose we were the only Corp with tippers. So maybe a circular argument.

But does the ADF have different rules as to who can do what in/with a given vehicle.

Wont even ask about Civvies sitting inside tippers.

Originally Posted by Chris078

That is because the Military had an exemption from complying with the relevant ADR.
The same reason why they were not fitted with door locks and ignition keys even though the ADRs of the time required them.
Same reason why they were allowed to have the lengthways seats in the back without seatbelts.

So again, By the letter of the Law; No, it is not legal to have tools on the bonnet, and if a pedestrian gets injured by them, you better hope your insurance company covers you when they sue you.

Just have a look at the brackets on the front of the bonnet. Those posts are perfect for puncturing someone skull if they fall on the bonnet.

Do you have evidence of these exemptions? I'd be very interested to see them.

There are quite a few 48.??? ARN's that were built prior to the commencement of the Third Edition ADR's (July 1988) and ADR 25A in the Second Edition ADR doesn't apply to MC category.

The Perentie is only ADR certified for two front seat passengers for on road use. The rear sideways facing seats are installed only for use in military restricted areas, where state road rules don't apply. e.g. the 1/15 RNSW Lancers had several Perentie 6X6 troop carriers, when they went on exercises to Holsworthy, the Perenties were driven with only two troopers in the front and the rest of the unit travelled in buses. Once inside the Holsworthy training area, the troopers disembarked the bus and mounted the troop carriers.