Key Points
- All electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell models sold in Australia needed to be updated to comply with ADR 113/00 by 1 November 2026.
- The rule requires an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) that makes a sound at low speeds to warn pedestrians.
- The government estimates it will prevent 68 deaths and 2,675 serious injuries by 2060.
The deadline for Australia's new vehicle warning sound rule has passed. All electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell models now need to comply with Australian Design Rule 113/00 (ADR 113/00), which requires an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).
The federal government announced the rule a year ago. Models already approved for sale had until 1 November 2026 to be updated. An AVAS makes a sound at low speeds to protect pedestrians in school zones, city streets, laneways and car parks.
Why quiet cars are a pedestrian risk
Electric vehicles make very little noise at low speeds because there is no combustion engine. Pedestrians often rely on engine sound to tell that a car is nearby, especially in car parks and at intersections where vehicles move slowly.
The government said the rule is a key safety measure for people who are blind or have low vision. An AVAS lets them keep navigating streets and car parks using sound.
What the rule requires
According to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King's media release, vehicles with an AVAS will be no noisier than a standard petrol or diesel car. The sound must be easy for pedestrians to identify.
Vehicle | Requirement |
New models entering the Australian market for the first time | Had to comply with ADR 113/00 from the announcement |
Models already approved for sale | Had to be updated to comply by 1 November 2026 |
EVs and hybrids already owned | No modification needed |
Expected safety and cost benefits
The government estimates ADR 113/00 will prevent 68 fatalities and 2,675 serious injuries by 2060. That averages one death and 75 serious injuries each year. It also estimates savings to the community of more than $200 million by 2060.
At the announcement, King said some manufacturers had already introduced AVAS in creative ways, including orchestral sounds and whirrs. She said the systems have proven clear and effective, so the government was making them compulsory.
"You won't just see a growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on Australian roads, you'll hear them too," King said.
What it means for buyers
Owners of existing electric and hybrid vehicles do not need to change anything. Buyers of new vehicles should expect an AVAS as standard.
Two points are unconfirmed. The government has not said whether drivers can switch the sound off. It also has not said how each brand has met the deadline, or whether any non-compliant stock can still be sold.
The full rule is published on the Federal Register of Legislation as ADR 113/00.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
