The inside scoop on QLD’s new lift laws
Rejoice QLD readers - the era of 4in lifts is here, and we've got the inside scoop from TMR to ensure your rig is not only capable, but legal
Last Updated: 9 December 2022
If you’re a 4WDer with a 4″ lift kit in your rig, you are a criminal. Well, at least that’s what the government and local authorities make it feel like. If there are two things I’m passionate about its 4X4 mods and keeping out of the police crosshairs. Sadly, 4X4s in recent times feel less like a hobby, and more like an outlawed past-time. So you can imagine my surprise when I heard rumours sprouting up about a law change.
The rumour mill has been churning in the 4X4 scene lately. Could it be possible that the government is making it easier for post-rego 4″lift kits to be legal? Well, I personally reached out to the Department of Transport and Main Roads to get clarification for you guys. Thankfully, I was greeted with an enlightening response from a government spokesperson. Hopefully, it can help shed a little light on the situation.
“QCOP have released new laws allowing 4 inch suspension” is one of the rumours we’ve seen flying around the internet. But we knew there would be a little more to the story. Pre-rego engineering and second stage manufacturing certifying has been a thing for many years. It allows companies like Superior Engineering to fit things like 4” lifts. Coil conversions. In some instances even portal axles to vehicles. All without the drama of swerve testing and extensive engineering processes.
“QCOP have released new laws allowing 4 inch suspension” is one of the rumours we’ve seen flying around the internet.”
The rest of us mere mortals who can’t afford a brand-new vehicle have always been left struggling with our 4X4s which are already registered. And the tricky process of finding an engineer who will even cast a glance at a 4″ suspension lift. This might be about to change.
What we heard from the spokesperson was that TMR had “received enquiries from the modification industry requesting greater flexibility for increasing ride heights for light vehicles under modification codes LS9 and LS10.” For the record, LS9 and LS10 modification plate rules refer the design and modification of “high lifts” up to 150mm. The enquiries from the modification industry revolve around us four-wheel drivers striving to lift our vehicles higher than two inches. Without the hassle of being defected, and it seems like we’re getting somewhere!
After what felt like an eternity, the spokesperson has confirmed “a review of these codes has now been finalised” which is extremely exciting. The review examined historical context of which the first laws were based around. They also compared the local practice compared to neighbouring states such as New South Wales. And investigated what additional risk mitigation would be required if greater flexibility was provided around lifting vehicles that have already been registered.
So, what is the update? Did they relax the overly restrictive laws? They sure did, to an extent. Let me explain.
“the LS9 and LS10 codes have been amended to relax the internal limit on ride height increase due to modified suspension.”
The spokesperson from TMR has come back to me stating “based on the review outcomes and consultation with industry and other states and territories, the LS9 and LS10 codes have been amended to relax the internal limit on ride height increase due to modified suspension.”
Put into regular terms, this means the government has relaxed the codes. Therefore providing the modification industry increased flexibility for increasing the ride height on our four-wheel drives from the current 75mm to 100mm. Which is, yep, you guessed it, four inches.
This increase in flexibility did come with a note from TMR and QCop around the added risk mitigation. Stating and reinforcing that “the overall lift will remain limited to 150 mm”. And “when the lift from modified suspension exceeds 75mm, any lift from body blocks will be limited to 25 mm”. Which, in my eyes is totally fine. The proper way to lift a vehicle is by suspension and not body blocks if you ask me!
If you’re chasing more information on the legislation and changes, all the LS9 and LS10 information has officially been updated on the TMR website and is readily available below.
