FLEETDRIVE
SSM’ s are held to the same ADR standards. While many rules can be carried over, any affected by modifications must be reassessed and supported by new compliance evidence.
Integrating GVM upgrades with modern safety systems
A vehicle fitted with a GVM kit will differ from its standard counterpart by having increased ride height and mass( when carrying or towing a load). These changes directly influence the vehicle’ s braking performance, stability, and safety systems, meaning multiple ADRs are impacted, with each affected rule needing to be supported by formal testing to ensure compliance.
This is where complexity and costs increase rapidly during the development phase for GVM upgrade kits.
Testing can only be carried out by specialised facilities conducting controlled braking, stability, handling, and safety system assessments under tightly regulated conditions.
A recent example is ADR 98 / 00, introduced in March 2025 for vehicle-to-vehicle Autonomous Emergency Braking. This required sourcing
vehicles for each approval, fitting Pedders suspension components, conducting high-speed testing at up to 80 km / h and updating approvals while awaiting regulatory sign-off. In August 2026, ADR 98 / 01 extends these requirements to pedestrian detection, requiring the process to be repeated for kits needing to comply with the latest standards.
At Pedders, we continue to invest heavily in testing and compliance to ensure integration with the latest safety systems and corresponding ADRs, which allows us to maintain the widest range of Federal-Government approved GVM solutions in Australia. As a registered test facility, we are also bringing more testing in-house through ongoing investment in equipment and people.
These efforts reduce approval delays, limit downtime, and keep fleet builds moving- while ensuring every upgrade remains safe, legal, and fully compliant across Australia.
To find out how Pedders can assist you with ADR-compliant GVM upgrade kits, reach out to our Fleet team at fleet @ pedders. com. au.
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