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Can you tell me the legal distance a tyre can sit outside a mudguard and do I need full back mudguards on a flat-deck ute?

Wendy

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 29 July 2010

The tyre tread itself must fit within the mudguard or guard extension. The sidewall of the tyre can protrude past the guard but not the tread.

Yes, you do need the rear wheels covered on a flat-deck ute. Rules like this are often open to interpretation but the inspectors I have spoken to have said a mud flap (the appropriate width ) would be deemed acceptable.