A side by side vehicle (SSV) for the purpose of this program is one designed for use in an agricultural environment, and fitted as standard with operator protective devices including a roll bar and three point seat belt/belts. The program excludes SSVs that are designed for recreation/sport and children.

The findings of the world-first research into quad bike safety released in 2015 by the University of New South Wales Transport and Road Safety (UNSW TARS) also found that SSVs are a more stable vehicle in comparison to quad bikes.