Application information

The Notice of appointment and the requirements of the VIRM


The following highlights some important aspects of the Notice of appointment and the VIRM: Heavy vehicle specialist certification. The information that follows is not exhaustive and persons wishing to be appointed as heavy vehicle specialist inspectors must read the Notice of appointment and the VIRM.

Compliance documents

There are 2 compliance documents for heavy vehicle inspectors: the Statement of Design Compliance and the LT400.

An engineer inspector gives the Statement of Design Compliance to a local manufacturer vehicle inspector. This document allows the local manufacturer vehicle inspector to issue the final certification (LT400) after installation. The requirements for a Statement of Design Compliance are outlined in the introduction to the VIRM.

The LT400 is the certifying document that is completed by the inspector. This document is the record of determination; it outlines for the testing stations what has been certified and where all relevant information about the certification can be found. The LT400 is supplied on a pre-printed form and can only be purchased by approved inspectors.

Procedure documentation sheets

A procedure documentation sheet (PDS) records the details of an inspection (ie vehicle details, measurements, drawings, critical matters, etc) to assess whether a vehicle may be certified. All inspectors are required to have a PDS for each certification as stated in the introduction to the VIRM.

CERTIFICATION CATEGORY

ENGINEER

LOCAL MANUFACTURER

PREREQUISITES

Load anchorages

HVEA

HMAD


Towing connections

HVET

HMTD


Chassis modification

HVEC

HMCD

HVET (for HVEC)

Swept path

HVP1

HVEC


Vehicle dynamics (PBS)

HVP2


HVP1

Brakes

HVEK



Log bolster attachments

HVEL

HMLD

HVEC (for HVEL), HMCD (for HMLD)

SRT level 1

HVSC 1

HVSC 1

SRT level 2

HVSC 2

HVSC 2

SRT level 3

HVSC 3

HVSC 3

Delegation

Details relating to each certification category’s ability to delegate are:

ENGINEERS

Under the  Notice of appointment and the VIRM, engineers are not allowed to delegate the signing of the compliance documents or the final inspection.

LOCAL MANUFACTURERS

Under the  Notice of appointment and the VIRM, a local manufacturer inspecting organisation (IO) must delegate the final inspection and signing of the LT400 (compliance document) to an employee who has attended and passed the local manufacturer’s assessment and is registered with the Transport Agency as a manufacturer inspector (VI).

Insurance

All inspectors must be covered by professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance.

Communication

With a large number of heavy vehicle specialist inspectors, it is important that we have clear communication channels. Therefore, the Transport Agency has a number of ways it communicates information with heavy vehicle specialist inspectors.

Vehicleinspection requirements manual: Heavy vehicle specialist certification

We distribute inspection requirements as determined by New Zealand legislation. These are set out in Vehicle inspection requirements manuals, called VIRMs, which are produced and updated by the Transport Agency’s Technical Services team. The VIRMs contain instructions on the behaviour expected of our inspectors and, in specific sections, a summary of the applicable legislation and reasons for rejection for various vehicle components and systems.

Information memos

We publish information memos regarding technical information that inspectors must be aware of, as the need arises. These are generally added as technical bulletins to the VIRM and they are numbered and grouped by subject. Appointed inspectors are notified of these additions to the VIRM by email so it is important that you give us accurate electronic address details and advise the Transport Agency of any changes.

Contacts

Applicants and inspectors are welcome to contact us:

Fax
Technical issues(04) 894 6132

Administration issues

(06) 953 6282

Email

info@nzta.govt.nz

Phone

0800 587 287

Press 2 for information on site or inspector authorities, or hold for administration issues

Post
Technical

Vehicles
NZ Transport Agency
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141

Administration

Vehicle Inspectors
NZ Transport Agency
Palmerston North Office
Private Bag 11777
Palmerston North 4442

The Transport Agency also has a website that we encourage applicants and inspectors to visit and use. It contains factsheets relevant to certification work, along with general information about the Transport Agency. Visit our website at www.nzta.govt.nz.

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