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Heavy vehicle specialist applications

Applying to become a heavy vehicle specialist certifier

Engineering certifier

Manufacturer certifier

Manufacturer inspecting organisation

Engineering certifier (HVS)

To become a heavy vehicle engineering certifier, you must pass an exam, meet requirements, and apply to be appointed by Waka Kotahi for each heavy vehicle category you want to certify. You’re appointed as both an inspecting organisation and a vehicle inspector.

When you apply to sit an exam held by Waka Kotahi, we assess the following:

  • Appropriate tertiary qualifications (ideally a diploma/degree in mechanical engineering)
  • Competency and capability to sit the exam, including any in-service experience gained.

Note: exams held externally may have different requirements, including attending a course as a prerequisite.

When you apply to be appointed as an engineering certifier, we assess the following:

  • You must have passed the relevant category exam or course before you apply for appointment
  • You must pass the fit and proper person check to ensure you are suitable to be appointed. We may draw on several sources to determine this, such as NZ Police, traffic offences, internal data and more.
  • Your experience and competency in the category/appointment you’re applying for
  • Quality assurance arrangements
  • Insurance cover
  • Conflicts of interest.

An onsite assessment/interview takes place after the application form is processed. Following this, you’ll need to successfully complete a probationary period before being issued a Notice of Appointment .

Additional requirements for swept path appointment applications (HVP1/HVP2) that are checked during the site assessment stage of the appointment application process

  • Must be a current chassis modification (HVEC) certifier
  • For HVP1:
    • Confirm how certifications are carried out (physical testing/software)
    • If using software, a test calculation must be provided to and approved by Waka Kotahi
    • Approved applicants will be limited to either physical testing or software testing, depending on what they confirm during the appointment process
    • Note that a change or addition to software requires another test calculation to be approved.
  • For HVP2:
    • You must have gained both HVEC and HVP1 appointment categories
    • A test calculation set by Waka Kotahi must be completed and approved before application is considered.

Find out more about the categories and appointments you can undertake or take some time to read through the syllabus for each certification category.

Manufacturer certifier (manufacturing HVSC vehicle inspector)

To become a heavy vehicle local manufacturing certifier, you must complete training and assessment with the NZ Truck Trailer Manufacturers Federation (NZTTMF). Once completed, you apply to be appointed by Waka Kotahi for each heavy vehicle category you want to certify. You must also be employed by a manufacturer inspecting organisation.

When you apply to be appointed as a manufacturing certifier vehicle inspector, we assess the following:

  • You must have passed the NZTTMF training and assessment before you apply for appointment
  • You must pass the fit and proper person check to ensure you are suitable to be appointed. We may draw on several sources to determine this, such as NZ Police, traffic offences, internal data and more.
  • Your experience and core competency
  • Quality assurance arrangements
  • Insurance cover
  • Conflicts of interest.

There is a separate application process for anyone wanting to become a local manufacturer inspecting organisation. A similar assessment takes place but is focused on those operating/owning the business.

For both local manufacturer vehicle inspector and inspecting organisation applications, an onsite assessment/interview takes place after the application form is processed. Once the process is completed and your application accepted, you’ll be issued a Notice of Appointment.

Manufacturing HVSC inspecting organisation

To become a heavy vehicle local manufacturer inspecting organisation, you’ll need to meet the relevant requirements, which are focused on operating/owning a business, and you’ll need to employ people with the required skills and qualifications.

A local manufacturer inspecting organisation provides the infrastructure that allows manufacturing certifiers to certify vehicle components from manufacture through to installation.

When you apply to be appointed as a manufacturer inspecting organisation, we assess the following:

  • You must pass the fit and proper person check to ensure you are suitable to be appointed. We may draw on several sources to determine this, such as NZ Police, traffic offences, internal data and more.
  • Your experience and core competency
  • Your employees, including staff with welding certificates
  • The number of vehicles repaired and built each year
  • Quality assurance arrangements
  • Insurance cover
  • Conflicts of interest.

For both local manufacturer vehicle inspector and inspecting organisation applications, an onsite assessment/interview takes place after the application form is processed. Once this is completed and your application accepted, you’ll be issued a Notice of Appointment.