7 Vehicle interior

Correct technical decisions

You thoroughly inspect all vehicle interior components and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements for seats, seat anchorages, head restraints, seatbelts, seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices, taking into account technical information provided by the Transport Agency such as the VIRM: Entry certification.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• observe you at work
• inspect vehicles which you have certified
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect information you enter into the Transport Agency computer system.

The Transport Agency may:

• take into account outcomes from complaints and random re-inspections since your last review.

Technical competence

You are competent in all technical aspects relating to seats, seat anchorages, head restraints, seatbelts, seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices.

This means you are competent in:

• the assessment of all vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to interior components and the assessment of interior components
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle interior components
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle interior components.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• ask questions to check your competence relating to seats, head restraints, seatbelts, seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices
• observe you at work
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect your Training record.

The Transport Agency may administer a short test on vehicle interior components.

Technical equipment

You have:

• a hand-held inspection lamp, and
• a tape measure.

The equipment is in good condition and working order.

The Transport Agency will inspect your technical equipment.

Correct technical decisions

You do not thoroughly inspect all seats, seat anchorages, head restraints, seatbelts, seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements.

The area of non-compliance is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• the driver’s seat is insecure or does not adjust, a seat belt has damaged or frayed webbing, a front head restraint is missing
• an airbag has been removed from the vehicle.

You do not thoroughly inspect all seats, seat anchorages, head restraints, seatbelts, seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements.

The area of non-compliance may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• a seat or seat anchorage, seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage that is required to comply with an approved standard did not comply, or cannot be demonstrated to have complied, with an approved standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured
• a head restraint that is required to comply with an approved standard did not comply, or cannot be demonstrated to have complied, with an approved standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured or the head restraint fitted
• a vehicle that is required to comply with an approved interior impact standard did not comply, or cannot be demonstrated to have complied, with an approved standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured
• an airbag warning lamp does not function or remains activated, indicating a fault.

You do not thoroughly inspect all seats, seat anchorages, head restraints, seatbelts , seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements.

The area of non-compliance is unlikely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• a horn is not audible from 100m
• a front head restraint, although fitted, cannot be adjusted
• a lap belt can not be adjusted
• a speedometer flickers or does not read accurately.

You thoroughly inspect all seats, seat anchorages, head restraints, seatbelts, seatbelt anchorages, front airbags, interior impact measures, speedometers and audible warning devices and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

Technical competence

You demonstrate:

• little or no competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle interior components,including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, or
• a level of competence that is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are significant gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle interior components
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle interior components.

You demonstrate:

• some competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle interior components, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, or
• a level of competence that may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are some gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle interior components
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle interior components.

You demonstrate:

• adequate competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle interior components,including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, or
• a level of competence that is unlikely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are minor gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle interior components
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle interior components.

You can demonstrate comprehensive competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle interior components, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards,.

This means you can demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of, and skills in:

• the assessment of vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to vehicle interior components
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle interior components
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle interior components.

Technical equipment

Not all of the specified equipment is available. Where equipment is available, some or all of it is not in working order.

All specified equipment is available and in working order, but some or all of it is in poor condition.

All specified equipment is available, in working order and in at least adequate condition.

All specified equipment is available and in good condition and working order.