Required documentation and registration

1-6 Specialist certification


In some cases, an entry certifier may be presented with a vehicle that requires specialist certification. Where specialist certification is received, the entry certifier must ensure the details of the certification are entered into the IVCERT screen before the vehicle is released from their control.

1 Repair certification

If a vehicle has undergone repair certification, it must be presented with the carbon copy of the Light vehicle repair record of determination (LT308). A sample is shown in Reference material 6. A repair certifier is only required to give the vehicle owner a copy of the LT308. Copies of supporting documentation, such as chassis or wheel alignment reports, may be attached.

An entry certifier must not accept an LT308 if it has not been completed and signed off on all pages by an authorised repair certifier. Sections that are not applicable must have a line drawn through them, with the repair certifier’s signature at the bottom of the page.

2 Low volume vehicle certification

If a vehicle is LVV certified, a ‘Statement of compliance under the LVV code’ form (F001) endorsed by an original LVVTA stamp and signed by the LVV system auditor must be provided and an LVV certification plate must be affixed to the vehicle. A sample F001 form is shown in Reference material 9.

If a low volume vehicle has been de-registered, it does not require another F001 form in order to be re-registered unless it has had additional modifications since it was last LVV certified.

If a vehicle is fitted with an electronic LVVTA data plate/disc then the F001 form is not required.

Figure 1-7-1 Sample LVVTA electronic data plate

If the LVV system auditor has verified that the vehicle has been certified correctly, detailed LVV compliance checksheets do not need to be presented. However, if the entry certifier is not satisfied with the documentation and/or vehicle presented, further documentation may be requested.

Waka Kotahi recognises a limited number of overseas low volume vehicle certifications. Imported low volume vehicles presented for entry certification must be referred to a New Zealand LVV certifier unless:

Note 1

If a modified vehicle is imported from Japan, it must be LVV certified unless it can be proven that the manufacturer carried out the modification. Markings on the de-registration or export certificate (eg ‘KAI’ marks) are not an acceptable means of determining the modifier.

A ‘KAI’ mark, like this kai mark, after the model code on the deregistration or export certificate indicates that the vehicle has been modified and may no longer meet the required standards. Check carefully that the vehicle complies with required standards and does not have modifications needing certification.

Note 2

Modified bicycles that meet the moped desciption cannot be certified as low volume vehicles.

2.1 Locally manufactured new or scratch-built vehicles

If an entry certifier is presented with a locally manufactured new or scratch-built vehicle, the entry certifier must check that an approved LVV certifier has certified the vehicle if required.

If the vehicle description on the overseas registration documents does not match New Zealand legislation or definitions, the New Zealand legislation and definition will take precedence. This is usually regarding, but not limited to, make, model, year of manufacture and first registration date for replicas, hot-rods and re-built vehicles.

If the vehicle meets the definition of scratch-built, the date of manufacture will be the date the vehicle was completed in scratch-built form, not the date on the overseas registration documents. The make and model should be described as outlined for scratch-built vehicles in Pre-registration and VIN section 2-2(10.1). This may vary from the description on the overseas paperwork.

In such cases, the vehicle owner will need to bring the vehicle up to the standards and requirements applicable to the scratch-built manufacture date.

If you have queries or doubts on specific vehicles, refer to the Vehicle Certifiers Registers team, providing copies of all paperwork, an accurate description of the vehicle and the source of its various components, donor vehicles and/or parts.

2.2 Modified production vehicles

If an entry certifier is presented with a modified production vehicle, the vehicle owner must provide evidence of LVV certification regardless of the date when the modifications were completed.

Note 3

From 1 November 2016 any light vehicle that has been modified and type certified to the “European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval” (ECWVTA) system can be entry certified without requiring referral to an LVV certifier for specialist certification. See Technical bulletin 41: Entry certification procedures for certain modified light vehicles.

Note 4

A ‘modification declaration’ is not evidence of LVV certification. If a modified production vehicle is presented for re-entry certification with a modification declaration form, that vehicle must be referred to a LVV certifier. A modification declaration form ceases to be valid once a vehicle’s registration has lapsed or the vehicle has had its reigstration cancelled (de-registered).

Note 5

There are some minor modifications that are excluded from LVV certification, provided they fall below the VIRM: In-service certification for modification thresholds. However, when the in-service modification threshold includes a grandfather clause (such as ‘The modification was carried out before 1/3/1999’), that exclusion from LVV certification only applies to vehicles continuously registered in New Zealand from before that date. A grandfather clause is not a valid exclusion from LVV certification for the purposes of entry or re-entry.

Heavy vehicle specialist certification

If a vehicle has undergone heavy vehicle specialist certification, it must be presented with a Heavy vehicle specialist certificate (LT400). A sample is shown in Reference material 7.

An certifier must not accept an LT400 if it has not been completed and signed by an authorised heavy vehicle specialist certifier with the appropriate certification category.

Table 1-6-1 sets out the minimum documentation requirements to be presented and retained by an entry certifier following heavy vehicle specialist certification. A vehicle requires a separate LT400 for each component that is certified to a specific code or standard. Additional supporting documents may be supplied in order to record all applicable information.

Table 1-6-1. Documentation requirements for heavy vehicle specialist certification

Certification category

Description

Required documentation

HVEC, HVMC, HMCD

Chassis, suspension, steering, PSV rollover strength, PSV stability

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

HVET, HVMT, HMTD

Towing connections

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

HVEA, HVMA, HMAD

Load anchorages

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

HVEL, HVML, HMLD

Log bolster attachment code

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

HVEK, HVMK, HMKD

Brake modification including New Zealand Heavy Vehicle Brake Specification (HVBNZ)

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

Heavy vehicle brake code (HVBC) LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate, and Statement of Compliance with the HVBC

HVS1, HVS2

Static roll threshold (SRT)

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate
and SRT compliance certificate

HVP1

Swept path certification

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

HVS2

Performance based standards

LT400 Heavy vehicle specialist certificate

Recording specialist certifiers and certification

Step

Action

1

Type >IVCERT< in the escape field and transmit.

The ‘vehicle certification’ screen displays.

2

Type one of the following fields:

  • the VIN in the VIN field, or
  • the plate number in the plate number field.

3

Transmit.

The vehicle and owner details will display.

4

Change the maintenance field at the top of the screen from >INQ< to >CHG<.

5

Type the certifier ID in the Certifier ID field.

6

Type >A< in the mnt field.

7

Type the vehicle certification type code in the type field.

The code should be provided on the certificate, or refer to Table 1-6-2 and Table 1-6-3.

The types of certification permitted for an individual certifier can be viewed on the ICISS screen (this procedure is described in the LANDATA manual).

8

Type the certificate number in the Number field.

9

Type the specialist certifier’s LANDATA ID in the Iss.ID field.

This should be provided on the certificate, or by searching on the ISRCH screen (this procedure is described in the LANDATA manual).

10

Type the issue date of the certificate in the Iss.Date field.

11

  • If an expiry date is recorded on the certificate, type this in the Exp.Date field.
  • If expiry mileage is recorded on the certificate, type this in the Exp.Odo field.

These fields are not used for repair or LVV certification, but may be applicable to some heavy vehicle certificates.

12

Note the area of the vehicle covered by the certificate as specifically as possible in the comments field and transmit.

Table 1-6-2. Light vehicle certification type codes

Description of certification type

Code

Description of certification type

Code

Commercial modifier type certification

LVCM

Modified production – limited

LV1A

Modified production – extended

LV1B

Modified structures (M and N Class)

LV1C

Ext. modified and scratch-built (M and N class and tricycles)

LV1D

Motorcycle modification

LV2A

Motorcycle scratch-built

LV2B

Tricycles – modified and scratch-built

LV2C

Disability adaptation

LV3A

Disability adaptation – structural

LV3B

Electric vehicles

LV4

Authority card

LVAC

Modified production right-hand drive conversions

LVRH

Repair

REP

Table 1-6-3. Heavy vehicle certification type codes

Description of certification type

Heavy vehicle specialist certifier type

Engineer

Manufacturer (until 31 July 2013)

Manufacturer (from 1 August 2013)

Chassis, suspension, steering, PSV rollover strength, PSV stability

HVEC

HVMC

HMCD

Brake modification including New Zealand Heavy Vehicle Brake Specification (HVBNZ)

HVEK

HVMK

HMKD

Log bolster

HVEL

HVML

HMLD

Towing connection

HVET

HVMT

HMTD

Load anchorages

HVEA

HVMA

HMAD

Static roll threshold (SRT)

HVS1

HVS2

Swept path certification

HVP1

Performance based standards

HVP2

  • A new manufacturing certification regime is in place from 1 August 2013, whereby the certifier is the individual who signs the LT400 and who has signed up to a 'Notice of Approval' with Waka Kotahi. From 1 August 2013 any LT400s using the HVM* designation signed on or after that date will be invalid.

Page amended 1 April 2021 (see amendment details)

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