9 Definitions and abbreviations

All-terrain vehicle

means a vehicle, with or without motorcycle controls and equipment, that:

a) is principally designed for off-road use, and

b) has three or more wheels, and

c) has an engine capacity exceeding 50 cc, and

d) has a gross laden weight of less than 1000kg.

Agricultural motor vehicle a) means a motor vehicle that is designed, constructed or adapted for agricultural purposes, and includes:

i) an agricultural trailer, and

ii) an agricultural tractor, but

b) does not include any vehicle that is:

i) of a class specified in section 5-5 of the Introduction, and

ii) designed or constructed for general road use.

Agricultural purpose includes:

a) land cultivation

b) growing and harvesting crops (including horticulture and viticulture)

c) rearing livestock

d) any land management operation undertaken in connection with the operation or management of a farm.

  • Agricultural purpose does not include forestry, or any land management operation not referred to in (a) to (d) above.
Agricultural tractor means a vehicle that is designed and constructed principally for the purposes of:

a) towing an agricultural trailer, or

b) drawing, or powering, an implement ordinarily used for an agricultural purpose.

Agricultural trailer

means:

a) a trailer that is used exclusively for agricultural purposes, and

b) includes a wheeled agricultural implement, the wheels of which are in contact with the road when the implement is being towed; but

c) does not include a trailer that is

i. designed for the carriage of goods operated at a speed exceeding 40km/h, or

ii. a logging trailer.

Annex B conditional permit

means an inspection and certification document that confirms that the vehicle operator has inspected the vehicle and determined that it is safe to be operated under specified conditions.

Annex C conditional permit

means an inspection and certification document that confirms that a vehicle inspector or inspecting organisation has inspected the vehicle and determined that it is safe to be operated under specified conditions.

strong>Antilock brake system (ABS) means a system that senses wheel slip and automatically modulates the pressure producing the braking forces at the wheel or wheels to limit the degree of wheel slip.

Applicable requirement

means any requirement specified or incorporated in an act, regulation, code or rule that applies to the design, construction, condition, equipment, modification, repair or maintenance of a specific vehicle. All applicable requirements for entry inspection and certification are contained in this manual and the Vehicle inspection requirements manual: In-service certification.

Bus

means omnibus

Certificate of loading (CoL)

means a certificate issued to a vehicle that requires verification of its loading and weight limits.

Certify

means:

a) in relation to a vehicle or specific aspect of a vehicle, to make a record of determination that confirms that the vehicle inspector or inspecting organisation has determined that the vehicle or specific aspect of the vehicle complies with applicable requirements, or

b) in relation to a vehicle’s loading and weight limits, to make a record of a vehicle’s loading and weight limits.

Child safety lock

means a safety device installed during the manufacture of the vehicle to prevent a door from being opened from the inside of the vehicle.

Class

in relation to vehicles means a category of vehicle of one of the groups A, L, M, N and T, as specified under section 6 of the Introduction of this manual.

Combined brake system (CBS)

means:

a) for vehicle classes LA and LC, a service brake system where at least two brakes on different wheels are operated by the actuation of a single control

b) for vehicle classes LB and LE, a service brake system where the brakes on all wheels are operated by the actuation of a single control

c) for vehicle class LD, a service brake system where the brakes on at least the front and rear wheels are operated by the actuation of a single control. If the rear wheel and sidecar wheel are braked by the same brake system, this is regarded as the rear brake.

Compliance label

means an attachment to a vehicle in the form of a label that confirms compliance of the vehicle or a specific aspect of the vehicle with requirements in Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002.

Compliance plate

means an attachment to a vehicle in the form of a plate that confirms compliance of the vehicle or a specific aspect of the vehicle with requirements in Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002.

Conditional permit

means an inspection and certification document that confirms that a determination has been made that the vehicle is safe to be operated under specified conditions.

Corrosion damage

is where the metal has been eaten away, which is evident by pitting. The outward signs of such corrosion damage are typically displayed by the swelling of a panel between spot welds, or lifting or bubbling of paint. In extreme cases, the area affected by the corrosion damage will fall out and leave a hole. For the purposes of entry-level inspection, this includes any signs of rust bleed.

Cosmetic lamp

means a lamp that is not a headlamp, stop lamp, direction-indicator lamp, position lamp, rear registration plate illumination lamp, reflector, fog lamp, daytime running lamp, cornering lamp, reversing lamp, reflective material, interior lamp, work lamp, flashing or revolving beacon or illuminated vehicle-mounted sign.

Dedicated wheelchair position

means a seating position for transporting a wheelchair and its occupant that is unavailable for other passengers when it is not occupied by a wheelchair.

De-registered

means that a vehicle’s New Zealand registration has been cancelled in accordance with Part 17 of the Land Transport Act 1998.

Determination

means a record, in paper or electronic form, that a vehicle or specific aspect of a vehicle complies or does not comply with applicable requirements.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

means a system that electronically regulates the stability of a motor vehicle and, as a minimum, has the following attributes:

a) improves vehicle directional stability by at least having the ability to automatically control individually the braking torques of the left and right wheels on each axle, or an axle of each axle group, to induce a correcting yaw moment based on the evaluation of actual vehicle behaviour in comparison with a determination of vehicle behaviour demanded by the driver, and

b)is computer-controlled, with the computer using a closed-loop algorithm to limit vehicle oversteer and to limit vehicle understeer based on the evaluation of actual vehicle behaviour in comparison with a determination of vehicle behaviour demanded by the driver, and

c) has a means to determine directly the value of the vehicle’s yaw rate and to estimate its side slip or side slip derivative with respect to time, and

d)has a means to monitor driver steering inputs.

Enduro motorcycle

means a motor vehicle of class LC that has the following properties—

a) seat height greater than or equal to 900mm

b) ground clearance equal to or greater than 310mm

c) overall gear ratio in highest gear (primary gear ratio x secondary gear ratio in the highest speed x final drive ratio) equal to or greater than 6.0

d) unladen weight less than or equal to 150kg

e) no seating position for a passenger.

Enter service

in relation to a vehicle means to begin to be operated in-service on the road in New Zealand for the first time, in compliance with registration requirements set out in the Transport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and Licensing) Act 1986.

Enter service as a passenger service vehicle

means the most recent occasion of the vehicle entering service as a passenger service vehicle.

Evidence of vehicle inspection

in relation to a vehicle means any certificate, label or document issued as evidence of the completion of the periodic vehicle inspection requirements in respect of that vehicle.

Farm motorcycle

a) either:

(i) an engine capacity less than or equal to 250 cubic centimetres, or

(ii) motive power wholly derived from an external source of electricity

b) ground clearance equal to or greater than 220mm

c) overall gear ratio in highest gear (primary gear ratio x secondary gear ratio in the highest speed x final drive ratio) equal to or greater than 6.0

d) unladen weight less than or equal to 150kg

e) front wheel outer rim diameter equal to or greater than 482mm (nominally 19 inches) and larger than rear wheel outer rim diameter

Gross vehicle mass

means either:

a) the maximum permitted mass of the vehicle, which includes the mass of the accessories, the crew, the passengers and load, and is, unless (b) applies, the gross vehicle mass specified (subsequent to the latest modification, if any) by the manufacturer of the vehicle, or

b) if a person, approved by Waka Kotahi for this purpose, determines that the gross vehicle mass should differ from that specified by the manufacturer, taking into account evidence on the capability of the systems and components of the vehicle or the effects of any modification, the mass as determined by that person.

Heavy vehicle

means a vehicle that is either:

a) of class MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC or TD, or

b) a vehicle not listed under section 5-5 of the Introduction with a gross vehicle mass that exceeds 3500kg.

Heavy vehicle specialist inspection and certification

means specialist inspection and certification of specific aspects of a heavy vehicle.

Inspecting organisation

means a person or organisation appointed by Waka Kotahi who is responsible for inspection and certification outcomes.

Inspection and certification

means the performance of two or more of the following, for the purposes of determining compliance with applicable requirements:

a) examining vehicles

b) determining whether or not a vehicle or specific aspect of a vehicle complies with applicable requirements

c) issuing evidence of vehicle inspection, a conditional permit or a certificate of loading

d) recording and making available information about vehicles (including their systems, components, devices, fittings and equipment).

Inspection and certification document

means a document required, produced or issued in the inspection and certification process, including a plate, a label, an electronic record, or a checksheet.

Inspection and certification outcome

in relation to a vehicle means:

a) production of a record of determination as appropriate to the inspection and certification activity, or

b) provision of other records and information about the vehicle to the director or other persons, or

c) production of evidence of vehicle inspection, conditional permits or certificates of loading.

KSDP means key service delivery partner. They are defined as organisations that are contracted or appointed by the Transport Agency to delivery regulatory products or services and who have sufficient market share and/or are of sufficient size and standing within an industry segment to be able to represent and influence the customer expectation of that industry segment.

LANDATA

means the Waka Kotahi computer system.

Light vehicle

means a motor vehicle that is:

a) of group A or L, or of class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA, TA or TB, or

b) a vehicle not listed in section 5-5 of the Introduction with a gross vehicle mass of 3500kg or less.

Light vehicle repair specialist certification

means specialist inspection and certification of repairs to significant damage or deterioration to the structure, chassis, body-to-chassis attachment, suspension, or occupant protection system of a light vehicle.

Low volume vehicle

means a vehicle of a class other than class MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC or TD, that is:

a) manufactured, assembled or scratch-built in quantities of 500 or less in any one year, and where the construction of the vehicle may directly or indirectly affect the compliance of the vehicle with any of the vehicle standards prescribed by New Zealand law, or

b) modified uniquely, or in quantities of 500 in any one year, in such a way that the compliance of the vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment with a legal requirement relating to safety performance applicable at the time of the modification may be affected.

Low volume vehicle plate or authority card

means a plate or authority card issued in accordance with the Low Volume Vehicle Code.

Low volume vehicle specialist inspection and certification

means specialist inspection and certification of a light vehicle as specified in the Low Volume Vehicle Code.

Manufacturer’s operating limits

means:

a) in relation to a vehicle, the allowance provided by the vehicle manufacturer in terms of performance capability and dimensions, relative to deterioration, malfunction or damage beyond which the safe performance of the vehicle, as defined by the vehicle manufacturer, is compromised, and

b) in relation to a system, component or item of equipment, incorporated in or attached to a vehicle, the allowance provided by the system, component or equipment manufacturer on terms of performance capability and dimensions, relative to the deterioration, malfunction or damage, beyond which the safe performance of a system, component or equipment, is compromised but does not include repair.

Modify

in relation to a vehicle means to change the vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing any structure , system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.

Motorhome means a motor vehicle, other than a trailer, that is permanently equipped with features intended to make the vehicle suitable as a dwelling place, and must include at least one sleeping berth and one table, both of which may be of a design that allows them to be retracted or folded away.

Motor vehicle

means a vehicle drawn or propelled by mechanical power, and includes a trailer but does not include:

a) a vehicle running on rails

b) an invalid carriage

c) a trailer (other than a trailer designed solely for the carriage of goods) that is designed and used exclusively as part of the armament of the New Zealand Defence Force

d) a trailer running on one wheel and designed exclusively as a speed measuring device or for testing the wear of vehicle tyres

e) a vehicle designed for amusement purposes and used exclusively within a place of recreation, amusement, or entertainment to which the public does not have access with motor vehicles

f) a pedestrian-controlled machine.

Waka Kotahi

means Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Original equipment (OE)

(unless stated otherwise elsewhere in this manual) means equipment that is fitted by the vehicle manufacturer when the vehicle is manufactured, or equipment that is approved by the vehicle manufacturer for use in a specific vehicle type for a specific purpose or as a replacement for the original equipment

Omnibus

A passenger vehicle that has more than nine seating positions (including the driver’s seating position).

An omnibus comprising two or more non-separable but articulated units shall be considered to be a single vehicle.

Operate

in relation to a vehicle means to drive or use the vehicle on a road, or to cause or permit the vehicle to be on a road or to be driven on a road, whether or not the person is present with the vehicle.

Operation in service

in relation to a vehicle means to be operated on the road in New Zealand after having been registered in compliance with the requirements in Part 17 of the Land Transport Act 1998.

Passenger service vehicle (PSV)

means:

(a) a motor vehicle used or available for use in a passenger service for the carriage of passengers, or

(b) a motor vehicle with more than 12 seating positions, or

(c) a heavy motor vehicle with more than nine seating positions.

Note 1

The following vehicles are not required to comply with the Passenger Service Vehicles Rule requirements contained in the light PSV and heavy PSV VIRM pages:

(a) vehicles exempted from the transport service licensing requirements

(b) ambulances designed to carry recumbent patients

(c) vehicles designed or modified for lawfully-detained persons

(d) NZ Defence Force dual purpose trucks with removable seating (eg some NZ Army Pinzgauers)

(e) NZ Defence Force armoured vehicles

(f) Vehicles registered under the Amusement Devices Regulations 1978 that are either used in venture tourism or that are trailers designed, constructed and permitted to be drawn at a maximum speed of 50km/h or less

(g) Motorcycles and motorcycles with side cars.

Note 2

See also Omnibus above.

PRS manual

means the Waka Kotahi Performance review system manual.

Re-enter service

in relation to a vehicle previously certified for entry into service on the road in New Zealand that has been de-registered, means to begin to be operated in service again.

Repair

means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment, and includes the replacement of damaged or worn structures, systems, components or equipment.

Safe tolerance

means the tolerance within which the safe performance of the vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment is not compromised, having regard to any manufacturer’s operating limits.

Sleeping berth

means a position suitable for one person to sleep in a vehicle and need not be a dedicated space (eg a dining table may lower to form the berth’s base). The number of berths in the vehicle is generally readily-available from the vehicle manufacturer’s website.

As an indication (only in the absence of information from the manufacturer), the size of a single berth generally varies from at least 0.6 metres wide by approximately 1.8 metres long while a double berth generally varies from at least 1.2 metres wide by approximately 1.8 metres long. Note: the berth’s shape need not be completely rectangular (to accommodate vehicle shape) and luxury motorhomes will likely have wider berths than compact motorhomes.

Scratch-built vehicle

means a vehicle that is either:

a) assembled from previously unrelated components and construction materials that have not been predominantly sourced from donors of a single make or model and that, in its completed form, never previously existed as a mass-produced vehicle, although the external appearance may resemble or replicate an existing vehicle, or

b) a modified production vehicle that contains less than the following componentry from a mass-produced vehicle of a single make and model:

i. 40% of the chassis rails and 50% of the cross-members, or alternatively 40% of a spaceframe, or 40% of the floorpan of a unitary constructed body, whichever is appropriate, and

ii. for light vehicles, 40% of the bodywork (based on surface area of body panels but not including the floorpan, internal bracing, sub-panels, bulkheads or firewall).

Small passenger service vehicle

means a vehicle, used or available for use in a passenger service for the carriage of passengers, that is designed or adapted to carry 12 or fewer persons (including the driver).

Specialist inspection and certification

means inspection and certification of a specific aspect of a vehicle.

Special interest motorcycle

means a vehicle of class LC, LD, or LE:

a) for which a valid special interest motorcycle permit has been issued in accordance, and

b) that has been certified for entry on the basis of a special interest motorcycle permit.

Tractor

means a motor vehicle (not being a traction engine) designed exclusively for traction at speeds not exceeding 50km/h (Note: See also definition for agricultural tractor).

Trial motorcycle

means a motor vehicle of class LC that has the following properties—

a) seat height less than or equal to 700mm:

b) ground clearance equal to or greater than 280mm:

c) fuel tank capacity less than or equal to 4 litres:

d) overall gear ratio in highest gear (primary gear ratio x secondary gear ratio in the highest speed x final drive ratio) equal to or greater than 7.5:

e) unladen weight less than or equal to 100kg:

f) no seating position for a passenger.

Used light vehicle

means a light vehicle, including a light vehicle that has been used for the purpose of demonstration in connection with the sale of a similar vehicle that has, at any time, before being offered or displayed for sale been:

a) registered under:

i. the Transport Act 1962, or

ii. Part 17 of the Land Transport Act 1998, or

iii. any corresponding legislation in any other country, or

b) used for a purpose not connected with its manufacture or sale.

Notes

  • any significant repair to a vehicle, such as one that requires specialist certification, is considered use after manufacture or sale. Therefore, any vehicle that has been damaged to the point that it requires any specialist certification for the repairs must be treated as used for entry into LANDATA and inspection requirements. However, the vehicle standards, emissions and ESC requirements remain the same as any other new vehicle.
  • See Technical bulletin 46: Parallel imports.

Vehicle identification number (VIN)

means a group of letters and numbers consisting of 17 characters that:

a) is affixed to a vehicle in accordance with the relevant standard prescribed under the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002, and

b) is capable of being decoded to provide identifying information about that vehicle.

Vehicle inspector

means a person appointed by Waka Kotahi to carry out inspection and certification activities in accordance with requirements and conditions imposed by Waka Kotahi.

Water damage

in relation to a vehicle, means damage to a vehicle’s critical safety system as a result of exposure to water.

Page amended 29 April 2020 (see amendment details).

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