Correct as at 29th March 2024. It may be superseded at any time.

Extract taken: from Vehicle Inspection Portal > VIRMs > In-service certification (WoF and CoF) > Technical bulletins (general) > Inspection requirements for temporary vehicle imports

6 Inspection requirements for temporary vehicle imports

Application

This bulletin specifies the in-service inspection requirements for vehicles that have been imported temporarily from overseas. A temporary import vehicle is brought into the country by a resident of another country, usually for a maximum period of 18 months, while the vehicle remains registered in its country of origin. The vehicle must be exported from New Zealand within that period.

Inspecting a temporary import vehicle for WoF or CoF

Before inspecting a temporary import vehicle for WoF or CoF, the vehicle inspector must check that the following requirements have been met:

1. The vehicle must have the overseas registration plates attached.

2. The registration plate number must be the same as on the licence label.

Note Where the plate number has more than six digits, only the first six digits of the plate number are on the label. Where those digits already exist in the system, the six digits on the label will start with a ‘V’, followed by the first five digits of the plate number.

3. The label correctly describes the vehicle to which the plates are attached.

4. The licence label must be current or have expired no more than 12 months ago.

5. The label indicates that the vehicle has been ‘first registered’ in New Zealand less than 18 months ago.

If the above requirements are not met, or the vehicle inspector finds that the vehicle is not on the system, a WoF or CoF must not be issued. Please refer the vehicle to the nearest TSD agent.

Vehicle inspection requirements

Temporary import vehicles do not require entry or specialist certification, but are required to comply with the basic safety requirements listed in the provisions of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. These provisions are outlined below. For WoF/CoF inspection purposes, they apply to all temporary import vehicles, including cars, trucks and trailers, but not including mopeds and other vehicles that don’t require a WoF or CoF in New Zealand. The vehicle inspector may use the main parts of the VIRM for further guidance.

Note Temporarily imported vehicles do not have to meet requirements for modification. Therefore, low volume vehicle (LVV) or heavy vehicle specialist (HVS) certification is not required. However, if a vehicle inspector feels that a vehicle is unsafe to operate, he/she may seek advice from a low volume vehicle or heavy vehicle specialist certifier.

See Table 6-1-1: Group M and N vehicles, Table 6-1-2: Group L vehicles and Table 6-1-3: Trailers.

 

Table 6-1-1. Group M and N vehicles

General safety requirements

1.  The vehicle must be in good working order and safe mechanical condition so as not to endanger the driver or vehicle occupants or other road users, or cause damage to public or private property.

2.  The construction of the vehicle must not obstruct the driver’s vision to the front, right or left of the vehicle.

3.  As far as possible, the machinery or equipment of the vehicle must not:

a)  be at risk of fire or explosion, or

b)  cause the emission of noxious gases or offensive fumes, or

c)  produce excessive or disturbing noise, or

d)  increase the risk of a collision and/or damage caused in a collision.

Brakes

1.  The vehicle must be fitted with a service brake capable of slowing the vehicle and bringing it to a controlled stop under any conditions of loading, on any gradient that the vehicle may be operated on, in an efficient, safe and rapid way.

2.  The vehicle must be fitted with a parking brake capable of bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop if the service brake fails.

3.  The brakes fitted to a vehicle must be capable of acting on at least half the wheels, and brake performance must be balanced on each side of an axle.

4.  At least half the braking devices must act on braking surfaces directly attached to the wheels (or through parts not liable to fail).

5.  Braking surfaces must be in good condition, and must always be connected with the wheels of the vehicle in such a way that it is not possible to disconnect them, other than momentarily by means of clutch, gearbox or free wheel.

6.  The parking brake must be readily applicable and capable of remaining applied for an indefinite period even in the absence of the driver.

Headlamps

1.  A vehicle must be fitted with main-beam headlamps bright enough to illuminate the road ahead for 100m in normal darkness.

2.  A vehicle must be fitted with two white or yellow dipped-beam headlamps bright enough to illuminate the road ahead for 30m in normal darkness without causing significant dazzle to other road users.

Note  On vehicles from left-hand drive countries the headlamps dip to the right. To avoid blinding on-coming traffic, the headlamps must be adjusted so they do not dip to the right. Generally, asymmetric beam headlamps will also need to be modified to remove the right-hand flick-up, eg by applying some form of masking, such as plastic overlay, or fitting different bulbs.

Other lamps

1. A vehicle must be fitted with two white forward-facing position lamps visible from 150m in normal darkness without causing significant dazzle to other road users. These lamps must be mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable, no further than 400mm from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle must be fitted with at least one red rearward-facing position lamp, visible from 150m from the rear of the vehicle in normal darkness.

3. A vehicle must be fitted with a rear-registration-plate illumination lamp that illuminates the figures and letters of the plate so that they are visible from 20m from the rear of the vehicle in normal darkness.

4. A vehicle must be fitted with two red rear reflectors symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as practicable, no further than 400mm from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle. Rear reflectors must be visible from 100m in normal darkness when illuminated by means of two main-beam headlamps.

5. A vehicle must be fitted with a least one red or amber stop lamp mounted at the rear of the vehicle. A stop lamp must operate when the service brake is applied. If the stop light is red, the light intensity must be greater than that of the rearward-facing position lamps.

6. Where the vehicle is fitted with direction indicator lamps, they must have one of the following:

a) a moveable arm protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illuminated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal position, or

b) a constantly blinking or flashing amber light mounted on each side of the vehicle, or

c) a constantly blinking or flashing light at each side of the front and rear of the vehicle. These lights must be white or orange towards the front of the vehicle, and red or orange towards the rear of the vehicle.

Other components

1. A vehicle must be equipped with a strong steering system that allows the vehicle to be turned easily, quickly and with certainty.

2. A vehicle must be equipped with at least one driving mirror of adequate size and location to provide the driver with a clear view to the rear of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle must be fitted with at least one audible warning device (horn) that is not:

a) a bell, or

b) a gong, or

c) a siren, or

d) any other loud-toned device.

4. A windscreen, where fitted, must be made of a stable, transparent material that is not likely to produce sharp splinters if broken. Objects must not appear distorted when viewed through this material.

5. Where a vehicle is fitted with a windscreen, it must have at least one efficient windscreen wiper that operates without the constant control of the driver.

6. A vehicle must be fitted with an exhaust silencer system that operates constantly and cannot be interrupted by the driver while on the road.

7. A vehicle must be fitted with pneumatic tyres.

Table 6-1-2. Group L vehicles

General safety requirements

1. The vehicle must be in good working order and safe mechanical condition so as not to endanger the driver or vehicle occupants or other road users, or cause damage to public or private property.

2. The construction of the vehicle must not obstruct the driver’s vision to the front, right or left of the vehicle.

3. As far as possible, the machinery or equipment of the vehicle must not:

a) be at risk of fire or explosion, or

b) cause the emission of noxious gases or offensive fumes, or

c) produce excessive or disturbing noise, or

d) increase the risk of a collision and/or damage caused in a collision.

Brakes

1. The vehicle must be fitted with two braking devices operated by hand or foot, capable of slowing the vehicle and bringing it to a controlled stop in an efficient, safe and rapid way.

Headlamps

1. The vehicle must be fitted with at least one main-beam headlamp bright enough to illuminate the road ahead for 100m in normal darkness.

2. The vehicle must be fitted with a least one dipped-beam headlamp bright enough to illuminate the road ahead for 30m in normal darkness without causing significant dazzle to other road users.

Other lamps

1. A class LD vehicle must be fitted with two white forward-facing position lamps visible from 150m in normal darkness without causing significant dazzle to other road users. These lamps must be mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable, no further than 400mm from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle must be fitted with at least one red rearward-facing position lamp, visible from 150m from the rear of the vehicle in normal darkness.

3. The vehicle must be fitted with a rear-registration-plate illumination lamp that illuminates the figures and letters of the plate so that they are visible from 20m to the rear of the vehicle in normal darkness.

4. Rear reflectors must be fitted to the following vehicles:

a) A class LD vehicle must be fitted with two red rear reflectors symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as is practicable, no further than 400mm from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.

b) A class LC, LE1 or LE2 vehicle must be fitted with one red rear reflector symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of the vehicle as practicable, no further than 400mm from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.

Rear reflectors must be visible from 100m in normal darkness when illuminated by means of two main-beam headlamps.

5. Where the vehicle is fitted with direction indicator lamps, they must have one of the following:

a) a moveable arm protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illuminated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal position, or

b) a constantly blinking or flashing amber light mounted on each side of the vehicle, or

c) a constantly blinking or flashing light at each side of the front and rear of the vehicle. These lights must be white or orange towards the front of the vehicle, and red or orange towards the rear of the vehicle.

Other components

1. The vehicle must be equipped with a strong steering system that allows the vehicle to be turned easily, quickly and with certainty.

2. The vehicle must be equipped with at least one driving mirror of adequate size and location to provide the driver with a clear view to the rear of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle must be fitted with at least one audible warning device (horn) that is not:

a) a bell, or

b) a gong, or

c) a siren, or

d) any other loud-toned device.

4. A windscreen, where fitted, must be made of a stable, transparent material that is not likely to produce sharp splinters if broken. Objects must not appear distorted when viewed through this material.

5. A vehicle fitted with a windscreen must have at least one efficient windscreen wiper that operates without the constant control of the driver.

6. The vehicle must be fitted with an exhaust silencer system that operates constantly and cannot be interrupted by the driver while on the road.

7. The vehicle must be fitted with pneumatic tyres.

Table 6-1-3. Trailers

General safety requirements

1. The trailer must be in good working order and safe mechanical condition so as not to endanger the driver or vehicle occupants or other road users, or cause damage to public or private property.

2. As far as possible, the machinery or equipment of the trailer must not:

a) be at risk of fire or explosion, or

b) cause the emission of noxious gases or offensive fumes, or

c) produce excessive or disturbing noise, or

d) increase the risk of a collision and/or damage caused in a collision.

Lamps

1. The trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles must be fitted with at least one red rearward-facing position lamp, visible from 150m from the rear of the vehicle in normal darkness.

2. The trailer must be fitted with a rear-registration-plate illumination lamp that illuminates the figures and letters of the plate so that they are visible from 20m to the rear of the vehicle in normal darkness.

3. The trailer must be fitted with two red rear reflectors visible from 100m in normal darkness when illuminated by means of two main-beam headlamps.

4. The trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles must be fitted with a least one red or amber stop lamp mounted at the rear of the vehicle, unless the stop light of the towing vehicle is visible from the rear. A stop light must operate when the service brake is applied. If the stop light is red, the intensity of the light output must be greater than that of the rearward-facing position lamps.

5. Where a trailer is fitted with direction indicator lamps, they must have one of the following:

a) a moveable arm protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illuminated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal position, or

b) a constantly blinking or flashing amber light mounted on each side of the vehicle, or

c) a constantly blinking or flashing light at each side of the front and rear of the vehicle. These lights must be white or amber towards the front of the vehicle, and red or amber towards the rear of the vehicle.

Other components

1. A full trailer must be equipped with a strong steering system that allows the vehicle to be turned easily, quickly and with certainty.

2. A trailer must be fitted with pneumatic tyres.