Print Download PDF
Amendment date Reasons for amendment Amendment details
10 December 2019

Note added about small dents, for example for hail damage, added:

Dents smaller than 5mm deep and 40mm in diameter (to the outer edges of the crease), such as those caused by hail, in the A-pillar or Cant rail should, not be considered to affect the vehicles structural integrity. Any damage larger than above should be referred to a repairer for additional information.

General vehicles 3-1 Structure

Heavy vehicles 3-1 Structure

2 December 2019

Summary of changes

  • Headlamp overlays that reduce or distort emitted light are a fail item
  • Modern style dipped beam pattern image added
  • Clarification around LVV plates and seatbelt removal
  • Greater clarity for vehicle inspectors regarding the acceptable condition of the components in door and hinged panel retention systems
  • New visual guidance on seatbelt webbing damage
  • New compliance requirements from 27 February 2020 for parking brake assemblies
  • Other general clarifications.
1 June 2019
27 November 2018

Due to safety risks, a three-point seatbelt imported and distributed from Business Ventures Limited (BVL) and manufactured by Jiang Su Jiu Jiu Traffic Facilities Co. Ltd. is not allowed installed and a vehicle with this kind of seatbelt must be failed.

This is in addition to the 19 October amendment.

23 November 2018

The NZ Transport Agency is aware of a serious safety risk with the Trailpro brand of light trailers which were sold through Bunnings NZ between 1 January 2006 and 12 October 2018.

Effective immediately, vehicle inspectors should fail all unrepaired Trailpro 8x4 Tradesman (model number TP5) and Trailpro 8x5 Tandem (model number TP8), with a bolt-through drawbar attachment.

Read the news item for more information.

1 November 2018

In this amendment:

  • Clarifications around retrofitting headlamps and standards
  • Update to headlamp sections to align with the rule and other lighting sections ‘Where a headlamp comprises an array of light sources (eg LEDs) fewer than 75% of these operate’.
  • Clarification of the definition of bumper bar (including a new image)
  • Clarification around when HVS certification may be required with regard to wheelchair ramps and hoists
  • Clarification about wastegates and silenced exhaust systems
  • Update to tyres sections to include further examples of fail items when tyre information is removed or concealed
  • New motorcycles section: Electric and hybrid electrical systems
  • Other Electric and hybrid electrical systems sections updated to say that specialist certification is always required for changes to the high voltage electrical system
  • New skid plate requirements.
  • New technical bulletin on the inspection of light bars.
19 October 2018

Due to safety risks, a three-point seatbelt imported and distributed from Business Ventures Limited (BVL) and manufactured by Changzhou BWD, China is not allowed installed and a vehicle with this kind of seatbelt must be failed.

1 June 2018

In this amendment:

  • New section on rechecks/reinspections
  • What to do if a VIN/chassis number is missing or unreadable.
  • Clarification that a headlamp must be fitted with a light source that is specified by the vehicle manufacturer or the headlamp manufacturer
  • Clarification around static roll thresholds
  • Incorporation of the heavy vehicle modification interim amendment.
1 November 2017

In this amendment:

  • General changes and improvements
  • Reminder about IT system requirements
  • Clarification around exhaust outlet positioning when the exhaust pipe does not extend beyond the rear of the vehicle
  • On certain light PSVs, a wheelchair ramp or hoist must display a load rating of at least 300kg
  • New overseas acceptable proof of modifications
  • Clarification about when stock crates should be certified
  • Incorporation of Technical note 1 (ShinMaywa tipper bodies) and Technical note 2 (small passenger service changes)
  • Clarification that a stretch cargo net of reasonable quality would be sufficient to meet the requirement of safely securing items of cargo likely to be carried in a small passenger services vehicle (Note: this is a late addition to the amendment).
1 May 2017

In this amendment:

  • Allows CoF vehicle inspectors who are holders of a class 4 licence to inspect class 5 vehicles where they are not required to drive the class 5 vehicle
  • Clarification that a left hand drive vehicle cannot be a passenger service vehicle (light or heavy) - CoF only
  • What to do when the modification declaration (pre-LVV system) differs from the vehicle.
1 February 2017

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016

In November 2016, the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule 2016 was signed, coming into effect on 1 February 2017.

The rule sets vehicle size and weight limits, and vehicle configuration requirements, with a focus on heavy vehicles.

It is intended to strike a reasonable balance between the risks that heavy vehicles present to public safety, and the efficient operation of the heavy vehicle fleet within the constraints imposed by the road network.

As a result of the new rule, there are updates to the dimensions sections across the VIRM.

1 December 2016

General changes

  • European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval accepted for modified light vehicles
  • Some LVV certification not required if there’s a secondary certification plate or label in a campervan/motorhome
  • Exceptions to the 25 inspections per year rule added
  • European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval accepted for modified light vehicles
  • Side marker lamps OK on light vehicles if OE on a production vehicle
  • Airbag deterioration clarification
  • New section and amended sections to include wiring and batteries, inclusive of hybrid and electric vehicles.

Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Rule 2016

  • Changes across the lighting section allowing deactivation of optional lighting equipment rather than requiring removal if the equipment does not meet applicable safety requirements
  • Remove unnecessary requirement to fit high mounted stop lamps to vehicle registered before 1/1/1990.
11 March 2016

The 1 March 2016 VIRM amendments were issued to correct a discrepancy between VIRM: In-service certification with the Land Transport Rule: Seatbelts and Seatbelt Anchorages 2002. However, a result of the amendment is that it immediately invalidated certain existing motorhome seatbelts, which was not the intent of the amendment.

As a result of the repercussions, the Transport Agency is working to effect a Rule change that will clarify the intent of the Rule and not disadvantage owners of existing motorhomes. In the meantime, please refer to the modified VIRM amendments, which will be retroactively effective 1 March 2016.

1 March 2016
  • New definition
  • Clarifications to seatbelt requirements in motorhomes
  • New inspection requirement around bolt-in tow-eyes
  • Additional electronic stability control dashboard acronyms.

Important: See also 11 March 2016 corrections amendments.

1 November 2015
  • General changes and tidy-ups
  • Aftermarket wheel nuts made from aluminium are now a reason for rejection
  • In the case of a motorcycle with a dedicated sidecar the rear tyre of the motorcycle and the tyre of the sidecar may have a car tyre fitted in certain circumstances
  • Amendments based on Omnibus Rule 2015.
1 July 2015 This amendment covers changes relating to Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle brakes Amendment 2014 that come in to force on 1 July 2015.
1 November 2014

WoF/CoF system related changes

  • Significant changes to the site and vehicle inspector requirements
  • References to the notice of appointment, code of conduct and quality management system (QMS)
  • Added definitions
  • Removal of references to TSD agents
  • Removal of old single-year WoF label
  • Addition of new multi-year CoF label
  • Importance of determining the correct inspection frequency
  • No regulated fee for duplicate labels.

Omnibus rule related changes

  • Added agricultural trailer uses that do not require WoF or CoF (Intro 3-3).
  • Removal of light PSV roof rack requirements with consequential changes to some other sections (external projections, structure, light PSV stability). Heavy PSV roof rack requirements remain and are clarified. (CoF only)
  • Heavy vehicles/trailers: Permitted 5th wheel standards updated and new ones added. (CoF only)
  • Technical bulletin (CoF) 5 Taximeter compliance amended to deal with taximeters that cannot be sealed. Test strip now mandatory, rolling road optional. (CoF only).

Other technical changes

  • Seatbelts: clarified that remaining seatbelt parts are not required to be inspected for positions where there is no seat fitted.
  • Brakes: added new reasons for rejection if parking brake is unusually difficult to apply or release, and if brake master cylinder reservoir fluid level is below the minimum indicator where visible externally.
  • Steering/suspension: added reason for rejection for air suspension bellows damage; added reason for rejection for vehicle not self-centring (copied from 10-2 Hubs and axles); added definitions for steering and suspension; clarified that ride height is measured when the vehicle is unladen.
  • Light trailer tow connections: amended RfR to cover pins for removable tongues.
  • Load anchorages: clarified requirements for J-hooks used for demountable body assemblies (refer also to new Technical bulletin (CoF) 6) (CoF only)
  • PSV doors and doorways: clarified requirements for PSV driver’s view of door (refer also to related changes of Technical bulletin (CoF) 5 PSV power-operated door testing) (CoF only).
1 July 2014

WoF and general changes

  • WoF frequency – a new or nearly new light vehicle may be issued with a WoF that expires on the vehicle’s third anniversary from its date of first registration anywhere. Any vehicles first registered anywhere from 1/1/2000 will be on a 12 month WoFs, and any vehicles first registered anywhere before 1/1/2000 will be on 6 month WoFs. There are no further changes for WoFs issued to heavy vehicles exempt from CoF and agricultural vehicles.
  • Daytime running lamps for motorcycles and class LE vehicles – remove the requirement for candela (this was not supposed to have been in the VIRM in the first place)
  • General re-write of the manual overview to better reflect the current electronic manual
  • Addition of approved brake testers
  • Head restraints – clarify that rear head restraints may be removed
  • Motorcycle engine and transmission – clarify that the addition of a turbo or supercharger always requires LVV certification.

CoF only changes

  • Variable CoF frequency – the NZ Transport Agency may specify a CoF frequency for a vehicle other than 6 months provided the operator has met certain conditions. The CoF frequency for a vehicle, eg 3, 6 or 12 months, is identified on Landata.
  • PSV doors and doorways – clarify that the door open warning device may operate when the vehicle is stationary or when it is driven away
  • Transport service licence – add TSL requirement for light vehicle recovery service vehicles
  • Heavy PSV section – remove heavy vehicle equipment (outriggers) and load anchorages as they are unlikely to be found on heavy PSVs
  • Heavy PSV entry and exit steps, ramps and hoists – clarify which requirements UN/ECE compliant PSVs must comply with
  • Technical bulleting (CoF) 1 – correct requirements for expiry dates for heavy vehicle component certifications.
28 April 2014

This amendment covers a small number of general technical changes and tidy-ups, as summarised below:

  • Headlamps (WoF and CoF)
    • Clarify that a pair of headlamps may consist of a symmetric and an asymmetric headlamp.
    • Improve wording relating to pairs of headlamps requiring to be of approximately equal colour and intensity (this change will also be made for other relevant lamps).
  • Tyres and wheels (WoF and CoF)
    • Prohibit car tyres on two-wheeled motorcycles.
    • Add new combination to tyre interchangeability table (generally affects only heavy vehicles).
  • Fuel system (WoF and CoF)
    • Clarify allowable corrosion and other damage around fuel tank mountings.
  • Heavy vehicle 5th wheel, ball coupling/socket for towing semi-trailer, king pin (CoF only)
    • Clarify that a certification plate/label is only required for ball-type coupling.
    • Advise that 5th wheel operator statements of compliance (NZTA 4085A forms) can be obtained from CoF providers.
  • Load anchorages (CoF only)
    • Clarify what additional modifications and repairs have to be certified.
  • PSV doors and doorways (CoF only)
    • Clarify line of sight for power-operated door testing.
    • Introduce Technical bulletin (CoF) 5 specifying the PSV power-operated door testing procedure.
1 January 2014
Law changes effective from 1 January 2014 have resulted in the following VIRM changes:

New WoF expiry dates for light vehicles

From 1 January 2014, there will be three groups of vehicles with different WoF expiry regimes:

  • Light vehicles (except agricultural vehicles): From 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2014, vehicles first registered anywhere from 1 January 2004 will be eligible for 12 months, pre-2004 vehicles will remain on 6-month WoFs. Further changes will happen on 1 July 2014. This is a change away from the current regime (12-month WoFs for vehicles under 6 years old, 6-month WoFs for vehicles 6 years or older).
  • Agricultural vehicles: will be on 12-month WoFs regardless of vehicle age, a change which came into effect on 11 November 2013.
  • Heavy vehicles exempt from CoF: no change for these vehicles, they will retain the current WoF expiry regime, ie 12-month WoFs for vehicles under 6 years old, and 6-month WoFs for vehicles 6 years or older.

Other changes

  • Clarify the WoF or CoF expiry reference date for vehicles that have not had a previous WoF or CoF.
  • Removal of scratchbuilt vehicle definition, no effect on WoF.

Changes affecting CoF only

  • Clarify when a 12-month CoF can be issued to a new rental car.
  • For heavy trucks and buses, there is an alternative check for air brake reservoir capacity for vehicles complying with ADR standards (same as for those complying with European standards).
  • For heavy trailer brakes, include reference to mechanical wind-on parking brakes for TC class trailers, and add provisions for heavy trailers fitted with WABCO PREV valve with EBS or Knorr-Bremse TEBS G2 EBS (previously covered by exemptions).
11 November 2013

WoF frequency and related changes for agricultural motor vehicles

From 11 November 2013, agricultural tractors and machines are eligible for a 12 month WoF, regardless of their age. Other tractors and machines, as well as other unclassified vehicles and forklifts, remain on the current WoF regime, ie 12 month WoF up to 6 years age, and 6 month WoF if older than 6 years. We also had to develop a new inspection group to deal with the different WoF regimes for these vehicles. Everyone who currently has inspection group 5 for ‘Heavy vehicles exempt CoF’ will automatically get the new inspection group 6 for ‘Agricultural motor vehicles’. These changes have made the WoF requirements a bit more complicated, so please read the VIRM changes carefully, particularly those in the Tractor introduction section.

New WoF label

As advised in a recent WoF news, we have developed a new WoF label which will cover four years at a time instead of the usual single year. This was necessary to cater for the new maximum of three year WoF expiry which will come into effect July 2014. The new label will be available from mid-November and will cover the years 2014 to 2017. If you have any single year 2014 WoF labels, please use these up first before using the new labels.

Technical bulletin 2 (CoF) – OEM wheel rim options (affecting CoF only)

Wheel rim options for some Scania models have been added to the bulletin.

14 October 2013
  • Clarify that in order for some heavy motorhomes to qualify for WoF, they must have been registered as motorhomes before 1/1/1992.
  • ATVs that require a WoF will get inspected under the Unclassified vehicles section.
  • Clarify new WoF/CoF expiry dates after a vehicle has been issued with a pink or green sticker or have had their WoF/CoF /temporary permit revoked.
  • Clarify vehicle inspector five year work experience (change from five years continuous to five years cumulative).
  • Clarify process for dealing with a vehicle that has its VIN or chassis number tampered with which includes completing a report form.
  • A-frames will now be allowed to be fitted to vehicles that are required to comply with frontal impact standards provided certain requirements are met.
  • Clarification on how to deal with seat covers fitted over seats with integrated airbags (this modification is allowed).
  • Clarify towing and brake requirements for trailers with a laden weight below 2000kg when presented, but that will have a laden weight of more than 2000kg when normally operated on the road (eg car/boat/horse trailers)
  • New Technical bulletin 9 for leaking/misting shock absorbers (previously in WoF news 17)
  • New Technical bulletin 10 for brake test procedures for certain brake systems on certain vehicles, starting with BMW vehicles. This bulletin may expand or become more generalised in future.

Changes affecting CoF only:

  • Side marker lamps: The VIRM is being amended to retrospectively require side marker lamps on heavy vehicles manufactured from 1/1/2006 to only have amber light to the front (pre-2006 vehicles may continue to have amber or white to the front). This is because post-2006 heavy vehicles lamps fitted to heavy vehicles manufactured from 1/1/2006 must comply with approved standards which only allow amber to the front.
  • Clarification of definition of and requirements for axle stop devices.
  • Heavy vehicle specialist certifier codes have been updated throughout the VIRM (the codes changed on 1 August 2013).
1 June 2013

This amendment covers new rule changes mainly affecting agricultural vehicles and the Tractor section, specifically:

  • Changes to various definitions: Vehicles such as the JCB Fastrac (capable of exceeding 50km/h) are now defined as tractors and will no longer need a CoF and don’t need border/entry certification. There are also a number of new definitions related to agricultural vehicles.
  • Agricultural vehicles will not need to be inspected if operated at 40km/h or less, and only require a WoF if operated above 40km/h (currently the threshold is based around 30km/h).
  • Simplified requirements for towing connections.
  • Increased front overhang from 3m to 4m.
  • Introduced alternative hazard warning panels for all over-dimension vehicles, and allow hi-viz paint instead of panels for excess front overhang on agricultural vehicles.
  • We have removed a number of unnecessary sections from the tractor section for components that are not normally fitted to tractors and machines, such as head restraints, fog lamps, cosmetic lamps etc.
  • We have decided to retain the existing range of vehicles currently covered by the tractor section, which includes land management and roading operations vehicles. However, note that for non-agricultural vehicles the WoF threshold remains at 30km/h.
1 November 2012

This amendment covers changes to the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Lighting 2004 relating to forklift lighting, and to the Land Transport Rule: Glazing Windscreen Wipe and Wash and Mirrors 1999 relating to stickers on motorsport vehicles. These changes came into effect on 1 November 2012.

For CoF, this amendment also clarifies heavy vehicle glazing requirements related to the critical vision area and wire mesh stoneguards, and updates the heavy vehicle specialist certifier categories for the LT400 form.

1 October 2012 This amendment covers a number of changes to the Land Transport Rule: Passenger Service Vehicles 1999 which came into effect on 1 October 2012. The main changes relate to wheelchair restraints, reducing the risk of fire on rear-engined buses, safety of power-operated doors and driver vision. There are a small number of other minor technical rule changes resulting in minor VIRM changes.

This amendment also includes changes to the dimension requirements, allowing for external cameras on buses and ferry-tie downs.

This amendment does not affect WoF inspections.