This amendment includes changes that:

• further instruct IOs/VIs to confirm modifications on the plate(s) match the vehicle and vehicle identifier
• instructs VI’s to look up engraved plates on the LVVTA website to confirm they’re genuine as counterfeits are available to buy on certain e-commerce websites (such as Ali Express)
• clarify the wording in 11-1 Exhaust system reason for rejection 4 to include any possible reasons that the exhaust has been interfered with.

This amendment includes:

• Aligning fog lamp requirements with headlamps, especially around LED conversion kits
• Adding specific guidance on wheelchair stowing devices, incorporating the advice we issued last year:
  December 2023 letter to IOs and VIs
• Updating descriptions of wheel bearing condition, to help detect worn components
• Small wording changes and a new sample image for Technical bulletin 16
• Aligning PSV seating requirements for wheelchair restraint systems with legislation
• Updating RfR wording about an insecurely mounted engine or gearbox to include other driveline components.

This amendment includes:

• Clarifying the process for recording a 28 day conditional permit.
• Amendments to take wooden materials into account when inspecting motorhomes and caravans.
• Adding images to help vehicle inspectors identify excessive damage to air bag suspension systems.
• Adding EV, HEV and PHEV modifications that do not require Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA) certification.
• Clarifying requirements for overlays on dedicated glass-break emergency exits on PSVs.
• Note and reason for rejection added for ATVs in left-hand drive configuration.
• Adding new jacking point images and wording to Technical bulletin 4.

This amendment includes:

• Removing mechanical portable brake decelerometers from the approved brake testing equipment list.
• Simplified wording around repairs inside the Critical Vision Area (CVA).
• New images to show examples of tyre cracks.
• Updates to the recommend method of checking light trailer brakes.
• New reason for rejection stating the Cardan shaft park brake warning sticker is compulsory, and a sample image of the sticker (CoF only).
• An update in the Introduction and to a large number of heavy vehicle and heavy trailer pages allowing for electronic document retention (CoF only).

WoF only changes

WoF and CoF changes

A small number of updates regarding:

• reporting VIN tampering
• seating positions in motorhomes
• recording speedometer readings
• the definition of winter tyres.

WoF only changes

WoF and CoF changes

Update to the COVID-19 recovery technical bulletin. The stop clock system has been phased out.

• Update to cargo barrier thresholds and addition of two new images.
• Update to the COVID-19 recovery technical bulletin. The stop clock system is being phased out.

This amendment includes changes to the following sections:

• 4-12 Rear-registration plate illumination lamps
• 5-1 Glazing
• 9-1 Steering and suspension
• 10-1 Tyres and wheels
• 13-5 Electric and hybrid fuel and electrical system.

Open the 1 October 2021 changes document for details link for full details and explanations behind the changes.

1 October 2021 changes

On 1 May 2021 a number of Land Transport Rules are being amended by way of the Amendment (Omnibus) Rules 2021. These are minor or technical amendments to keep the Land Transport Rules up to date with developments and current practice in the road transport sector and are intended to contribute to a safer, more accessible transport system.

WoF only

WoF and CoF

This amendment includes:

• new content about the introduction of the low volume vehicle electronic data plates
• a further clarification that vehicles should be failed if they have a headlamp HID or LED conversion kit. They bring the headlamp out of standards compliance by producing poor beam patterns and light that is far too bright to be safe
• updates to the fog lamp beam pattern images to more clearly show the beam pattern and dip
• new reasons for rejection and images regarding mudguard requirements on heavy vehicles (CoF only)
• general changes and improvements.

• WoF only
  list of changes
• WoF and CoF
  list of changes

In this amendment:

• New 'Vehicle details' section created to make the information easier for VIs to refer to
• Extra references to the seatbelt fraying images added
• Wheelbase modification changes to align with the modification changes in the HVSC VIRM (CoF only)
• Update to required information on certification plates (CoF only)
• Update to ABS inspection (CoF only)
• General changes and improvements.

• WoF only
  list of changes
• WoF and CoF
  list of changes

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has amended the VIRM to allow for some inspection and certification documents to be presented electronically. This is to assist businesses with contactless operation. The following documents will be able to be emailed:

• LT400s, chassis ratings and professional opinions from heavy vehicle specialist certifiers, and
• chassis ratings from Waka Kotahi.

This amendment contains the items held over from the 1 April amendment:

• General amendment changes
• LVV threshold changes originally signalled for introduction last year (listed together after the general changes).

Additionally, isolation shields of certain types have been added to the table of modifications that do not require LVV certification.

• WoF only
  list of changes
• WoF and CoF
  list of changes

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the 1 April 2020 VIRM amendment has been modified to only include the 1 April 2020 legislated changes regarding ABS requirements on motorcycles. The other amendment changes are now delayed until the level 4 restrictions have been lifted.

In this amendment:

• General amendment changes
• Changes as a result of the amendment to Land Transport Rule: Light Vehicle Brakes 2002
• Introduction of reasons for rejection to certain components certified by Peter Wastney and Patrick Chu
• LVV threshold changes originally signaled for introduction last year (listed together after the general changes).

• WoF only
  list of changes
• WoF and CoF
  list of changes

Effective immediately, vehicle inspectors should fail all Trailpro Handyman (model TP1) trailers.

• General trailers 3-1 Structure
• General trailers 8-1 Light trailer drawbar and kingpin

Technical bulletin 12: Used imported vehicles from Japan – disconnected airbags at WoF inspection rescinded. Vehicles with disconnected airbags should be failed in line with section 7-6 Frontal impact airbags reason for rejection 7. Airbags must be reconnected and working to issue the WoF. The Transport Agency does not need to be specifically notified.

Heavy vehicles 8-1: Service brake, parking brake and heavy vehicle emergency brake

TB (CoF) 9 Parking brake inspection and 4085D requirements

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

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.

• WoF only
  list of changes
• WoF and CoF
  list of changes

• Updates to images in the glazing section to assist vehicle inspectors
• General information about spotting cracking failure in light trailers
• Images to show how to spot a repaired Trailpro trailer
• Changes as a result of the Land Transport Rule: Regulatory Stewardship (Omnibus) Amendment 2018. For insights behind the changes, you can read the summary of submissions document (changes listed in separate table on the next page)

• WoF only
  1 June 2019 List of changes
• WoF and CoF
  1 June 2019 List of changes

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.

• General vehicles 7-5 Seatbelts and seatbelts anchorages
• Heavy vehicles 7-5 Seatbelys and seatbelt anchorages
• Light PSVs 7-5 Seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages

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.

• General trailers 3-1 Structure
• General trailers 8-1 Light trailer drawbar and kingpin

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.

• WoF only
  1 November 2018 List of changes
• WoF and CoF
  1 November 2018 List of changes

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.

• See also the Safety alert: Seatbelts imported by BVL (Business Ventures Limited) and manufactured by Changzhou BWD, China

• General vehicles 7-5 Seatbelts and seatbelts anchorages
• Heavy vehicles 7-5 Seatbelys and seatbelt anchorages
• Light PSVs 7-5 Seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages

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.

• WoF only
  1 June 2018 List of changes
• WoF and CoF
  1 June 2018 List of changes

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).

• WoF only
  1 November 2017 List of changes
• WoF and CoF
  1 November 2017 List of changes

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.

• WoF only
  1 May 2017 List of changes
• WoF and CoF
  1 May 2017 List of changes

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.

• WoF only
  1 February 2017 List of changes
• WoF and CoF
  1 February 2017 List of changes

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.

• WoF only
  1 December 2016 List of changes
• WoF and CoF