VIRM: Entry certification

Minor changes and improvements register

VIRM: Entry certification

DatePageChange
4 March 2024Annex C: conditional operation of a vehicleDrivesure have been assigned a TCERT code TCERTDS.
16 October 2023

Technical bulletin 33: Left-hand drive vehicles

1-7 Document availability
Update to Waka Kotahi contact details.
14 August 2023 Technical bulletin 11: Inspection of motorhomes Slight change to some wording to specify campervan/motorhome.
1 August 2023 1-10 Vehicle rechecks Updated quarantine period from 90 to 180 days - this was later rolled back for 'Quarantine system for entry-level certification vehicles' on 14 August 2023.
21 July 2023 Technical bulletin: 41 Entry certification procedures for certain modified vehicles Removed example of new modification plate (Blue) from Australia for heavy vehicles that have factory approved bodies or equipment and are registered in the RAV system. This was added in error on 17 May 2023.
18 May 2023 2-2 Vehicle attributes definitions ATV definition updated to align correctly with the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002
17 May 2023

Pre-registration and VIN  5-3 Completing the left-hand drive process

Technical bulletin 23: Used imported motorsport vehicles

Technical bulletin 25: Immigrants' vehicles

Technical bulletin 26: Special interest vehicles

Technical bulletin 33: Left-hand drive vehicles

LANDATA does not allow a vehicle to be registered without a warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness, this aligns with the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle standards compliance 2002 (section 6.8). The vehicles should have the MR2a completed in the name of the permit holder to avoid them being registered under a different identity.
The following has been removed from the affected pages: "The vehicle must be registered in the name of the person registering the vehicle before a warrant of fitness can be issued."
Technical bulletin 23: Used imported motorsport vehicles
  • Update regarding FIA homologated rally cars
  • Electronic stability control added to Step 4
Technical bulletin: 41 Entry certification procedures for certain modified vehicles Example of new modification plate (Blue) from Australia for heavy vehicles that have factory approved bodies or equipment and are registered in the RAV system

Note: This example was removed 21 July 2023.
16 May 2023 5-1 General duties and responsibilities Incorrect information corrected.  Document retantion should be five years
27 February 2023 2-1 Vehicle attributes definitions Table 2-2-1 - vehicle types 10 and 11 changed to 'N'
Technical bulletin 32: Static tilt stability compliance Two Fuso Custom Bus models added
Technical bulletin: 41 Entry certification procedures for certain modified vehicles Alternative to 2nd stage ADR plate/label added
Reference material 69: Sample auction invoices New sample Pickles auction invoice added
2 February 2023 Reference material 22: Sample export certificates (Japan) New sample certificate added.
1 February 2023 Inspection premises and equipment Minimum access and exit width lowered to 2.0m for class LA, LB,  and LC vehicles

Reference material 62: Sample letter – Recognition of specified vehicle as an immigrant’s vehicle

Sample letter updated with new references
11 July 2022

Technical bulletin 28: Exhaust emissions standards requirements

Technical bulletin 31: Brakes standards requirements

Japan 2016 added to Table 3. Test regime codes for exhaust emissions standards from 1/1/2012


MIA brakes standards compliance list updated

29 September 2021 8-2 Inspection specifications TEMB Auto Brake Co. Ltd added recognised brake friction material manufacturers
30 August 2021 Technical bulletin: COVID-19 recovery Added to rechecks section: A vehicle currently held in Quarantine at entry certification site or held in quarantine by a repair certifier may also apply the stop clock system providing the vehicle does not exceed the quarantine mileage restrictions.
28 June 2021 Technical bulletin 41: Entry certification procedures for certain modified vehicles

A change has been made to the technical bulletin to clarify when specialist certification is required on a type approved vehicle, where the modification either does not meet a particular New Zealand rule requirement or is not safe.

25 May 2021 Technical bulletin 43: Takata airbag recalls Note at top of page added: sometimes the New Zealand distributor will not have been advised of the recall by the manufacturer as the vehicle was not first registered in New Zealand. Therefore, confirmation must be obtained from the the manufacturer or manufacturers representative in the country of origin based in the country of export or the manufacturers global records. Receipts from the New Zealand distributor or franchised dealer confirming the work has been completed is an acceptable alternative.
25 February 2021 Technical bulletin 37: Electronic stability control identification

Added the the identification of ESC table:

MINI       DTC (Dynamic Traction Control)

22 February 2021 8-2 Inspection specifications Specific AP Racing products added recognised brake friction material manufacturers
22 January 2021 Technical bulletin 32: Static tilt stability compliance Two new Fuso Rosa school Euro 6 models added
10 December 2020

Technical bulletin 2: Water- or fire-damaged vehicles

Contact details updated
25 November 2020

73c TUV Emissions certificates

73d TUV SUD Certificate of compliance

New sample certificates added
10 November 2020 8-2 Inspection specifications MY 2016 Ltd added as an approved brake friction material manufacturer in Figure 8-2-1.
20 July 2020 3-3 Assigning a VIN to a low volume vehicle LVV issued VINs can start with '6Y9' and '6Z9' as well as the already mentioned '7A9'.
29 May 2020 Technical bulletin 28: Exhaust emissions standards requirements Notes added to Table A: Translation of EC directives to further explain the relationship between some letter designations and European standards.
22 May 2020

1-1 Registering a vehicle for the first time in New Zealand

Reference material 83: Sample Singapore LTA technical letter

Electronically signed Singapore LTA technical letters can now be accepted from the vehicle owner/importer.
8 November 2019 Reference material 29: Sample European Community (EC) whole vehicle approval plate Note 3 updated to correctly align with legislation.
5 September 2019 Technical bulletin 37: Electronic stability control identification The original wording of the page could be misinterpreted to mean any LVV vehicle does not need electronic stability control. This has been clarified to the original intent that only LVV vehicles manufactured, assembled or scratch-built in quantities of 500 or less in any one year (ie, not a uniquely modified low volume vehicle) that was not originally fitted with an electronic stability control system and is certified in accordance with the Low Volume Vehicle Code
28 August 2019 Pre-registration and VIN 2-2 Vehicle attributes definitions

If the following vehicles have travaled more than 2000km, approval must be sought from the Transport Agency to be treated as new: MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC, TC, TD class and NA class motorhomes.

Previously this was 1000km

1 July 2019 Annex C: conditional operation of a vehicle Process further clarified.
1 May 2019 Reference material 70: Sample hpi and Experion reports Sample hpi Trade Services report added.
1 May 2019 Reference material 14: Translations of Japanese year of manufacture

From 1 May 2019 there will be a new character on Japanese certificates. This is because from 1 May 2019 the reign of Japan’s next emperor will begin. This will be known as the Reiwa era, and it starts at year 1 (we are currently in year 31 of the Heisei era). Newer certificates already include the year in our terms too (eg 2019).

There will be no format changes to the certificates.

26 March 2019 Technical bulletin 28: Exhaust emissions standards compliance

Table B. Translation information for UN/ECE regulations:

Added UN/ECE regulation 83.06 - Euro 5 (eg E11 - 85R - 062439 - J)

12 December 2018 1-6 Specialist certification

Table 1-6-2 Light vehicle certification type codes

  • addition of Commercial modifier type certification: LVCM
  • deletion of LTB, LHD, PVSR
16 October 2018 Technical bulletin 43: Takata airbag recalls Update to include a note about the border inspection process changes from 1 November 2018.
12 October 2018 Technical bulletin 6: Auxiliary bars Minor change to align with the VIRM: Light vehicle repair certification.
18 August 2018 Sample auction invoices Sample Fleetwise auction invoice added
7 May 2018 Technical bulletin 37: Electronic stability control identification

Added the the identification of ESC table:

DTC (Dynamic Traction Control)
Note: If a BMW has DTC displayed the vehicle can be accepted as containing an ESC system. The underlying technology to DTC includes DSC - which is an ESC system)

21 March 2018

Technical bulletin 2: Water- or fire-damaged vehicles

Removal of requirement to have an LT351F letter and present it to the Transport Agency. This brings the technical bulletin in line with the VIRM: Light vehicle repair certification amendment of 13/12/2017.
2 March 2018 8-2 Inspection specifications
  • Addition of Royale logo to recognised brake friction material manufacturers
  • SAS Autoparts Ltd. added to list of approved brake suppliers.
21 December 2017 Technical bulletin 37: Electronic stability control identification Added for clarity: A tell-tale indicator with the letters 'TC' or 'Traction Control' is not an indication of ESC fitment and cannot be accepted as such. The Transport Agency is aware of a letter provided by a Land Rover dealer erroneously stating that vehicles with 'TC' tell-tales are fitted with a form of ESC. This letter cannot be accepted as evidence of ESC fitment.
14 December Technical bulletin 41: Entry certification changes for certain light vehicles Changes with regard to European vehicles and 2001/116/EC around second and final stage manufacture.
7 November 2017 Technical bulletin 37: Electronic stability control identification

DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) removed from BMW acronyms.

2 October 2017 8-2 Inspection specifications
  • Addition of Braxe logo to recognised brake friction material manufacturers
  • Callahan Auto Supply added to list of approved brake suppliers.
20 June 2017 Technical bulletin 23: Used imported motorsport vehicles The Certifier ID to be recorded for a motorsport authority card has been changed to >TMWM1<
16 May 2017 SoC NZ Ltd now issues TÜV SÜD full statements of compliance and emission certificates. Text updated to reflect this and new sample certificates added.
31 March 2017 Reference material 69: Sample auction invoices Hassalls Auctions added

Reference material 60: Authority to issue statements of compliance for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles

Contact details updated (Gerhard Moser removed)
2 February 2017 Technical bulletin 17 Seatbelt and seatbelt anchorage standards for heavy motor vehicles MIA standards compliance table updated.
1 February 2017 Technical bulletin 38: Class MC vehicle definition Clarifications in the interpretation section.
13 December 2016 1-1 Registering a vehicle for the first time in New Zealand Clarifies that CMVSS is acceptable for light vehicles only.
November 2016

Technical bulletin 40: Passenger airbag inspection – used imported

Bulletin updated with list of vehicles included and how to spot a vehicle that has had its recall done.
21 October 2016 Technical bulletin 41: Entry certification changes for certain light vehicles The Transport Agency has introduced some changes to the certification of certain modified light vehicles entering the New Zealand fleet from overseas. This change is in-place from 1 November 2016, and the VIRMs will be updated in the 1 December 2016 amendment. This bulletin forms a temporary instruction until this VIRM amendment is published.
4 October 2016

Technical bulletin 40: Passenger airbag inspection – used imported

For all used vehicles from Japan presented for entry certification on or after 5 October 2016, entry certifiers are required to visually verify that the front passenger airbags are present and connected to the SRS system.

18 July 2016 Technical bulletin 38: Class MC vehicle definition This technical bulletin sets out the Transport Agency’s interpretation of the definition of a class MC vehicle to enable it to be applied consistently by entry certifiers and vehicle importers.
22 June 2015 1-5 Unfinished heavy vehicles ITAS Ltd and Canterbury Vehicle Compliance Ltd added to entry certifier list.
17 June 2016 10-1 Tyres, wheels and hubs

Added to JATMA standards table:

Compliance is assured if the tyre markings contain the brand name Bridgestone, the size designation 11R22.5 G540 together with the words ‘Made in Thailand’.
3 June 2016 8-1 Service brake and park brake
Technical bulletin 37 Identification of ESC
The text 'when fully phased in' deleted from Note 1 for clarity.
25 May 2016

Technical bulletin 17 Seatbelt and seatbelt anchorage standards for heavy motor vehicles

Standards compliance table updated.
5 April 2016 2-2 Vehicle attributes definitions With regard to a vehicle that has travelled over 250km, but may still be considered new, added:
"If in doubt or it has travelled more than 250km email vehicles@nzta.govt.nz or fax 06 953 6406. You will need to provide the reason for the distance travelled and copies of any overseas documents."
8 March 2016

8-1 Service brake and park brake

Aligned Note 1 with Note 1 of Technical bulletin 37: Electronic stability control identification.
17 February 2016 2-1 External projections Links added to VIRM: In-service certification across more vehicle types.
15 February 2016 1-2 Re-registering a vehicle Update of contact details from Technical Services (Vehicles team) to Customer Access (Assessments team).
16 December 2015 TB 32 Static tilt stability compliance Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa, model code BE64DJRMBFAF added to list of vehicles meeting static tilt stability requirements.
1 December 2015 1-1 Registering a vehicle for the first time in New Zealand In the 1 December 2015 amendment a change was omitted:
An entry certifier processing a parallel-imported new light vehicle must sight retain a copy of the PDI checksheet to verify that the PDI has been carried out.
20 October 2015 Introduction: 8 Appointments Deleted text that was added on 31 July 2015.
14 September 2015 TB 22 Anchorage of demountable body assemblies Removed due to J-hooks being an operational, not a certification issue.
20 August 2015 2-2 Vehicle attributes definitions Added to LVV row in Default makes for low volume vehicles table:
Note: The default make of LVVTA still exists in LANDATA but should no longer be used.
31 July 2015 Introduction: 8 Appointments Added: The NZ Transport Agency is currently reviewing the application requirements for the certification of light vehicles for entry into the NZ fleet. When that review is completed that fact will be notified on this page. Please do not forward any fresh applications until such notification.
23 July 2015 Reference material 69: Sample auction invoices Autorola and Brisbane Motor Auction samples added.
26 June 2015 Technical bulletin 32: Static tilt stability compliance Model code BE64DJRMBSCH added to list of accepted vehicles.
9 June 2015 3-3 Inspection specifications During entry-level certification, vehicles of class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2 and NA must undergo an invasive structural inspection (text after 1 Nov 2014 amendment said class M and N).
3 June 2015

Reference material 55 FS012 upper seatbelt anchorage request form

Updated to new version.
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