Correct technical decisions

You thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements for exhaust systems and visible smoke, taking into account technical information provided by the Transport Agency such as the VIRM: Entry certification.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• observe you at work
• inspect vehicles which you have certified
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect information you enter into the Transport Agency computer system.

The Transport Agency may:

• take into account outcomes from complaints, and random re-inspections since your last review.

Technical competence

You are competent in all technical aspects relating to exhaust systems and visible smoke.

This means you are competent in:

• the assessment of exhaust systems and visible smoke
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to exhaust systems and visible smoke and the assessment of exhaust systems and visible smoke
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to exhaust systems and visible smoke
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing exhaust systems and visible smoke.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• ask questions to check your competence relating to exhaust systems and visible smoke and the assessment of exhaust systems and visible smoke
• observe you at work
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect your Training record.

The Transport Agency may administer a short test on exhaust systems and visible smoke.

Technical equipment

You have:

• a hand-held inspection lamp.

The lamp is in good condition and working order.

The Transport Agency will inspect your technical equipment.

Correct technical decisions

You do not thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements for exhaust systems and visible smoke.

The area of non-compliance is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• the exhaust system and silencer, or part of the exhaust system and silencer, is seriously damaged or has deteriorated or is liable to fall off when the vehicle is in operation
• a vehicle emission system required to comply with an approved emission standard did not comply, or cannot be demonstrated to have complied, with an approved standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured.

You do not thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements for exhaust systems and visible smoke.

The area of non-compliance may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• the exhaust system and silencer, or a part of the exhaust system and silencer, is not properly mounted but there is no immediate danger of the system or part falling off
• the vehicle emits excessive visible smoke
• the vehicle does not meet the required metered emission test specifications.

You do not thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements for exhaust systems and visible smoke.

The area of non-compliance is unlikely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

For example:

• the noise output is higher than when the vehicle was fitted with its original exhaust system, and the exhaust noise is either well above the noise limit or has not passed an objective noise test
• the vehicle emits some visible smoke
• the vehicle has not undergone a metered emission test.

You thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether they comply with all Transport Agency requirements for exhaust systems and visible smoke, including approved vehicle standards.

Technical competence

You demonstrate:

• little or no competence in the technical aspects relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke, or
• a level of competence that is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are significant gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards, and visible smoke
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke and the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to exhaust systems and visible smoke
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke.

You demonstrate:

• some competence in the technical aspects relating to exhaust systems,emission standards and visible smoke, or
• a level of competence that may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are some gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke and the assessment of exhaust systems and visible smoke
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke.

You demonstrate:

• adequate competence in the technical aspects relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke, or
• a level of competence that is unlikely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

This means there are minor gaps in your knowledge of, or skills in:

• the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke and the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke.

You can demonstrate comprehensive competence in the technical aspects relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke.

This means you can demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of, and skills in:

• the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke and the assessment of exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing exhaust systems, emission standards and visible smoke.

Technical equipment

Not all of the specified equipment is available. Where equipment is available, some or all of it is not in working order.

All specified equipment is available and in working order, but some or all of it is in poor condition.

All specified equipment is available, in working order and in at least adequate condition.

All specified equipment is available and in good condition and working order.