3 Vehicle structure

Correct technical decisions

You thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether the vehicle structure complies with all Transport Agency requirements, 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 vehicle structures. This means you are competent in:

• the assessment of vehicle structures
• Transport Agency requirements (including VIRM requirements) relating to vehicle dimensions and the assessment of vehicle dimensions
• Transport Agency guidelines relating to vehicle structures
• the operation of the equipment used for inspecting vehicle structures.

The Transport Agency will:

• talk to you
• ask questions to check your competence relating to vehicle structures and the assessment of vehicle structures
• 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 vehicle dimensions and the assessment of vehicle dimensions.

Technical equipment

You have:

• a hand-held inspection lamp, and
• a tape measure.

The equipment 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 or correctly determine whether the vehicle structure complies with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

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

For example:

• the vehicle structure has been damaged beyond the threshold specified by the Transport Agency and has not been referred to a specialist repair certifier for repair certification. The damage is likely to compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

You do not thoroughly inspect all components or correctly determine whether the vehicle structure complies with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

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

For example:

• a vehicle that is required to comply with an approved frontal impact standard did not comply, or cannot be demonstrated to have complied, with an approved standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured
• the vehicle structure has been previously repaired beyond the threshold specified by the Transport Agency and has not been referred to a specialist repair certifier for repair certification. The repair may compromise the safety of vehicle occupants or other road users.

You do not thoroughly inspect all components or correctly determine whether the vehicle structure complies with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

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

For example:

• you do not use an inspection lamp
• the level of trim removal does not meet the minimum required by Transport Agency.

You thoroughly inspect all components and correctly determine whether the vehicle structure complies with all legal requirements, including approved vehicle standards.

Technical competence

You demonstrate:

• little or no competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle structures, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, 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 vehicle structures
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to vehicle structures
• the Transport Agency repair threshold relating to vehicle structures
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle structures.

You demonstrate:

• some competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle structures, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, 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 vehicle structures
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to vehicle structures
• the Transport Agency repair threshold relating to vehicle structures
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle structures.

You demonstrate:

• adequate competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle structures, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards, 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 vehicle structures
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to vehicle structures
• the Transport Agency repair threshold relating to vehicle structures
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle structures.

You can demonstrate comprehensive competence in the technical aspects relating to vehicle structures, including their compliance with approved vehicle standards.

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

• the assessment of vehicle structures, and
• the legal requirements (including Transport Agency requirements) relating to vehicle structures, and
• the Transport Agency repair threshold relating to vehicle structures, and
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing vehicle structures.

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.