Correct technical decisions

You thoroughly inspect all modifications and correctly determine if the modifications comply with all legal requirements, taking into account technical information provided by NZTA and the LVVTA such as Low Volume Vehicle Code, Standards, Survey Sheets, Information Sheets, and LVVTA Member Association Technical Manuals.

NZTA will:

• talk to you
• observe you at work
• inspect the modifications on vehicles while you are certifying the vehicles, or after you have certified the vehicles
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete.

Technical competence

You are competent in all technical aspects relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications. This means you are competent in:

• the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, including:
  • the identification of any modifications such as non-OE components and systems
  • the identification of the source of any non-OE components and systems
  • the identification and assessment of material types, manufacturing and machining processes (where applicable)
  • the assessment of the suitability of the modifications and their effect on other components and systems
• legal requirements (including NZTA requirements) relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

NZTA will:

• talk to you
• ask questions to check your competence relating to any of the modifications, and your assessment of the modifications
• observe you at work
• inspect inspection and certification documents you use and complete
• inspect your Training record.

NZTA may administer a short test on Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, and the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

Technical equipment

You have, or have access to:

• a graduated lightboard or commercial quality beamsetter
• a 35% VLT tint sample or a light transmission measuring device
• a stop-watch or other device capable of measuring average deceleration
• a jack or other suitable equipment to lift wheels off the ground
• an industrial quality hand-held inspection lamp
• a steel test bar for steering and suspension
• graduated tyre tread depth gauge
• a steel ruler and tape measure
• an H-point indicator (eg LVVTA h-frame or h-point template)
• an inspection mirror
• a protractor or other device used to measure angles
• head sphere ball
• duct o  similar adhesive tape
• a string-line
• a vernier calliper
• a selection of hand tools, including those required for anchorage bolt and trim removal, steering wheel and universal joint attachment, as applicable.

The equipment is in good condition and working order.

NZTA will inspect your technical equipment.

Correct technical decisions

You do not thoroughly inspect all modifications or correctly determine if the modifications comply with all legal requirements.

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

For example:

• a non-OE engine mount is poorly designed or manufactured, and failure of the mount could cause the engine to contact or bind against a steering component, or
• a non-OE accelerator system is poorly designed or manufactured, and could result in binding or jamming over-centre at the full-open position, or
• a drive-shaft is designed or manufactured in such a way as to have insufficient engagement into the gearbox or differential, or a drive-shaft safety-loop is not fitted where one is required, or
• a front disc brake adaptation incorporates a wheel cylinder size that is incompatible with the master cylinder or rear wheel cylinders, resulting in an imbalanced brake system, or
• an aftermarket steering wheel is incompatible with the steering column hub assembly, or is not attached using a vibration-proof fastening system, or
• there is insufficient distance between moving suspension components and bump-stops to allow full and unrestricted suspension travel during normal operation when the vehicle is fully laden, or
• a non-OE wheel is attached by fasteners that provide insufficient thread engagement.

You do not thoroughly inspect all modifications or correctly determine if the modifications comply with all legal requirements.

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

For example:

• a non-OE engine mount is poorly designed or manufactured, but failure of the mount would not cause the engine to contact or bind against a steering component, or
• a non-OE accelerator system is well designed and manufactured, but is fitted with a single accelerator return spring, or
• a drive-shaft’s universal joints are incorrectly phased or misaligned, or
• a braking system in a vehicle that has undergone an engine conversion meets the specified requirements for one-off brake performance, but is unable to meet the specified brake fade-resistance requirements, or
• an aftermarket steering wheel is fitted that is not of an impact energy absorbing design and does not incorporate a collapsible hub, or
• a suspension coil spring is not sufficiently contained, and could dislodge at full suspension extension, or
• a non-OE wheel is outside of the specified offset requirements.

You do not thoroughly inspect all modifications or correctly determine if the modifications comply with all legal requirements.

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

For example:

• an engine mount rubber is worn or damaged, or
• a non-OE accelerator system is well designed and manufactured, and is fitted with dual accelerator return springs, but is unusually stiff to depress, or
• a drive-shaft universal joint has minor wea , or a drive-shaft is slightly out of balance, or
• a non-OE park-brake system is attached without the use of vibration-proof fasteners, or
• a modified or non-OE steering system operates safely, but the geometry is causing excessive tyre wear, or
• non-critical components such as a chassis or sub-frame section extends slightly below the specified scrub-line requirements, or
• a non-OE wheel and tyre fitment has resulted in a speedometer inaccuracy.

You thoroughly inspect all modifications and correctly determine if the modifications comply with all legal requirements.

Technical competence

You demonstrate:

• little or no competence in the technical aspects relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, or
• a level of competence that is likely to compromise the safety of the vehicle occupants or other road users.

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

• the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, including:
  • the identification of any modifications such as non-OE components and systems
  • the identification of the source of any non-OE components and systems
  • the identification and assessment of material types, manufacturing and machining processes (where applicable)
  • the assessment of the suitability of the modifications and their effect on other components and systems
• legal requirements (including NZTA requirements) relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

You demonstrate:

• some competence in the technical aspects relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, or
• a level of competence that may compromise the safety of the vehicle occupants or other road users.

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

• the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, including:
  • the identification of any modifications such as non-OE components and systems
  • the identification of the source of any non-OE components and systems
  • the identification and assessment of material types, manufacturing and machining processes (where applicable)
  • the assessment of the suitability of the modifications and their effect on other components and systems
• legal requirements (including NZTA requirements) relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

You demonstrate:

• adequate competence in the technical aspects relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications; or
• a level of competence that is unlikely to compromise the safety of the vehicle occupants or other road users.

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

• the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, including:
  • the identification of any modifications such as non-OE components and systems
  • the identification of the source of any non-OE components and systems
  • the identification and assessment of material types, manufacturing and machining processes (where applicable)
  • the assessment of the suitability of the modifications and their effect on other components and systems
• legal requirements (including NZTA requirements) relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

You demonstrate comprehensive competence in all technical aspects relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

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

• the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, including:
• the assessment of Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications, including:
  • the identification of any modifications such as non-OE components and systems
  • the identification of the source of any non-OE components and systems
  • the identification and assessment of material types, manufacturing and machining processes (where applicable)
  • the assessment of the suitability of the modifications and their effect on other components and systems
• legal requirements (including NZTA requirements) relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1A Modified production – limited modifications.

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 of the 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.