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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications. This means you are competent in the assessment of Category 1C Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications, and the assessment of Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 or 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
• containers or objects to simulate occupant weight.

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:

• the design of a tubular space-frame chassis neither follows time-proven design and construction methods and materials, nor has been approved by an LVVTA-recognised build approval process, or
• the door retention system of a scratch-built body does not incorporate door latches of a burst-proof design, or
• the conversion or installation of an engine positioned in a mid-engine location incorporates an engine mount design that does not provide adequate resistance against potential forward movement, or
• the adjustment mechanism of a custom-manufactured brake balance bar assembly for the actuation of twin single master cylinders is unable to be locked into position, allowing uncontrolled variation in front to rear brake balance to occur whilst the vehicle is in operation, or
• a steering rack and pinion assembly has been fitted directly onto a beam or tubular front axle assembly, or a steering intermediate shaft has been adapted to accept a different pinion using a non-automotive universal joint, or
• a tubular front axle is located to the chassis by hairpin-style or split OE radius rods, or
• a fuel tank is not securely attached, or is positioned in such a way that it does not meet the specified scrub-line requirements.

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 tubular space-frame chassis meets the design or build approval requirements, but critical or load-applying components are attached to areas of the chassis that are not multi-tube intersection points, or
• the door retention system of a scratch-built body incorporates door latches of a burst-proof design, but the attachment points of the latching or hinging mechanisms do not meet the specified requirements, or
• a north–south engine conversion results in a significant power increase, and no up-rated drive-shaft universals or drive-shaft safety loop is incorporated, or
• the leverage ratio of a custom-manufactured brake pedal assembly is outside of the specified requirements, resulting in excessive effort required to achieve maximum braking efficiency, or
• a pair of universals within a steering intermediate shaft, have been supported by a suitable sleeve or bush, but the positioning of the support has resulted in minor binding in the steering system, or
• custom bushed or spherical rod ends used to attach longitudinal locating links to a differential housing do not meet the specified requirements, or
• a fuel tank is securely attached and correctly located, but has no means of venting gases to the outside of the vehicle.

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:

• a tubular space-frame chassis meets the design or build approval requirements, and the details of the chassis construction are sound, but the welding process has caused corrosion sites, or
• the door retention system of a scratch-built body incorporates door latches of a burst-proof design, and the attachment points of the latching and hinging mechanisms meet the specified requirements, but the latches are not of a type that have been tested or approved, or
• a differential conversion uses a differential centre and axle assembly from a vehicle of less power output than the vehicle being modified or constructed, or
• a vehicle that has been converted from having an anti-lock braking system to a non anti-lock braking system meets the specified requirements, except for the presence of the required warning label, or
• a vehicle steers safely, but does not incorporate any ackermann geometry, or
• a stub axle assembly does not incorporate a dust cover to protect the wheel bearings, or
• a fuel line is mounted in the correct location, and is securely attached, but the attachment intervals are slightly outside the specified requirements.

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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications.

You demonstrate:

• some competence in the technical aspects relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications.

You demonstrate:

• adequate competence in the technical aspects relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications.

You demonstrate comprehensive competence in all technical aspects relating Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications.

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

• the assessment of Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• NZTA and LVVTA guidelines relating to Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built modifications
• the operation of the equipment you use for assessing Category 1D Modified production – advanced and scratch-built 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.