The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has prepared this manual to enhance the safety of new vehicles entering New Zealand.

The scope of this manual is the statutory requirements for the entry inspection and certification of new light motor vehicles. It conveys to vehicle inspectors and inspecting organisations for new light vehicles appointed by the NZTA (normally the vehicle manufacturer’s New Zealand representative) the conditions of their appointment and the requirements for the inspection and certification of new light vehicles for entry into service. This manual will assist them to achieve correct and consistent standards of inspection and certification.

This manual sets out what the requirements are for passing or failing a vehicle. No attempt has been made to provide details on how a vehicle is to be inspected, a matter best addressed by training programmes.

Amendments to this manual will be issued from time to time as inspection and certification requirements change and improvements are made. Suggestions for improvement should be made using the feedback button found on each page of the manual.

The following diagram shows the role of this manual in relation to the certification process and to other relevant manuals. This is an example process only, and the order of the elements may vary in individual instances.