The inspection and certification process

5-2 Inspection and certification

2.1 Inspecting and certifying a vehicle for entry into service (section 6.3(2) of the Rule)

The inspection and certification of a vehicle for entry into service must be carried out in accordance with requirements and conditions imposed by the NZTA.

The vehicle inspection must be completed before a vehicle can be released from the IO to correct any faults identified during the inspection. If an IO wishes to use an alternative procedure, they must contact the NZTA - Vehicles Standards team for approval.

2.2 Determining compliance of a vehicle (section 6.4(1) of the Rule)

A vehicle may be certified for entry into service only if a vehicle inspector or inspecting organisation has identified the vehicle and has determined, on reasonable grounds, that the vehicle:

a) is safe to be operated, and

b) has been designed and constructed using components and materials that are fit for their purpose, and is within safe tolerance of its state when manufactured or modified, and

c) complies with the applicable requirements (all of which are contained or referred to within this manual and the VIRM: In-service certification), and

d) has not suffered water or fire damage as specified by the NZTA (see paragraph 2.5 below), and

e) has undergone specialist inspection and certification as required by paragraphs 2.6 to 2.10 below and that the specific aspects of the vehicle have been certified.

2.3 Information to take into account when determining compliance of a vehicle (section 6.4(3) of the Rule)

In making a determination, a vehicle inspector or inspecting organisation must take into account:

a) information, if any, recorded when the vehicle was inspected at the border of which the inspector or organisation is aware, and

b) information obtained from inspecting the vehicle and associated documents, and

c) additional relevant information, if any, about the vehicle issued by a manufacturer, modifier, repairer or other relevant person of which the inspector or organisation is aware.

2.4 Information received from other sources

To ensure consistency of procedures and standards, local IOs must refer any queries or variations to their technical manager for clarification. Technical managers will liaise with the NZTA to further clarify any query or variation as required.

2.5 Water- or fire-damaged vehicles (section 11.1 of the Rule)

The NZTA may, by way of notice in the New Zealand Gazette, specify the extent of water damage that makes it impractical to determine by way of an inspection whether a water- or fire-damaged vehicle is safe to be operated. A vehicle having sustained water or fire damage to the extent specified by the NZTA – whether that damage has been repaired or not – cannot be certified for entry into service in New Zealand (see Technical Bulletin 2).

2.6 Vehicle repair specialist inspection and certification (section 6.5(1)(a) of the Rule)

Vehicle repair specialist inspection and certification is required if a vehicle has been repaired because of, or following, significant damage or deterioration to its structure, chassis, body-to-chassis attachment, suspension or occupant protection system.

Vehicle structure – Threshold for requiring specialist repair certification (in the Inspection and certification section of this manual, section 3-4), sets out the degree of damage or repair permitted to a vehicle undergoing entry certification before repair certification is required.

Specialist repair certifiers may choose to accept variations from the vehicle manufacturer’s specification for a vehicle’s critical dimensions, provided it can be shown that any variation will not adversely affect the safety of the vehicle or its operation. Any variation must be noted and explained on the LT308 or LT400. An IO does not have to accept any variation if there is concern that safety has been compromised.

2.7 Alternative fuel system inspection and certification (section 6.5(1)(b) of the Rule)

Alternative fuel system inspection and certification is required if a vehicle is fitted with an alternative fuel system that is in working order.

2.8 Low volume vehicle specialist inspection and certification (section 6.5(1)(c) of the Rule)

Low volume vehicle (LVV) specialist inspection and certification may be required if a light vehicle has been modified so as to affect its compliance with an applicable requirement since it was manufactured, last certified for entry or last certified as a low volume vehicle.

2.9 Heavy vehicle specialist inspection and certification (section 6.5(1)(d) of the Rule)

Heavy vehicle specialist inspection and certification may be required if a heavy vehicle has been modified so as to affect its compliance with an applicable requirement since it was manufactured or last certified for entry or for modification. This includes modifications to its chassis, brakes, log bolster attachments, towing connections or load anchorages.

2.10 Other specialist certification (section 6.5(1)(e) of the Rule)

Other specialist inspection and certification may be required in accordance with an applicable requirement, or as required by the NZTA.

2.11 Modified vehicles not requiring specialist certification (section 6.5(3) of the Rule)

Specialist inspection and certification of a modified vehicle is not required, if:

a) the vehicle has been inspected by a vehicle inspector or inspecting organisation appointed for the purposes of entry inspection and certification in accordance with this manual and the VIRM: In-service certification, and the inspector or organisation is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the risk of injury to any person has been minimised, or

b) the vehicle was modified for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services, that is, equipped for the attendance of fires, for ambulance duty or as a police vehicle.

Page amended 1 November 2014 (see amendment details).

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