Standards

• Drawbars and drawbeams fitted heavy vehicles must be certified to NZS 5446
• Towbars fitted to heavy vehicles must be certified to NZS 5467
• Load anchorage fitted to heavy vehicles must be certified to NZS5444
• Log bolster attachments fitted to heavy vehicles must be certified to the log bolster attachment code.

Certification to these standards and code requires that components are identified by means of a prescribed ID plate fitted to the component.

Note: these ID plates are an inspection requirement at CoF and are subject to inspection by appointed NZ Transport Agency Transport Officers and NZ Police.

If an ID plate is damaged or lost, it requires replacement. The operator may request a duplicate of the ID plate and the certifier has two options.

Option one

The original certifier must verify the vehicle identity. The drawbar, drawbeam, towbar, load anchorage or log bolster attachment specifications are to be verified with the original certification records. The certifier shall also establish that the component has not been modified or repaired since original manufacture and certification. When the certifier is satisfied, they then issue a duplicate identification plate with the same expiry date (if required) and ensure that it is attached to the component.

If the HVSC is satisfied that the vehicle identity and the component  can be verified with photographs, it is acceptable to perform this remotely.

Option two

If the original certifier is unavailable or unresponsive, and there is no clear documentation available to verify the originally certified state, the drawbar, drawbeam, towbar, load anchorage or log bolster attachment is re-certified by a certifier holding the appropriate category.

Replacement of the component is mandatory when the identity of the component is in doubt or the component has been modified or damaged and repaired with no evidence of subsequent recertification.

In the rare event that documentation is available and the certifier is confident that the existing component matches the original certification (with no modifications), a replacement plate may be considered. In such cases, the certifier assumes responsibility for verifying the component and must be prepared to support the certification if challenged. For example, this may occur within a business that holds files for a certifier who is no longer practicing.