Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

1. The vehicle is not fitted with a driver’s seat.

2. A seat is not attached to the vehicle structure by seat anchorages.

Condition and performance

3. A seat frame or seat structure has been weakened, eg due to damage, corrosion or excessive wear.

4. The adjustment mechanism of a driver’s seat:

a) does not operate, or

b) is worn, causing excessive movement of the seat.

5. The attachment of the seat to the seat anchorage is loose or weakened by damage.

6. The attachment of the seat anchorage to the vehicle structure is loose or weakened by damage.

7. There is corrosion damage within 150mm of a seat anchorage (Note 4).

8. There is corrosion damage within 300mm of the anchorage of a seat with integrated seatbelt anchorages (Note 4).

9. A driver’s seat is in such a condition that it does not allow the driver to have proper control of the vehicle.

Modification

10. A modification (Note 3) carried out after 1 March 1999 affects a seat or seat anchorage, and:

a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 7-1-1), and

b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:

i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or

ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card , or

iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13 .

Note 2

Corrosion damage is where the metal has been eaten away, which is evident by pitting. The outward sign of such corrosion damage is typically displayed by the lifting or bubbling of paint. In extreme cases, the area affected by the corrosion damage will fall out and leave a hole.

Note 3 Definitions

Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.

Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.

Seat means an assembly, or part of an assembly, intended to seat at least one person, which may or may not be integral to the structure of the vehicle, and includes components, such as rails and runners, that attach to the seat anchorages.

Seat anchorages means the parts of the vehicle structure to which a seat is attached.

Note 4

Where the inspector is presented with a Nissan Terrano or Nissan Mistral vehicle of the type that is fitted with a two-layer (double skin) floor panel, the inspection procedure in Technical bulletin 2 must be followed.

Note 5

Where a seat with an integrated airbag is fitted with a seat cover that is not airbag compatible, this modification is allowed (a pass), but the inspector should advise the operator, for example by putting a note on the checksheet , that the seat airbag may not work properly in a crash. Airbag compatible seat covers are now readily available.

Note 6

• Where a manufacturer fitted or LVV certified seat has been removed, a seatbelt is not required for that position, so any remaining seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage components are not required to be inspected.
• Where an LVV certified seat has been temporarily removed, meaning that the information on the LVV plate differs from the vehicle, this is not on its own a reason for rejection.
• Where seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage components remain fitted, and the vehicle is such that the removed seats can be readily re-fitted and used with the seatbelts, the vehicle inspector must:
  • identify which seats were missing when the vehicle was presented for inspection, and
  • advise the vehicle operator that the remaining seatbelt components have not been checked, and that if the missing seats are re-fitted at a later stage, it is the vehicle operators' responsibility to ensure that these seats and seatbelts are compliant prior to using them.

If the inspector chooses to inspect any remaining seatbelt components, then they should identify that to the vehicle operator. Any defects should be noted on the checksheet, but must not be failed. The same information as noted above must be recorded on the checksheet to make it clear that the responsibility lies with the vehicle operator if seats are re-fitted.

Table 7-1-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification

Note 7

A stressed type seat is a seat to which a seatbelt is directly mounted to any of the components that make up the seat and seat frame. An unstressed seat has no seatbelt attachment point on either the seat or the seat frame (i.e. the seat belt is attached to a different part of the vehicle structure).

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

• Land Transport Rule: Seats and Seat Anchorages 2002.

Mandatory equipment

1. A motor vehicle must be fitted with a driver’s seat.

2. A seat in a motor vehicle must be fitted to the vehicle structure by means of seat anchorages.

Condition and performance

3. Seats and seat anchorages must be safe, strong, in sound condition and compatible in strength with each other and with the vehicle structure.

4. The driver’s seat and its anchorages must be designed, constructed and maintained to enable the driver to have proper control of the vehicle.

5. Seats and seat anchorages must be securely attached to the vehicle structure.

6. When a seatbelt or any part of the seatbelt is integral to a seat, the seat and seat anchorages must be compatible in strength with the seatbelt or with that part of the seatbelt attached to the seat.

Modification

7. A modification, on or after 1 March 1999 to a seat or seat anchorage must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:

a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV specialist certification (Table 7-1-1), and

b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory requirement

1. On a vehicle fitted with a wheelchair or wheelchair and occupant restraint that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000, or on a PSV fitted with a wheelchair-occupant restraint on or after 1 July 2000, a wheelchair or wheelchair and occupant restraint has not been certified by an HVS certifier.

Mandatory and permitted equipment

2. The driver’s seat is not adjustable.

3. Refer to section 7-1, general vehicle pages.

4. There is a seat on the right-hand side of the driver’s seat.

5. A forward-facing passenger seat (Note 2), other than one fitted with a seatbelt or facing a longitudinal aisle, does not have another seat, partition, guardrail or equivalent fitting installed in front of it within 1m of the front edge of the seat to prevent a passenger sitting on the seat from being thrown forward.

6. A vehicle (Note 4), except any outdoor-access vehicle (Note 3), that entered service as a PSV in New Zealand:

a) before 1 July 2000 does not have armrests fitted to the open ends of sideways-facing seats, or

b) on or after 1 July 2000 does not have armrests fitted to sideways-facing seats at intervals of 1.8m or less as well as to the open ends of sideways-facing seats.

7. A folding crew seat (Note 1):

a) is fitted other than in the stairwell of the front doorway, or

b) does not fold away automatically when unoccupied, or

c) does not have clear signs stating that the seats:

i. are for use by crew members only, or

ii. must be secured in the fold-away position when they are not being used.

8. A folding or tilting passenger seat (Note 2):

a) is fitted to the stairwell forward of the front axle, or

b) is fitted to the stairwell behind the front axles and does not have operating instructions.

Wheelchair and wheelchair-occupant restraints

9. A passenger service vehicle that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000, and is designed to carry a forward-facing wheelchair and occupant, is not fitted with a restraint system for a wheelchair.

10. A heavy passenger service vehicle that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000, and is designed to carry a rearward-facing wheelchair and occupant, is not fitted with a backrest head support. 

11. A restraint system for a wheelchair, or for a wheelchair and occupant, on a vehicle that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000, or that was fitted with such equipment on or after 1 July 2000 does not include:

a) a horizontal handrail adjacent to the wheelchair parking position for wheelchair occupants to steady themselves while the passenger service vehicle is moving, or

b) a means of preventing the wheelchair from tipping backwards, or

c) a head support if the back of the wheelchair occupant’s head would be against a window, bulkhead or partition, or

d) a means of preventing the wheelchair from swinging out of position or tipping over, or

e) a sign adjacent to the wheelchair parking position stating that the restraint system must be secured and the wheelchair’s brakes applied, or

f) easily accessible quick-release mechanisms.

Condition and performance

12. Refer to section 7-1, general vehicle pages.

13. A wheelchair or wheelchair-occupant restraint does not meet the condition and performance requirements of section 7-5, general vehicle pages.

Folding or tilting passenger seats fitted in stairwells

14. A folding or tilting passenger seat is fitted to the stairwell behind the front axle and:

a) the front doorway is obstructed, or

b) operating instructions for the seat are not clearly displayed, or

c) the seat does not lock automatically, both when in use and in the fold-away or tilted position, or

d) the risk of injury to the seat operator has not been minimised, or

e) the seat could injure persons using the stairwell where the seat is located.

Position of driver’s seat and controls

15. The driver does not have safe and reasonably easy access to the driver’s seat.

16. The driving controls are not protected, or located in such a way as to minimise the risk that they will be operated accidentally.

Modification

17. A seat or seating arrangement, including a wheelchair or wheelchair occupant restraint system, has been modified since the last CoF inspection and there is no written confirmation that items affected by the modification comply with the requirements for entry certification.

Note 1

Crew, in relation to a PSV, means the person or group of persons in control or having responsibility for the operation of the vehicle or the wellbeing of the passengers.

Note 3

Outdoor-access vehicle means a motor vehicle that is used to provide access to remote areas solely in connection with outdoor activities.

Note 4

Sideways-facing passenger seats may be fitted in a heavy motor vehicle without armrests if:

a) the seats fold down for use and fold away when not in use to enable the carriage of wheelchairs or pushchairs, and

b) a row of sideways-facing seating positions is no more than 1.8m wide.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

• Land Transport Rule: Passenger Service Vehicles 1999.

Mandatory requirement

1. On a vehicle fitted with a wheelchair or wheelchair and occupant restraint that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000, or on a PSV fitted with a wheelchair-occupant restraint on or after 1 July 2000, a wheelchair-occupant restraint must be certified by an HVS certifier.

Mandatory and permitted equipment

2. A driver’s seat must be adjustable to ensure the driver has access to the driving controls.

3. Refer to section 7-1, general vehicle pages.

4. There must not be a seat on the right-hand side of the driver’s seat.

5. Every forward-facing passenger seat (Note 2) must have either another seat, a partition or a guard rail positioned no more than 1m in front of the front edge of the seat unless the seat is:

a) fitted with a seatbelt, or

b) fitted in a heavy passenger service vehicle and is facing a longitudinal aisle.

6. A vehicle (Note 4), except any outdoor-access vehicle (Note 3), that entered service as a PSV in New Zealand:

a) before 1 July 2000 must have armrests fitted to the open ends of sideways-facing seats, or

b) on or after 1 July 2000 must have armrests fitted to sideways-facing seats at intervals of 1.8m or less as well as to the open ends of sideways-facing seats.

7. Folding crew seats:

a) may be fitted only in the stairwell of the front doorway of a PSV and

b) must fold away automatically when unoccupied, and

c) must have clear signs stating that the seats:

i. are for use by crew members only, and

ii. must be secured in the fold-away position when they are not being used.

8. A heavy PSV may be fitted with folding or tilting passenger seats, with operating instructions, to the stairwell behind the front axle.

Wheelchair and wheelchair-occupant restraints

9. A restraint system for a wheelchair, or for a wheelchair and occupant, on a vehicle that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000, or that was fitted with such equipment on or after 1 July 2000, must comply with all of the following requirements:

a) there must be a horizontal handrail adjacent to the wheelchair parking position for wheelchair occupants to steady themselves while the passenger service vehicle is moving, and

b) the wheelchair must be prevented from tipping backwards, and

c) a head support must be fitted if the back of the wheelchair occupant’s head would be against a window, bulkhead or partition, and

d) a restraint system must be fitted to prevent the wheelchair from swinging out of position or tipping over, and

e) there must be a sign adjacent to the wheelchair parking position stating that the restraint system must be secured and the wheelchair’s brakes applied, and

f) the restraint system must include easily accessible quick-release mechanisms.

10. A passenger service vehicle that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000 that is designed to carry a forward-facing wheelchair and occupant, must be fitted with a restraint system for a wheelchair.

11. A heavy passenger service vehicle that entered passenger service in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2000 that is designed to carry a rearward-facing wheelchair and occupant, must be fitted with a backrest head support and may be fitted with a restraint system for a wheelchair.

Condition and performance

12. Refer to section 7-1, general vehicle pages.

Folding or tilting passenger seats fitted in stairwells

13. A folding or tilting passenger seat fitted to the stairwell behind the front axle must comply with the following:

a) there must be an unobstructed doorway in front of the front axle for passenger entry or exit, and

b) the seats must lock automatically, both when in use and in the fold-away or tilted position, and

c) operating instructions for the seats must be clearly displayed, and

d) the seats must be designed to minimise the risk of injury to the passengers using the seats, and

e) provision must be made to ensure that the seat mechanism cannot cause injury to passengers using the concealed stairwell.

Position of driver’s seat and controls

14. The driver must have safe and reasonably easy access to the driver’s seat.

15. The driving controls must be protected, or located in such a way as to minimise the risk that they will be operated accidentally.

Modification

16. Refer to section 7-1, general vehicle pages.

17. If a passenger seat, crew seat, wheelchair restraint system, or wheelchair and occupant restraint system is fitted, relocated or modified in a heavy PSV since it was last certified for operation in-service, the passenger seat, crew seat, wheelchair restraint system, or wheelchair and occupant restraint system must comply with the requirements for entry certification.

Reasons for rejection

Condition and performance

1. The external surfaces and padding of a head restraint have deteriorated to the extent that they are likely to injure a vehicle occupant.

2. An adjustable head restraint is unable to remain locked in its adjusted position.

Modification

3. A modification (Note 1) affects a head restraint, and

a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 7-3-1), and

b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:

i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or

ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card, or

iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13.

Note 1 Definitions

Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.

Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.

Table 7-3-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification

Note 2

The following vehicles with a GVM of 2500 kg or less are required to comply with such a standard:

• class MA motor vehicles manufactured from 1 March 1999, and
• class MA motor vehicles that were less than 20 years old when they were first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 April 2002, and
• class MB or MC motor vehicles manufactured from 1 October 2003.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

• Land Transport Rule: Head Restraints 2001
• Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001.

Permitted equipment

1. A motor vehicle may be fitted with head restraints.

Condition and performance

2. The external surfaces and padding of a head restraint must not have deteriorated to the extent that the likelihood of injury to an occupant of the vehicle is increased.

3. An adjustable head restraint must remain able to be adjusted and locked into position.

Modification

4. A modification that affects a head restraint must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle is:

a) excluded from the requirement for LVV specialist certification (Table 7-3-1), and

b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

1. A PSV does not have at least one of the following:

a) an aisle to provide unobstructed access throughout the PSV from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit

b) a door alongside every seat or every row of forward-facing or rearward-facing seats

c) a doorway that gives access to a compartment with fewer than nine seating positions in two rows of seats that face each other and opens into the space between the seats

d) in an outdoor-access vehicle with sideways-facing seats, at least a 300mm space between the front edges of seats which face each other, and at least 300mm foot room for any other seats.

Aisle steps and ramps

2. A flight of aisle steps, an internal ramp or a landing is not provided with handrails, handholds, or handgrips.

Aisles in a PSV used for standing passengers

3. A PSV with a certificate of loading that allows standing passengers is not fitted with handrails, handholds or handgrips whose number and location are appropriate for:

a) the number of passengers permitted to occupy the aisle, or

b) passengers of different heights.

Condition and performance

4. A light, push button, air vent or similar device:

a) projects more than 5mm into the required minimum aisle space, or

b) is not designed to minimise the risk of injury to passengers.

5. A handrail, handhold or handgrip is:

a) not suitable, or

b) not securely attached, or

c) in a condition such that it is likely to injure a person.

6. The aisle step-tread surfaces are:

a) not of a slip-resistant material, or

b) slippery or have deteriorated so that they are no longer safe to use.

Modification

7. An aisle arrangement was modified since the last CoF inspection and there is no written confirmation that items affected by the modification comply with the requirements for entry certification.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

• Land Transport Rule: Passenger Service Vehicles 1999

Mandatory equipment

1. An aisle is required in a PSV to provide unobstructed access throughout the PSV from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit, except where:

a) there is a door alongside every seat or every row of forward- or rearward-facing seats, or

b) a doorway:

i. gives access to a compartment with fewer than nine seating positions in two rows of seats which face each other, and

ii. opens into the space between the seats, or

c) the sideways-facing seats in an outdoor-access vehicle have at least a 300mm space between the front edges of seats which face each other, and there is at least 300mm foot room for any other seats.

Aisle steps and ramps

2. Aisle steps, internal ramps and landings must be provided with suitable handrails, handholds or handgrips.

Aisles in a PSV used for standing passengers

3. If the certificate of loading allows standing passengers to be carried on the PSV, handrails, handholds or handgrips must be fitted, whose number and location must be appropriate for the number of passengers permitted to occupy the aisle and for passengers of different heights.

Performance

4. An aisle, where required, must provide unobstructed access throughout the PSV from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit.

5. The aisle, where required, must be clear of any fixture, except that lights, push buttons, air vents, and similar devices may project up to 5mm into the required minimum aisle-height space, provided it is designed to minimise the risk of injury to passengers.

Aisle steps and ramps

6. The aisle step-tread surfaces must be of a slip-resistant material.

Modification

7. If an aisle in a PSV has been modified since it was last certified for operation in-service, the aisle must meet the requirements for entry certification.

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

• see Note 20, Note 21

1. A seatbelt (Note 1) of the type specified in Table 7-5-1 (first registered in NZ before 1/1/1991), Table 7-5-2 (first registered in NZ between 1/1/1991 and 31/3/2002)and Table 7-5-3 (first registered in NZ from 1/4/2002) has not been fitted for the relevant seating position (see (Note 18) for permitted specialist seatbelts), and

a) the requirements for specific motor vehicles in Table 7-5-4 are not met, or

b) the requirements for modification in Table 7-5-5 are not met.

2. A seat that can be rotated or reversed to face in different directions, for which seatbelts are not provided for all directions, has no notice easily visible by the seat occupant that indicates the direction the seat must (or must not) face when the vehicle is moving.

3. A three-point seatbelt imported and distributed by BVL (Business Ventures Limited) and manufactured by Changzhou BWD, China or Jiang Su Jiu Jiu Traffic Facilities Co. Ltd. is installed (see Figure 7-5-6 for samples to help identify the seatbelts).

• See also the Safety alert: Seatbelts imported by BVL (Business Ventures Limited)

4. A re-webbed seatbelt is fitted without evidence of exemption from requirements by NZTA.

• See Technical bulletin: Seatbelt repair and re-webbing

Condition

• see Note 20

Seatbelts

• see Figure 7-5-7 for guidance on webbing damage and Figure 7-5-8 for guidance on passable webbing indentations.

5. The seatbelt assembly is not securely fixed to a seatbelt anchorage.

6. A seatbelt component (eg protective plastic cover on buckle, tongue or retractor system) is damaged so that foreign objects may enter the interior components, or that they may cause damage to the interior components, mechanisms or webbing.

7. The seatbelt webbing (including webbing attached to the buckle) has:

a) a cut, including a cut on the surface, or

b) a rip or tear, or

c) fraying, or

d) stretching (eg the belt has unusual web patterns or the webbing is deformed, will not lie flat, or is curled or rippled) (see Figure 7-5-8 for exceptions), or

e) fading so that most of the colour has been bleached, and:

i. shows signs of chalking, or a powdery residue is evident on the webbing, or

ii. it has become stiff

f) been dyed to conceal fading, or

g) contamination from grease, paint, solvents or similar products.

h) been replaced or shows other signs of repair (Note 14) and there is no evidence of approval from the seatbelt manufacturer.
Note Such approval is very unlikely.

8. The seatbelt stitching:

a) is damaged or insecure, or

b) shows signs of home repair, eg gluing, stitching by hand or home sewing machine, staples, bolts, or rivets, or

c) indicates that the 'rip stitch' system has been activated, ie the stitching is broken and a 'REPLACE BELT' label has been exposed near the lower seatbelt anchorage, or this label has been cut off.

9. A buckle and tongue:

a) are mismatched, or

b) do not lock, or

c) do not remain locked, or

d) do not release easily, or

e) are insecure when coupled.

10. A component is missing (Note 19), or is cracked, distorted, damaged or deteriorated in such a way that:

a) its strength or integrity is reduced, or

b) it may damage another component or the webbing, or

c) foreign matter may enter the interior of the mechanism, or

d) the seatbelt or a seatbelt component cannot function as intended (does not apply to securely locked seatbelt height adjusters).

11. A seatbelt stalk:

a) (wire-cable type) shows broken wires, or

b) (plastic-covered webbing type) webbing has deteriorated, or is frayed, cut or faded, or

c) (solid metal type) is corroded, cracked or buckled, or

d) is not the correct type for the vehicle or the seating position.

12. A seatbelt pretensioning system has not been replaced after activation.

Seatbelt anchorages

13. A seatbelt anchorage (Note 12):

a) is not securely fixed to the vehicle structure, or

b) is not securely fixed to the seat if the seatbelt is an integral part of the seat, or

c) is corroded, damaged or shows signs of tampering, or

d) has evidence of corrosion damage (Note 13) (Note 17) or structural damage within 150mm of a lower seatbelt anchorage mounted in a wheel arch, or within 300mm of any other seatbelt anchorage.

Performance

• see Note 19

14. The seatbelt webbing of a retractor-type seatbelt does not easily pull out from the retractor.

15. The seatbelt webbing of a retractor-type seatbelt has difficulty retracting, eg is slow or intermittent, or does not fully retract.

16. A static seatbelt cannot be adjusted to fit a variety of persons.

17. The seatbelt is not of sufficient length to fit a variety of persons.

18. A seatbelt is located so that it cannot be readily fastened or released by the wearer.

19. The web and/or vehicle sensitivity of a dual-sensitive retractor type seatbelt fitted in a front seating position does not function correctly.

20. The vehicle sensitivity of a single-sensitive retractor type seatbelt fitted in a front seating position does not function correctly.

21. The web sensitivity of a dual-sensitive retractor type seatbelt fitted in a rear seating position does not function correctly.

22. The vehicle sensitivity of a single-sensitive retractor type seatbelt fitted in a rear seating position does not function correctly.

Modification

23. A modification affects a seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage – including fitting of an alternative type of seatbelt, or a modification (since 1 January 1992) that affects a seatbelt anchorage, and

a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 7–5–5), and

b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:

i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or

ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card, or

iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13 .

24. The seatbelt assembly has been removed after it was rejected for one or more reasons for rejection due to Condition or Performance (above), whether or not the seatbelt is required to be fitted.

Note 1

Seatbelt means an assembly of straps made of webbing or metal with a securing buckle, adjusting devices and attachments, including any device for absorbing energy or for retracting the webbing, that is:

a) able to be anchored to the interior of a vehicle, and

b) designed to diminish the risk of injury to its wearer in the event of a collision or abrupt deceleration of the vehicle by
limiting the mobility of the wearer’s body.

Note 2

Retractor means a device to accommodate parts, or all, of the webbing of a seatbelt.

Note 3

Single-sensitive means a seatbelt retractor that, during normal driving conditions, allows freedom of movement by the wearer of the seatbelt by means of length-adjusting components that automatically adjust the seatbelt to the wearer, and that comprises a locking mechanism activated in an emergency by deceleration of the vehicle (ie the seatbelt is vehicle sensitive).

Note 4

Dual-sensitive means a seatbelt retractor that, during normal driving conditions, allows freedom of movement by the wearer of the seatbelt by means of length-adjusting components that automatically adjust the strap to the wearer, and that is activated by two or more of the following:

a) deceleration of the vehicle, or

b) acceleration of the strap from the retractor, or

c) other means of activation.

Note 5

Seating position means a seat or part of a seat that is of a suitable size and shape for one person.

Note 6

Outer seating position means a seating position next to a side wall of a vehicle where there is no more than 500mm between the longitudinal centre of the seat and the side wall.

Note 7

Middle seating position means a seating position in a vehicle that is not an outer seating position.

Note 9

Monocoque, in relation to a motor vehicle, means that the chassis of the vehicle is integral to the body.

Note 10

Retrofit, in relation to a seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage in a motor vehicle, means to fit a seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage in a location where a seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage has not been fitted before.

Note 11

Motorhome means a motor vehicle, other than a trailer, that is permanently equipped with features intended to make the vehicle suitable as a dwelling place, and must include at least one sleeping berth and one table, both of which may be of a design that allows them to be retracted or folded away.

• For the purposes of this section, motorhomes and campervans are interchangeable terms.

Note 12

Seatbelt anchorage means the parts of a vehicle structure, seat structure or any other part of the vehicle to which a seatbelt assembly is attached.

Note 13

Corrosion damage is where the metal has been eaten away, which is evident by pitting. The outward signs of such corrosion damage is typically displayed by the lifting or bubbling of paint. In extreme cases the area affected by the corrosion damage will fall out and leave a hole.

Note 14

Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.

Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.

• Any repairs, such as webbing or retractor replacement, must be approved by the seatbelt manufacturer. Any modification, such as fitting a different type of seatbelt or a seatbelt extension, must be approved by the seatbelt or vehicle manufacturer. It is very unlikely that a repair or modification will be approved by the vehicle or seatbelt manufacturer. Where such approval is claimed, the inspector must request appropriate evidence.

Note 15

Specialist seatbelt means a seatbelt that is designed for specialist purposes, and includes a full harness seatbelt used for motorsport activities.

Note 16

Permanent structure means a non-removable structure capable of sustaining loads associated with seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages.

Note 17

Where the inspector is presented with a Nissan Terrano or Nissan Mistral vehicle of the type that is fitted with a two-layer (double skin) floor panel, the inspection procedure in Technical bulletin 2 must be followed.

Note 18

A vehicle may be fitted with seatbelts other than of type L, S, R1 or R2 only if the seatbelts are of a specialist type (eg full harness seatbelts), and:

a) the specialist seatbelts are the vehicle manufacturer’s original equipment specification, or

b) the specialist seatbelts have been fitted for a specific purpose (eg motorsport), and the operator produces a valid LVV authority card, or

c) the vehicle is scratchbuilt and the specialist seatbelts are noted on the LVV plate.

Note 19

Some class MA vehicles must have a type R2 webbing clamp seatbelt in a front outer seating position when a type R1 or R2 seatbelt in that position failed an in-service inspection because of its condition or performance. Refer to Technical bulletin 5 for requirements and exceptions.

Note 20

Where a seat has been removed, a seatbelt is not required for that position, and any remaining seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage components are not required to be inspected. Where seatbelt or seatbelt anchorage components remain fitted, and the vehicle is such that the removed seats can be readily re-fitted and used with the seatbelts, the vehicle inspector must:

• Identify which seats were missing when the vehicle was presented for inspection, and
• Advise the vehicle operator that the remaining seatbelt components have not been checked, and that if the missing seats are re-fitted at a later stage, it is the vehicle operators' responsibility to ensure that these seats and seatbelts are compliant prior to using them.

If the inspector chooses to inspect any remaining seatbelt components, then they should identify that to the vehicle operator. Any defects should be noted on the checksheet, but must not be failed. The same information as noted above must be recorded on the checksheet to make it clear that the responsibility lies with the vehicle operator if seats are re-fitted.

Note 21

Except as provided by Table 7-5-5, any seatbelt fitted to a seating position of a vehicle—either having been entry certified (as originally manufactured or modified) or subsequently specialist certified—must remain and be restored when damaged. It cannot be removed on the grounds that Table 7-5-1, Table 7-5-2, or Table 7-5-3 doesn’t require the seatbelt.

Key to Table 7-5-1, Table 7-5-2 and Table 7-5-3: Types of seatbelts¹

¹ A requirement for a specified type of seatbelt may be met by the type specified or another type below it in the key.

Table 7-5-1. Vehicles first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1991

¹ A four-wheel-drive vehicle may be fitted with type S or type R1 seatbelts in the front outer seating position.

² May retain OE seatbelts, but replacement seatbelts must be of type S, R1 or R2.

³ A class MA vehicle must have a type R2 webbing clamp seatbelt in a front outer seating position, when a type R1 or R2 seatbelt in that position failed an in-service inspection because of its condition or performance.
Refer to Technical bulletin 5 for requirements and exceptions.

Key to Table 7-5-1, Table 7-5-2 and Table 7-5-3: Types of seatbelts¹

¹ A requirement for a specified type of seatbelt may be met by the type specified or another type below it in the key.

Table 7-5-2. Vehicles first registered in New Zealand 1 January 1991 to 31 March 2002

¹ Tare weight less than 2000 kg.

² May retain OE belts, but replacement belts must be of type S, R1 or R2.

³ Applies to MD2 only if of monocoque construction (Note 9).

⁴ If seatbelts are not fitted, but anchorages are fitted, must have seatbelts fitted from 1 October 2002. If anchorages are not fitted, seatbelts must be retrofitted from 1 October 2003.

⁵ Front type R1 seatbelts may remain fitted if they were fitted as OE and have a declaration issued by an entry certifier, or a plate affixed to the vehicle in a position approved by the Transport Agency (see Figure 7-5-2, Figure 7-5-3, Figure 7-5-4, Figure 7-5-5 and Figure 7-5-6). If missing, refer the vehicle to an entry certifier.

⁶ A class MA vehicle must have a type R2 webbing clamp seatbelt in a front outer seating position, when a type R1 or R2 seatbelt in that position failed an in-service inspection because of its condition or performance. Refer to Technical bulletin 5 for requirements and exceptions.

Key to Table 7-5-1, Table 7-5-2 and Table 7-5-3: Types of seatbelts¹

¹ A requirement for a specified type of seatbelt may be met by the type specified or another type below it in the key.

Table 7-5-3. Vehicles first registered in New Zealand from 1 April 2002

¹ Tare weight less than 2000 kg.

² May retain OE belts, but replacement belts must be of type S, R1 or R2.

³ Applies to MD2 only if of monocoque construction (Note 9).

⁴ If seatbelts are not fitted, but anchorages are fitted, must have seatbelts fitted from 1 October 2002. If anchorages are not fitted, seatbelts must be retrofitted from 1 October 2003 (Note 10).

⁵ Front type R1 seatbelts may remain fitted if they were fitted as OE and have a declaration issued by an entry certifier, or a plate affixed to the vehicle in a position approved by the Transport Agency (see Figures 7-5-2 to 7-5-6). If missing, refer the vehicle to an entry certifier.

⁶ A class MA vehicle must have a type R2 webbing clamp seatbelt in a front outer seating position, when a type R1 or R2 seatbelt in that position failed an in-service inspection because of its condition or performance. Refer to Technical bulletin 5 for requirements and exceptions.

⁷MD2 vehicles must be issued with a CoF, please refer the vehicle to the nearest CoF testing station.

⁸ For motorhomes only.

Table 7-5-4. Requirements for specific motor vehicles