Vehicle structure
3-1 Structure
Reasons for rejection
Mandatory equipment
1. An open-bodied vehicle that entered service as a PSV in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2001:
a) has side walls that are less than 450mm above the highest point of the uncompressed seat cushion on the open-bodied part of the vehicle, or
b) does not have a permanent framework in addition to the side walls to provide reasonable protection for the occupants in the case of the vehicle rolling over, or
c) on any upper deck does not have drains to prevent water from collecting on it or draining into the body of the vehicle.
2. On a heavy open-bodied vehicle that entered service as a PSV in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2001:
a) a front screen to extend above the upper floor level:
i. is missing, or
ii. does not extend to at least 1m above the highest point of the uncompressed seat cushion, or
iii. does not extend to at least 1.95m above the upper floor level, or
b) a railing, or another structure, to extend above the side walls:
i. has a railing above the side walls through which a sphere of 125mm diameter can be passed, or
ii. has a railing that does not extend above the side walls to a height of at least 610mm above the highest point of the uncompressed seat cushion.
Condition
3. Refer to heavy vehicle pages.
4. The structural strength of a PSV has been reduced so that it does not provide reasonable protection for the occupants in the event of roof or wall deformation resulting from the vehicle rolling over, eg:
a) structural parts of the superstructure have been removed or substituted with parts that are of insufficient strength or not fit for purpose.
5. A body-to-chassis attachment, such as a weld, or fastener is:
a) missing, or
b) loose, or
c) cracked, or
d) broken, or
e) significantly corroded, or
f) otherwise in poor condition.
Modification
6. Refer to heavy vehicle pages.
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
1. An open-bodied vehicle that entered service as a PSV in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2001 must:
a) on the open-bodied part of the vehicle have side walls that extend at least 450mm above the highest point of the uncompressed seat cushion, and
b) have a permanent framework to provide reasonable protection for the occupants in the case of the vehicle rolling over, and
c) on any upper deck have drains to prevent water from collecting on it or draining into the body of the vehicle.
2. A heavy open-bodied vehicle that entered service as a PSV in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2001 must have:
a) a front screen that extends at least 1m above the highest uncompressed seat cushion, and at least 1.95 m above the upper floor level, and
b) a railing, or another structure through which a sphere of 125mm diameter cannot be passed, that extends above the side walls to a height of 610mm above the highest point of the uncompressed seat cushion.
Condition
3. Refer to heavy vehicle pages.
4. The structural strength must be maintained throughout the service life of the PSV.
5. The superstructure must be of robust design, and made of materials fit for the purpose.
6. The body of a PSV must be fit for its purpose and securely fixed to the chassis.
7. The structural strength of a PSV must be sufficient to provide reasonable protection for the occupants in the event of roof or wall deformation resulting from the vehicle rolling over.
Modification and repair
8. Refer to heavy vehicle pages.