6.1 Vehicle inspectors

Application packs may be obtained from, and completed application packs must be sent to:

6.1.1 Warrant of Fitness

An applicant may apply for appointment to inspect one or more of the following categories of vehicles:

• Light trailers (class TA, TB)
• General vehicles (class LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, NA), includes light tractors, light forklifts and light unclassified vehicles
• Motorcycles (class LC, LD, LE)
• Heavy motor vehicles exempt CoF (includes tractors, forklifts, unclassified vehicles)
• Tractors only
• Forklifts only.

The applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

a) have the following qualifications/work experience:

i. be qualified as an automotive technician with either NZ Trade Certificate, National A-Grade Registration, NZ Advanced Trade Certificate or equivalent, or

ii. be qualified as an automotive technician with either National Certificate in Automotive Engineering, National Registration or equivalent, and three years relevant work experience, or

iii. have worked carrying out repairs and maintenance to all safety aspects of light motor vehicles for at least four years cumulatively.

b) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the requirements in the VIRM: In-service certification, sufficient to inspect and certify a vehicle

c) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of common vehicles and their:

i. structure, including glazing and external projections

ii. suspension, steering and braking systems

iii. safety equipment, including seatbelts and airbags

iv. lighting system requirements

d) be a fit and proper person (section 2.6 of the Rule - see also Fit and proper person guidelines). The criteria considered with any application include:

i. relevant criminal convictions

ii. transport related offences

iii. relevant warnings, penalties and disciplinary actions imposed

iv. relevant complaints

v. the public interest and land transport safety

e) have a current driver licence for the class(es) of vehicles to be inspected

f) agree to and sign the Code of conduct.

6.1.2 Certificate of Fitness - light vehicles (CoF A)

An applicant may apply for appointment to inspect one or both of the following categories of vehicles:

• Light vehicles except motorcycles (class LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA)
• Motorcycles (class LC, LD, LE)

The applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

a) have the following qualifications/work experience:

i. be qualified as an automotive technician with either NZ Trade Certificate, National A-Grade Registration, NZ Advanced Trade Certificate or equivalent, or

ii. be qualified as an automotive technician with either National Certificate in Automotive Engineering, National Registration or equivalent, and three years relevant work experience, or

iii. have worked carrying out repairs and maintenance to all safety aspects of light motor vehicles for at least four years cumulatively.

b) must be a current WoF inspector for general vehicles (and/or motorcycles where appropriate)

c) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the requirements in the VIRM: In-service certification, sufficient to inspect and certify a vehicle

d) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of common vehicles and their:

i. structure, including glazing and external projections

ii. suspension, steering and braking systems

iii. safety equipment, including seatbelts and airbags

iv. lighting system requirements

e) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of light passenger vehicles and their requirements, including entry requirements (see PSV sections in the VIRM: Entry certification)

f) be a fit and proper person (section 2.6 of the Rule - see also Fit and proper person guidelines). The criteria considered with any application include:

i. relevant criminal convictions

ii. transport-related offences

iii. relevant warnings, penalties and disciplinary actions imposed

iv. relevant complaints

v. the public interest and land transport safety

g) have a current driver licence for the class(es) of vehicles to be inspected

h) agree to and sign the Code of conduct.

6.1.3 Certificate of fitness - heavy vehicles (CoF B)

An applicant may only apply for one of the two following categories at a time. Heavy PSVs may only be applied for after the applicant has held their current appointment for heavy vehicles except PSVs for a minimum of three months:

• Heavy vehicles except PSVs (class NB, NC, TC, TD), or
• Heavy PSVs (class MD3, MD4, ME).

The applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

a) be qualified as:

i. an automotive technician with either NZ Trade Certificate, National A-Grade Registration, or NZ Advanced Trade Certificate or equivalent and three years relevant workshop experience performing vehicle maintenance and repair work

ii. an automotive technician with either National Certificate in Automotive Engineering, National Registration or equivalent and three years relevant work experience

iii. a person who has workedcarrying out repairs and maintenance to all safety aspects of heavy motor vehicles for at least four years cumulatively.

b) must have completed roller brake machine (RBM) training by a Waka Kotahi-approved RBM training provider

c) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the requirements in the VIRM: In-service certification, sufficient to inspect and certify a vehicle

d) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of common vehicles and their:

i. structures, including glazing and external projections, and

ii. suspensions, steering and braking systems, and

iii. tow connections and load anchorages, and

iv. lighting system requirements

e) demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of heavy passenger service vehicles and their requirements (applicable to MD3, MD4 and ME classes only), including entry requirements (see PSV sections in the VIRM: Entry certification)

f) be a fit and proper person (section 2.6 of the Rule - see also Fit and proper person guidelines). The criteria considered with any application include:

i. relevant criminal convictions

ii. transport-related offences

iii. relevant warnings, penalties and disciplinary actions imposed

iv. relevant complaints

v. the public interest and land transport safety

g) have a current and correct class of driver licence to drive the class of vehicles being inspected. Where a class 5 vehicle does not have to be driven by the vehicle inspector who is conducting the inspection, the minimum class of licence to be held is a class 4 licence.

h) agree to and sign the Code of conduct.

6.1.4 Requirements to retain appointment

Vehicle inspectors are appointed for a three year term. (Note: The three year term commences from the date of appointment for all new vehicle inspectors appointed on or after December 1 2014. For vehicle inspectors appointed prior to December 1 2014 the three year re-appointment process commences from the day they sign up to and agree to the new NZ Transport Agency Vehicle Inspector Code of Conduct).

To maintain appointment, a vehicle inspector must carry out a minimum total of 25 vehicle inspections per 12-month period, including at least one in each of the following categories for which they are appointed:

• WoF
• CoF (light vehicles)
• CoF (heavy vehicles).

Note: The total of 25 inspections per year requirement commences from the date of appointment for all new vehicle inspectors appointed on or after December 1 2014. For vehicle inspectors appointed prior to December 1 2014 the minimum of 25 inspections per year commences from the day the vehicle inspectors signs up to and agrees to the NZ Transport Agency Vehicle Inspector Code of Conduct. Exceptions can be made. This must be approved in writing by the Transport Agency. These include, but are not limited to, a NZ Police CVST Vehicle Safety Officer or NZ Defence Force Inspectors not issuing due to overseas posting.

A vehicle inspector's appointment category may be revoked if it is not used within a 12-month period.

6.2 Inspecting organisations

Application packs may be obtained from, and completed application packs must be sent to:

WoF and/or CoF inspecting organisations must:

a) meet the requirements for inspection premises and equipment, and

b) be fit and proper (section 2.6 of the Rule - see also Fit and proper person guidelines). The criteria considered with any application include:

i. relevant criminal convictions

ii. transport-related offences

iii. relevant warnings, penalties and disciplinary actions imposed

iv. relevant complaints

v. the public interest and land transport safety, and

c) have currently employed a vehicle inspector approved for the relevant classes of vehicles

d) advise which quality management system (QMS) they will be operating under

e) agree to the Notice of appointment.