Raising and lowering vehicles
Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) No 50 Raising and lowering vehicles was issued on 15 July 2009 by the Minister for Roads as part of a drive to help improve road safety in NSW.
The start date of VSI 50 has been deferred in order to provide industry and the community the opportunity to have input into the proposed changes.
A working group comprising industry, RTA and government representatives has been set up to discuss details and implementation arrangements for the VSI 50.
The working group met on August 12, to discuss options.
The RTA will investigate the options that arose from this meeting and make further determinations in due course.
The revised implementation date will be announced once the recommendations have been agreed.
The revised date will include a transition period to enable modification currently being made to vehicles to be completed. VSI 50 will be amended accordingly.
Inquiries may be directed to 1300 137 302 or by email to: Technical_Enquiries@rta.nsw.gov.au
Vehicle modifications fall into three distinct categories:
- ‘Owner certified’ minor modifications which can be accepted for registration purposes without formal
certification.
- ‘Engineering signatory certified’ modified production vehicles.
- ‘Engineering signatory certified’ individually constructed vehicles.
Owner certified minor modifications are generally those modifications which were optional equipment for the vehicle concerned. Owner certified modifications also include some non-standard modifications of a minor nature which do not affect the level of safety, strength or reliability of vital systems such as brakes and steering. These modifications have little or no impact upon the vehicle’s level of compliance with the Australian Design Rules.
Examples of minor (owner certified) modifications are:
- Engine changes where the capacity increase is less than 15% above the maximum size engine available for the vehicle (providing no major structural modifications are necessary and where noise and/or exhaust emission ADRs apply, all standard equipment such as carburettors, exhaust systems, exhaust gas recirculating valves, oxygen sensors and catalytic convertors relating to noise and emission control are retained and operate correctly).
- The fitting of a proprietary sunroof (if the modifications are of a minor nature only).
- Fitting a ‘package’ available as optional equipment for the vehicle (eg front disc brakes, power steering, alternative transmission and bucket or bench seats).
- Additional lighting eg fog & driving lights.
- Alternative wheels and tyres within the owner certified limits set by the Authority (see Vehicle Standards
Information Sheet No. 9 Guidelines for alternative wheels & tyres).
- Fitting of handling enhancing suspension components such as roll stabiliser bars and up-rated shock absorbers.
Major modifications which fall outside the category of minor (owner cer tified) modifications require submission of certification by an RTA recognised engineering signatory. This is usually in the form of an Engineering certificate prepared by the signatory.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests