This advisory outlines two recent VIRM notifications, the first heavy vehicle specialist certification process amendments and the second, revisions to the in-service inspection criteria. These were released by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on 2 March, coming into effect on 1 April 2021. The VIRM amendments include reference to WOF inspections. While this is not applicable to commercial freight traffic and heavy vehicles, we have chosen to leave it in the advisory for completeness of Waka Kotahi’s original advice.
For more information on the NZ Transport Agency’s vehicle inspection portal, contact us at vehicles@nzta.govt.nz
Visit the Agency website vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz
RTFNZ members can download and preview the 1 April 2021 VIRM: Heavy vehicle specialist certification amendment.
VIRM: Heavy vehicle specialist certification preview
This amendment includes:
• an update to delegations regarding initial assessment and repairs, and how different aspects are dealt with between engineers
• seatbelts and seatbelt anchorages updated to more closely reflect the rule
• a rewrite of Technical bulletin 4: Heavy vehicle modifications that may affect brakes
• rescinding technical bulletin 16 as the content has been merged into technical bulletin 4.
These changes are effective from 1 April 2021.
RTFNZ Members can now download previews of the 1 April 2021 VIRM: In-service certification and VIRM: Entry certification amendments.
VIRM: In-service certification
This amendment includes:
• new content about the introduction of the low volume vehicle electronic data plates
• a further clarification that vehicles should be failed if they have a headlamp HID or LED conversion kit. They bring the headlamp out of standards compliance by producing poor beam patterns and light that is far too bright to be safe
• updates to the fog lamp beam pattern images to more clearly show the beam pattern and dip
• new reasons for rejection and images regarding mudguard requirements on heavy vehicles
(CoF only)
• general changes and improvements.
WoF only list of changes and preview pages
WoF and CoF list of changes and preview pages
VIRM: Entry certification
This amendment includes:
• new content about the introduction of the low volume vehicle electronic data plates
• changes to who can be a quality assurance controller when a VIN is being affixed
• changes to the quarantine system when repair certification is also involved
• a new technical bulletin regarding the process when a vehicle is fitted with an ITS Connect system
• a number of clarifications and changes to documentation requirements.
• Entry certification list of changes and preview pages
Other April VIRM amendments
In addition to the amendments above, you can also preview the upcoming changes to other VIRMs.
VIRM: Border inspection of used imported vehicles
