About LVVTA Approvals

LVVTA approvals perform a range of functions, from a hobby based build approval process for the person scratch-building a car at home, through to individual component approvals for manufacturers and importers from within the automotive industry. Due to this diversity in the range of approvals, it is important that the correct approval type is selected before proceeding. It is also important to understand that none of these LVVTA approvals waive any legal requirement for a vehicle to be LVV Certified; rather they provide a means of simplifying the certification process through assurance of design and quality. Items approved under the LVVTA Approval system must be manufactured and supplied exactly as described on the Approval Certificate. Any variation to the design of any approved item must be reassessed and approved by the TAC, or the original approval is deemed null and void.

All LVVTA approvals are assessed and approved by the LVVTA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC is a sub-committee of LVVTA, established to provide LVVTA with expert technical direction on all technical matters relevant to the LVV certification system. TAC Members are nominated by the LVVTA Chief Executive Officer, and are appointed by the LVVTA Council. Members are selected for their high level of experience and knowledge in certain areas of vehicle design and construction. One of LVVTA’s objectives is to have as wide a range of experience, knowledge and skills as possible covered by the TAC at all times, including welding, materials, fabrication, formal and practical engineering, along with knowledge in a diverse range of vehicle types and construction methods. Some members are professional car builders, and all members have been in the vehicle modification and construction industry or hobby for at least 30 years. Click here to learn more about the TAC.

Decision Review: If you disagree with a decision the TAC make, and believe you have provided sufficient information or justification for approval, you should, in the first instance, contact LVVTA to discuss the outcome. If you want to have an independent review of the decision, you can email the NZ Transport Agency at vehicles@nzta.govt.nz, and they will contact you within five working days.

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Design Approval

Common examples: custom space-frame chassis, custom independent front or rear suspension system, composite chassis, seatbelt anchorages into composite structure, custom hub carriers, approval to weld a casting or forging, custom spindles or uprights, cast a critical component, custom steering wheel, weld a steering component, steering quickener, offset or bell-crank brake pedal, custom plastic fuel tank, custom wheels.

Cost for submitting design approval: $150.00 NZD. NOTE: This fee increase is effective for any design approval application received from 1 April 2017.

Download Application Form 4B - CLICK HERE to download. Note: this redirects you to our online shop, where you can download Chapter 4 of the NZ Car Construction Manual (Build Approval Process), which contains Form 4B. This is a FREE download.

Instructions and links:
- If you need approval for a custom independent front or rear suspension (IFS or IRS), click to download an 'IFS/IRS Application Guide' (includes full details for submitting application):
- For details about all approval types see the LVVTA Approval Application Guide here:
- Additional details are provided within the application form 4B (above).

- Also see FAQ's, and additional background information below.

Valid for: One vehicle only

Frequently asked questions:

Q: When are TAC meetings held?
A: TAC meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month. Applications must be recieved by the office no later than than mid-day on the Tuesday [one week] prior. This allows time for the application to be compiled, checked, and distributed to TAC members.

Q: How do I pay? Do I need to send a cheque?
A: No. Just make sure you include your correct email address on your application form. We will email you through an invoice once we've received and your application and it's undergone a ‘pre-check'. Please don't send cash.

Q: Can I email though my application?
A: Generally it is preferable for the application to be sent to us by courier or post. However we can accept electronic files where the application is a single combined electronic file (excluding photographs) so that it can be printed without requiring document compilation. If an application is sent electronically the photographs should be sent via an electronic file transfer (i.e. WeTransfer.com). The email address for TAC applications that meet these criteria is tac@lvvta.org.nz.

Q: Has my application made it in to the meeting:
A: If your application was received prior to the cut-off and you've received and paid your invoice, your application will be added to the next meeting agenda. Applications are dealt with on a first-in first-served basis, and if your application wasn't reviewed, it will be re-scheduled to the following meeting, or if there is sufficient demand, an extra meeting may be scheduled.

Q : How do I know if my application was reviewed at the last meeting?
A: After a TAC meeting, meeting minutes will be produced, and responses (if required) or approvals (if passed) will be sent to all applicants in due course. This will usually take place within one week following a meeting. If you have had no response within 7 days of a meeting, please email tac@lvvta.org.nz and request a status update. 

Background information: The Design Approval Process is aimed at builders of all scratch-built or substantially modified vehicles. Unless specified in the NZ Car Construction Manual (CCM), the Build Approval Process is a voluntary one, and is not a mandatory part of the LVV process. It’s here to help you, if you want help or peace of mind. The system has been developed to enable assistance to be provided to hobbyists, by experienced specialists within the car-building hobby who have a good understanding of vehicle construction, and the complex regime of new regulatory requirements progressively introduced by the New Zealand Government since 1990. Blindly forging ahead and building a low volume vehicle in this regulated age can result in costly and time-consuming consequences. The purpose of this Build Approval Process is to assist hobbyist motor vehicle builders and modifiers in achieving their aims and objectives in relation to hobby car construction, and to get them through the low volume vehicle certification process as painlessly as possible.

The system for which this document is provided, has been established to help builders and modifiers, not to hinder them. This may look at first glance like more bureaucracy, but in fact, it is quite the opposite. By providing the Technical Advisory Committee with information on what you want to do, these experts can help you by pointing out any potential areas of concern, ideas which could save you time, or processes which could produce better results. The main objective of this process is to provide you with the best possible chances of building a vehicle that will meet the requirements of the LVV certification process when, inevitably, you reach that critical point. Note that there is no charge for this service; the Technical Advisory Committee members are volunteers. The fee is just to cover the cost of copying, collating, and postage of your application to the committee members.

The essential ingredient in achieving this aim successfully is the information provided by you, the builder. The process can only advise based on the information supplied to it, and that’s the purpose of the forms contained within this application. The better the information the builder can provide, the more detailed advice and protection the system can provide back to the builder. In addition to using this Build Approval Process, the best advice available to a hobby vehicle builder is to make contact with an LVV Certifier at an early stage so that he can guide you down the right path. It’s important to use an LVV Certifier who has lots of hands-on practical experience in car
building, such as hot rod or sports car construction, so that you can benefit from the combination of that LVV Certifier’s practical car building expertise, plus his knowledge of the Low Volume Vehicle Certification system.

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LVV RECOGNISED MANUFACTURERS

Independant front & rear suspensions (IFS & IRS) | Aftermarket brake pedal assesmblies | Aftermarket steering columns | Stainless steel brake pipes

Independent front & rear suspensions

A requirement within the LVV certification system since 1992 is that any custom-built independent front or rear suspension system (IFS or IRS) or any production IFS that has had it's pivot-points changed or relocated during the modification process, is required to be approved in writing by the LVVTA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Over a period of time, once the TAC has developed a high level of confidence in a specific aftermarket suspension assembly manufacturer (usually through a combination of having reviewed a number of applications and also through having confidence that the manufacturer maintains a high level of quality control within their design and manufacturing processes), a manufacturer can be added by the TAC to the list of ‘LVVTA Recognised IFS Manufacturers .The advantage in choosing an LVVTA Recognised Manufacturer is that the individual TAC approval process is not required, and non-destructive testing of critical function welds within the suspension assembly is not required for LVV Certification. The LVV Certifier will still need to ensure that the IFS is appropriate for the weight and power output of the vehicle, and that all geometry (including bump-steer) is within specification. Only unmodified IFS or IRS assemblies supplied by the manufacturer as a complete assembly or within a vehicle supplied by them are included in this recognised manufacturer status. Manufacturers installation guidelines must be followed unless conflicted by an LVV Requirement, which would take precedence.

The list of LVV Recognised IFS/IRS Manufacturers is as follows, and is current as of 16 June 2021:

- Alston’s Chassis Works
- Art Morrison
- Caterham (when fitted by Caterham to a Caterham vehicle)
- Heidts
- Kugel
- Rods by Reid

Factory Five Racing NOTE: Effective June 2021, Factory Five Racing's status as an LVV Recognised Manufacturer is REVOKED.
ALL Factory Five Racing independent suspension systems undergoing LVV Certification require TAC approval and non-destructive weld testing (NDT) as of this date, irrespective of the date of purchase or installation. Additionally, on some models upper and lower A-arms may require replacement and/or ball joint modification and these will also require TAC approval.

Total Cost Involved (TCI) NOTE: Effective December 2017, TCI's status as an LVV Recognised Manufacturer is REVOKED.
All TCI independent suspension systems undergoing LVV Certification require TAC IFS Approval (including drawings) and non-destructive testing of welds, as of this date irrespective of the date of purchase or installation. Click here to read more information about the TCI suspension failure.

This list may be reviewed and updated from time to time without notice.

Aftermarket brake pedal assemblies

8.3.9(a) of the New Zealand Car Construction Manual requires that a custom pedal box assembly must be manufactured by a recognised aftermarket supplier of braking system components for motorsport purposes. The Technical Advisory Committee has confirmed that brake pedal assembles which are manufactured by the following suppliers, are considered to be acceptable for certification without the need for additional approval;

Recognised Aftermarket Brake Pedal Assembly Manufacturers, current as of 31 January 2018:
- AP Racing
- Tilton
- Wilwood

NOTE: Some extreme light-weight racing versions may be available from these manufacturers that may NOT be suitable for road use - consult your LVV Certifier first.
Some floor-mount dual-cylinder pedal assemblies are not required to have additional return-springs fitted, as required by 8.3.5(a) of the NZ Car Construction Manual. All assemblies this applies to will be listed below.
If yours does not appear on this list, TAC approval will be required.
Wilwood - part number: 340-12410

NOT suitable for use in New Zealand (can't be certified to the LVV Code):
From time to time we assess a component that is found NOT FIT FOR ROAD USE in New Zealand. This is not an exhaustive list, and is based on an assessment on a particular component.
OBP - 2 Pedal Floor Mount Bulkhead Fit Victory Race Pedal Box Kit OBPVIC##
Reasons: Pedal material too light at 4mm (including powder-coating) and is drilled, pedal box too light at 1.5 and 2mm panel steel and can flex with hand pressure, no positive stop and no return spring on pedal.
OBP - 2 Pedal Floor Mount Bulkhead Fit Kit Car 'Economy' Pedal Box Kit OBPKC###
Reasons: Pedal material too light at 1.5mm (including power-coating) and is drilled, pedal box too light at 1.5 and 2mm panel steel, no positive stop and no return spring on pedal.
Total Cost Involved (TCI) - 1949-1954 Chevy Power Brake Pedal Kit
Reasons: The brake pedal is made from two pieces, so does not comply. The attachment of the top to bottom pedal sections relies on a welded boss. A compliant one-piece pedal should instead be sourced or custom made. Added 8 Aug 2018
This list may be reviewed and updated from time to time without notice.

aftermarket Steering Columns

Following the catastrophic failure of an aftermarket tilt steering column in 2013 LVVTA has adopted a specified list of recognised aftermarket steering column manufacturers. For more information on this subject please read the following Information Sheet: Info 01-2013 - Unsafe Aftermarket Steering Columns.

- Ididit
- Flaming River
- Billet Specialties
- Limeworks

STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE PIPE MANUFACTURERS

8.7.1 of the New Zealand Car Construction Manual precludes the use of stainless steel brake pipes, unless the flaring of the pipe is carried out by a person who is professionally engaged in the car construction industry, and in whom the The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has absolute confidence.

NOTES:
1) Documented proof must be supplied by the person/company carrying out the flaring process, for verification by the LVV Certifier/LVVTA. This proof must clearly detail which flares/pipes have been supplied/installed.
2) Pipe manufacturers markings/etchings must NOT be removed from any stainless brake pipe.
3) All braking components that have these lines attached to them must have compatible fittings (flare type and angle), and the LVV Certifier may check to ensure this is the case.

The TAC has nominated the following individuals and their respective companies (the flares must be made by the listed individual):

Carl Jensen - C&M Performance, Auckland
Classic Tube USA, Lancaster, N.Y. - LVV Certifiers to contact LVVTA proir to submitting certification
Geordie Robb - Americarna Workshop, New Plymouth
Graeme Kidd - Graeme Kidd Engineering, Wellington
Greg Riach - GR Engineering, Auckland
John Reid - Rods by Reid, Tauranga
Ryan Smith - GR Engineering, Auckland
Sam Smith - Americarna Workshop, New Plymouth
Steve Jones - Deuce Farm, Tauranga
Trevor Kitney - GSS Performance, Auckland
Wilwood but only when supplied by Wilwood as part of a complete assembly, and only for the inter-connecting pipes on Wilwood brake callipers, or the short pipes fitted between master cylinder and proportioning valve.

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Concept Approval

The Concept Approval falls in the 'Build Approval Process', which is a voluntary approval process to be used when the project is just a concept, and you want confirmation that the ideas you have in mind can be legally built. This is generally intended for projects that are out of the ordinary, or are particularly unique in some manner of their construction.

Common examples: Composite unibody structured vehicle, one-off vehicle of unique design, reverse trike, V8 trike, stainless steel spaceframe, or an all-alloy chassis.

Cost for submitting this approval: $95 NZD. NOTE: This fee increase is effective for any concept approval application received from 1 April 2017.

Download Application form - CLICK HERE to download. Note: this redirects you to our online shop, where you can download Chapter 4 of the NZ Car Construction Manual (Build Approval Process), which contains Form 4A. This is a FREE download.

Instructions:
- Details provided in application form (download Form 4A below)
- See additional background information above
- LVVTA Approval Application Guide (PDF document):

Valid for: One vehicle only

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Type Approval

A Type Approval Application is to be used where a business or organisation wish to provide for sale or supply, a product or assembly which is required by the CCM to have an ‘Individual approval in writing from the LVVTA Technical Advisory Committee’, but where for the purpose of providing a more streamlined certification process for purchasers of these products, an approval is required to cover numerous identical items or assemblies. This is predominantly for independent front and rear suspension system approval, but can also be used for all other items which require individual approval in writing from the LVVTA Technical Advisory Committee. This process is by no means an ‘easy work around’ of the legal requirements; successful applications will only comprise items or assemblies of the absolute highest quality and calibre.

Common examples: Custom independent front or rear suspension system, cast components, custom hub carriers, welded a casting or forging, custom spindles or uprights, cast a critical component, custom steering wheel, welded steering component, steering quickener, offset or bell-crank brake pedal, custom plastic fuel tank, custom wheels.

Cost for submitting this approval: Application fees start from $360 NZD.

Instructions: LVVTA Approval Application Guide (PDF document):

Valid for: Unlimited versions of the approved component or system

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  Component Approval

• A Component Approval Application is to be used where a business or organisation wish to provide for sale or supply, a product or assembly which does not meet one or more low volume vehicle technical requirements. This approval can be applied to any item, providing the TAC give their approval. Any items found to be sub-standard will not be approved. For more information regarding this process, please call an LVVTA Technical Team member for details.

• Common examples: Menox Hand Control (disability adaptive control), Probar (window spanning seatbelt anchorage).
  
  

  • Is this approval required? Yes. A component approval allows a non-compliant component or system to deviate from mandatory LVV technical requirements, and is in place for the vehicle modification industry.

    Cost for submitting this approval: Prices start from $360 NZD. Please contact us for more details.

    Instructions: LVVTA Approval Application Guide (PDF document):

  • Valid for: Unlimited versions of the approved component or system

  • Sample: Click to see an example of a Component Approval Certificate (coming soon):

  •  

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    • 
      

      LVVTA Product Endorsement

      • An LVVTA endorsement is a verification from the TAC, that a component, assembly or system is of a high quality, and that the TAC has confidence in the manufacturer to consistently supply items of a high quality. This endorsement is primarily offered as a marketing tool to the vehicle modification industry, to give their customers extra confidence that the item will pass LVV Certification, and that the item is of high quality.

      • Common examples: Juniors steering box, Juniors diff head, Jonesy's Garage steel framed T bodies, Juniors Brake pedal assembly, Juniors hairpin radius rods. Click here for examples.
        
        
    • • Is this approval is required? No. It's a voluntary endorsement specifically for the vehicle modification industry

        Cost for submitting this approval: Prices start from $360 NZD. Please contact us for more details.

        Instructions: LVVTA Approval Application Guide (PDF document):

      • Sample: Click to see an example of an LVVTA Endorsement Certificate (coming soon):

         

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      • aftermarket I-BEAM AXLE TESTING & APPROVAL

      • Following the failure of an aftermarket I-beam axle in 2012, LVVTA has put in place a mandatory non-destructive testing process, designed to determine whether an aftermarket I-beam axle made using an 'SG-iron' casting process has been correctly manufactured, by way of a 'nodularity test'. Any aftermarket axle which is manufactured by a casting process, or which cannot be positively identified as having been manufactured using a forging process, must undergo testing to confirm either that the nodularity rating meets or exceeds international standards, or that the axle is made using a forging process. This requires a specific inspection process that looks into the micro-structure of the casting using a high-powered metallurgical microscope. The axle inspection and preparation process involves precision metallurgical sample preparation. This is a specific polishing process that takes place on an already machined section of the axle. The inspection takes place in-house at LVVTA's head office, and all results are reviewed and verified by a qualified Metallurgist prior to any axle being approved or rejected. For more information relating to the 2012 axle failure, please refer to LVVTA Information Sheet 06-2012 - click here to download.

      • Having an axle tested:
        Cost: The cost of testing is $180.00 including GST. We will email an invoice to you (please ensure you advise us of your email address).
        What to send us: We can't test an axle that has any extra components fitted to it, so the axle must have all spindles, king-pins, brakes, perch-bolts, fasteners etc removed so we receive is the bare axle. This also helps keep shipping costs to a minimum. The axle should be free from any visual defects, damage, or modifications prior to commencement of any testing.
        Required Information: We require the following information to be supplied with your axle: Name, Address, Telephone number, email address, brand of axle (if known).
        Shipping: The cost for shipping both ways is the responsibility of the owner. Click HERE for shipping address.
        Turn-around Times: We will aim to have your test completed within 5 working days, however delays are possible.
        What happens if your axle fails its testing? If your axle doesn't pass its testing, LVVTA will assist you either by supplying you with a replacement axle (supplied by the manufacturer), or by putting you in touch with a NZ-based distributor.
        Can I get my axle tested by someone else? LVVTA has developed this testing process as a service to hobbyists, and is done on a cost recovery basis. LVVTA expects that the cost of a nodularity test by a Metallurgist would cost roughly double that of the LVVTA test. You can have the axle tested by any suitably qualified metallurgist, however confirmation of the percentage of nodularity meeting or exceeding recognised international standards (80%), a clear photoghraph of the axle, and an image showing the microstructure of the axle must be provided within an official report. The report number must be indellibly stamped onto the axle, and both the report and axle must be presented to the LVV Certifier for inspection. Note that the axle should be confirmed as being free from visual defects, damage, or modifications prior to commencement of any testing.
        
        For more information on axle testing, please contact the LVVTA office. Click here for contact details.

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        AFTERMARKET ONE-PIECE STUB AXLE (spindle) TESTING

        Following the identification of a number of aftermarket manufacturers producing one-piece ductile cast iron stub axles (with an integral spindle pin) which do not meet LVVTA requirements and which are unsafe, and the subsequent release of Safety Alerts #03-2019 (Superbell/Pete & Jakes), #01-2021 (Magnum Force), and #08-2021 (Total Cost Involved TCI) LVVTA has developed a validation process which identifies whether or not a stub axle has been manufactured using cast iron. This test identifies those stub axles which cannot be approved. The inspection and preparation process involves precision metallurgical sample preparation followed by inspection of the micro-structure of the component using a high-powered metallurgical microscope. The inspection takes place in-house at LVVTA's head office, and all results are reviewed and verified by a qualified Metallurgist prior to any component being approved or rejected.

        Having stub axles tested:
        Important note: If a one-piece stub axle is found to be made from cast iron, the stub axle will be retained by LVVTA, rendered inoperable, and sent for destruction. This is being done to remove unsafe components permanently from the used parts supply-chain. To offset this loss, there will be no charge for the test to the customer. This enables the customer to direct that cost-saving towards replacing the faulty stub axles with compliant versions and is LVVTA’s way of assisting affected hobbyists who will inevitably be out-of-pocket. LVVTA will email you an agreement form to be completed and returned prior to undertaking any testing. The stub axles should also be confirmed as being free from visual defects, damage, or modifications prior to commencement of any testing.
        Cost: The cost of testing is $50.00 each including GST. We will email an invoice to you (please ensure you advise us of your email address).
        What to send us: Both stub axles. We can't test stub axles that have any extra components fitted to them, so they must have all brackets, king-pins, brakes, and fasteners removed so we receive is the bare stub axles. This also helps keep shipping costs to a minimum.
        Required Information: We require the following information to be supplied with your stub axles: Name, Address, Telephone number, email address, brand of stub axles (if known).
        Shipping: The cost for shipping both ways is the responsibility of the owner. Click HERE for shipping address.
        Turn-around Times: We will aim to have your testing completed within 5 working days, however delays are possible.
        What happens if my stub axles pass testing: If your stub axles are found not to be made from ductile cast iron, a unique serial number will be stamped onto each part, and a certificate will be issued. The cost for this test will be $50 including GST for each stub axle, plus the cost of returning the parts by courier.
        What happens if your stub axles fail the testing? If your stub axles don't pass the test, this means they were made from ductile cast iron. LVVTA will refund the cost of the test in full, and will retain the stub axles for destruction. An agreement must be signed by the owner prior to the test taking place.
        Can I get my stub axles tested by someone else? LVVTA has developed this testing process as a service to hobbyists, and is done on a cost recovery basis. LVVTA expects that the cost of a similar test by a Metallurgist would cost roughly double that of the LVVTA test. You can have the axle tested by any suitably qualified metallurgist, however confirmation of the material grade, a clear photoghraph of the stub axles, and an image showing the microstructure of the axle must be provided within an official report. The report number must be indellibly stamped onto the stub axles at the inspection site, and both the report and stub-axles must be presented to the LVV Certifier for inspection. Note that the stub axles should be confirmed as being free from visual defects, damage, or modifications prior to commencement of any testing.
        
        For more information on stub axle testing, please contact the LVVTA office. Click here for contact details.

        
        

      • VARIATION FROM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

        • The LVV Standards, Information Sheets and the NZ Car Construction Manual cover the majority of LVV certification needs.

        • However, because there are many, often innovative, ways a vehicle can be modified, it is not possible to cover every situation in a workable set of documents. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) therefore considers designs that are not included in the existing code documentation.

        • The LVVTA Operating Requirements Schedule (subsection 4.6) outlines the process by which LVV Certifiers identify the need for a TAC application. Variations from technical requirements are considered by the TAC based on their merits on a case-by-case basis.

        • Common examples: Approval of seatbelt anchorages in a fibreglass body-structure, approval of hydraulically operated tiller steering for use as disability adaptive controls, approving multi-piece fabricated brake pedals.

        • Application Form: At this time the following pages from 'FORM 4B' should be used to submit an application: 4-10, 4-31, 4-32, 4-33, and any applicable sections from within the application form. For example, if the variation from technical requirement (VTR) is relating to chassis design or construction, the chassis section of the application form should also be supplied. Please ensure that on the cover page of the application, you clearly state that you are requesting a variation from a technical requirement, and include specific details of the requirement with which the variation is being requested. CLICK HERE to download. Note: this redirects you to our online shop, where you can download Chapter 4 of the NZ Car Construction Manual (Build Approval Process), which contains Form 4B. This is a FREE download.

        • Notification of variation from a technical requirements: Whether an application for variation from technical requirements is approved or declined by the TAC, it will be notified. This notification is intended to help vehicle owners determine if their idea is worth pursuing. If you have a similar modification and wish to apply for a variation from technical requirement, you should first contact your LVV Certifier. Click here to view a list of variations from technical requirements.