The previous threshold wording allowed for increasing the offset of wheels provided that the tread remained within the guards, or the track increased by no more than 25mm.

 

This relied on knowledge of the original vehicle track so was not widely enforced.

 

The new wording allows more scope to modify before reaching the modification threshold.

 

LVV certification is not required provided that: The tyre tread does not protrude beyond:

·      in the case of a vehicle that is not a class NA or class MC vehicle, the unmodified original body panels or factory fitted mudguard extension/flare, or

·      in the case of a class NA or class MC vehicle, 25mm outside of the unmodified original body panels, provided that a flare or wheel arch extension covers the full width of the tyre tread

 

We have explained this requirement in more detail here: Click to download PDF

 

An additional requirement is added to the threshold – certification is not required provided that the suspension retains at least 40mm of rebound (droop) wheel travel.

 

Rebound wheel travel is measured as the difference between the distance from the top of the tyre and the wheel arch with the vehicle resting on the ground and the top of the tyre to the wheel arch with the vehicle lifted so that its tyres are clear of the ground (Suspension hanging in full rebound).

 

This difference must be greater than 40mm. Note that suspension that does not meet this requirement is unlikely to meet LVV requirements and so cannot be certified.

 

Some items have been moved from the ‘certification never required’ table to the ‘certification not required provided that’ table, to enable requirements around structure and external projections to be covered.

 

Items that are in the ‘certification never required’ table do not need to be inspected by an LVV certifier as part of a certification, but those items in the ‘certification not required provided that’ table do need to be assessed.

 

This move means that a vehicle that is certified for other modifications will now have additional items inspected and covered in the certification. Examples include ute trays, glass racks and sunroofs.

 

The threshold previously stated that LVV certification is not required provided that:

·      No structural modifications have occurred to the vehicle during the installation or modification, and

·      The filling location remains the same as at original manufacture, and

·      The fuel type (petrol, diesel) has not changed (other than a change to LPG/CNG).

 

The threshold is more specific now, such that all fuel system modifications except the following always require certification:

·      Fuel lines that are of similar construction to the OE fuel lines (i.e. Hard lines are not replaced with flexible lines), and in the OE location and mounted to all the OE fixing clips

·      In-line fuel filter that is of an appropriate pressure rating, adequately supported, at least 50mm from the exhaust and at least 100mm from a catalytic converter

·      Electric fuel pump that is a replacement for a mechanical pump on a carburettor engine, is adequately supported, and does not increase the fuel pressure above OE specification.

 

Ute trays have previously been a modification that never required certification.

 

After 1 Jan 2021 however, newly registered utes with trays that protrude more than 100mm from the widest part of the vehicle cab/body structure (excluding mirrors) will require LVV certification, unless they have suitable pedestrian protection measures.

 

The NZTA VIRM for vehicles going through Entry into the fleet, or being re-entered after lapse of registration/write-off, has a clarification note stating that the vehicle must be LVV certified unless the vehicle modifications fall below the threshold as detailed in the LVV Threshold document, excluding any ‘grandfather clauses’. There are several items in the threshold which refer to a date that provides a ‘grandfather clause’. These can no longer be accepted for a vehicle going through Entry or re-Entry:

 

·      Addition of side windows into a panel van or goods van before 1 March 1999

·      Campervan conversions completed before 1 March 1999

·      Seats modified or replaced before 1 March 1999

·      Right-hand drive steering conversions before 1 March 1999

·      Aftermarket ‘Retro’ brand child seats installed by Auckland Auto Trimmers or their agents before 1 June 2012

·      Rear seatbelts fitted to class MD1, MD2 and NA vehicles before 1 March 1999

 

The requirements contained within the appropriate LVV standards and New Zealand Car Construction Manual will apply to old conversions and depending on the age of modification, some relaxations to technical requirements may be applicable. For instance, modifications completed before 1992 will usually only be subject to general safety requirements.

 

Two new notes are added to provide more guidance to inspectors around which modifications affect structure and what constitutes a potential trap for a pedestrian:

 

Weakening the vehicle structure:

 

·      Heating, drilling, welding or cutting the vehicle structure, modifying a roof bow, or modifying any part of the structure anchorage would be considered to weaken the structure.

·      Cutting a single layer of unstressed panel of sheet metal (i.e. roof) is not considered to weaken the vehicle structure.

·      Drilling a hole suitable for a child restraint top tether does not require LVV certification.

 

Forward-facing pedestrian traps:

 

·      A pedestrian trap is any part of a vehicle that may hook, catch or pull/push a pedestrian into or under a vehicle.

·      Vehicle components should be shaped to reduce injury to a pedestrian and to move the pedestrian away from the vehicle in the event of an incident.

 

Three additional requirements have been added to the threshold:

 

LVV Certification is not required for a replacement steering wheel provided that it is:

·      Mounted with a one-piece boss

·      Has a diameter greater than 245mm

·      Does not significantly inhibit the drivers view of the speedometer or mandatory warning lights.

 

A vehicle fitted with a quick release steering wheel must always be referred for LVV certification, and even then, is only permitted within strict criteria.