Modifications and the law in NSW

[Kitty's VR4]

Modifications and the RTA in NSW

After continually seeing members discussing modifications to their cars, I thought the following link might be useful to NSW members who are considering mod's and the legal ramifications, there are quite a few RTA technical papers relating to tinting/wheels&tyres/suspension etc etc

HERE

 

[Guest]

999

 

[snickells]

999

Hu?

 

[Kitty's VR4]

999 Posts Steve, I had to ask too!!!

 

[pu-11-me]

Top stuff Kat... Rep given

 

[Zild]

Really the main things guys on here will be concerned about is the requirement for Air intake filters to be enclosed, BOV to be Plumbed back, Airbag steering wheels cannot be removed, Gauges can't be in a dangerous position to driver and passenger, and front impact bar can't be removed or cut away (technically).

 

[Kitty's VR4]

Andy,

wheel sizes and suspension height is also high on the lists, suspension height is about to become a real "hot potato" in NSW

 

[cyber_scriber]

Great link Kat and very useful for the people who want to ensure that their insurance still covers them - most policies automatically invalidate coverage for illegal mods or unless you can show that the illegal mod did not contribute to the claim.

 

[cyber_scriber]

Sorry for the double post but I've been asked to include the same information here to benefit NSW members.

This relates to the new RTA Standard for the raising and lowering of vehicles. That standard can be found here:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrat...aising-and-lowering-vehicles_17-july-2009.pdf

Before I start, I have to put on the lawyer hat to say that the following is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.

You need to make your own independent assessment of what the law requires you to do and it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you comply with those requirements.

Here is Cyber_scriber's plain English interpretation of the material issues set out in the Standard for Raising and Lowering Vehicles. Paragraphs (g) to (j) below are probably the most important issues for us:

a) NSW only - This new standard only applies to cars used in NSW.

b) Applies to both raising and lowering of car - 4WD owners and vans take note.

c) Can raise by up to 50mm - You can raise your vehicle up to a maximum of 50mm higher than the standard, factory height but this requires certification. Higher than 50mm will result in conditional registration and restricted road use.

c) No lower than 100mm - You can lower your car but the car's lowest point must be at least 100mm from the ground. This 100mm minimum ride height is for a fully laden vehicle. Certification is needed no matter how little or how much you lower your car.

d) No lowering via certain means - You cannot lower your vehicle by cutting or notching chassis rails or using drop axles or spindles. This restriction applies regardless of how little or how much you lower your vehicle.

e) Adjustable suspension - If you use adjustable suspension (e.g. airbag suspension systems), the suspension height must only be able to be lowered when the vehicle is stationary i.e. You cannot use systems that adjust height on the move. At all times, the minimum height cannot go below 100mm at the lowest point. The front and rear suspension must be lowered by the same height unless used for wheelchair access. For adjustable systems, you must provide a statement of conformance with all of the above requirements. This statement is from an engineer, the manufacturer or the manufacturer's authorised dealer.

f) Minor wheel changes do not need certification - If the only change to the ride height is because you changed the wheel and tyre diameters, you do not need certification, but only if:

i) when raising height, you don't go over 15mm larger than the largest factory wheel diameter option; or

ii) when lowering height, you don't go under 15mm smaller than the smallest factory wheel diameter option.

g) Any change in ride height requires certification - Any change in height, regardless of how high or low, or how minor the change, requires an engineering certificate. Yes, even if you lower you car 1mm, you need to get it certified by an engineer. Where a vehicle is raised up to 50mm as part of the manufacturer's specification, the certification must come from the manufacturer, the manufacuter's authorised dealer, an engineer or a person competent in such modifications.

h) Getting engineering certification - This is done via an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS). The AUVIS is better known as the blue slip inspection station and we all went through an AUVIS as part of importing and registering our cars. Once the AUVIS passes the change in your ride height, you must then complete an "Adjustrment of Records" form at the RTA.

i) Can get defected or deregistered if you don't have the engineer's certificate - If you have raised or lowered your car and don't have the required certification, you can get defected or your registration could be cancelled. Both the police or the RTA can do this.

j) Only applies after 31 July 2009 - These new requirements apply to vehicles modified or presented to AUVIS from 31 July 2009. This means that if your car was modified before this date and never needs to subsequently go to AUVIS, you have nothing to worry about. If you lower you car after this date, you must comply with the above requirements. If you lower your car before this date but later need to go to AUVIS after this date, you are subject to the above requirements (despite the fact that the lowering occured before 31 July 2009).

In short, a pain if you want to lower your car after 31 July 2009 or have to go to a blue slip inspection after that date.

Send some rep if you find the above useful!