Good news

[aussiejk]

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/authorisedinspectors/vsccs/index.html

[reyzor]

doesnt tell us much though? just basically says that the new scheme is in place....... unless im missing somthign??

[Rob&Tanya]

From what I read, current ECS certificates that have been lodged are ok, and if you've got it but haven't lodged it yet you've got a small window of time to get it in before the new scheme takes effect.
or that's how I read it..... they like to make everything so difficult......

[aussiejk]

Note: There are no changes to NSW vehicle standards under the VSCCS.

It states there are no changes to the current standards. So therefore from what I understand it shouldn't effect how things are moddifed or changed in the future as per previous engineering certifications.

After watching the Video that hunty posted up I think they are more concerned about the road worthiness of Kit cars in particular, ensuring that they are safe as alot of Kit cars are in DIY form.

I do think that we as four wheel drivers are safe providing all modifications are carried out safely correctly in most cases we modify things to become better and safer. I think if you have any doubt contact a licenced mechanic/engineer that the RMS approves of before carrying out any futher modifactions just to be on the safe side.

[Miraz]

Here is the change to the vehicle standards.....

Under the old scheme, the legislation said this:-


55 Operations plates and certificates of approved operations (1) The Authority may authorise a person to install an operations plate on, or issue a certificate of approved operations for, a registrable vehicle that has been manufactured or modified in such a way that the vehicle does not comply with the applicable vehicle standards for the vehicle.
(2) An operations plate installed on, or a certificate of approved operations issued for, a registrable vehicle must indicate:
(a) any deficiencies in the vehicle's operating characteristics, and
(b) any conditions that should be applied to the vehicle's registration.
(3) A person who modifies, or adds components to, a registrable vehicle must ensure that:
(a) if the vehicle complied with the applicable vehicle standards for the vehicle immediately before the modification or addition--the vehicle continues to comply with those standards, and
(b) the modification or addition is certified by an authorised person as complying with the National Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modifications (1993) published by the Federal Office of Road Safety as Vehicle Standards Bulletin No 6 or a specification published by the Authority or is otherwise acceptable to the Authority.

However under the changes introduced under the new scheme - clause 55 (3) was removed and replaced with:-


55A Modifications (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/s76aa.html#modification) to registered vehicles (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/s88a.html#vehicle)
A person must not carry out modifications (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/s76aa.html#modification) on a registered vehicle (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/s88a.html#vehicle) (whether by the addition or removal of components or otherwise) that results in the vehicle (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/s88a.html#vehicle) failing to comply with the applicable vehicle standards (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/s51.html#applicable_vehicle_standards).

This effectively removed the ability of owners or certifiers to use any of concessions included in the previously issued Vehicle Standards Information documents or the LVCOP to modify vehicles and replaced them with a blanket ruling that you must comply with the full ADR standards.

So whilst it's technically correct to say that the standards haven't changed, you now have to comply with them in a way that wasn't necessary before. We did get a commitment from the Road's minister that this change to the legislation would be backed out, but at the moment the situation is not great.