Modified light vehicles
If you modify or construct a light vehicle, it may need to be certified by an engineer. This needs to be done before its inspected or registered.
Any vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4.5 tonnes or less is considered a light vehicle, for example a motorcycle.
The National Code of Practice (NCOP) for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (the Code) determines whether modifications need certification.
The Code is a live document maintained by the Australian Government.
The Code is applied in conjunction with ACT requirements in the:
- Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999
- Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000
- Light vehicle inspection manual [PDF 5.37 MB]
The Code is a nationally accepted set of technical specifications for individually constructing vehicles or modifying production vehicles. The specifications comply with:
- Australian Design Rules (ADR)
- Vehicle Standards Bulletins
- Australian light vehicle standards rules (for pre-ADR vehicles).
The Code treats modifications as 2 main subcategories:
- Owner certified modifications to light vehicles: these modifications don’t need prior approval or certification
- Significant or extensive modifications to light vehicles: these modifications need certification by a recognised engineering signatory.
Vehicles that need certification
Vehicle’s that need certification must be inspected at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.
Read about roadworthy inspections and vehicle identity inspections.
You will need to bring with you a suitable engineering certification report.
Engineering certification reports
It needs to be accompanied by documents including:
- an engineering report that covers all modifications to that vehicle
- relevant NCOP checklists
- IM 240 or RG 240 emission test and design reports if applicable.
Some individually constructed vehicles may be exempt from exhaust emission and occupant protection requirements.
Contact the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station for advice on exemptions.
Access Canberra will only accept reports from:
- people on the list of ACT Recognised Engineering Signatories
- engineering signatories approved in other Australian states and territories. The modifications must be certified in accordance with the Code. Contact the jurisdiction's relevant authority for their engineering signatory lists.
The engineer who certifies a vehicle must:
- personally inspect the vehicle
- ensure any construction or modification complies with ACT legislation and Australian Design Rules
- provide a detailed report outlining all modifications
- certify the modifications comply with the NCOP
- certify the vehicle still complies with ACT legislation, vehicle standards and Australian Design Rules
- submit all complex engineering reports to ACT Vehicle Safety Standards before the vehicle is taken for inspection
ACT Recognised Engineering Signatories
The following list of engineers have suitable experience in automotive engineering standards and design.
By listing them, Access Canberra does not endorse their services or accept any responsibility for the quality of work.
Fees are a matter between the you and the signatory.
Engineer | Qualifications/memberships | Business name | Location | Phone number | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alan Henriksen | B.Eng (Hon), Mech ENG | Loud Pedal Vehicle Engineering | 16/145-147 Gladstone St, Fyshwick, ACT, 2609. | 0434 675 713 | |
Ali Akbarian | B.Eng, Mech MIE Aust, MSAE EA ID No. 3528855 | Mobility Engineering | Asquith, NSW | 02 9482 4572 0414 489 964 | |
Anthony Chrisis | B.Eng Mech, M.ScTech (Risk Man), MIEAust, MSAE-A EA ID No. 2121324 | Evo Compliance | Lane Cove West, NSW | 0414 785 516 | |
Chris Major | Dip MECH ENG, MIE(AUST), MIAME M.SAE.A, qtc, CPENG EA ID No. 3309898 | One M Engineering | Queanbeyan, NSW | 0418 467 234 | |
Gary Hinds | MMIAME, GradAIEAust (Mechanical), ADV DIP Eng EA ID No. 3549488 MMIAME No. 847103 | Tough Gear Engineering | Hume, ACT | 0414 543 084 | |
John Wilson | HonFIEAust CPEng EngExec NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus) EA ID No. 845441 SAE-A No. 4755 MTA No. 2017112 | AKZ Vehicle Engineering | Queanbeyan, NSW | 02 6236 3009 0417 230 074 | |
Mario Larocca | DipMECH ENG MIE(AUST) CPENG SAE(A) NER qtc EA ID No. 162712 | Marloc Engineering | Queanbeyan, NSW | 0429 993 400 | |
Paul Nelson | MIEAust CPEng NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus) EA ID No. 2702727 | NELTECH Engineering Solutions | Banks, ACT | 0413 182 070 | |
Ray Spence | Canberra Automotive Engineering Services | Mitchell, ACT | 0409 360 171 |