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.