Proposal to be put to the RTA to build an ICV

[Zedn]

Hi Baz,

My build is registered with the RTA as part of the pilot scheme that has been running for a few years. I have an ICV number for my build which includes the date it was entered into the system. The name on the form is VSCCS which is as you are aware the name of the new scheme that they are reviewing and finalising. In other words the infrastructure is already in place to manage this and would just need the approved ADR versions added in.

BJ, what you have described is incorrect. There is no way that the RTA will turn around and say all ICVs on the road must comply with current guidelines. There is no legal instrument that allows this to happen and what legislation exists only requires a car to comply with ADRs current at the time and some additional specified safety clauses (see the NSW Road and Transport (Vehicle registration) regulation 2007 schedule 2). That is like saying that all production cars must be made to comply with current ADRs because production and ICV cars all fall under the same legislation. The new system that the RTA are proposing to implement includes photographs of new ICVs and modified vehicles being taken and kept on a database that will be available to police.

A car is required to maintain compliance to the standards that it was originally certified to. If someone modifies their car after rego then they take a risk that their car will be defected. If defects are not rectified then the car cannot be registered. This is the same for any vehicle in Australia regardless of full production or ICV.

I have spoken to a key player in the RTA and he does not come across as the devil and it is important that we take a productive approach to all this (as Baz is trying to initiate). The RTA may dismiss the request, but it should at least be suggested.

In my personal opinion individual state management is not the ideal way to handle ICVs. The ICV scheme should be part of or tacked on to the national low volume production scheme. For low volume production vehicles a manufacturer is required to submit evidence for each ADR. Where destructive or overly expensive testing is required the scheme allows for alternative means of demonstrating compliance. Approvals and VIN are issued at a national level and then accepted by the states. A similar system that allows the VIN to be issued at a national level for ICVs would mean every state had the same requirements and this would assist manufacturers to ensure their kits will have no issues in any state. This increases customer confidence and would intern support the industry.

Cheers.

Liam