Modifications to heavy vehicles

Modifications to heavy vehicles (including trailers) must be completed in accordance with one or more of the following:

• the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications, published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
• Vehicle Standards Bulletins
• the specifications and guidance of the original vehicle manufacturer
• other relevant standards.

Modifications under the Code of Practice (section 86 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law)

Modifications completed which fall within the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications and carried out in line with section 86 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, must be carried out under the direction of a Recognised Engineering Signatory (RES), who will submit a report of the changes made to the vehicle for approval by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

An RES is an individual recognised by DIT in South Australia, and acting according to the Manual for the Recognised Engineering Signatory Heavy Vehicle Modification Scheme (3.1 MB PDF).

Modifications outside the Code of Practice (section 87 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law)

Where a modification is not in line with the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications, Vehicle Standards Bulletins or the specifications and guidance of the original vehicle manufacturer and carried out in line with section 87 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, a Modification Application must be submitted to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for the specific approval of the proposed modification before beginning the modification work.

Related information

Downloads

• MR818 Recognised Engineers Heavy Vehicle Fact Sheet (823.4 KB PDF)
• MR1490 Manual for the Recognised Engineering Signatory Scheme (3.1 MB PDF)

Other websites

• National Heavy Vehicle Inpection Manual
• Vehicle Standards Bulletins
  • VSB2 - Maximum Road Speed Limiting for Heavy Trucks and Buses
  • VSB6 - Heavy Vehicle Modifications
• Australian Design Rules