The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released the first suite of heavy vehicle standards audio podcasts to assist with making modifications safer.
Director of safety Daniel Elkins says the podcasts outline minimum design, construction, installation and performance requirements for modifying heavy vehicles outside the manufacturer’s specifications.
“These podcasts cover five common modifications including recent changes to the heavy vehicle safety standards, driving lamps, semitrailer rear bumpers, couplings and motorhome conversions,” Mr Elkins said.
“By providing different ways to access the latest information about vehicle safety standards and modifications we are aiming to improve industry’s knowledge to promote compliance.”
The release of the podcasts follow the first meeting of the NHVR Technical Working Group to accelerate the deployment of safety technologies and systems.
Mr Elkins said the NHVR Technical Working Group will utilise the expertise of the heavy vehicle industry in understanding how best to provide information and delivery of vehicle safety information to industry.
“The group is a cooperative partnership with technical experts from across the heavy vehicle industry that will assist in the delivery of our broader safety strategy,” he said.
“We will engage with manufacturers and industry to support and encourage voluntary uptake of safety initiatives and these podcasts are one way to support the delivery of our safety message.”
The NHVR is responsible for issuing exemptions to vehicle standards and the approval of complex modifications.
Guidance on undertaking modifications is available through the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications.
Podcast 1: A summary of recent changes to heavy vehicle safety standards in the National Law and the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation dealing with aligning new and in-service safety standards.
Podcast 2: Advice on requirements for attaching LED light bars to a heavy vehicle for use as driving lamps.
Podcast 3: Advice about changes to the requirements for rear bumper bars on semitrailers.
Podcast 4: Information about the inspection of drawbar eye couplings and identifying some common issues that may lead to coupling failure.
Podcast 5: Advice on the conversion of a vehicle to a motorhome, including approval and certification by an Approved Vehicle Examiner as well as requirements related to gas fitments and electrical installations.
To listen to the podcasts click here.
For more information on the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications visit the NHVR website here.
