If you are manufacturing, importing or supplying a new vehicle in Australia, you may need to navigate the Australian Government’s ROVER approval system, obtain or confirm a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), demonstrate compliance with applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs), and arrange entry on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV).
For manufacturers, fabrication workshops and businesses, determining the correct pathway can be challenging.
Questions I commonly encounter include:
How do I get a VIN for a vehicle or trailer?
Does my vehicle need to be entered on the RAV?
Do I need a Vehicle Type Approval?
Can I make a few trailers and sell?
What ADRs apply to my vehicle?
What engineering documentation do I need?
I have built a trailer; what do I need to do before it can be registered?
I want to start manufacturing vehicles or trailers; where do I start?
ModiCert can assist vehicle manufacturers, trailer manufacturers, importers and specialist vehicle builders in understanding the applicable pathway and preparing the engineering and compliance documentation required for their project.
What Is ROVER?
ROVER is the Australian Government’s online system used to administer applications and activities under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) framework.
Depending on the type of vehicle and circumstances, ROVER may be used for applications and processes associated with vehicle approvals and entry onto the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV).
The correct process depends on what you are manufacturing, importing or supplying and the approval pathway applicable to that particular vehicle.
What Is the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV)?
The Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) is the Australian Government’s publicly searchable database of vehicles approved for provision to the Australian market.
A RAV entry identifies an individual vehicle using information including its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
For new road vehicles, RAV entry is an important part of the process before first registration in an Australian state or territory.
However, RAV entry should not be confused with state or territory registration itself. They are separate processes.
How Do I Get a VIN for a Vehicle or Trailer?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) uniquely identifies a vehicle.
A common misconception is that obtaining a VIN is simply an administrative process of requesting a number.
Depending on the circumstances, there may be considerably more involved.
Before determining the appropriate VIN and approval process, questions may include:
- What type of vehicle is being manufactured?
- Is it a powered vehicle or trailer?
- Is the vehicle new or previously registered?
- Was it manufactured in Australia or imported?
- Does it already have a VIN?
- Has it previously been entered on the RAV?
- What is its vehicle category?
- What are its applicable mass ratings?
- Which ADRs apply?
- How many vehicles will be manufactured?
- Is this a one-off project, small-volume production or ongoing manufacturing?
- What compliance evidence is already available?
- Is additional engineering assessment required?
The answers help establish the appropriate approval pathway.
What Types of Vehicles Can Require ROVER / RAV Assistance?
Depending on the circumstances, ROVER, RAV, VIN or engineering compliance assistance may be relevant to a broad range of vehicles, including:
- Trucks and commercial vehicles
- Trailers
- Low ATM trailers
- High ATM trailers
- Tipper trailers
- Semi-trailers
- Dog and pig trailers
- Tankers
- Plant and equipment trailers
- Car and machinery trailers
- Caravans and recreational vehicles
- Motorhomes
- Specialist vehicles
- Individually constructed or low-volume vehicles
- Imported vehicles
- Special-purpose vehicles
- Vehicles manufactured or completed by specialist workshops
The requirements are not necessarily the same for each vehicle.
That is why ModiCert’s process starts with identifying the vehicle and understanding what the customer is trying to achieve, rather than assuming a particular approval pathway.
Manufacturing a New Vehicle in Australia
If you are planning to manufacture road vehicles in Australia, it is worthwhile considering the approval and compliance requirements before production begins.
The required pathway can depend on factors such as:
- vehicle category;
- applicable ADRs;
- manufacturing volume;
- design and construction;
- available compliance evidence;
- component certifications;
- production arrangements; and
- whether an existing approval covers the vehicle.
For ongoing manufacturing, a Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) may be appropriate.
Vehicle Type Approval allows vehicles covered by an approved vehicle type to be provided to the Australian market, subject to the applicable approval conditions and compliance requirements.
Establishing the correct pathway early can prevent expensive redesign, testing or documentation work after vehicles have already been manufactured.
Small-Volume and One-Off Vehicle Projects
Not every business intends to become a high-volume vehicle manufacturer.
A fabrication workshop may have a customer asking for a specialised vehicle. A manufacturer may build only a handful of vehicles each year. Another business may have developed a unique vehicle for a particular application.
Depending on the vehicle and circumstances, there may be approval pathways available for individual or small numbers of vehicles.
The important point is to establish the applicable pathway before assuming that a particular concessional approval is available.
ModiCert can review the proposed vehicle, its intended use, manufacturing arrangements and available documentation to help determine the appropriate next step.
Trailer Manufacturers – Low ATM and High ATM
Trailers have some specific considerations under the Road Vehicle Standards framework.
Low ATM Trailers – 4.5 Tonnes or Less
A trailer with an Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) of 4.5 tonnes or less falls within the low ATM trailer framework.
Depending on the circumstances and intended manufacturing volume, pathways can include Vehicle Type Approval or, where eligibility requirements are satisfied, Concessional RAV Entry Approval.
A concessional RAV entry pathway may be particularly useful for eligible businesses manufacturing or importing only a small number of trailers.
For an eligible low ATM trailer that has never previously had a VIN, a VIN may also be requested as part of the applicable concessional RAV application.
High ATM Trailers – More Than 4.5 Tonnes
Trailers with an ATM greater than 4.5 tonnes fall within the high ATM trailer framework.
Depending on the circumstances, Vehicle Type Approval or Concessional RAV Entry Approval may be available.
High ATM trailer applications can require detailed engineering and compliance evidence, including information relating to braking compliance and the applicable ADR requirements.
Building Up to Four Trailers
For eligible low and high ATM trailers, a concessional RAV entry pathway can potentially apply to up to four trailers within a 12-month period, subject to the applicable eligibility and compliance requirements.
If you intend to manufacture trailers commercially on an ongoing basis, it is important to consider whether a Vehicle Type Approval is a more appropriate long-term solution.
Australian Design Rules – What ADRs Apply to My Vehicle?
The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are national standards. Which ADRs apply depends on factors including the vehicle category, date of manufacture and vehicle configuration.
Depending on the vehicle, compliance may involve areas such as:
- braking;
- lighting and signalling;
- vehicle dimensions;
- tyres and rims;
- couplings;
- occupant protection;
- seats and seatbelt anchorages;
- glazing and visibility;
- emissions;
- vehicle identification;
- structural requirements; and
- other vehicle-specific requirements.
Simply building a mechanically sound vehicle does not automatically establish compliance with every applicable ADR.
The required compliance evidence should therefore be determined for the particular vehicle.
What Engineering and Compliance Documentation May Be Required?
Every project is different.
Depending on the vehicle and approval pathway, the required information may include:
- General arrangement drawings
- Chassis or structural drawings
- Vehicle specifications
- Material specifications
- Engineering calculations
- Structural assessments
- Brake calculations and braking evidence
- Axle and suspension specifications
- Coupling specifications
- Tyre and rim information
- Lighting information
- Component certifications
- ADR applicability assessments
- ADR compliance evidence
- Compliance Information (CI)
- Test reports
- Vehicle mass and axle load information
- Manufacturer documentation
- VIN and vehicle identification information
- Inspection records
- Production and quality documentation
Some customers already have most of this information. Others may come to ModiCert with a completed vehicle, several photographs and very little documentation. That is okay. The first step is to establish what you have, what is missing and what is actually required.
ModiCert ROVER, RAV, VIN & Vehicle Compliance Services
ModiCert can assist with individual parts of the approval process or provide a broader engineering and compliance service.
Initial RVS / ROVER Pathway Assessment
We review the vehicle, manufacturing circumstances and available information to help identify the appropriate approval pathway.
Authority to Act / Application Management
ModiCert can assist in managing an application on behalf of a customer, subject to the applicable authorisation requirements.
VIN Application / Allocation Assistance
Assistance determining the appropriate process where a VIN is required and preparing the relevant information.
Concessional RAV Entry Applications
Assistance with eligible vehicles or trailers where a concessional RAV entry pathway is applicable.
Vehicle Type Approval (VTA)
Assistance for manufacturers seeking an approval pathway for an applicable vehicle type and ongoing production.
RAV Submission Assistance
Assistance with the applicable process and information required for an approved vehicle to be entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles.
ADR Applicability & Compliance Assessment
Identifying applicable Australian Design Rules and determining what evidence may be required to demonstrate compliance.
Engineering Drawings & Documentation
Preparation or review of technical drawings, specifications and engineering information.
Structural Assessment & Engineering Calculations
Engineering assessment and calculations for relevant vehicle structures and components where required.
Brake Calculations & Compliance
Assessment of applicable braking requirements and preparation or coordination of required engineering evidence.
Compliance Information (CI) Documentation
Assistance preparing applicable Compliance Information and supporting technical documentation.
Vehicle Inspection
Inspection of vehicles or trailers where physical verification is required as part of an engineering or compliance assessment.
I Don’t Know What Approval I Need, Can ModiCert Help?
Yes.
You do not need to understand ROVER or determine the approval pathway yourself before contacting us.
In fact, we would prefer to establish the pathway before you spend money preparing unnecessary documentation or submitting the wrong application.
Tell us what you are building, importing or planning to manufacture.
As a starting point, contact us at eiman@modicert.com.au or call me at 0416 309 409.
Need Help With ROVER, RAV, VIN or Vehicle Approval?
Whether you are:
building your first trailer,
manufacturing a specialised truck,
developing a new vehicle,
importing a vehicle,
starting a vehicle manufacturing business,
or trying to understand how to get a VIN and RAV entry,
ModiCert can assist you in understanding the engineering and approval requirements.
Contact ModiCert to discuss your vehicle project or request a ROVER / RAV pre-assessment.
Eiman Nosrati
CEO, ModiCert
Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
National Engineering Register (NER)
Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia member (HVIA)
VASS Signatory
Engineering Management Instructor
Truck Modification VASS Certification Melbourne | ADR & Trailer Engineers
This information is provided as general guidance only.
