Access to the LVVTA Forum for discussion and assistance.
What is Low Volume Vehicle Certification?
What are typical cars that may need certification?
At which point does a modified vehicle cease to be original?
Do old vehicles need to be LVV certified?
Do de-registered modified vehicles need to be LVV certified?
Can I further modify a vehicle which already has an LVV plate?
How long is a Modification Declaration Certificate valid?
How can I obtain a copy of my Modification Declaration Certificate?
What is an LVV Authority Card?
What are the LVV Certification Thresholds?
What about Modified Imported Vehicles?
Can I fit Hydraulic or Air Suspension?
Where is my nearest LVV Certifier and what can he certify?
What is Vehicle Certification?
Modifications to a vehicle above a certain threshold requires inspection and certification by an LTNZ appointed Certifier, who will issue a certification plate and attach it to the vehicle in order to be able to pass a Warrant of Fitness. The LTNZ have a page on Your guide to modification and customisation.
What are typical cars that may need certification?
At which point does a modified vehicle cease to be original?
When the modified vehicle contains less than 40% of the original bodywork surface area and
less than 40% of the chassis rails and 50% of the crossmembers,
or 40% of a spaceframe or floorpan.
For example, a fibreglass bodied car on a Triumph Herald
chassis is no longer a Triumph Herald but is a scratch-built car.
What is a Low Volume Vehicle?
A vehicle manufactured or modified in quantities of 200 or less in a year by a manufacturer or others
whose total production did not exceed 200 in the same period. Do old vehicles need to be LVV certified? Vehicles modified or scratch-built before 1 January 1992 do not need LVV certification unless modifications have occurred
after that date that affect the vehicle safety. An LTNZ appointed Certifier should be consulted, if in doubt.
Do de-registered modified vehicles need to be LVV certified? Vehicles modified or scratch-built that have been de-registered
(or registration fees not
paid for 12 months or more) need re-certification even
if they have a Modification Declaration Certificate or LVV Certification Plate. Vehicles that have only
original manufacturers' equipment fitted
or modifications done that are below the LVV Threshold need only have re-registration inspection
and a VIN number issued, if required. Can I modify a vehicle which already has an LVV plate? Yes, but the vehicle will need to be re-inspected by an LVV Certifier who will issue a new LVV plate
covering all the car's modifications. Modifications that fall within the
Certification Thresholds (706K) do not need re-certification. Cars that were modified prior to 1 January 1992 were issued with a Modification Declaration Certificate at that time.
The Modification Declaration Certificate is valid until changes are made to the vehicle, at which time the vehicle must
be LVV certified and issued with an LVV plate. Provided the vehicle is still the same as it was in 1992,
the Modification Declaration Certificate continues to be valid today for WOF purposes. The WOF issuer is able to check with
LTNZ to verify details on the certificate. Consult an LVV Certifier if in doubt.
How can I obtain a copy of my Modification Declaration Certificate?A>
A copy of a valid Modification Declaration is available by phoning 04 477 4373
What is an LVV Authority Card? A card specifying alternative safety related equipment for a specific person and vehicle. Examples are an NZHRA mudguard
exemption for hotrods or Motorsport NZ authority for use of a 4 point harness in a motorsport vehicle driven on public roads.
What are the LVV Certification Thresholds? This PDF Document on Certification Thresholds (706K) details
which level of certain modifications require LVV Certification. If the modification is not shown in this table,
the vehicle does require to be certified.
Copyright Notice: All documents on this site remain the property of the
Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association Inc.(LVVTA) They may not be used for commercial purposes
without the written permission of the LVVTA. Can I import a modified vehicle? There is information on the LTNZ website for
importing vehicles but it relates to high volume unmodified
vehicles. Should your vehicle be from a manufacturer that builds less than 200 per year, or the vehicle is scratch-built,
or modified from standard (see Certification Thresholds above) then
it will need to be certified by a New Zealand LVV Certifer
before it can be driven in New Zealand. Information you may have on UK SVA or Australian ADR compliance will be useful to the LVV Certifier, but does not guarantee
compliance in NZ.
Can I fit Hydraulic or Air Suspension? LVVTA have reviewed the installation of hydraulic suspensions, and the
following document lists what is required for both air and hydraulic suspensions.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of the NZ Hobby Car Technical Manual
regarding certification of vehicles with
airbag and hydraulic suspensions. (130K).
Where is my nearest LVV Certifier? This PDF Document lists all the current LTNZ appointed
LVV Certifiers in New Zealand (105K). You will need to
select a Certifier who covers your modification category. They are listed to
certify vehicles in these categories:
Who can carry out Noise Testing?
