Before a vehicle can be used on a public highway, VicRoads must be notified of any changes if it affects the description of the vehicle (eg. change of engine, colour etc.) Other changes may include, adding or removing seats, engine size or type, change of body, LPG conversion, and for trucks and buses, amending the gross vehicle mass of the vehicle.
Heavy vehicles
A Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) certificate from a recognised VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory and a VicRoads inspection and a weighbridge certificate is required if a different body type has been fitted (eg. tray to van)
VicRoads does not need to inspect the vehicle where the structural components of the vehicle have been left unaltered and where the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) or chassis numbers have been left unaltered or restamped. However, a Change of Description form must be completed.
Light vehicles
A Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) certificate from a recognised VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory and a VicRoads inspection and a weighbridge certificate is required if the body of the light vehicle has changed or a replacement frame has been issued for motorcycle or chasis replacement on a vehicle that has a seperate chassis. A Change of Description form must also be completed.
You must notify VicRoads of a change of colour of the vehicle. No inspection is required and you can notify VicRoads by calling 13 11 71 (Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5.00pm, Sat 8.30am - 2.00pm)
1. Replacement engine is identical to the original engine, or is an option allowed by the manufacturer for the same model vehicle
The optional engine must be offered in Australia by the vehicle manufacturer as an option for that vehicle (or certified variants). The change of engine may be recorded by VicRoads provided that the registered operator or a motor mechanic, or dealer in that make of vehicle or an Automotive Engineer signs a declaration certifying the engine is optional for the vehicle model, and that all modifications made by the manufacturer for the same vehicle model with that optional engine, have been completed.
You will need to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to have the vehicle's engine inspected to confirm the new engine details. No appointment is required. You will also need to complete a Change of Vehicle Description form [PDF 24kb].
2. Replacement engine is not of a type offered by the vehicle manufacturer as an option for that vehicle or where alterations, or changes to the vehicle's frame or structure are made, and/or specially fabricated supports or structures are used
You will need to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre for an inspection of the vehicle to confirm the new engine details. You will also need to complete a Change of Vehicle Description form [PDF 24kb] and provide VicRoads with:
- a VASS Approval Certificate from a VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory
- an original receipt for the purchase of the engine as proof of ownership of the engine
View more information about removing, adding and replacing seats.
Top of page
All LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) installations must comply with the technical requirements of the Australian Standard AS 1425 current at the time of conversion. If the vehicle was converted after 1 February 1993, an approved AS 1425 LPG compliance plate must be fitted to the vehicle at the time of the conversion. Vehicles fitted with LPG systems are required to have an "LP Gas" plate attached to the vehicle number plates, including bike rack number plates.
All CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) installations must comply with the technical requirements of the Australian Standards AS 2739 current at the time of conversion. If the vehicle was converted to CNG on or after 1 August 2000, an approved AS 2739 CNG compliance plate must be fitted to the vehicle at the time of the conversion.
The structural integrity of the vehicle and its continued compliance with the Standards of registration must not be adversly affected.
If significant alterations are made to the stucture of the vehicle an engineering assessment of the vehicle an engineering assessment of the effects should be obtained and if the installation of the tank affects one or more of the existing mandatory child restraint anchorage points acceptable replacements must be installed. An engineers report will be required for any replacement child restraint anchorage points.
The vehicle operator must supply VicRoads with a LPG/CNG conversion report (contained on Vehicle Standards Information Sheet No. 27)
An acceptable LPG or CNG compliance plate is issued by:
- the Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board (AAFRB). These are only issued to businesses registered with the AAFRB (Ph: 03 9829 1111)
- other recognised State and Territory regulatory authorities, or
- approved volume manufacturers, eg. Holden, Ford etc.
An LPG complinace plate is not required on LPG conversions carried out prior to February 1993 and a CNG compliance plate is not required on conversions carried out prior to August 2000. These convesrions are approved modifications provided they comply with the technical requirements of the relevant Australian Standard current at the time of conversion.
Any LPG or CNG conversion carried out in accordance with the above requirements ia an approved modification. The vehicle does not require to be inspected by VicRoads.
The vehicle operator must supply VicRoads with a LPG conversion report signed by a converter registered with the Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board, or other recognised state and territory. authorities or approved volume manufacturers such as Holden, Ford etc. No inspection of the vehicle by VicRoads is required.
If a higher Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is to be recorded, a VASS Approval Certificate from a VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory or an original letter (photocopies not accepted) from the vehicle's manufacturer is required. The letter must identify the vehicle by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A Change of Description form must be completed. A higher registration fee may apply for heavy vehicles.
A lower GVM can only be recorded if a change is made to vehicle specification. Downgrading of vehicle specifications in order to establish a lower GVM is acceptable in circumstances where:
- the manufacturer offers the identical vehicle at the lower GVM (original letter or data sheet provided by the vehicle manufacturer), or
- a vehicle is fitted with a compliance plate showing several GVM's, or
- a current VASS Approval Certificate from a VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory approving the specification changes is supplied.
Vehicle operators must not alter vehicle specifications that make the vehicle unroadworthy or result in the vehicle no longer complying with the Australian Design Rules. For example, fitting tyres with lower play ratings. In this example, tyres may not be fitted which are less than the minimum specification required by the vehicle manufacturer and specified on the vehicle's tyre placard.
VicRoads will not record a lower GVM if the vehicle no longer meets the Australian Design Rules (ADR's) or is believed to be unroadworthy.
A lower registration fee may apply for heavy vehicles if GVM is lowered. A Change of Description form must be completed.
Top of page