You need an approval certificate for modified, imported, and individually constructed vehicles. This is part of the registration requirements.
The certificates can be obtained from an approved VASS authority [PDF, 66kb, 5pp], who must:
- personally inspect the vehicle
- ensure all work, including any modification, is correctly carried out
- certify that the vehicle complies with the applicable standards.
Once you have the approval certificate (VicRoads copy) take it and the vehicle to a VicRoads Registration and Licensing Office for registration or to have its description changed.
If the vehicle is to be registered, the usual supporting documentation will also need to be supplied.
An individually constructed vehicle is considered to be a new vehicle for registration purposes and therefore no roadworthiness certificate is required.
VicRoads cannot accept an approval certificate more than 30 days after the date of issue. However, this time period can be extended for modified heavy vehicles, provided the vehicle has not traveled more than 1000km after the certificate is issued.
VASS is a scheme for the certification of modified, imported, and individually constructed vehicles in Victoria.
It replaces the former Recognised Engineering Signatory (RES) scheme.
A single sheet, the VASS Approval Certificate, replaces the Engineer's Report used in the previous scheme.