An approval certificate is needed to register or change the description of a modified, imported or individually constructed vehicle.
The vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) aims to ensure all modified, imported and individually constructed vehicles meet construction and safety standards. If you're thinking about building your own vehicle (i.e. an individually constructed vehicle), discuss your plan with a VASS signatory first.
Certificates are only issued by approved VASS signatories. VASS signatory locations [PDF, 40kb, 5pp]
The VASS signatory must:
- personally inspect your vehicle
- ensure all work, including any modification, is correctly carried out
- certify that the vehicle complies with the applicable standards.
Approval certificates are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. We cannot accept certificates older than 30 days. Validity can be extended for modified heavy vehicles that have not traveled more than 1000km after the certificate was issued.
Cost will vary depending on the nature of the work. Contact a VASS signatory to ask about cost.
You must take a valid approval certificate to your registration appointment. See registration requirements for information on registering your vehicle such as fees, documents needed and how to make an appointment. There are extra requirements to register an imported vehicle.
An individually constructed vehicle is treated as a new vehicle so no roadworthiness certificate is required.