From the NZTA website:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/low-volume-vehicle-certification-review
Low volume vehicle certification review (phase 1)
Published: October 2015 | Category: Research & reports | Audience: Motorists
The Low Volume Vehicle (LVV) certification system for scratch-built or modified vehicles is being reviewed to ensure it is still fit for purpose, and to look for ways it could be improved.
As a starting point, we commissioned Standards New Zealand to undertake an independent survey with a wide range of users of the LVV system, to understand their perspectives on which elements of the current system are working well, and those that are not working so well. This report outlines the findings of this consultation. There are also some Q&As that provide further information.
We are analysing the findings, along with other relevant information available to us (such as customer feedback, and correspondence such as Official Information Act requests) to form a picture of potential changes we can make to the system.
As decisions are made about those changes, we will update the information on this website.
Publication details
Author: Standards New Zealand
Published: October 2015
Contact: lvreview@nzta.govt.nz
Browse section/chapter
Low-volume-vehicle-certification-review-QAs(3)
Scoping-report-for-review-of-the-LVV-certification-system(1)
Web: www.standards.co.nz | Email: enquiries@standards.co.nz | Phone: +64 4 498 5990
Quote from NZTA document “LOW VOLUME VEHICLE CERTIFICATION REVIEW” :
“However, some areas for improvement were highlighted. The key themes identified through responses to the survey are as follows:
There was a high level of dissatisfaction with the need to go through a full re-certification process, and incur the associated additional cost, when a minor change was made to a vehicle. Respondents would prefer to see a process which would certify the change as an add-on to the current certification.
• The cost of the certification process for a vehicle was seen as being too expensive (especially given the re-certification requirement identified above).
• The LVV system is seen as not being representative of the needs of enthusiasts of Japanese cars.
• Respondents felt there is a lack of consistency in various aspects of the LVV system, in particular the interpretation and application of the standards between the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA) and certifiers.
• Businesses undertaking a number of vehicle modifications found the LVV system not well suited to commercial certification volumes and would like alternative approaches to be investigated.
Other areas for improvement that have been highlighted via survey responses or other customer feedback include the following:
• Many LVV system users may be unaware of the role that the LVV Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) plays in dealing with vehicle modifications that do not fit neatly into the existing LVV standards.
• There is a lack of clarity in the TAC process.
• Over time, the roles of LVV certifiers, LVVTA and Transport Agency teams have become blurred.
• The current ‘one size fits all’ certification process is not efficient or appropriate for all system users, and may increase costs for lower risk users.
What steps are we taking next?
The Transport Agency is currently considering the feedback gained through the survey, and analysing this alongside other feedback we have received about the system, to propose a set of actions for implementation.
We have already identified the need for Transport Agency oversight of the LVV system to increase, and for the Transport Agency to have greater participation in the LVV TAC process. We are currently working through how this could happen, and will inform stakeholders when we have more details about this and any other actions taken as a result of the review.” Quote ends.