Approved Vehicle Examiners (AVEs)

The NHVR uses Approved Vehicle Examiners (AVEs) to certify and approve certain modifications to heavy vehicles.

An AVE is accredited under their local jurisdictional scheme and must comply with the business rules of their appointment as well as the HVNL. An approval by an AVE is approval under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

Jurisdictional AVE schemes

An AVE approved to certify modifications by a state or territory transport department is considered an AVE of the NHVR.

As local schemes include AVEs for both light and heavy vehicles, only those AVEs that have approval for heavy vehicle modification codes can approve heavy vehicle modifications.

If an AVE is approved for more than one scheme, they must comply with the scheme in which they are performing the approval (for example, if undertaking an approval in Victoria, the administrative and business rules of the Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme would apply).

See heavy vehicle modifications for the type of modifications that require approval by an AVE or the NHVR.

Contact details for AVEs in each jurisdiction are provided below.

AVE contact details

Australian Capital Territory

Approval of heavy vehicle modifications in the ACT is undertaken by Departmental Officers. Anyone wishing to modify an ACT-registered heavy vehicle under s86 must contact the ACT Road Transport Authority. If modifying a vehicle under s87 contact the NHVR.

Further information contact:

  • ACT Road Transport Authority
    Vehicle Inspection Technical Unit (VITU)
    29 Couranga Crescent HUME ACT 2620
  • Phone: (02) 6207 7236
  • Email: vitu@act.gov.au

New South Wales

Approval of common modifications (s86) in NSW is done under the Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS).

Queensland

In Queensland, AVEs are known as Approved Persons and are accredited by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to approve modifications to heavy vehicles. For more information go to About the Approved Person Scheme, to find an Approved Person go to Certification of vehicle modifications.

South Australia

In South Australia, AVEs are known as Recognised Engineering Signatories (RES) and are approved by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to certify modifications to heavy vehicles. Further information on the SA Recognised Engineering Signatory scheme can be obtained at www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/heavy-vehicles/operating-a-heavy-vehicle/modifications-to-heavy-vehicles

Tasmania

In Tasmania, AVEs are known as Approved Vehicle Certifiers (AVC). An AVC is authorised by the Department of State Growth to certify vehicle modifications within a specific range. Further information on AVC’s and the AVC scheme can be obtained at www.transport.tas.gov.au/vehicles_and_vehicle_inspections/modification_inspections_avcais

Victoria

In Victoria, AVEs are known as Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) signatories. VASS Signatories are appointed by the Department of Transport to approve modifications to heavy vehicles. Further information on Signatories and the VASS can be obtained at https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/modify-or-build-a-vehicle/vehicle-assessment-signatory-scheme-approval-certificate

Northern Territory

Where a modification is appropriately authorised in the Northern Territory, and the vehicle displays a modification plate or label indicating the modification complies with the relevant sections of VSB6, the modification may be recognised under the HVNL.

For more information about modifying vehicles in the Northern Territory, go to www.nt.gov.au/driving/rego/vehicle-compliance-and-modification/vehicle-modifications/engineering-certification

Western Australia

Where a modification is appropriately authorised in Western Australia, and the vehicle displays a modification plate or label indicating the modification complies with the relevant sections of VSB6, the modification may be recognised under the HVNL.

For more information about modifying vehicles in WA, phone 13 11 56 or go to www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/modify-a-heavy-vehicle.asp