Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6

Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6: National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications, known as VSB6, is the national standard for the most common modifications made to heavy vehicles. Under the NHVR Code of Practice for the Approval of Heavy Vehicle Modifications, the NHVR has set VSB6 as the primary standard used by Approved Vehicle Examiners (AVEs) to approve modifications to heavy vehicles.

VSB 6 is published by the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board (AMVCB) and can be viewed at www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_06.aspx

Review and update of VSB6

The NHVR is the chair of the VSB6 Working Group, responsible for the maintenance of VSB6 and ensuring it is kept current and up-to-date with developing vehicle technologies. For the last 2 years the NHVR, representatives from state and territory transport authorities, industry associations and relevant subject matter experts, have undertaken an extensive review of VSB6. This has been the most comprehensive review since VSB6 was originally published in the early 1990s.

The review incorporated re-formatting the document into a new design and updating diagrams, referenced standards and guidance material in line with advances in vehicle technology. While changes to the technical requirements of VSB6 have been kept to a minimum, there are some changes that will change the way that some common modifications are performed in different states.

VSB6 Version 3 release - 1 September 2017

VSB6 Version 3 will become the new national standard for the most common modifications made to heavy vehicles from 1 September 2017.

The NHVR understands that some vehicle modifications are complex changes and require extensive design and work to complete. To ensure that owners and modifiers who have already commenced these types of complex changes are able to finish their modifications, AVEs will be able to certify modifications to existing VSB6 codes provided these modifications are completed and certified by 30 September 2017.

From 1 October 2017, all modifications certified by an AVE must be done in accordance with VSB6 Version 3.

To ensure vehicle owners and modifiers have time to become familiar with any changed requirements and to commence planning modification designs in line with the new requirements, VSB6 Version 3 is available to view and download below.

Introduction PDF, 1.1MB

Section A - Engines PDF, 3.5MB

  • A1 Checklist - Engine substitution
    DOCX, 58KB
  • A1 Modification report - Engine installation
    DOCX, 49KB
  • A2 Checklist - Air cleaner substitution or additional fitting
    DOCX, 50KB
  • A3 Checklist - Turbo charger installation
    DOCX, 51KB
  • A4 Checklist - Exhaust system alteration
    DOCX, 50KB
  • A5 Checklist - Road speed limiter installation
    DOCX, 54KB

Section B - Transmissions PDF, 915KB

  • B1 Checklist - Transmission substitution or additional fitting
    DOCX, 55KB

Section C - Tail Shafts PDF, 1.3MB

  • C1 Checklist - Tail shaft modification
    DOCX, 52KB
  • C1 Modification report - Tail shaft modification
    DOCX, 53KB

Section D - Rear Axles PDF, 1.2MB

Section E - Front Axle Steering Wheels & Tyres PDF, 3.3MB

  • E1 Checklist - Front axle installation
    DOCX, 55KB
  • E2 Checklist - Steering alteration
    DOCX, 57KB
  • E2 Modification report - Front axle and steering
    DOCX, 59KB
  • E3 Checklist - Fitting of non-standard front wheel, i.e. tyre or rim
    DOCX, 54KB

Section F - Suspension PDF, 1.4MB

  • F1 Checklist - Suspension substitution
    DOCX, 54KB
  • F2 Checklist - Trailer suspension modifications
    DOCX, 53KB

Section G - Brakes PDF, 7MB

  • G Modification report - Air system re-charge data sheet
    DOCX, 53KB
  • G1 Checklist - Relocation of air brake components
    DOCX, 52KB
  • G2 Checklist - Installation of trailer braking controls: air brakes
    DOCX, 54KB
  • G3 Checklist - Trailer brake system upgrade
    DOCX, 59KB
  • G4 Checklist - Brake system certification
    DOCX, 60KB
  • G4 Modification report - Brake system (pre-ADR vehicle)
    DOCX, 41KB
  • G4 Modification report - Brake system: ADR certified vehicle
    DOCX, 50KB
  • G4 Test report - Brake torque build-up check: adjacent axles
    DOCX, 68KB
  • G5 Checklist - Fitting of auxiliary and endurance brakes
    DOCX, 50KB
  • G6 Checklist - Fitting of air operated accessories
    DOCX, 53KB
  • G7 Checklist - Brake system substitution/wheelbase extension
    DOCX, 51KB
  • G8 Checklist - Trailer brake system upgrade (design)
    DOCX, 55KB

Section H - Chassis PDF, 6.6MB

  • H Calculation sheet - Chassis modification
    DOCX, 49KB
  • H1 Checklist - Wheelbase extension outside OEM options
    DOCX, 55KB
  • H2 Checklist - Wheelbase reduction outside OEM options
    DOCX, 55KB
  • H3 Checklist - Wheelbase alterations within OEM options
    DOCX, 55KB
  • H4 Checklist - Chassis alteration
    DOCX, 56KB
  • H5 Checklist - Trailer chassis modifications
    DOCX, 54KB
  • H6 Checklist - Install approved front underrun protection
    DOCX, 53KB
  • H7 Checklist - Design or manufacture of aftermarket front underrun protection
    DOCX, 53KB
  • H7 Certificate of approval - FUPD and FUPS (example)
    DOCX, 50KB

Section J - Body Mounting PDF, 2.7MB

  • J1 Checklist - Body mounting
    DOCX, 55KB
  • J2 Checklist - Fitting of truck-bus body
    DOCX, 56KB
  • J3 Checklist - Fitting of roll-over or falling object protection system
    DOCX, 51KB

Section K - Cabin PDF, 2.2MB

  • K1 Checklist - Seating capacity alteration, seat, seatbelt and anchorage installation
    DOCX, 55KB
  • K2 Checklist - Certification of seat and of seat belt anchorage
    DOCX, 53KB
  • K3 Checklist - Cabin Conversion
    DOCX, 57KB
  • K5 Checklist - Installation of wheelchair occupant restraint system
    DOCX, 51KB
  • K6 Checklist - Child restraint anchorage installation
    DOCX, 58KB

Section M - Fuel Systems PDF, 748KB

Section P - Tow couplings PDF, 2.3MB

  • P1 Checklist - Towbar and coupling installation other than fifth wheels and kingpinss
    DOCX, 54KB
  • P2 Checklist - Fifth wheel and kingpin installations
    DOCX, 60KB
  • P2 Evaluation sheet - Fifth wheel and turntable evaluation report
    DOCX, 76KB

Section R - Vehicle Mounted Lifting Systems PDF, 1.7MB

  • R1 Checklist - Installation of vehicle mounted lifting systems
    DOCX, 56KB
  • R1 Assessment report - Vehicle mounted lifting systems
    DOCX, 78KB
  • R2 Checklist - Wheelchair loader installation
    DOCX, 51KB

Section S - Vehicle Rating PDF, 5.9MB

Section T - Tow Trucks PDF, 1.3MB

  • T1 Checklist — Construction of tow trucks
    DOCX, 62KB
  • T2 Checklist — Design of tow trucks
    DOCX, 53KB

Amendments

As VSB6 is revised and updated, the NHVR will publish a change log of any amendments to identify which sections have been changed.

Feedback

The NHVR will be seeking to continually update and improve VSB6. Contributions and feedback may be made by completing the VSB6 Feedback Form (DOCX, 256KB) and sending it to vehiclestandards@nhvr.gov.au