Categorisation of defects

Manual for the Categorisation of Defects on Heavy Motor Vehicles Comprehensive Inspection Guidelines – Version 1

Version 1, May 2005

Preamble

• Section 115 of the Land Transport Act 1998 (Act) empowers enforcement officers to direct that a vehicle must not be used on a road. The following are
guidelines to assist with the more consistent application of the section.
• This aid has been developed to assist enforcement officers in determining ‘in’ or ‘out’ of service criteria for vehicles found with defects on the roadside.
• It should be noted that the pass/fail criteria can differ from that applied to the vehicle at the time of COF issuance.
• It applies criteria, which will assist in consistency of application when assessing if a vehicle is safe to continue after a Walk-Around Inspection.
• Depending on the fault/s identified, and the particular circumstances, an out-of-service-order may be issued, with an accompanying pink or green sticker.
A police officer also has an alternative option of issuing an offence notice with an instruction for repair or rectification of the fault/s to be carried out
within a specified time.
• Failure to comply with the instruction on an offence notice to repair or rectify the fault/s, and to notify the Police that the faults have been remedied, may
result in prosecution.
• Driver is to be advised the level of assessment prior to commencement of inspection. (eg walk-around or comprehensive)

Discretionary Equipment

Checking of towing connections is with appropriate equipment (go no go gauge) is discretionary Note: If trailer disconnected it is to be
made clear to the driver that it is his/her responsibility to ensure a safe recoupling (including air lines) before moving off.
Use of the Heat Gun; for assessing brake drum temperatures is discretionary and should an enforcement officer decide to carry out this
check then the attached procedure, developed by the Police should be referred to.

Interpretation

*Loose – Visually or can be moved without the aid of a tool
*Codes - QP (Qualifies for Pink)
*Codes - QG (Qualified for Green)

Last updated: 10 May 2005