The latest release from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, is coming into force next week, it’s the new bible for inspectors, the new edition of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.
As of October 18 the new NHVIM Version 3.0 will come into effect and be the reference point used when inspecting vehicles for NHVR officers. The manual provides authorised officers and industry with consistent criteria for heavy vehicle inspections.
The NHVIM was introduced by the NHVR as part of its task to develop and introduce a single national approach to ensuring heavy vehicle roadworthiness. The NHVIM applies to all vehicles that have a gross vehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes.
The idea behind the NHVIM is to provide authorised officers (including safety compliance officers and police), approved vehicle examiners (AVEs) and other vehicle inspectors with a nationally consistent set of failure criteria to be applied when conducting a heavy vehicle inspection. It also provides vehicle operators with an easy to follow set of requirements to know when a vehicle is considered defective.
The NHVR publishes amendments to the NHVIM as it goes along and here is the latest list of amendments that those involved in truck and trailer maintenance need to be aware of.
When using the NHVIM, the NHVR applies a number of basic principles, including the fact that equipment required by the Vehicle Standards or ADRs must be present and work properly:
- Equipment that is essential for compulsory components to function, the safe operation of a vehicle, or the control of its emissions, must be kept in good condition.
- Equipment that is not required by the Vehicle Standards and has no direct effect on the vehicle’s safe operation or the control of its emissions does not have to function, as long as it does not interfere with compulsory equipment that is required.
- Manufacturers’ recommendations relevant to the safety of particular vehicle parts or to the control of emissions must be considered.
- Test methods or other conditions have not been specified except where they are necessary to determine whether criteria are met.
- Examiners will utilise their qualifications and experience in vehicle repairs and maintenance and refer to any relevant information regarding vehicle manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that the vehicle meets the requirements of the Vehicle Standards or ADRs.
- Relevant ADRs are noted at the beginning of each section of the NHVIM. Some of the ADRs may have been repealed or updated since publication of the NHVIM, however, depending on the age of the vehicle being inspected, the ADR or aspects of the ADR may still be applicable.
- All relevant documents should be consulted for a complete list of the requirements.
